Ghanaian rapper, Strongman, has addressed concerns over why he continues to receive royalties from songs he recorded while signed to fellow rapper Sarkodie’s record label.
Speaking on the issue, Strongman emphasized that music is a business and that artists are entitled to earnings from songs they contribute to, regardless of whether they are still signed to a label.
According to him, the arrangement is no different from Sarkodie continuing to earn a share of revenue from songs released during their time working together.
“What do Ghanaians want me to do again? Music is business. The same way Sarkodie says he still pays me, that’s the same way he also has the right to be paid after I left his record label,” Strongman said.
The rapper explained that the royalties he receives are not favors from anyone but earnings from songs he helped create and promote.
“It’s not ‘country-side’ money they are giving me. It is my own song. I was part of the promotion, I wrote the song, and Tumiani did the beat, which I paid him for. So if I’m being given royalties, it’s because it’s my own song,” he stated.
Strongman further expressed surprise at the backlash from some Ghanaians, insisting that royalty sharing agreements are standard practice in the music industry.
“I was shocked when Ghanaians were ranting about this. If he takes 50 percent and gives the artiste 50 percent, this is not a charity case. This is music; this is business,” he added.
