Rapper Strongman has stated that in Ghana, artiste managers and fans see signing acts to their label as helping them instead of a business venture.
He said artistes suffer under labels but “just show the flashy side of the signing to the people” and when things end badly, artistes take the fall.
After being under the Sarkcess label for two years and finally parting ways, he remained tight-lipped about what pushed him to walk away but says it was a mutual agreement.
However, fans make things unbearable for himself and other artists because they keep attacking them on social media, talking about things they have no clear knowledge of.
In an interview with NYDJ on YFM, Strongman noted that “It’s only in Ghana when you’re signed onto a label and people see it to help. It’s signing it’s not a help.”
“It’s more like a business. You shouldn’t be there (and be saying) you’re ungrateful. I signed because I know what Sark can do for me. He signed me because he knows what I can also do. So, when we’re done. we’re done. We go our separate ways,” he said.
“Nobody is even supposed to be grateful to anybody. That one is just a secondary matter” adding that he decided to be loyal to Sarkodie because of the love he always had for him and that it was a contract in which the two parties are supposed to benefit so no need for ‘gratefulness’.
He noted that the public instead of understanding a deal can end because “things are not going well”, they expect a “lifetime deal” of some sort that you’re expected to stay put.
He further noted that signees are not respected in Ghana and that people just assume the manager is helping the artiste.
“Signees are not respected in Ghana. If you’re signed, it’s like you were suffering and someone picked you up to help you but no, this is business,” he stated.
Meanwhile, he still chooses to keep shut because “I’m just trying to be loyal to the brand.
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By: Hajia Lamy Gates |ghanaweekend.com
