Gospel Musician MOG Advises Upcoming Artists to Focus on Building Solid Brands Rather Than Winning Awards
Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician, MOG, has advised up-and-coming artists in the country to focus on building strong and solid brands rather than winning awards. In an interview on GBC’s Breakfast show, MOG argued that budding artists should concentrate on improving their craft, working towards their growth, and proving their worth to qualify them for awards in the future.
“What is an up-and-coming artiste doing on an award scheme? You are an upcoming artiste, you have to build your brand. You have to build it to a relevant stage where you qualify for these schemes,” MOG explained when he was asked about the alleged neglect of upcoming artists by the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
MOG, born Nana Yaw Boakye-Yiadom, added that artists who rush to win awards while their careers are still in the early development stage could have a negative impact on their future. He cautioned against being in a hurry to jump on awards schemes, saying that it can sometimes “kill talents real quick.”
The gospel musician acknowledged the criticisms against the VGMA, but argued that when artists build their brands, awards schemes will chase them. He urged artists to work hard to have an opportunity to be on the schemes.
MOG’s advice comes at a time when the music industry in Ghana is becoming increasingly competitive, with many upcoming artists seeking recognition and exposure. While awards can be a great way to gain recognition and exposure, MOG’s counsel suggests that up-and-coming artists should focus on building their brand to ensure long-term success.
In recent years, the VGMA has faced criticism for allegedly neglecting up-and-coming artists. The award scheme has been accused of focusing more on established artists and ignoring those who are struggling to make a name for themselves. MOG’s comments suggest that there is a need for artists to take a different approach to gain recognition and build their careers.
MOG’s advice to upcoming artists to focus on building a solid brand rather than rushing to win awards is sound advice. Building a brand takes time, effort, and dedication, but it is a necessary step towards achieving long-term success in the music industry. Awards may come as a result of building a strong brand, but they should not be the ultimate goal for upcoming artists.
