Sonnie Badu advises musicians to be vigilant with contracts

Gospel artiste Sonnie Badu has expressed concerns about the royalty system in Ghana, advising fellow musicians to carefully review contracts before signing.

During an interview on Rhythmz on September 18, 2024, he questioned the current framework, stating, “This is Africa, filling the gap. So, I don’t think it should be called royalties. It should be called something else because, again, how is the system running?”

Sonnie Badu stressed the importance of understanding the details of contracts to prevent exploitation.

“What are the terms and conditions before you signed with them? Before you signed with them, what did they tell you was going to happen?” he asked, emphasizing the need for musicians to be fully informed before committing to agreements. He recalled turning down contracts from Ghana, anticipating potential negative outcomes.

“I’ve had people pass contracts to me from Ghana that I refused to sign or let any family member sign because I read it and knew what the behind-the-scenes would be,” he explained.

The discussion also made reference to gospel musician Joyce Blessing, who recently revealed she received only 1,200 Ghana cedis in royalties after a decade in the industry.

In response, Dr. Badu voiced his dissatisfaction with the system, saying, “Till date, I’m not interested in signing because I know that you’re not receiving anything. We’re taking it. But we need you to endorse that. We’re going to take it.”

When asked if he personally receives royalties from the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GAMRO), Dr. Badu remarked, “I think my mother deals with that,” indicating his limited involvement in the process.

His statements underscore the broader issues facing the Ghanaian music industry, where artists often struggle with inadequate compensation.