Music executive, Richie Mensah has reacted to accusations by rap heavyweight Guru that he was the reason he had missed out on awards from the Ghana Music Awards.
According to him, he never knew he had issues with Guru.
“The day I found out I had issues with Guru was when I saw the interview. I never knew I had issues with him. As I sit here, I don’t have issues with anybody.”
Richie Mensah
The founder of Lynx Entertainment further bemoaned criticism that the serial success of his artists at the prestigious awards show was illegitimately hinged on his position as a board member.
He noted his team earned every nomination and accolade by “working hard, releasing hit after hit, and spending big on videos.”
“Really? So you don’t appreciate our hard work? The year ‘Say Cheese’ and ‘Enjoyment’ were nominated for [Most Popular] Song of the Year they said it was because I was on the board. So you’re saying those songs weren’t hits? Or they were not enjoyable?”
Richie Mensah
Richie recalled the strange criticism that came with Kuami Eugene and KiDi winning the Ghana Music Awards ultimate brag, Artiste of the Year, 2020 and 2022, respectively.
“The funny thing is we feel cheated by the board so many times,” the singer-songwriter, sound engineer, and record producer exclaimed.
“Last year ‘Broken Heart’ by DJ Vyrusky was not nominated for Song of the Year. Big jam for 2023. They didn’t nominate it. I called and complained, and he [Robert Klah] told me if I have a complaint, I should send an email.”
Richie Mensah
Sitting two seats away from Richie, Charterhouse/Ghana Music Awards Head of Public Relations Robert Klah said Richie had indeed “been on the board before but when he had his artists come up, he resigned”.
“It was 2013. That year, Lynx didn’t release any artists. So in 2014, when we released MzVee, that was it.”
Richie Mensah
He observed the impression created when he once stepped in for a PR executive for an interview for organizers Charterhouse. “It was just one interview, where I was introduced as a board member and that was it. The thing stuck,” Richie said.
The Ghana Music Awards is headline-sponsored by Telecel, making it the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TMGAs).
Richie On Why Lynx Doesn’t Have Int’l Branches
The music executive and founder of Lynx Entertainment explained the reason his successful music and talent management company does not have international branches or subsidiaries.
Speaking, he said it had been suggested to him to “open Lynx UK, US, South Africa, and I feel one day we will get there.” “I know me. We will get there, But we’re not there yet,” he emphasized.
The multiple award-winning record producer, sound engineer, and singer-songwriter further explained.
“I believe in small consistent steps than taking big steps you can’t handle and you crumble. If I try it right now, it’ll fail.”
Richie Mensah
Doubling down, Richie noted the financial weight of opening an international branch for Accra-based Lynx was far beyond his current strength. “Chale, if I have to pay salaries in pounds, it’ll be tough,” he cited.
The conversation was occasioned when the host asked Richie Mensah about the current role of his brother, Albert Mensah.
Richie categorically stated Albert stopped working with Lynx when he and his entire family moved from Ghana.
“He’s in the UK and Lynx doesn’t operate in the UK. He’s my brother. But when it comes to the work, it can’t work like it used to in the past.”
Richie Mensah
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