Most entertainers are being labeled as “unimportant,” “uneducated,” and “not needed”. Some critics go as far as to state that being an entertainer is “a waste of a career”.
Many of these artists in Ghana for instance, truly do have amazing talent and strong abilities but remain unfairly judged and looked down upon due to the biased and clouded perspectives of certain naysayers.
Here are some common misconceptions about showbiz in Ghana
MOST ENTERTAINERS ARE POORLY EDUCATED
By “poorly-educated” these critics are referring to higher education in general which is not solely related to music. According to popular stereotypes in Ghana, most musicians or artistes are inarticulate party animals who luckily stumbled into a glamorous career path.
OLDER MUSIC IS BETTER THAN CURRENT MUSIC
How many times have you heard someone make a comment along the lines of, “That’s not real music”? Statements like this mostly from older folks are usually directed with disgust toward modern artists and their songs.
It seems like some people can never be satisfied with any of the newly released compositions in the industry and are constantly putting older music and the “Old hi-life” music on a golden pedestal.
It is, however, true, the music industry has churned out great artistes like Kodjo Antwi, Daddy Lumba, etc who have gained so much international recognition but is real music solely limited to old tunes and popular classics? Can none of the current chart-toppers be classified as true works of art?
ACTORS LABELLED AS PROSTITUTES
The acting profession has generally been seen as a profession for promiscuous individuals. The Ghanaian movie industry is not left out of this misconstrued belief. Female folks in the industry are however on the receiving end in this. Right from dressing seductively, to romantic gestures, to kissing, fondling and partying to the camera, actresses are always seen as prostitutes.
IT’S GLAMOROUS.
It’s the same in any other business, but particularly with the entertainment industry because what people see of it are the most glamorous moments. They see the premieres and photoshoots and beautiful clothes and traveling to exotic places. People don’t see the manufacturing side, which is the process of filming and that’s not glamorous.
UNECCESSARY
Another myth busted: “it is difficult for people to invest in the entertainment industry as compared to other sectors because they find it unnecessary”.
The truth is the music industry, in particular, has very good potential for growth and has all it takes to become a viable industry. The interesting thing is that the market for the music industry transcends beyond the boundaries of Ghana to other countries in the world. This could, therefore, make the industry a profitable one.
For instance, the industry has produced some very talented musicians over the years and they have all it takes to become world stars.
CELEBRITIES USED AS BEAUTY STANDARDS
There’s the perception that models, actors, actresses and other individuals who meet certain standards for beauty are idolized and held up as the epitome of beauty. Not forgetting, in many cases, plastic surgery or extreme dieting and other artificial products are used in creating this image of beauty that is unrealistic and unobtainable for most individuals.
