Ghanaian parents have long discouraged their children from becoming or marrying musicians. A musical profession remains to be not perceived as one that gives a regular income to support a family, and the behavior of musicians is perceived by some as deviant from the norm. Such attitudes hold back musicians who need to make a profession related to their art.
I’m a skilled musician, music researcher and environmental activist with an interest in the worldwide challenges facing musicians. IN recent article I checked out the strategies adopted by Okyeame Kwame – The better of Okyeame Kwame (OK), considered one of the pioneers hiplife music in Ghana to proceed his profession. Hiplife music combines traditional Ghanaian music styles akin to highlife music with hip-hop.
Okyeame Kwame is considered one of the few hiplife pioneers from the mid-90s who remains to be actively involved within the industry. He has received several local and international awards for his music and philanthropy. Examples include Cincinnati’s “Key to the City” and former U.S. President Barack Obama’s United States Volunteer Award.
My research spanned 12 months and used an ethnographic approach, including participant statement and interviews, to explore the music industry in Ghana. During this era, three things emerged as the explanation why Okyeame Kwame’s solo profession has continued for 20 years.
These three things are resilience, diversification and interconnectedness. Resilience is the power to take care of one’s identity and stability, even within the face of disruption and alter. Diversification is essentially having other options. Interconnectedness refers back to the state of reference to others – musicians and fans. I concluded that he was particularly good in any respect three things.
This approach offers lessons that may help musicians explore strategies for profession sustainability in a number of contexts.
Resistance
Resilience might be defined as the power to regain and maintain identity and continuity despite setbacks and alter. Ethnomusicologist Jeff T. Titon explains that resilience is about finding the weaknesses and strengths related to change, then improving the weak areas and strengthening the strengths.
Based on my research, I actually have concluded that Okyeame Kwame has demonstrated resilience in difficult times.
For example, the group he was a a part of, Akyeame, disbanded in 2004. They formed the group since 1997 and were successful.
Okyeame Kwame explored ways to beat these limitations through higher education. He enrolled on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and obtained a Bachelor’s degree (Music and Akan). This formal education improved his music writing skills. He currently writes songs and has received many awards for his writing skills.
Diversification
Okyeame Kwame believed that a lasting profession was possible. But counting on performances and music sales wasn’t enough.
He used his music to turn out to be famous after which used his popularity to create one other business where he could earn money. He explained: :
Music itself shouldn’t be precious, however the secondary economy of being a musician is precious.
His private business includes a company managing other artists, organizing events and creating television commercials. He can also be the owner of a company producing men’s underwear.
He uses his brand to enter into promotional agreements with corporate entities, where his image is used to create a marketplace for corporations. These arrangements create an audience for him.
Interconnectivity
Interconnection is key to survival within the music industry. Musicians must cultivate good relationships with their fans and collaborators when collaborating on music and other projects.
Economists Jordi McKenzie, Paul Crosby and Liam Lenten in theirs Work on creative production methods within the music industry, recognize the event of collaboration between musicians on individual song projects.
In their paper showed that “high quality music and increased market demand thanks to the fan base of both musicians” are only a few of the advantages the musicians derive from cooperation.
Okyeame Kwame doesn’t make all his music himself. He sometimes collaborates with other artists akin to Kidi, Beenie Man and Kwame Eugene.
Application
While there appears to be little risk of music completely disappearing from our planet, those that create and take care of it are continually faced with decisions that impact the viability and sustainability of musical practices. The sustainability of any musical culture depends upon the supply of musicians.
The way forward for music and culture is hugely depending on and influenced by economic disruptions and changes. Therefore, lack of attention to the economic sustainability of musicians can result in unsustainable music.