You’re not remunerated because of your brand positioning – Kwesi Ernest to gospel stars

Chief Executive Officer of Media Excel Production, Ernest Kwesi Enim has shared his thoughts on why most church leaders do not remunerate most gospel artistes after performing in their churches.

The artiste manager told Nii Noi, host of Christian Entertainment Review show on GN TV, he is not surprised about how some gospel artistes are being treated unfairly by most church leaders when they have been invited to perform.

He noted that gospel musicians goal is to create a unique impression in the organizer’s mind so that they associate something specific and desirable with the artiste’s brand that is distinct from others.

Kwesi Ernest indicated that when gospel artistes’ brand positioning is taken into consideration, no church leader or event organizer will invite them for a programme to perform for free.

He also blamed Church leaders for deliberately ignoring to reward gospel artistes after performing at their church events yet they make huge profits from the sales of anointing oil and other paraphernalia at the expense of their congregations.

“Most Church leaders see careers of gospel artistes as God’s gift so their reward is in heaven. Secondly gospel artistes who are not paid what is due them after performing for churches because of brand positioning. It will be difficult to call Sonnie Badu or Joe Mettle to perform in your church without negotiating payment with them.

“Every musician has to lay a structure to power or get him or her going. It’s unfortunate to hear some gospel artistes saying they aren’t in the gospel industry because of money. If you’re not in the gospel industry for the money after paying so much at Nacee’s studio and paid video director for your music video then walk out of the industry.

“Most artistes don’t want to have managers so they negotiate everything by themselves. They degrade themselves to these event organizers when they have to be paid what they are due. They just ask for anything from the organizers.”

Sharing his view on whether it is appropriate for Ghanaian gospel artistes to demand for remuneration from church leaders after their performances, the Media Excel boss said it is the right of the artistes to request for what is due them.

According to him, it is unfortunate how these Men of God are swift to pay for all expenses to bring foreign artistes to the country but are unable to remunerate their own local stars.

“Another revelation or sad issue about this treatment given to gospel artiste is because these Pastors have taken advantage of the gospel artistes but they make good profits from the sale all kinds of oil to their members which I find it very unfortunate. They are the same Church leaders who invite foreign gospel artistes to Ghana and pay them so well but treat their local stars poorly.

“Some gospel artistes shouldn’t use poverty to destroy the industry. If freely we were given, then pastors should also stop collecting tithe and other offering from members.

“The Bible says, A man’s talent shall connect him to great and mighty people so the church community should also support gospel artistes.” He told Nii Noi

He also advised gospel artistes to be spiritual enough to deliver to the expectation of the church leaders to deserve remuneration.

“We belong to the body of Christ so it’s not the matter of going hard on the churches but we’ve to position ourselves such that churches and individual organizers will respect us. It’s obvious they now use a simple term like ‘we want your artiste to pass through’. Gospel musicians must be spiritual enough for them to catch the expectation of the church. majority of them have lost base with the church so the churches themselves can’t see the difference they bring as an invited artistes.” Kwasi Ernest said

Ernest has been a music producer and distributor with over a decade experience up his sleeves.