Da’ Hammer explains why Ghanaian music is monotonous

daniel russell

January 21, 2016 2:55 PM

A number of industry players and music lovers have argued that majority of the musicians are recording at the same tempo and style they consider trendy, and that limits the uniqueness in them.

Da Hammer

Music producer, Edward Nana Poku, popularly known as Da’ Hammer has indicated that music in Ghana music is becoming monotonous because artistes are compelled to tow a particular line.

But Hammer speaking on Happy FM’s Showbiz Xtra said musicians are not to blame for the development.

“It has a root cause. The root cause is that the songs DSTV plays, majority are Nigerian. So obviously whoever watches knows Nigerian music is trendy. It is forcing the other countries to play their music like the Nigerian music. I’m citing DSTV because it is the only television station that crosses over all of Africa. If you check their playlist, it’s just about five artistes [who get their songs played] but the Nigerian music is constantly played,” he told host, Docta Cann.

“Now the ordinary musician in Ghana is thinking, ‘the groove has dominated; how do I make a hit? DJs are all playing that kind of music; I have to play like this’. So the root cause is deeper than you think. The musicians are being forced to play a particular kind of music,” he added.

According to Hammer, music has become an avenue for making money, a reason for which majority of the artistes would produce what people consume.

“These guys are very talented. But they are scared no one would mind them should they play what they want to. So everybody is conforming to what is happening. I don’t blame the musicians. You can’t make it to the DJ’s playlist if you don’t have a dance Nigerian groove,” he said.

Adding, “Apart from the fact that it is art, it’s also business. If someone invests in your music, he expects returns; if you don’t want to make money, then you are not serious. So if you see a pattern and that pattern is making money for some people, obviously they will get into that pattern.”

Da Hammer suggested that DJs play variety of songs in order to encourage musicians to produce songs which will bring out the best in them.

“My advice is that, the DJs have the strength, they have the biggest medium for the widest audience… I plead with them to tell the artistes to be themselves and that whatever style they come up with, they will play. Nigerian music would just vanish,” he said.

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daniel russell