'Some artistes are selfish' — Slim Buster urges unity and collaboration in Ghana's music industry

Veteran musician makes passionate appeal for unity in Ghana’s music industry during a live phone interview on Onua 95.1 FM.

Veteran Ghanaian musician and producer Slim Buster has described some contemporary Ghanaian artists as selfish, calling for greater collaboration and support among musicians to strengthen the country’s music industry.

He made these remarks during a live phone interview on Onua 95.1 FM, where he reflected on his experiences in the music industry and criticized what he perceives as a lack of willingness among some popular artists to collaborate with their colleagues, particularly veteran musicians.

Slim Buster argued that Ghanaian musicians should look beyond individual success and recognize the importance of working together to promote the industry. He maintained that collaboration can create opportunities for artists, expose them to new audiences, and contribute to the overall development of Ghanaian music.

Recounting his contributions to the industry, the veteran musician claimed that he produced songs for several artists in the past without taking any money from them. He cited his involvement in Tic Tac’s hit song Philomena, released in 1999, as an example of the support he extended to fellow musicians.

According to Slim Buster, he was never particularly concerned about whether an artist was already famous before agreeing to work with them. He explained that some of the musicians he collaborated with were relatively unknown at the time, but he was willing to support their musical journeys. He suggested that the spirit of generosity and collaboration that characterized some of the industry's earlier years was missing among sections of the current generation of musicians.

The musician further stressed that Ghana, as a developing country, needs its artists to unite and build a stronger music industry rather than operate in isolation. He believes that supporting one another through musical collaborations is one way local musicians can expand their reach and improve the competitiveness of Ghanaian music on the international stage.

Slim Buster’s comments have brought renewed attention to the debate about collaboration, industry support, and the relationship between veteran musicians and the current generation of artists. While commercial considerations often influence decisions about musical partnerships, his argument is that artists should not allow popularity or personal interests to overshadow the collective benefits of working together.

His message to Ghanaian musicians is that unity and collaboration remain essential to building a sustainable industry in which both established and emerging artists can thrive.