Sarkodie needs education on media interviews!

• Posted on September 14, 2015September 14, 2015
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

I don’t want to be tagged as a prophet of doom but when I heard that Sarkodie is on media run to promote his ‘Mary’ Album, I told Yoofi Eyeson, a Radio Presenter with WestGold in Takoradi “I pray by the time he finish, he no go lef e body plenty, I pray he minces his words and is very careful.”

Before he had completed his media tour, there was a litany of issues as a result of some statements he made which did not go down well with a section of the public. Sarkodie is arguably Ghana’s biggest music brand. He symbolizes positive Ghanaian music and projects the Ghanaian’s can-go-places attitude.

Anything he says now is examined with a microscope; his words carry weight and mean a lot more than most Members of Parliament (MPs). News about him attracts a wider audience than most Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs). Even in the early stages of his career, he foresaw this and jovially bragged, “I’m the best person to talk to you because they listen to me more than the President.”

Some statements, even though true, should not be made in public for the sake of good public relations (PR) . For instance, Sark is quoted as saying, “I’ve come of age, so I don’t grant interviews to just any media house”. This was the topic for the conversation on most Showbiz programmes last weekend. Media men who take pride in the fact that, they have been instrumental in the success of Sarkodie feel let down because of this statement. These guys see this pronouncement from the Africa Rap god, who according to them is “being arrogant”, as disrespectful.

Jay Z, a hip hop icon who Sarkodie sees as his role model, hardly grants interviews. Many believe this draws a considerable audience anytime he makes a public statement. However, even the “Jigaman” has never said in public that he won’t grant interviews to “any media house” because he has come of age and I doubt he ever will. Seriously, that was a big goof from the Chancellor of Rap University (e still dey?)

To make a long story short, Sarkodie’s reply to myjoyonline.com’s story was ‘not-not.’ “How on earth could he reply to that? Ah Sark paa,” (an ardent fan asked me this on WhatsApp after seeing the Sarkodie’s tweet attacking Joy FM’s online portal). There have been enormous issues about him which are career threatening and he kept quiet and allowed it to die naturally. So why this response? Was it really necessary?

Sark, it is really important, don’t just grant any interview because there are a lot of ears, brains ready to deduce meanings from whatever you publicly say. It will save you a lot to shhsh! It will also help you a lot to get some education on media interviews, ASAP!

Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson (www.233times.net) @nkcoomson on Twitter