Ghanaian artiste, Barima Sidney has asked his colleagues to make sure they collect money from any political party in Ghana before they compose any song for them.

According to him, most artistes fall prey to the empty promises that politicians make by making free music for them with hopes of attaining something greater in the future. Barima stated that the proper thing to do will be to charge as usual because waiting for future profit not only points to the greed of the artiste but it also never ends well as the artiste will get nothing in the end.

The veteran spoke from experience as he narrated how he threw his support behind the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the 2016 general election, to the point where he even made music for them. He disclosed that the NPP did not pay him for his work because he did it out of love for his party. 

Barima Sidney has now said that musicians must take advantage of the business aspect of their craft while speaking on Akoma FM in Kumasi.

“As a celebrity, when you decide to endorse any political party or candidate make sure you claim your cash. Never do it for free; I will never say that Just because you love the person or party. You only do that at the expense of your career; hence in any case you must take money”.

“You can’t blame them in future if they don’t show appreciation after giving free endorsement”, he stated.

READ ALSO:

Nothing can be done, Akuffo-Addo will cheat his way into a second term - Vicky Zugah

Sidney since 2001, has contributed to the Ghanaian music industry with his songs on socio-political issues and has performed in Ghana and abroad.

Sidney has been very active in politics, branding himself as a strong supporter of certain political parties. In 2003, "Scɛnti Noo" was used as a campaign song by the New Patriotic Party during their tangle with the National Democratic Congress, an opposition party which was then in power, over its rights in the run-up to Ghana's 2004 election. 

Though the song was released in 2003, it gained popularity in 2004; "Scɛnti Noo" was New Patriotic Party candidate John Kuffour's slogan on which he rode to victory.

The controversy with Sidney's music grew with his 2004 album Obiaa Nye Obiaa, which addressed the debate about equality in society. There was a break after this album where he researched for a year on how to breakthrough in Francophone countries with his music.

He released the album Africa Monie in the latter part of 2007. This breakthrough led him to tour and perform in several African countries like Benin, Cameroon, and Chad.