Creative people are dying of poverty — Dada KD

We are only five months into the year and already, the creative industry has lost three of its members to death in the persons of Kofi B, Prophet Seth Frimpong, and just last Saturday, Kumawood actor Bishop Bernard Nyarko.

While the cause of their deaths are reportedly due to ill health, Highlife artiste, Dada Kwaku Duah known in showbiz circles as Dada KD believes poverty is the underlying factor.

In a chat with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, May 4, Dada KD said: “I am hurt that all three of them are gone. They were all my brothers. Yes, they certainly died of something but one cannot rule out frustration and poverty.

“We celebrate the dead more than the living. I won’t stay in my room and pretend everything is okay. I will talk and who knows? Some people may come to my aid. People are still enjoying my music but they are not asking how I am surviving,” he said.

Asked why he took to his Facebook wall last Saturday to state that the late Bishop Bernard Nyarko should send his regards to Kofi B and that he would be joining them very soon, the Odo Mu Anigye Bi singer said that was a conditional statement.

 “That was a conditional statement based on emotional sentiments. It does not mean I am going to commit suicide or going to die anytime soon.

“The statement has, however, taught me that Ghanaians don’t want me dead so they should not wait for me to die. They should treat me right. I have sought financial assistance from people but all to no avail. In Europe, the more you stay in the music industry, the higher your pay but here, when new ones come, they forget about you completely,” he added.

Touching on COVID-19, Dada KD said the pandemic has really caused hell for musicians, “My finances have gone down and that is not good enough. I really looked forward to the Easter festivities where I knew I would have made some good money playing at gigs but that did not happen. It’s now a crazy world with this COVID-19; washing your hands like crazy, always looking for sanitisers etc have become the norm,” he said.

Dada KD is of the opinion that even though musicians, in general, may have been badly hit by COVID-19, Highlife musicians are worse off. “Highlife musicians especially are suffering; even before the pandemic, some were not getting shows to play. I know what they are going through,” he added.

The Fathia Fata Nkrumah hitmaker, however, puts the blame at the doorsteps of the Musicians Union Of Ghana (MUSIGA) and the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) saying they should be checking on their members from time to time and see to their well-being.

 “Nobody is asking how you are doing or when you are coming out with your next song. We entertain Ghanaians but who entertains the entertainer?” he asked.