Popular music producer, sound engineer and CEO of Highly Spiritual record label, Kaywa, has nothing to tell his former label signees but to leave them in the hands of God for abandoning him after he invested hugely in them and made them household names.
Popular artistes including Kurl Songx, Yaw Berk, Krymi, Keche among others were once upon a time signees of Highly Spiritual record label. Musicians Lasmid and Mr Drew are the latest to exit the label.
Well, it seems nothing is more heart-wrenching for record labels than to invest money, time and energy into signees especially budding ones, only for them to sever ties with the labels just when they are juicy and ripe for the plucking.
While some of the artistes go independent, others dig the pain-inflicting tool deeper as the record label watch them poached by richer and bigger record labels.
Speaking in an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Kaywa, real name David Kojo Kyei, said he would rather leave his former artistes in the hands of God than to curse them or say anything bad about them.
“I know how painful it can be to invest in new artistes only for them to leave when they reach their peak but that is life. If I should consider all these, I would not sign on any artiste again but one thing I tell myself is that I am building national assets.
“Everyone knows the role I played in the lives of all the artistes who left my record label. The little impact I made in their careers is enough joy for me and if they become like the Sarkodies, Shatta Wales and Stonebwoys, I will take the credit for that. Dr Duncan might not be very wealthy but everyone knows what he did for Sarkodie”, he said.
Talking about the challenges with signing on artistes, Kaywa said poaching was the biggest problem.
“These musicians are poached by individuals or other record labels that feel they have the money to buy anyone. Most of these musicians will leave when they come with juicy offers.
“I want to appeal to the poachers to rather work with the original record labels where the artistes are signed on instead of going through the back door and convince the artistes to leave”, he said.
Asked whether he would want to work with any of his former artistes if they ever came back, Kaywa said there was no way that would happen.
“I have a policy at Highly Spiritual record label and that is no come-back after exiting. That is not good for the brand, however, we can have a good relationship but you can’t work with the label again.
“The likes of Krymi, Kurl Songx, Yaw Berk and others still come to my office or call me anytime but as for coming back as a former signee that won’t be possible”, he disclosed.
Source: Graphic Showbiz