Sarkodie’s newest single Inflation has undoubtedly ruffled some feathers and created some controversy in Ghana.
Sarlodie – Inflation
Notwithstanding the timeliness of the song and the factual statements by Sarkodie about Ghana’s struggling economy, Inflation has been perceived by some as a slight to the President of Ghana and the ruling government.
We believe that this assertion is unfortunate and puts a damper on a new phase of Ghanaian entertainers who want to transcend just performing and become ardent voices for social change.
In past decades, musicians had always lent their voice to injustices in the society. A much referred to musical personality for social change was Fela Kuti with his censuring songs Authority Stealing and Zombie, which made him a target for Nigeria’s dictators and pilfering ruling elite.
Fela Kuti – Authority stealing
Fela Kuti – Zombie
In Ghana, the musicians were more subtle with their critique preferring to use children’s tales and aphorisms to convey their message of a disillusioned proletariat.
The older generation of highlife musicians like Nana Kwame Ampadu and Akwasi Ampofo Agyei expressed their disaffection with poor performing and oppressive governance with thinly veiled songs like Kukrukukru and If you do good you do it for yourself
Akwasi Ampofo Agyei – If you do good you do it for yourself
Although Sarkodie was not subtle in his word choice and his first verse was acerbic, the message of the song can only be appreciated by carefully listening to the entire song and paying attention to the composite of the lyrics.
At the end of the song his disaffection with the presidency and the government, which is strongly conveyed at the beginning turns into a humble plea for equity for Ghanaians and a call to action by all those entrusted with leading the nation.
Sarkodie is the only current Ghanaian entertainer in our humble opinion who could safely pull of such a no-frills song emphasizing disaffection without causing irreversible damage to his brand. He would lose some of his fan base as a result of this song, but not to the extent that it will destroy his career.
He has created an almost larger than life apolitical and non-belligerent persona that is needed to carry the song
Barima Sidney tried with Donkomi, and it made him a social pariah.
Barima Sidney – Donkomi
The several other Ghanaian entertainers who also have the superior talent that Sarkodie exhibits in this song, however their star is still on a rise and they may never recover if they undertook such a bold undertaking.
Let us appreciate the song for what it is and work together in harmony with the appointed leaders and our presidency for a better Ghana.
Here are section of the lyrics of Inflation loosely translated from Twi to English
Are going forward or going backwad
The high cost of the internet can pay the school fees of the kids
The rich who previously did not know poverty are now screaming ouch…
It is because of hunger and poverty most Ghanaians do not have peace….
If the nation is brought to a miserable low, it falls on us all
The potholes on our roads is deeper than gutters…
Kofi Wayo was right, nobody has money to even buy footwear.
Ebola has also added to our woes…
Let us put aside the bickering of the NDC and the NPP
Leadership is what we need