A number of secular artistes have described as ignorant, statements by some religious commentators, saying Gospel artiste, Diana Hamilton’s Artiste of the Year win at this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) as a win over the devil.
Diana’s win is the second time in the history of the VGMA that a Gospel artiste has won after Joe Mettle first did it in 2017 and as expected, the outcome has not been pleasing for everyone.
Interestingly, the high point of conversations about the feat has been the hailing of Diana’s win as the triumph of God over the devil, because many had tipped Lynx Entertainment signee, KiDi for the prize.
The negative comments and tagging of secular artistes as “devil” in the celebration on social media is certainly not what Highlife artiste, Dada Hafco, anticipated.
Speaking with the Graphic Showbiz, the Yebewu Nti singer said the unfortunate comments proved that many Christians were ignorant of the teachings of their faith.
“Any true Christian is the one who accommodates all. Jesus Christ who we are all serving and look up to never discriminated against anybody and as a matter of fact, he came to save those who were lost.
“For anybody to pass judgement that secular artistes were demons or devils and as such Diana’s win meant heaven had triumphed over hell was just ignorant. God blessed us with the talent in that regard, we are also enjoying the grace of God. If we were demons, do you think that God will bestow His grace on us?
“Besides, some of us don’t know of any other source of sustenance in this industry and so just like the Gospel artistes, we also depend on God,” he stated.
Dada Hafco said it was about time people appreciated the contributions of secular artistes instead of chastising their works and labelling them as belonging to the kingdom of darkness.
In an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz on Monday, June 28, KiDi revealed that most Christians were hypocrites and being a Gospel artiste didn’t guarantee one’s righteousness.
The Lynx Entertainment signee, who won four awards at the VGMA, said he had been made to feel like a demon after losing out on the Artiste of the Year following the comments and posts on social media.
Eugene Baah, popularly known as Choirmaster of Hiplife group Praye, who sided with KiDi, said secular artistes should be commended for making people happy with their songs.
“We are also making people happy through our music and it’s hypocritical to think that because one is not doing Gospel music, he is evil or not righteous. And who are those making such judgements? Are they not human beings who sin?
“It is work we are doing just like a footballer, a teacher or a doctor. This is also my profession and I have to look for money to take care of my family,” he said.
Assessing the records of the VGMA in the last 10 years, a number of Gospel artistes have earned nominations in the Artiste of the Year category; Cecilia Marfo in 2011, Cwesi Oteng (2013), Sonnie Badu (2014), SP Kofi Sarpong (2016) and Joe Mettle 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Diana Hamilton made her debut in the category last year but Lynx Entertainment signee, Kuami Eugene won it.
Speaking to the records, R&B singer, Ded Buddy noted that the position of some Gospel artistes and their followers paint a bad image for Christendom.
“Okay so now, we want to say that the VGMAs is a competition between heaven and hell? If that is it, then hell has probably won since the Gospel music industry could boast of only two out of the 22 nominations ever since the scheme was started.
“I don’t think it is right to tread on that path. We are all working to put food on our tables so it is wrong to compare it to heaven and hell,” he stated.
Responding to the allegations, Vision 1 FM presenter, OB Nartey, who has been very loud on the subject, said it was quite unfortunate that secular artistes felt intimidated by the celebration of Diana Hamilton’s win.
“I don’t think anyone is calling secular artistes devils or demons, perhaps, they don’t have an understanding of what we are saying so let me make it simple. Let’s just admit that Diana Hamilton doesn’t deserve to be the Artiste of Year by their standard and human knowledge or analysis.
“But as Christians and from where we come from, there’s something called grace and when it locates you, it gives you what you don’t deserve. That’s all that we are saying,” he stated.
