Africa needs its own Billboards and awards – Edem

Ghanaian artiste, Edem is not happy that African musicians look up to music charts and award schemes in the Western World.

In a recent tweet, the ‘Toto’ singer said he wishes to see African versions of Billboards and awards which would not let African acts bank so much hope on the West.

“The way Africa Music Dey go..I pray we have our own billboards and Awards schemes and templates, so that future generation would not look for validation from the west,” he tweeted.

Edem is one of the few Ghanaian musicians who have been very vocal about the systems and structures of the music industry.

Award schemes and music charts in the West have always been the highest targets of African musicians.

Musicians on the continents and for that matter Ghana have on countless occasions expressed hope in winning the BETs, Grammy’s, among others.

A few who have been on the Billboard charts have also revelled in the feat.

In the meantime, there is the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) which has become the major award scheme in Africa that honours musicians.

The way Africa Music Dey go..I pray we have our own billboards and Awards schemes and templates ,so that future generations would not look for validation from the west #Gbevu

— Edem Goget’em (@iamedem) December 4, 2019