There’s nothing like a former musician —Ded Buddy

R&B singer Ded Buddy believes the Ghanaian music industry is heading for disaster if talented musicians are forcefully ‘retired’ just because they have been in the system for long.

He noted that it is only in Ghana that people calculate the number of years musicians have to stay relevant and then force them out even when they still have a lot to offer.

Speaking in an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, August 15, the singer who now wants to be known as Qweci says the practice should stop because it spells doom for the country’s music industry.

“Shatta Wale has been leading the campaign on this for a very long time but it appears he is not getting the needed support. People are rather quick to judge him saying he is envious of the younger ones, but that is not true.

“From where I stand, I perfectly understand him because I don’t know why people even think or label artistes as ‘former musicians’. Where in the world has anyone been given that title? It’s only in Ghana.

“It’s like we have no regard for experience in our music industry. But in our culture, for instance, when there are difficult situations, it is suggested to seek the counsel of the old woman— ‘we are going to ask the old woman’” which signifies the importance of age and experience.

“So why is it that when it comes to music, it is believed that those who are old and have been in the system for long are rather irrelevant and we will be calling for new and fresh faces? I just don’t get this,” he said.

Ded Buddy, born Eric Turkson, was widely admired for his R&B style of songs such as ‘Yebesa’, which made him a toast back in the day.

He travelled to seek greener pastures and came back to the music scene expecting a warm welcome. However, the system seems to have been hostile to his progress, according to his submissions.

Notwithstanding the challenges, Ded Buddy, who has been back about five years ago, has released songs, including Eno Yaa, Party Tonight, Be Mine, It’s Your Birthday and a remix of Yebesa, featuring Kiki.

He told Graphic Showbiz that while he is working hard to offer his share of talent to the industry’s growth, there are those who don’t hesitate to tell him to his face to retire and allow the young ones to shine.

“This is the attitude that is stagnating the growth of the industry. Michael Jackson and Bob Marley are dead but are they still relevant or not? Was it not recently that we heard that our own Sarkodie and, just last week or so, Stonebwoy had been featured on Bob Marley’s Buffalo Soldier song?

“We hail all these initiatives but we are quick to write off our own. A number of these older artistes complain about this situation which is not too good. How can the young ones tap into the experience of older artistes when we continue to tell us that ‘our time has passed’?” he stated.

Ded Buddy applauded the likes of TicTac and music producer Appietus for rekindling the conversation when they appeared on Onua Showtime recently.

“I loved Tictac’s submission on the show that the older artistes should be supported to mentor the young ones. That is what Nigerians are doing. In Ghana, however, they will tell you to make way for a fresh face,” he added.