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Being a female artiste in the Ghanaian music industry comes with a lot of challenges especially when you get married and have kids, you are forced to put your own career on hold for the sake of your family.
Afrobeats singer Becca for instant announced last year of retiring from music in 2020 to focus on her family and investments. this was right after she announced that having a baby won’t slow her down.
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While Becca may have her own reasons for deciding to quit music, for her colleague rapper Lousika, who also took time off to marry and have children just when her career was taking off, the music industry is not fair to female acts who get married or have children.
“I would say the industry is not fair to those who get married, especially the females and it is not a good thing. Marriage should not be a big deal but in our part of the world, it is and it is just unfortunate.
“Look at me, when I got married and became pregnant, I had to go on a break to take care of my family and I am yet to come back. I would say this has been favourable for me somewhat because I am not on any label but for someone who works with a label, it is something else.
“It is like they do not want to work with you, they think you cannot do it or be yourself, they think the excuses with family issues will be too much which is not fair at all.
“Who has asked the likes of Sarkodie and Stonebwoy if they will stop working to take care of the home? Does anyone expect them to do so? No. But for us, it’s like that should be your choice. Even when people want to book you for events, they are skeptical about it which is not a good thing at all,” she told the Graphic .
Lousika, whose real name is Christelle Akua Sika Amankona, insisted that being mothers and wives shouldn’t make them be treated as too weak.
“I run a business and if my staff calls me to say their son or daughter is not well, I have to understand but that does not mean it is the end of the world for the person. However, in the entertainment industry, that is what it feels like. Honestly, it is tough for us,” she stated.
Talking about her music career, the Opampam rapper said she was coming out with great stuff this year.
“This year, we have lots of things to do, music has always been my thing and even though I came out with some songs last year, I was not able to keep up but his year is going to be great,” she confidently stated.
Lousika is not the only one slowed down by her family as recently Sarkodie also declared that being a father has completely slowed down his career.
This is a great warning to upcoming artist to make sure they make the money before starting a family else they’d be forced to put their career on hold and take care of their family.
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