BEEFS IN GHANA MUSIC INDUSTRY; A GIFT AND A CURSE.

“What’s beef?” This vivid question posed by the late Hip-hop legend the Notorious BIG shortly before his demise in 1997 is more relevant today than you can imagine; not only within the esoteric discourse of the Hip-hop community, but also, increasingly within the Ghanaian music industry, the economy and our cultural settings. The short answer is simple, beef is a type of conflict or grudge between Acts, Producers, Promoters, Presenters and other portfolio careers most clearly demonstrated in songs, dissing or verbally attacking one another. However, in actuality, beef is something much more subtle and complicated. It could transpire as a result of friendship or a deal gone bad. Beef definitions and significance have evolved with the changing role of the media in showbusiness and with the incessant use of the term beef to describe various scenarios.

Tellingly, within the music industry, there are many different opinions about beef, often expressed through the discourse of beef itself. In a genre like Hip-hop, the experience of beef is subjective and often detailed from the structural context. For instance, US Detroit rapper Royce Da 5’9 in his 2001 released track titled “BEEF” describes it as “when these rappers be believing they rhyme, and a rapper like me just take it one day at a time”. The late Biggie Smalls also describes beef as “when your moms are not safe in the streets, beef is when I see you, guaranteed to be in ICU” (“What’s Beef” 1997 track). The submissions in the two quotes above depicts countervailing perspectives on beef within the hip-hop community in the United States of America. They opined dramatically different possibilities of the meaning of beef. One, that beef is a literary game written in rhyme and validated through belief. Two, that beef is a life or death battle that endangers even loved ones around you. In the case of Ghanaian music industry, we have witnessed the likes of Contemporary Highlife legends Daddy Lumba and Nana Acheampong rumoured to have traded punchlines and shades at each other after Lumba Brothers trio-group broke up in the 90s. Not forgetting, Ex-doe and Chicago, Obrafour and Lord Kenya. Again, Ex-doe throwing shades at Reggie Rockstone on his “Maba” single and second titled album produced by Nana King. These were the early days and commencement of a new genre called Hip-life, with Reggie Rockstone as the torch bearer. Other infamous beefs ever occurred in Ghana Raggae-Dancehall genre history was between Batman (now Samini) and Yogi Doggy. Again, between Samini and the late Ronnie Coches of Buk Bak. These two beefs in particular resulted in physical confrontations coupled with fierce attacks and brawls.

Fast forward, today’s music industry also has its fair share of conflicts and disagreement leading to skirmishes between entertainers, producers and their entourage. Not to mention the late Madtime Record label CEO. Fennec Okyere and Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson aka (Bull Dog) CEO. of Bull Hauz Entertainment. Until recently, Shatta Wale against Chatterhouse, High Grade Family Record label, Criss Waddle, TicTac, Timaya, Patoranking, Ponobiom, Stonebwoy, Epixode, M.anifest, Sarkodie and Reggie Rockstone. Point blank, it is obvious the self-proclaimed dancehall king of Ghana’s career has thrived on beefs and controversies with industry stakeholders, legends and his peers similar to American rapper Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent and Nas. In fact, Nas returned to the charts sometime back through a running beef with the more successful Jay Z. “The rivalry was the spark for one of the rap music’s most celebrated comebacks”, Elliot Wilson (Editor, XXL HipHop Magazine) said. According to Nas in his 2001 “RULE” song said that “To be the best you challenge the best and the blessings are spiritual”. Jay Z also put it quite frankly on his 2010 “MOST KINGZ” song that “You know you’ve become a star, because you’re the biggest target out there, right!? When the opposing player walks into that arena, they’re thinking of upstaging you. You’re like a trophy to them. They’re thinking “If I’m better than this guy the spotlight turns on me’’. So, you know you are superstar because you’re a marked man’’. These two profound quotes above explains every aspect of Sarkodie current beefs with his peers like M.anifest, Shatta Wale, Asem, BallJ, King of Accra and secondly, Shatta Wale versus Reggie Rockstone. They are all marking Sarkodie. It makes Sarkodie on the other hand feel he is a “trophy” to them, because they are all aiming at him. Finally, top rappers and executives including Jay Z, Eminem, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Obrafour, Lord Kenya, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Samini and others have advanced their careers through battles of insults and jabs. Some of the talk or lyrics are dazzlingly clever, much of it are inflammatory, and all of it is disseminated and promoted through social media and mainstream media as well. Much of the beef or animosity is purely promotional and well planned. People have nothing else to talk about after releasing hits after hits. As long as it does not turn violent, to me, it is a good initiative because it keeps the industry lively. But now that Shatta Wale is popping wild in Live videos threatening to assault Sarkodie physically. I therefore appeal to industry gurus to intervene and seek for cool heads to prevail. Since, we don’t want to wake up one morning to hear any awful news. Writer; Edem Latsu Nukafu, Email: edemlatsu093@gmail.com