Entertainment
Point of View: Ghanaian artistes have knack for live band music amidst COVID-19
Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention, and clearly this is what has taken the Ghanaian music industry by storm in the midst of deadly coronavirus wreaking havoc around the world.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ghana, various measures have been taken by the government to help curb the spread of the virus. i.e ban on social gathering.
Though there has been some easing, it has not impacted the music scene significantly to open up for major concerts.
There is no denying the fact that concerts amongst other public events are the major sources of income for most Ghanaian artistes.
Due to the situation, there have not been a lot of events on the music scene, as artistes and their managements put in a lot of effort to change the status quo by shifting from the traditional concert model to charting new paths.
As the nation adjusts to the new reality of life, a number of artistes and bands are connecting with their fans on live streaming platforms, exhibiting their prowess and knack for live band music to help alleviate the uncertainty and fear instigated by the outbreak.
It is established that music is a powerful means of connecting people, and the joy even becomes intense when it is’ enjoyed live.
Performing without an audience is certainly a little awkward, however, these concerts were far from the normal miming the industry is noted for, as artistes have exhibited their prowess in live band music.
Many a time, Industry players complain of the lack of love for live band music among Ghanaian artistes.
The narrative has however, shifted in the wake of COVID-19, as the likes of, Samini, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Wendy Shay, Edem, Eric Jeshrun, Joe Mettle, Akesse Brempong, Kelvyn Boy, M.anifest, Adina, Cina Soul, Efya, Wiyaala, Camidoh among others have rekindled hope in live band music in the country.
Clearly, the virtual concerts are shaping up to be part of their business portfolio, with the hope of generating healthy income and engaging a geographically dispersed base of core fans.
It is my hope that this new normal will positively impact the music industry when COVID-19 is defeated, because a vibrant music economy drives value for countries in several important ways.
It cannot be underestimated that it fuels job creation, economic growth, tourism development and artistic growth, and strengthens a country’s brand.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
The Keepers Music welcomes new artiste Neyty with debut song ‘Most high God’
The Keepers Music has introduced their newest artiste, Neyty, a powerful singer ready to make an impact.
Her debut song, ‘Most High God’ is a powerful track filled with uplifting rhythms and inspiring lyrics.
The Keepers Music focuses on creating soulful, spirit-filled music, and sees Neyty as a fresh voice with great potential.
They unveiled her as their new artiste alongside the release of the official artwork for ‘Most High God’
In an Interview with The Spectator Neyty describes ‘Most High God’ as a song of praise and adoration inspired by her deep love for honouring God.
‘I love to give glory to God for everything He has done for me,” Neyty shares, highlighting her passion for gospel music’ she added
In the song, Neyty refers to Yahweh as the Most High, drawing listeners into reverence.
Released on October 29, ‘Most High God has already gathered over 8,000 views on YouTube and is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Entertainment
Dr Bawumia launches GMX music streaming app
GMX (Ghana Music Xperience), the latest music streaming innovation, is set to transform the music landscape with its unparalleled focus on Ghanaian music content, discovery, and personalised experiences.
The groundbreaking platform is poised to redefine how music lovers engage with Ghanaian music, both locally and internationally.
GMX will boast of an extensive library of Ghanaian music, ranging from traditional folk to contemporary genres like hiplife and dancehall. The platform’s cutting-edge features include exclusive content, early access to new releases, seamless music search and discovery, personalised playlists, and social media integration.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s Vice President, said, “With our music, we are building a legacy which requires tools and platforms to ensure our artistes and all those who contribute to this vibrant industry receive their due recognition, compensation and rightful place on the global stage.
“We’re in a digital revolution and it is very important we use the tools offered by the digital age to monetise our talents in the Ghanaian music industry. The value of the global economy is in digitalisation and when we say we need to promote our talent, then we need to go digital as that is where the money is.
We need the GMX streaming app for the local empowerment of our industry. If you look at the digital revolution in the world, you’re either a developer of apps or a user. The developers are those who make money and the users pay. So, it is very important to have local ownership of these apps.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Andrew Egyapa Mercer, who was present at the launch pronounced GMX as a revolution in the Ghanaian music landscape.
“In Ghana, music is our heartbeat, a channel through which we express our story, tradition and help unite communities. As we launch GMX, it is a celebration of our media heritage and the showcasing of our range of artistes,” he said.
This (GMX) aligns perfectly with the government’s mission to advance the creative arts space. Platforms like GMX will allow us to showcase our culture to the world and contribute significantly to tourism,” he added.
GMX’s unique features among others include, exclusive Ghanaian content including pacesetters from the Gold Coast era to contemporary trailblazers.
The platform will provide early access to new releases, behind-the-scenes footage, artist interviews, and exclusive releases.
There will also be seamless music search and discovery, powered by an intuitive recommendation engine, personalised playlists, curated by experts and powered by advanced AI as well as social media integration, allowing users to share favourite tracks and connect with others.
By Spectator Reporter