OPINION: Tinny has lost it

It was interesting when I logged on to a website only to see a headline, “Tinny jabs DJs, Media and Ghanaians for woes of Ghanaian music”.

As curious as I was, I decided to click on it and read more just so I would not be deceived by the headline. Upon reading the whole article, I realized that Tinny had made a couple of reservations on how music in Ghana has completely transmogrified, leading to substandard songs being churned out yet receiving massive airplay as DJs always want to mix for the people to dance.

Is Tinny telling Ghanaians that his brand sunk and is sinking as a result of these reasons?

I do not seek to attack Hiplife artiste, Tinny on his comments. However, one question keeps lingering:

Why do we always blame our woes on people when we are the principal cause?

Tinny is reported to have said, “Now the music is more about business than creativity. Now its beats – People want to dance. I don’t think we believe in good music any more. These days, people do songs, they don’t do music. A song passes after a few rotations but music stands the test of time."

I could not have agreed with Tinny more on this. Sometimes you listen to some songs and the lenient action to take is to gnash your teeth. The record is too hollow. Some want to make instant hit so they tend to follow the trend and in effect, release perishable songs.

That notwithstanding, some are able to come up with records that distinguish them from other artistes and still make a hit. The reason being that, “Musical trends change and that depends on time. But in terms of musician-ship, talk about the art in itself and the level of appreciation of music; that does not change. Good music is, will and always be good music irrespective of the time it was made available for listening”, according to Veteran music producer Zapp Mallet.

Since when did Tinny realize that music is now just "beats" and that there is no more good music in the system? And what makes him think “we” do not believe in good music anymore? Is that the reason why he has been missing for so long? Is he completely rubbishing what is in vogue because he cannot fit into it? Have there not been musicians who have released good records and yet remained relevant in all aspects of showbiz in Ghana?

Why will he generalize his comments when the likes of Okyeame Kwame, Edem, M.anifest, Kwabena Kwabena, Akwaboah Jnr, Sarkodie, Efya, Wiyaala, Becca, Samini, Fuse ODG, Stonebwouy, R2bees and many others are doing music but not “songs” as he puts it?

Could he not have acknowledged them for their good works? Unless of course he did yet the writer decided not to capture that.

Tinny is also reported to have said, “My problem now is the DJs. They are killing real music. They believe in mixing for people to dance and if you have a great record which is below the tempo they are mixing in, they won’t give your record rotation”. That is partially true. But let me ask: when was the last time Tinny sent his records to a DJ for airplay? Do all DJs play songs just for people to dance? Does Tinny know that some DJs through their playlists tell a story?

Okyeame Kwame says his music is for discerning listeners. Does Tinny even have a targeted audience? The Tinny we all knew has drifted and he is fast losing his prominence as a result of his own doing – the more reason why he should not vent his spleen on DJs. He was noted for his impressive lyrical flow in Ga. Can we identify him with that now?

Tinny can regain his prominence if he comes out with good records, solid management team and strategies to promote them. Music, they say, is dynamic. A good musician definitely knows how to get along with the times and tunes. You do not always have to follow the crowd. You can always stand out. That is better than blaming your woes on others.

As my friend, Kwame Dadzie puts it, “don't rubbish what is in vogue. Fit into it or live in antiquity and let your brand sink”.