“Management is one pivotal aspect of an Artiste which can make and unmake you (Artiste). Most Ghanaian Artistes do what is known as Friend-Manager. They just give that title to a friend closer to them who knows little or nothing about the industry” Manager of Ruff n Smooth, Fredrick Appiah lamented.
Almost invariably, one topic of discussion on most Showbiz Platforms is ‘Artiste Management’. Most Ghanaian Artistes who in their way to swerve higher expenses do not want to employ the services of a good Manager who is vested in the industry end up in 9 day wonder stardom.
Speaking to an astute Manager who has been in the industry for more than 7 years and has shepherded Ruff n Smooth since inception till now, he was of the view that “Management comes with careful planning and strategizing. It’s not just the title; there are a lot to it”.
Fredrick Appiah who doubles as the CEO for Money Farm Records made it known that, “at a certain point we were not receiving awards in Ghana even though we had the hit records and most played songs so I turned to the International Market where we won Most Promising Artistes (Africa) and Best Group in Africa in Canada”
If the coach is being unfair, win by knock-out was seen as the strategy of Fredrick Appiah when this Reporter was speaking to him.
Under his great direction, Ruff n Smooth has toured 25 States in USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Liberia among others.
Fredrick Appiah under his Record Label ‘Money Farm Records’ manages and directs Sugar and Spice and Aya. Recently, Ruff n Smooth won the ‘Best High Life Video’ at the just ended 4Syte Music Video Awards
Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson (www.233times.net)