AUDIO: Root Eye Explains Why Ghana Reggae Community Opposes Alkaline Coming To Ghana

Mr. Root Eye - Photo Courtesy: penznbrainz
Mr. Root Eye – Photo Courtesy: penznbrainz

Director of the Reggae Department at the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGHA), Kwasi Nyarko Ofei has shed light on why the reggae community in Ghana is not enthused about Jamaican dancehall artist Alkaline coming to the country to perform. The tattoo-eyed artist is billed to hit the stage alongside Elephant Man and Kranium, supported by some of Ghana’s biggest dancehall acts. Sponsors MTN have confirmed the Independence anniversary show scheduled for March 4, but not everyone is excited.

Speaking exclusively to Ghnewsnow, Kwasi Nyarko Ofei, better known as Root Eye laid out the concerns of what he describes as “a greater section of the people”. He said alkaline embodies neither the values reggae music espouses nor those that Ghanaians hold sacred.

“We are very cultural. We hold good morals in very high esteem” he said. We don’t … practice certain vibes that Alkaline preaches in his music”.

Alkaline Photo Courtesy: Hulkshare
Alkaline
Photo Courtesy: Hulkshare

He added that he is fully aware that as a commercial enterprise, the sponsors have the freedom to bring any artist, but in an election year, it would have served a better purpose to bring artists like Chronixx, Protoje etc. to preach a more relevant message than the slackness that Alkaline represents.

He further suggested that with the kind of money that is spent on artists like Alkaline, a lot can be achieved in the Ghana reggae and dancehall industry. He said Ghana is ready for the world and with the proper structures in place, if sponsors are smart enough to tap into this resource, it will be a win-win for both sponsors and the industry.

Meanwhile, a Facebook page set up in support of Alkaline has generated over 16,000 likes.

Listen to the full interview >>>>>>>

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