Kojo Preko Dankwa, convener of the Federation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP) has encouraged Obaapa Gladys to take advantage of what is happening and build herself up.
He had the same message for the “Cobra” hitmaker’s team, urging them to make good use of the publicity and connections they have now. Also, he said that they should quickly reposition her.
The entertainment journalist advised Gladys’ team to maintain the style of music and theme which has endeared the artist to Ghanaians.
“Mostly, the mistake artists make is they quickly jump out of what they first introduced to us, and change their style and then they do something else,” he explained.
He observed that Obaapa Gladys’ style of lyricism is, like the legendary Yaw Sarpong’s, concerned not exactly with church music but with music that gives calling down and sound advice, covering everyday issues.
He intimated Gladys’ music throws back to stars like Abaawa Connie and Hannah Marfo, adding that if that’s what she wants to do, she should push further and train herself more.
He commended the producer of the “Cobra” song Fred Kyei Mensah, alias Fredyma, as a good teacher.
Preko noted how Fredyma was patient with a greenhorn such as Gladys to the extent of programming a song for her at hardly any cost. This was on the back of Fredyma revealing he skipped over Gladys’ initial choice of a song. He asked her for another song and when she told him about “Cobra”, he advised her to go with that.
“If he had not produced the song, it is possible no one else would have, judging from the woman’s abilities. He did the song and today, he is proud, even though, excuse me to say, he was not given a penny for his work. Obaapa Gladys’ team has a lot of branding work to do,” Kojo Preko said.
The Lesson In The song ‘Cobra’
Kojo Preko Dankwa asserted that the success of the “Cobra” song by Obaapa Gladys is a lesson for both media personalities and artists who are, perhaps, struggling.
Preko confessed that he initially had his doubts about the “Cobra” song upon hearing it but he focused on the content instead of the singer’s talent or lack thereof.
He recalled playing the song twice, as he paid particular attention to the lyrics and message.
“It was an afternoon just like this. And I also asked her why she was likening humans to cobras,” he noted.
According to him, Obaapa Gladys’s response was unimpressive because she was not used to radio interviews.
Given that and considering how well the song is doing now, Preko remarked that he is so proud.
“Initially, when I heard everybody talking about a cobra song, I didn’t know what was going on. When I had a look, I realized it was the woman Uncle Fredyma asked me to interview. Even then, I asked myself what was so unique about the song that after all this time, it has gone viral today?” the entertainment journalist said.
He likened the spontaneous success of “Cobra” to “Chocho Mucho” by Bless.
“I think it’s just a matter of time. It’s a lesson for all of us,” he noted.
He encouraged artists to work hard and not rush because somebody somewhere is watching, and in due time, the right circumstances will lead to the desired outcome.
He buttressed his point by underlining how unusual it is that Gladys had no promotional budget for her song but is enjoying heavy publicity on both traditional and social media.
Preko expressed his happiness and joy, for being part of Obaapa Gladys’ story. “If I had declined to interview her, I’d be here feeling guilty,” he said.
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