Ghana music not at a standstill; creativity cannot be forced - Appietus

Appietus, born Appiah Dankwah, has argued against the notion that Ghana music has come to a standstill because musicians do not release music every chance they get.

"You cannot say the whole machinery has come to a halt because some artistes have not released [new] songs," he stated.

The musician and record producer spoke to Summy Brown on Accra 100.5 FM’s after-drive programme, Akwaaba.

“All around the world, artistes don’t release music every day of the year, is that not so?” he asked, citing: “Beyonce, for instance, does not release new music every day. After releasing an album, she’ll wait a while before releasing another or a new single.”

He bemoaned the “ignorance” of entertainment journalists and pundits who go after musicians for delays in releasing music.

He asserted that the creation of music is “a process,” adding that creativity cannot be forced.

“It takes hard work, and if they rush to put out a song, they will again be mocked for releasing a song of poor quality,” he noted.

He said that, just like fruits, artistes and their music “have their unique season.”

“It’s going to be exhausting if an artiste releases music all year round,” Appietus worried.

The legendary sound engineer said musicians plan out their year and must be given the space to follow those plans.

When an artiste’s schedule is managed haphazardly, “their health may even fail them,” he noted.

Appietus has produced multiple hits with high-life and hip-life greats like Daddy Lumba, Sarkodie, Praye, 5Five, etc.