‘Ghanaian Musicians Are Not Celebrated’, QUARME ZAGGY

• Posted on March 21, 2012June 12, 2012
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The controversy as to whether celebrities in Ghana enjoy the same hailing as their counterparts in and across the world has been the topic of discussion for many followers of the industry. As some strongly agree Ghanaian celebrities particularly the musicians are given maximum attention, others try to oppose it citing celebrities in America as a measure gauge. Nana Kwame Ampah, known in the music showbiz as Quarme Zaggy shared his sentiments on this pertinent issue as he strongly opposed to the fact that Ghanaian celebrities are really celebrated. The past student of Assin Manso Secondary School and the Cape Coast Polytechnic graduate using Nigeria and South Africa as a quintessential example told this reporter how celebrities enjoy free entry to shows without paying a dime of the ticket fee. In a state best described as moody, Quarme Zaggy, who is enjoying massive airplay with his feature with Okyeame Kwame on people’s favourite ‘Just the two of us’ hi-life music told this reporter how the TV stations are making it hard for the musicians to premiere their music videos, the radio stations demanding what is popularly known as ‘payola’ before any airplay, among others which is making it difficult for musicians to profit from their investments into the industry. On this note, this reporter asked if he sees Ghanaian music industry having a future with such ills, Mr. Ampah (Quame Zaggy) who was very optimistic told www.233times.net that, Ghana music has future with hi-life and the future for Ghana music is brighter if musicians do not switch from the hi-life which Ghana is branded with across the world. He further stated that, Ghanaian music is losing its originality as every musician is following the trend of the day neglecting the hi-life. In his response to whether or not he will switch from hi-life music, the contemporary hi-life wizard made it clear that, he is not changing from his genre as he describes hi-life as a good music and nothing will make him change from that kind of genre. Using this medium to clarify the circulation in the country that he mimicries a popular look-alike hi-life musician, Quarme Zaggy told www.233times.net that he is him and do not copy from anyone. “Sometimes they say I sound like him, laugh like him, copy his style of music and even perform like him. This is disturbing and could make people reject you since they find you as a photocopy. This doesn’t keep me down because I do my thing and keep going up”, he added. Quarme Zaggy promises his fans and fans of hi-life to expect something big from him as he is about to launch a single soon.

Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson www.233times.net