Gospel artist Sonnie Badu recently raised alarm about the royalty system in Ghana, urging fellow musicians to scrutinize their contracts before committing.
During a September 18 interview on Rhythmz, he expressed skepticism about the current structure, suggesting it should be termed differently given its shortcomings.
Badu highlighted the necessity for artists to fully understand contractual terms to avoid being taken advantage of, asking “What are the terms and conditions before you signed with them? Before you signed with them, what did they tell you was going to happen?” he asked, emphasizing the need for musicians to be fully informed before committing to agreements. He recalled turning down contracts from Ghana, anticipating potential negative outcomes.
“I’ve had people pass contracts to me from Ghana that I refused to sign or let any family member sign because I read it and knew what the behind-the-scenes would be,” he explained.
He also mentioned the plight of fellow gospel artist Joyce Blessing, who disclosed receiving a mere 1,200 Ghana cedis in royalties after ten years in the industry. In light of this, Badu voiced his frustration with the system, stating he is reluctant to sign any contracts, believing that artists aren’t fairly compensated and that their work is being exploited.
When questioned about his own royalties from the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GAMRO), Badu indicated that his mother handles those matters for him, suggesting he has little involvement in the financial side. His comments reflect the ongoing challenges within the Ghanaian music scene, where many artists face significant barriers to receiving fair compensation for their work.