Ghanaian jazz singer, Stephanie Benson, has called on male artist managers to stop blackmailing young female musicians.
Managers, she believes, should focus on their main mandate, which is to develop people and prepare them for the creative space.
She stated on TV3’s Ladies’ Circle that many female artists in Ghana are being persuaded to have sexual affairs with their managers in order to receive support for their careers.
“If the guys (artiste managers) care about Ghana and Ghana music that much, and our female artiste, then they should stop trying to blackmail those girls into opening their legs for them,” she said.
According to Mrs Benson, most female musicians who get into the act are often desperate.
“You see, desperation can make people do things that they don’t really want to do. Sometimes I see that side of it. That’s why I don’t judge people. It’s all well and good to sit here and say don’t do this, don’t do that. Don’t be that way. But I’m predominantly a mother as well.
“But if you are struggling hardest, and you are loving music, or you want to be famous. That kind of desperation makes you do things,” she said.
