Ghanaian musician Jupitar has voiced his concern over what appears to be a lack of exposure for songs performed in minority languages on Ghanaian radio stations.
Speaking on D-Black’s Uncut program, the dancehall and reggae performer claimed that Twi or Pidgin has received the majority of music promotion from radio stations and the media in general.
Jupitar claims that because their songs are recorded in their native tongues, talented rappers from other regions of Ghana do not receive airplay in the southern portion of the nation.
“Most of our radio stations in our media space have chosen one particular language that they will promote. There is a very good rapper in the north who actually raps in Dagati or Sissala. But he can’t fluently speak Twi or pidgin…if you take that music to Accra. It won’t get up to two airplays,” he said.
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Speaking of ‘Total Cheat’ by Fancy Gadam, Jupitar noted that the song’s popularity on radio stations could be attributed to the fact that a significant portion of the song was spoken in pidgin English.
Conversely, Jupitar clarified that although musicians Focalistic from South Africa and Phyno and Asake from Nigeria perform in their original tongues, people in Nigeria from different tribes enjoy their music.
“Take Nigeria for example, look at artistes like Focalistic. Phyno, Asake. They all make songs in their native language. But yet they play these songs and they jam to it. So our creative space shouldn’t limit songs to one language,” he said.
The musician has faced criticism in the past for saying things that appeal to tribal beliefs. He lamented last year the lack of support for certain musicians who are members of a particular Ghanaian tribe.
He claims that influential people in the industry seldom give celebrities—especially singers from the Ga tribe—the support they deserve.
Taking to Twitter, Jupitar wrote “this whole industry is a set up and if you be ‘Ga’ like myself, @shattawalegh, @iamkingpromise or @dkbghana etc certain kinda support you go suffer or you no go get kraa no matter the effort.”
