Popular Ghanaian highlife singer Kwabena Kwabena says you don’t need to be called a musician if you can’t perform with a live band.

The musician who broke into mainstream music in 2006 with his hit single ‘Asor’, in an interview with Amanda Jissih on E-Talk disclosed most Ghanaian musicians have had an easy way out making money off people without giving them the best.

“For me any artist who can’t do a live band is not an artist, is not supposed to be a musician in the first place..pack your bags and leave. I’m sorry, but that’s my opinion. You don’t expect to pay money to sit at a concert and expect the musician to play the CD you’ve been playing in your car, the CD you’ve been playing in your room.”

This came about after he was asked why he describes the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards as a ‘private party‘.

According to the musician, his description of the awards as such is premised on the fact that he expects a certain level of production for a music awards event which never happens in Ghana. Striking the difference between the VGMAs and the Grammys, Kwabena Kwabena disclosed all the performances were live and that’s what makes it a much anticipated show to watch.

“What happens at a private party, we have a DJ, he slots in CDS and back to back we are playing CDS and giving awards in between these performances and I can’t call this a music awards”

Kwabena Kwabena therefore challenged Ghanaian musicians to prove they are indeed artists by doing live performances.

“We need to prove that we are artists and the only way you prove you are an artist is to come on stage and play your records with your band.”

Kwabena Kwabena commended two time BET award Sarkodie for his sold out concert at the Indigo at the 02 Arena in London.

“Recently Sarkodie was in London and he was live with the Composerz, I think that is the way. That’s what we all need to be preaching, that’s what we all need to be working towards as artists”

Kwabena Kwabena celebrates his 10th musical anniversary in 2016.