Ghanaian music producer based in the United States of America, Jeff Quaye (Jay Q), has opened up about why his presence has not been felt in Ghanaian music productions for some time now.
According to him, he has not retired from music production and audio engineering but he hardly does beats for Ghanaian artists in recent times.
The award-winning producer said his reason for staying away from a lot of Ghanaian works is that a lot of the people that want to work with him do not meet his booking specifications.
“I still do music but not within the Ghanaian space like it used to be. The reason is that even though because of technology and the internet, most of the artists reach out to you wanting to collaborate with you in terms of producing something for them.
“The narrative in recent times have been that ‘oh you know I am an independent artist, there is no record company, I don’t have enough budget’. Back in the day, if you knew of my works, during the time I was working with Mzbel and other musicians, people thought I was one of the producers that charged high in Ghana.”
Jay Q
Jay Q said he is not ready to charge Ghanaian artists less because “how you sell yourself is how people will buy you.”
He also noted that most of the people that have expressed interest in doing music with him, usually want to do things that are in vogue but would always prefer to stay true to his craft.
“I have been very quiet within the Ghanaian space for that reason and other reasons too with regards to what our music is now. It’s like if you jump on the scene people want you to follow the trend – what other people are doing but some of us who pioneered the hiplife movement and we gave it an identity with the kind of sound that we produce, you don’t expect me to toe the lines that other neighbouring countries are doing so that is the problem now.”
Jay Q
He further explained that when artists reach out, they say they want amapiano and other genres but he is more concerned about defining the space as he did with ‘jama’ hiplife.
Jay Q Recounts Randy Abbey’s Support in Music Career
The legendary Ghanaian music producer recalled the immense support he received from key individuals at the start of his music career.
The ‘Bottle Breaker’ hitmaker revealed that sports broadcaster Randy Abbey played a significant role in his journey.
“In 2003, when I won my award, we went to a club called Warehouse at Adabraka. While there, I was told someone wanted to speak with me. It turned out to be our own Randy Abbey. He said, ‘For me, being a Ga, I really appreciate everything you are doing with our music.’”
Jay Q
He added that Randy Abbey went a step further by pledging his full support and offering any assistance he needed to grow his music business.
Jay Q acknowledged that while many Ga creatives struggle to find support, there are notable individuals who have been instrumental in pushing their talents forward.
He particularly appreciated the contributions of music producer David Affotey Laryea, also known as Apor, for his role in helping numerous creatives beyond just the Ga community.
Also on the show, broadcaster and gospel music advocate OB Nartey urged well-resourced individuals within the Ga communities to invest in emerging Ga talents.
Jay Q, is widely considered as one of the pioneers of hiplife because he gave the hiplife genre a new identity through experimental local Ga rhythms.
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