In Ghana’s music industry, DJ Black is a respected name. An equally respected name is rapper D-Black. The latter has earned his respect more so for his music business acumen, at least in my view. The guy is a hustler and I LOVE IT! I don’t know of anyone that is so hungry for success the way this man is on the continent. He grinds HARD!
My favorite D-Black song which seems perfect for this writeup.
In recent times, DJ D-Black sparked controversy, on the Open House Party on Joy FM radio network in Ghana, when he posed a question to his guests on who they thought was a good rapper. DJ-Black then went on to explicitly state that he did not believe D-Black was a good rapper, but he believed him to be a great business man. I am not sure why there was a need to ask underground rappers on your show who is a good rapper and who isn’t.
The relevant report from the media:
“Ghana’s number one DJ, DJ Black, born Kwadwo Ampofo, says award winning hiphop artiste D-Black is a terrible rapper.
According to him, although D-Black is not technically gifted with the rap art, his business acumen is superb.
DJ Black sparked the controversy on the Open House Party on Joy FM Saturday when he asked two of his guests Papi of 5Five and underground rapper Obibini “Who are you not feeling?”
The question was to seek their views on who they thought was a horrible rapper in the Ghanaian music industry.
The two rappers, considering the weight of the question, failed to mention names and kept their cards close their chests.
Papi responded: “No need to mention names but they are all doing well…I don’t listen to people I don’t feel so I’m feeling everybody I listen to.”
“So many people but it will be [suicidal] to mention some names…let’s celebrate our variety we all cannot be the same,” Obibini said.
Papi swiftly posed the same question to DJ Black: “Who are you not feeling Black?”
In what he described as an answer “without fear or favour”, DJ Black said he is not feeling rapper D-Black, born Desmond Backmore.
He said “I’m not feeling D-Black. I know you guys are like ‘Oh my God did he just say that’….I think he is a good promoter, good businessman but his rap not me. I have said it but I don’t know what you guys think.” – GhanaWeb
In my view, as much as I love rap music, I’d rather be considered a great music business mogul than just a good rapper, if I had to pick one. As a music business mogul, you can have just as great an impact if not greater on the artists, the creative industry and the world at large. No need to let the ego get in the way here.
In any event, D-Black responds to DJ Black and to me simply substantiates his statement. He cites the people he has employed, establishing his label and the list goes on. This to me speaks to his entrepreneurial spirit. Finally, D-Black mentions performing for DJ Black. I see no big deal here. As a recipient of content from both men, I can attest to the fact that for many years now, DJ Black has supported the work of D-Black and promoted it to bloggers and media alike.
D-Black, the man is entitled to his opinion and it is nothing personal. The better PR way to have handled this is to keep the focus on the topic of music business and entrepreneurship.
This means you say, hey the man is entitled to his opinion. However, in your view you match with the best of the best but appreciate his compliment on your business acumen. You then say that Ghana needs more music business moguls.
This catch feelings part, to me, where you have to defend yourself, list your accomplishments et. al. is unnecessary.
My 50 cedis for all it is worth.
-Ms. Uduak
Note: I’ll try to see if I can get both gentlemen on the AML show in the future. I am overdue to show even more love to AML Ghana readers & listeners.
D-Black’s Response
Sir, I am an extremely hardworking dude and i might not be the best rapper ( I don’t even want to be) but I can comfortably stand here with my head up and recount history I’ve made via my music. It’s a known fact, first Ghanaian rapper nominated at the BET Awards for Best African Act , first and only Ghanaian HipHop act to win a Channel O Africa Award, first Anglophone Hiphop act to win even a Ghana Music Award and lots more Chale. I can stand , chest out and say I’m blessed, wealthy and very successful off this music I make. (I hope U can say the same too about Ur career path) . Lemme correct you here as well, I am not a rapper , I am an artist, I am a musician, I am an entertainer , I am a brand , I am a business. I create music , I create hit records and I make music for the people, I do this for the masses not for the twitter and internet gangsters who sit home aidle and hungry tweeting, and trust me I’m very good at it.
I love music and I’ve been very successful at it so much that I have been able to use that platform to create jobs for people (my team) and jump start other artists, dj’s and producers careers under my label Black Avenue Muzik in my 6 years here ( I doubt you can say the same)
Bruh I’m blessed! God is my closest friend. My family is good off the music I make and my other entertainment investments, however if your not feeling me as a rapper that’s fine bro, not everyone can like me. Michael Jackson down to Jay Z to Piddy have and had haters and doubters. I doubt everyone be feeling you as a dj as well.But for someone I look up to as a older brother and the same person who wanted to sign me to his label (Black Bone) ten years ago when I was 19 years old, for you to try knock my hustle on live radio, I weak for you and i’m highly disappointed in your utterances. You see me all the time and invite me on your radio show , why didn’t you tell me to my face? You book me to perform at your events , if I remember correctly the last show I performed at for you was for FREE on Legon Campus. I did it for the love when you asked me to. I’m 29 years old and living my dreams Black ( I hope you are too) . BTW I got 2 new songs dropping next week (Shaminigbo ft. Stonebwoy and Elale with South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest) Pls push ‘em for me ( no payola oo) and when i open club ONYX in June I’ll love for you to guest dj ! Will always respect you and your grind and your contribution to the industry.
I would have told you this directly and to your face but since you made ur feelings known publicly Lemme tell the people how I feel too. But anywaiz Peace and love!! #PHD always ! Prayer , Hardwork & Dedication will always take U places. I stay grinding!
Desmond Blackmore
D-Black's music is sorta kinda trash, though. Not hating. #facts_only
Ghana has a very competitive rap scene, with Sarkodie, E.L., and M.anifest forming that top tier. Just like in Nigeria, a lot of these musicians who have doing it for a while benefited from dry spells in their respective industries, when there wasn't much competition, and music consumers gravitated to any artists who represented them, no matter how terrible the music was. But it's a new day, and any one of the rappers I named before would eat up D-Black on a rap track.