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Ghanaian gospel musician, Diana Hamilton, has advised her colleague musicians to take advantage of online video-sharing and streaming platforms to enhance their music careers since that is the new order.
She was speaking in an interview on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show when she responded to a comment by Ghanaian gospel singer, Ernest Opoku that, secular artist benefit from streaming platforms more than gospel artist.
“Let Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale release a new song right now, you will see how the DJs and the fans will rush for it and download so they can make money, but we gospel musicians rather have to pay for our songs to be played.
“Ay Poyoo just got one million views on YouTube for his goat song, and I don’t think any gospel musician would have gotten those views despite their talent. Back in the days when we had producers behind us, we could sell CDs and make a lot of money for our next projects,” Opoku said.
He added: “Imagine about 800 people buying my CDs at GH¢5 in churches, not to talk about my fans, and I was good to go. if I release a song and spend money to shoot a video, pay a sound engineer, and not get close to half of what I put in, then what’s the point? What am I doing with $300 when I spent over $1,000 on that particular song? After uploading on YouTube, I now have to pay DJs and television stations to get the song played. We are not doing well and any gospel musician who will disagree with me probably has a sponsor pushing his or her works.”
However, Hamilton disagreed with his assertions, stating that, the reason why some gospel musicians are still behind in terms of monetization of their music online is because they fail to acknowledge the digital world.
She told the host that she and her management team began to make good use of the digital platforms when some music producers and artistes had no belief in the benefits of the digital world.
She argued that ”if you haven’t gone into somebody’s farm, you might think your farm is the biggest or you’re making the big income but the truth is everyone feeds his or her child . . . Cost is being covered and God is continually blessing us”.
She also advised gospel musicians who are behind in the digital age to make good use of its opportunities.
”Better late than never like they say. It’s patience but then also knowing the right roots to channel your energy and also those with the knowledge to help you. God has been gracious and given me people who are hands-on, always reading; management team that are always working behind the scene to make things work.
“So, those who didn’t catch up early, like I said, better late than never. Let’s build relationships. These things are based on relationships. A DJ will pick up your song and play not because you paid the person any money but because maybe they like you as a person, maybe the song you’re doing is great; maybe the work you’re doing is great,” she said.
By Juliana Tamatey, Daily Mail GH
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