Michael Owusu Addo well known as Sarkodie, a renowned Ghanaian rapper and one of the African continent’s most prominent musical talents, has taken to social media to express his concern over the critical scrutiny faced by emerging artists in the entertainment industry. In a heartfelt Facebook post, the artist urged the public and media to be understanding and lenient when assessing the work and progress of budding musicians.
Sarkodie reminisced about his own journey in the music industry, highlighting how he and his contemporaries had the luxury of making mistakes and learning from them behind the scenes. He emphasized that the current generation of artists, however, is navigating a different landscape characterized by the immediacy and ubiquity of social and traditional media. He noted that these young artists are learning their craft and correcting their mistakes while in the spotlight, which can be a daunting and overwhelming experience.
“My era coming up, we had time to make our mistakes behind cameras and at least work on our approach to this business—how to speak during interviews, stage craft, how to deal with this industry in general,” Sarkodie wrote. He acknowledged that he is still learning from his experiences, but he empathized with the challenges faced by today’s emerging artists, who are constantly under public scrutiny.
The rapper’s appeal extends to the public, media commentators, and bloggers who play a significant role in shaping public perception and opinion about artists and their work. He emphasized the importance of giving these fledgling acts the space and support they need to grow and evolve creatively. “It’s a lot of pressure and sometimes affects their decisions. It’s not easy at all for them. I would urge we take it easy on them and give them a chance,” he added.
Sarkodie’s plea comes at a time when the entertainment industry has been grappling with the impact of critical commentary and the potential toll it can take on artists’ confidence and creativity. The role of media, both traditional and social, in shaping narratives and opinions has been a subject of ongoing debate. Sarkodie himself has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the media’s focus on negative aspects of artists’ careers and achievements.
In a previous interview with Firestick in September 2022, Sarkodie criticized media figures and pundits who have not gained exposure on international platforms like the BBC. He suggested that they lacked the moral authority to critique Ghanaian musicians for not achieving international success. His stance further underscores his commitment to advocating for fair treatment and understanding within the industry.
Sarkodie’s contribution to the African music scene is immeasurable, marked by a multitude of local and international accolades. His success story stands as a testament to the hard work and dedication required to achieve greatness in the music industry. With this recent Facebook post, he adds his voice to a growing movement advocating for empathy, support, and patience towards emerging artists who are poised to shape the future of the industry.
