The controversy about the 15th edition of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards having little or no regard for African musicians rages on.
While Lilian N. Blankson, the Director of Programming and Production at BET International says Africans should stop complaining, Reggie Rockstone on the other hand suggested Sarkodie and Stonebwoy should have boycotted the ceremony.Ghanaian veteran music Producer, Edward Osei Opoku aka Hammer has shared his thoughts on the issue. In a Facebook post Monday, he said (Unscripted):
âTime to break ye silence on this BET SAGA. Well Iâve heard Jay Foleyâs point, Chris-Vincent Agyapongâs point,Fuse ODGâs point and Lilian N. Blanksonâs point⊠But Iâm sorry even though Chrisâs point is quite radical, Iâm forced to see the logic in it.
I witnessed first hand the efforts Lillian put in this African involvement in the BET⊠It was her baby.She pushed and pushed until it was finally realized and nobody is more proud of her amongst the Africans than us Ghanaians.But moving forward Letâs forget about the performance and number of audience of the BET experience designed for the Africans audience abroad.My beef is whatâs the point in recognizing one African category if u canât expose that recipient to the main BET EVENT AUDIENCE Where they would be at least seen by JAY Z, RICK ROSS OR ANY OF THESE BIG STARS.Itâs only one category for God sake. Make space on the big stage for them to receive that award and let expose them to the real American industry if u really want to give us a platform.The BET experience stage on the other hand can be used for their performances to the African audience but definitely not the award. Thatâs unacceptable. Fuse is right Iâm sorry.And mind u when we lament that its backstage, itâs not because itâs really behind the stage. It simply means itâs not on the big stage.â