FREEDOM Cry artiste, Wakayna is tasking players in the music industry to stop putting undue pressure on budding artistes by constantly comparing the works of Ghanaian and Nigerian artistes.
Wakayna explains such comparisons only compel many up and coming talents to abandon their unique styles to jump on popular Nigerian sounds in order to be accepted which he believes is unhealthy and does not help grow the industry.
He goes on to say the trend has become popular with the unnecessary assessment of music works of both countries. However, Ghanaian artistes are devalued in such instances and Wakayna, born Francis Dogbey believes the new development is hindering the industry’s growth.
“I know that Ghana is not an island so definitely our works will be compared to others in the region and even the rest of the world but my worry is the constant comparison with Nigeria. This subject has come up many times and unfortunately, it appears Ghanaian artistes are not doing much but that is not true.
“This is hindering the industry’s growth since many up and coming artistes are being pressured to abandon their unique styles for popular Nigerian sounds and music styles. They are confident that such music presentations are globally accepted and are forced to go by the popular trends. How then do we develop what makes us unique as an industry?” he said.
Ghana vrs Naija: who wins this time?
Wakayna announced his presence on the music scene in December 2019 with his song, Africa Nice and since then, he has been working his way up the music ladder.
However, Wakayna, known for songs such as Never Give up, Black Lives Matter, Bob Marley, Bless Me and Anadwo said he has not had it all rosy and he is certain that the story would have been different if he copied the Nigerian’s style of music.
“Perhaps, our focus and desire to equally push our works internationally is what is driving this Ghana/Naija comparison agenda but we must be careful not to kill our talents because we want to be like Nigeria or do what Nigeria is doing.
“We’ve had some artistes doing very well with Dancehall and I’m confident that they could still be flying high internationally but because Afrobeats is perceived to be the popular demand, everybody is doing it. But for all we know, there could be a young artiste who can equally break global grounds with another genre apart from Afrobeats.
“The industry must appreciate the diversity of talents and not impose what Ghanaian music talents may not be well versed in because Nigerian artistes are flying high with Afrobeats and Ghana seem to be lacking behind.
“It creates the impression that they are the standard and that will not help our industry to grow since we will always be walking in their shadows,” he noted.
