Accra: Ghanaian rap heavyweight Sarkodie has challenged a recurring interview question that, he argues, undermines the legitimacy of music as a profession.
According to Ghana Web, the popular question of whether artistes run a "proper business" outside of music comes off as frankly 'insulting.' The rapper expressed his feelings in a post on X on Sunday, April 27, stating that such a mindset is a misunderstanding of what the music industry actually entails.
Sarkodie stated that the question, "apart from music, what business do you do? Like, a proper business?" is considered insulting. He argued that music is not a hobby or a side hustle but is one of the most significant and lucrative industries in the world. He emphasized that in many cases, music is just as serious, if not more, than what people like to call 'proper businesses.'
The award-winning artiste further argued that a decision to invest in a music career is no different from any other entrepreneurial venture. He stated, "At the end of the day, investing in a music career is a real business decision. Like any other venture, it has its risks, but it can also be highly rewarding if approached the right way."
His remarks come at a time when many creative professionals in Ghana and across Africa have spoken up about the stigma they face as compared to other professionals in business.