In Tamale, a northern city in Ghana, there is a growing sentiment among music fans and supporters that some mainstream artists are not giving back to the community that helped propel them to success.
Baron De Jah Rule, a popular radio presenter in the city, recently took to social media to express his frustration with certain artists who he claims are “greedy and selfish.”
According to Jah Rule, there are artists in Tamale who have received a lot of support from local bloggers, graphic designers, and music lovers, but are not reciprocating that support in any meaningful way.
Two artists in particular, who Jah Rule did not name, has allegedly never shared business flyers of their fans to help them gain exposure, nor have they helped build the Facebook followers of their top fans.
Jah Rule also claimed that these artists do not value the support of radio and TV presenters in Tamale, preferring to pay for interviews with southern presenters rather than giving back to those who helped them in their hometown.
These actions, or lack thereof, have left many in the Tamale music community feeling disillusioned and frustrated.
Jah Rule’s post has sparked a larger conversation about the responsibilities that artists have to their local communities and the people who support them.
In the comments section of his post, many people expressed their support for Jah Rule’s sentiments, while others defended the unnamed artists, arguing that they may not have the resources to give back in the way that is expected of them.
Regardless of the differing opinions, it is clear that the issue of artists giving back to their local communities is an important one that deserves more attention.
As Jah Rule wrote, “Don’t support artists who cannot support you, don’t fight for an artist who cannot fight for you.” Hopefully, with more dialogue and awareness, the music industry in Tamale can become a more collaborative and supportive community for all involved.
