Dear Chris-Vincent,
African artist should boycott the BET Awards and just concentrate on developing their careers. It baffles me that people who are highly successful and famous in Ghana, Nigeria and other parts of Africa continue to make a fool out of themselves on TV all because the TV station is American.
Let’s not forget that BET gives the awards of African acts backstage—yet these artistes are made to set up and pose as if, it was part of their main show in front of empty chairs (pre recorded with some folks from God knows where brought in to shout). Just look at the photo above…
Last year, Ice Prince embarrassed the other acts and by extension the whole African music industry by asking the other nominated artistes to join him on stage to take a picture—-in an almost empty auditorium so that those back home in Africa will think they are ‘ballin’…
This same absurd act was repeated by Davido at this year’s awards, bringing to light the question; why are some African artists so desperate for recognition from the US? Now don’t get me wrong, it is good to be celebrated abroad but the BET awards is not the Grammys—and if they don’t respect you there, why bother?.
After hearing that this year’s African acts were made to perform in front of technicians, BET workers, cleaners and passerbyers, I just couldn’t hold it again—I had to write this. So BET couldn’t promote and get people to come and watch some of the best acts from Africa and had to fake or struggle with audience?
Sarkodie alone is selling out at events back home so at least the biggest current rapper in Ghana should be treated with the respect he deserves. Then again, before he got on that stage he said “this is our time Africa”. Really?