As the conversation on how Ghanaian music can earn mainstay status on the international scene continues, US-based Ghanaian disc jockey, DJ PC, has offered some great tips that, if accepted and implemented by stakeholders in the Ghanaian music industry, will help the country actualize its long-held dream of having its musicians dominate shows at the international level.
With more than fifteen years of disc jockeying experience under his belt, DJ PC is more than qualified to proffer solutions to what has become one of the most topical issues in the Ghanaian entertainment scene. He has a lot of experience playing Ghanaian songs during his sets to international audiences to gauge and understand their reaction.
In an interview with Joy News, he made some recommendations that he believes, if adopted, could change the narrative.
In the wisdom of DJ PC, the key to transforming Ghanaian music from a predominantly locally consumed product to an international commodity lies in the fusion of global music elements and sounds into indigenous Ghanaian music.
He argues against the complete abandonment of Ghanaian music but rather preaches a conscious and perfect blend of Ghanaian music with international sounds to produce music that appeals to both local and international audiences.
He noted that there exist blueprints on how other countries managed to transform their music from local to international and that stakeholders in the Ghanaian music industry can glean lessons from them.
“I believe Ghanaian music can gain international recognition, but for that to happen, we have to follow the blueprints of others who have been very successful at doing that. Latin musicians, for example, make music for their culture but also make music that aligns with what the international audience likes.
“There is nothing wrong with Ghanaian music, but we need to keep the way our music is because it is very unique. But for it to have an international appeal, we need to blend our Ghanaian music with an international audience. To achieve that, we need to find ways of making that connection,” he said.
Another avenue DJ PC reckons Ghanaian music can break into the international market is through the conscious efforts of Ghanaian DJs in the diaspora to promote songs from the country.
While admitting the delicate nature of pulling off such an activity, DJ PC outlined some ways that Ghanaian DJs can introduce foreigners to music from the country without disrupting the energy at their programs and while maintaining their reputation as world-class DJs.
“I contributed to the growth of Ghanaian music worldwide by playing Ghanaian music at my gigs. To do that, I need to find Ghanaian music that also aligns with the music that the audience listens to.
“Think of it this way, if you hire me to play at a Ghanaian event, you wouldn’t be happy with me suddenly kick in an Indian song. To do that, I need to find a song that sounds like Ghanaian music but also build a relationship with the audience,” he told Rebecca Tweneboah Darko of JoyNews.
For Ghanaians in the diaspora, DJ PC needs no introduction as he has performed at major shows in the United States of America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Throughout his career, DJ PC, who is also a Senior Director of Human Resources for a Medical Devices Company in Silicon Valley, has remained steadfast in his resolve to promote Ghanaian and African music.
EK
