It's a lie that there's no money in the music industry - Guru

Acclaimed Ghanaian musician Guru has debunked the popular opinion that there is ‘no money’ in the music industry.

In an interview on ‘The Day Show’ aired on July 7, 2024, Guru, whose real name is Maradona Yeboah Adjei, shared his insights on the importance of taking advantage of the business side of the music industry.

According to him, while fame is a given in the industry, understanding the business side is crucial.

He pointed out that the hype around shows is costly, and artists must surround themselves with business-minded individuals who can navigate the industry's complexities.

“You are always assured of the fame, which is a guarantee. But the business aspect, that's why we have the show and the business. If you understand the show, the show has become expensive,"

“So you need to establish business-minded people, people who understand the business aspect of it. It is very important because it's not just about coming on stage and performing. The business aspect is in being able to target the corporate entities. They pay a lot; so if you're able to attract them, they will come for you. It doesn't matter the type of music you're doing.

Addressing the phenomenon of artists losing their finances due to the company they keep, Guru highlighted the significance of empowering those around him, especially how he turned his close friends who grew up with him into valuable team members, including personal assistants and managers.

“You need to empower your space. You have to teach them. I gave people around me a chance. As a young boy, you don't know anything coming from Zongo; nobody cares about you.

“So I needed to empower my space, making sure that my friends were put into positions. Some became my personal assistants; even a cab driver who used to take me to the studio became my personal driver and later my personal assistant.

"I even brought in a friend who used to help me out with going to the studio, and he became my personal manager. So it's all about trying to empower people,” he explained.

See the interview here

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