Digital Media Consultant Kelly Nii Lartey Mensa has criticised the Google subsidiary, Youtube Music, for their double standards for the artists of Ghana. The company does not allow musicians to enlist their music in the application. However, they advertise the application for use in the country. He took to his social media account to register his criticism.
He wrote YouTube Music App is not available to the artists of Ghana. But it is being advertised to Ghanaians to download and stream songs from Nigeria. Meanwhile, he pointed out that the Music App has been in Nigeria since 2020. It has been serving West Africa for the last three years.
Kelly Nii Lartey Mensa talked about the significant exposure that the artists of Nigeria received owing to their inclusion into the app’s database. The fact that Nigerian artists have benefitted tremendously from the application encourages a similar reaction for Ghana.
Kelly Nii Lartey Mensa stated that YouTube Music App in 2021 helped 30 unknown Naija artists. These artists included Tems and Rema in the global limelight through the Foundry Class for West Africa.
YouTube Music App is the energy behind digital music, amplifying streams exceptionally and clearing all barriers to entry for young musicians.
She pointed out that the head of YouTube Music App West Africa is Naija. The head of YouTube West Africa is Naija, so we can’t blame them if they don’t care about Ghana. It’s natural.
YouTube Music is heavily investing in underground music in Nigeria while up-and-coming musicians in Ghana struggle just to become YouTube watchers of Naija content.
Meanwhile, as the Digital Media Consultant has shared her discontent at the actions of the governemnt in this regard. She stated that Our leaders don’t care. Ministry doesn’t care. The media is silent. Music pundits are saying what their Naija heroes tell them. Artists are quiet because they don’t want to to become a target on YouTube.
However, she shared her support to the Ghanaian artists. She stated that I am also talking and pushing until something positive happens to Ghanaian music.
