R2Bees announced yesterday that, they will not be performing at today’s Malta Guinness sponsored ‘Top of the World Concert’ being organized by Charter House in Accra.
The group’s pull out of the concert on the grounds of huge disparity in monies to be paid to them in comparison to their Nigerian counterparts-P-Square sets a strong precedent which is good for the development and recognition of Ghanaian music and talents.
Let me summarize what is happening for those who are not familiar with this issue…
R2Bees and Sarkodie (from Ghana) were billed to perform on the same stage at today’s Malta Guinness sponsored ‘Top of the World Concert’ alongside P-Sqaure (from Nigeria) . It is alleged that the organizers (Charter House) have agreed to pay P-Sqaure a whooping $200,000 and the Ghanaian musicians (Sarkodie & R2Bees) a chicken $5,000 each (approximately).
As much as some of us recognize how big the group-P-Square is when it comes to African music, Sarkodie and R2Bees are not also walkovers. These young talented Ghanaians have worked hard and deserve if not equal respect, at least a proportionate remuneration-the disparity should not be this huge.
The group-R2Bees has taken a bold stand on this and deserves to be commended. They have stood up for their rights and have not cheapen their talents, creativity and years of hard work. How much does it even cost to book 2 hours of studio time?
Both Charter House and Malta Guinness are not charity organizations, their main aim as corporate bodies is to maximize profit. In doing so, they have no right to disrespect the hard work of these young Ghanaians and deny them their rights to make profit too.
How can anyone justify paying P-Sqaure $200,000 and R2Bees or Sarkodie-$5,000. The disparity is not only huge, it also signifies ‘intentional disrespect’ to their talents.
Few days ago, Channel O held its annual Music Video Awards in South Africa and to the shock of many Ghanaians, D’Banj from Nigeria was flown to South Africa on a first class ticket whiles Sarkodie who was equally a nominee was flown there on an economy. These things must stop.
If R2Bees have decided to stand against this unfair treatment and disrespect to their talent, Sarkodie MUST stick with them and pull out of the show too.
If event organizers in Ghana continue to disrespect Ghanaian talents and treat them like Guinea pigs, I think fans should also join in by boycotting such events. Together, we can achieve recognition and respect for these musicians who work hard to entertain us.
Read below for R2Bee’s pull out message
“Hello fans, sorry to announce to you we won’t be performing at tomorrow’s “Top of the world” concert due to misunderstanding with promoters,” a message posted on the group’s Facebook page on Friday afternoon, read.
“The promoters, the Artists and most importantly you the fans can help change our music industry, refuse to be misled, support ur own. Thanks.
“We’re happy to be the scapegoats, the blacksheep if our actions help change our pathetic music industry… CHANGE WILL COME.
Congrats guys, you have done what is right…if you stand for nothing in life, you’ll fall for everything!
I agree wit dem.if dey are popular dan r2beees and sakordie and so wat.are dey nt performin on de same platform.fyah burn de organizers.
Respect to R2bees! Ah am angry! God punish the organisers!!!
MASA! “ENYA NTOA, ENYA TUA” THAT’S ALL!
thumps up R2bees … i wish Sakordie will do same..
We all can do something about this crap. It’s been going on for far too long. Great job to them. Finally someone is taking a stand
More respect to R2bees, Sarko should respect himself and so same
Thumbs up for R2bees! Sarkodie should do the same!
Chris wanna commend u n ur Team for a great job done.am soo proud of R2Bees dey have set the pace. dis is equally goin on in de movie industry where a producer or a director will tell u dat am not gonna pay u coz am gonna mke u a star some even demand sex n money from de upcomers if only wevcan fight against dis den other org will knw we r in for biz not for jokes!!
It so sad wen i see some of our celebs dis people work soo hard yet what do dey have to show for it better be unknown n poor rather dan being a *star* or famous n beggin n broke .i can count de names who have done somfin for dem selves thru showbiz n dey wont be up to 10 very hard to survive as an entrrtainer in Ghana unless u get ur self engage in oda stuff no wonder most of our gals engage in a whole lot of things to keep up de pace so sad
Chris first of all wanna commend u n ur guys on a great job uve been doin.am excited dat dis issue has come up am soo proud of R2Bees coz dis is not an easy step but den again dey hav set the pace.The same is happenin in ou Movie industry producer n directors wil call u up for a script and tell u dey r gonna make u star hence dey wont pay u sometimes wen u demand for it dey tarnish ur image to de extent dat one wud cry wen dey listen to it.If the show biz industry will rise up n demand for wat is rightfullly deirs it wud send a message out to de rest that disis jus like any business venture where profit makin is de main objective n dey wont dream about usin people n dumpin dem.Truth is most of our so called celebs r pathetic nothin shows dey r celebs n it so sad.if only our up coming actresseswill see dat dey r jus bein used!,,
Love u R2 Bees
Respect to R2 bees. Refuse to broke 4 real . Stand for ur pride. Am proud of u guys for ur boldness. Sarkodie shud do de same. Peace
Ghana need such bold and courageous guys. This an insult to the guys and Ghana music as a whole cos they’r all performing on the same stage. Thumbs up guys! More Respect
I support them 100%
Sarkodie didn’t pull out after all. Samini replaced R2bees.
@Resplendent, R2bees was replaced by Samini*
AND THE DISRESPECT CONTINUES
They certainly r not mates buh its kinda unfair,sarkodie should be pai higher,dont really know r2bees,sarkodie deserves more than 5000,but u guys r makin it like some jealousy/competition with nigerians and these people dont feel d same way,u dont have to be oppressed my people,it takes time,p square has been there for over 14 yrs,certainly they cant be compared with the ghanian musicians,concerning dbanj being flown with a private jet,i dont think u guys should be on competition with nigerians,these people are not in the same level,im speaking d truth,jealousy and inferiority complex is taking hold on africa,dbanj certainly has bought gifts worth over $2million to people,i bet our sarkodie aint worth a million dollars,we should be patient,we will grow like nigerians,this has been with them for time immemorial,too soon for underdogs to try n take ova,ghana will be great,but we dont have to behave like r2bees,coz it shows inferiority complex,not an ear knows about this news in nigeria,cos they are free people,not in competition,and it brings the best,our industry should try to be their selves,not competing or trying to say we are better or in the same level with nigeria,when we r not up to one tenth…dis aint good,nigerians just started uniting with ghanian musicians,this will bring a halt as we will be labelled jealous,if this was actually even taken as a thread by nigerians,we shouldnt feel inferior cos we are worth more than that…bad work by r2bees
Thank you very much for saying the truth here.