Black Sherif has voiced his displeasure about the misinterpretation of his remarks concerning the promotion of Ghanaian music. He clarified that he did not endorse a total prohibition of Nigerian and foreign music in Ghana. Responding to the widespread misunderstanding, Black Sherif quickly used Twitter to set the record straight. He stated that his international team, mainly comprising foreigners, attests that the circulated statements falsely attributed to him could not have been made by him.
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Background
Ghanaian artistes including Samini, Black Sherif, Reggie Rockstone, and Smallgod were in attendance at the #PlayGhana initiative organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in collaboration with the Creative Arts Agency.
During the event, they passionately discussed the theme of the day. The purpose of the initiative was to promote Ghanaian music throughout the country in preparation for the festive season known as ‘Detty December,’ when many diasporans visit the country for their holidays, to add aura to entertainment in Ghana
Each musician took the opportunity to express their views on making Ghanaian music the focal point of Ghana’s entertainment industry, following years of Nigerian music dominating the scene.
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Saminiemphasized the importance of giving Ghanaian music the recognition it deserves, highlighting how the constant preference for foreign music over local songs has negatively impacted the industry’s growth.
Samini additionally expressed that the presence of Ghanaian music on streaming platforms is inadequate. He clarified that the constant exposure to foreign music has diverted the public’s attention away from their own country’s artists.
“We’ve always been advocating the fact that we need to hear more of our music when we are in our own territory. Because that’s what we see when we go to other territories. If you go to Kenya, for instance, you hear strictly East African music. Yes, of course, we have the Nigerian invasion, which is inevitable, which is not the competition here,” Samini said.
“That’s not the complaint here. That’s not the target here. What we’re talking about is that, especially for the fact that we have beyond the return, which has become like an asset to Ghana, should anybody travel here and listen to 70% foreign music and 30% Ghanaian music, then what music have we sold to those who returned. It has to be a deliberate approach. It has to be strategic and deliberate, without malice to any other force or any other group. Let’s make sure ours is ours, and let’s make it appealing to the masses,” he added.
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Black Sherif, upon his turn, expressed his intention to refrain from excessive talking and placing blame on others for Ghana’s current predicament. Instead, he emphasized the importance of a unified effort to propel Ghanaian music forward.
“You know, this is not a blame game. We are not blaming DJs. We are not blaming artists. We are not blaming consumers. It’s a step in the right direction for us all, our music, and our culture. So play Ghana. Blessings.”
