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CHRIS-VINCENT Writes!

MUST READ: Can Ghanaian Parents Be Celebrity Managers? Looking At Kwadee’s Situation From A Total New Angle

Kwadee
Kwadee

In the past week or two, the Media landscape in Ghana has once more been awash with the Okomfo Kwadee saga, this time with a tantalizing twist in which the troubled musician’s Mother stormed the offices of OM studios in Accra and engaged everyone present in both physical and verbal confrontation resulting in a studio employee’s clothes being shredded off him!

Jerry Anaba’s (Kwadee’s real name) mum’s issue was simple: LEAVE MY SON ALONE! Over the years, Kwadee had been checked into both conventional and church-oriented rehab undergoing treatment and counselling for a mental disorder (quoted in some media outlets as schizophrenia brought about by abuse of narcotics; presumably weed) and just when he appears to be recovering nicely, the ‘scavengers’ in the entertainment/music business emerge again to lure him into the very activity that pushed the talented Kumasi-based rapper into the black hole of drugs and substance abuse.

“JJ” as Kwadee’s mother fondly calls him has not realized a penny- or more appropriately a pesewa from his efforts /talents since venturing into music. Meanwhile those purported to be managing him always make a killing each time he was put on stage, she alleged.

Kwadee has rather been be-deviled by the whole experience. Therefore, she believes it’s  time her son moves on and will be better off doing something else.

The entire episode of the treated addict’s mother visiting her fury on staff of OM studios was captured on tape; so this is no mere allegation. She has continued to grant interviews on radio stations pleading with the powers that be in Ghana entertainment to stop tempting her son into this fuzzy music affair.

Kwadee on the other hand, who in the past is reported to have spent time under-going treatment at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital for an undisclosed neurosis, has not taken this whole issue lying down.

He has been featured in another recording released on-line by Abraham Ohene-Djan (CEO of OM Studios) lashing out at his mother for being over-bearing. In it he is heard emphasizing that at his 35 years of age, he knows what is good for him and doesn’t need his mother poking her nose into his music affairs and harassing him thereby.

Kwadee goes as far as asking whether other Artistes like Kwaw Kese (aka Abodam; the crazy one) have their Parents doting on them in their music careers?

The CEO of OM studios, Abraham Ohene-Djan, who has publicly declared that he single-handedly housed and paid for some of Kwadee’s treatment and other expenses when he escaped from Kumasi to Accra in the past, granted an interview to Joy FM’s entertainment review program “RHYTHMS A-Z” on the October 19, 2013 during which he categorically stated that Elders of the troubled musician’s family expressly wish to discontinue this matter in the public domain.

While they handle this issue quietly at home, one cannot help but look across the Atlantic to Pop stars, award-winning Actors and Actresses, Socialites, Reality show stars and even Sports celebrities in the USA and Europe whose Parents are involved either by just tagging along trying to make sure their kid(s) stay grounded and out of trouble or actually managing their entertainment careers.

There is a long list to consult: from Beyonce ,the Jackson 5, Macauly  Culkin, Anfernee Hardaway(NBA player), Amy Winehouse, Lindsay Lohan, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears to the Olsen twins, Taylor Lautner, Mario, Amanda Bynes, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. Of course this list would not be complete without the famous – or infamous Kardashians and the Hotel heiress, Paris Hilton.

Some Parents whose children have chosen the bright lights of the entertainment world have played pivotal roles in shaping and furthering the careers of their wards. Examples are: Matthew and Tina Knowles ( Beyonce), Joe Jackson (The Jackson 5), and like her or hate her Kris Jenner( The Kardashians)

Many of such Parent/Manager and Child/Star relationships have not been without trauma, drama, erratic behaviours, money issues, distrust, drug problems and even death! Amy Winehouse died of cocaine overdose and her Parents were there through her rapid rise to fame.

Lindsay Lohan has been in and out of rehab and prison under the watch of her Mother. Macauley Culkin had a very public battle with his Parents over control and spending of his movie earnings. Even Beyonce fired her Dad who forfeited his corporate job and managed her from the beginning! So granted, it isn’t always rosy.

But I’d hasten to mention the positive, up-lifting examples such as Tyra Banks and her Mum, Ivanka Trump and her Dad, The Olsen Twins and their parents( those two started acting at age 9 months! and even as teenagers weren’t allowed to touch their millions; but rather did chores at home with other siblings and got weekly allowances from their millionaire real estate Agent Dad). There’s also Nigerian music sensation P-square and their Mum( who passed on recently) and our very own Actress Nadia Buari and her Mum; in fact her entire Family.

Wouldn’t it be a blast of fresh air to see more African and specifically Ghanaian Parents take more interest in the careers of their children in entertainment and even sports? We know of EL and Chase’s Folks who have given their blessings to what they do but still their participation are more passive.

It is a given that most Ghanaian Parents don’t regard any work in the field of entertainment or show biz  as any meaningful or respectable venture. But wake up folks and smell the coffee! Forbes has already put out a rich list of Africa’s highest paid entertainers. And if this list is anything to go by, then all hands must be on deck; Parent -Managers inclusive. I am convinced that they have a place and role to play in all this.

What if, in spite of her nightmarish experiences to salvage her son from drugs, Kwadee’s mother could team up with some result-oriented music Producers and Managers to re-launch her Son’s music career and together take it to the next level?

We would surely be having a different conversation today, had that been the case. She would be trumpeted as a visionary, a fortress and a successful business woman. After all this is what her son wants to do; it’s his passion. She could rather serve as a Guide to help him realize his dreams. A word of caution to all would-be Parent-Managers; It is not a stroll in the park. They’d have to take up this role and be devoid of parental sentiments. Show business can be as murky as politics and as ruthless as any other commercial activity. But the rewards can far surpass all expectations!

Had Kris Jenner not actively participated and directed the course of the Kardashian reality show and other ventures, Hollywood Executives and Press would have made minced meat of her Children. She has helped weather some of the most disturbing controversies (Kim’s notorious sex tape with Ray J), and even made money out of them while still keeping her family relevant to the entertainment scene. Kris helps arrange paid appearances and endorsements for her Children and she gets her 10% commission. She can be a pain sometimes but everyone walks away happy.

It’s about time Ghanaian and African Parents whose wards are in showbiz take a second look at managing (either wholly or partly) their careers. Show business in Ghana and Africa is definitely more financially viable and it has every potential to put breakfast on the table.

Education in whatever one does is commendable; however one doesn’t need a triple degree or a double Masters to excel as a Manager in entertainment. An understanding of the workings of the industry, cell phone numbers of the most influential industry people, excellent social skills and raw guts to want to succeed will suffice.

Now let’s all get back to work and make it happen for Ghana showbiz because as the popular Hollywood expression entreats, “The show must go on!”



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