Media entrepreneur and talent manager NanaYaw Wiredu says the recent social media incident involving Ghanaian musician Mr Drew would not have happened under his watch.
Speaking on Woezor TV’s Breakfast Café, NanaYaw referred to Mr Drew’s heated exchange with a participant during an X Space discussion. The incident escalated after the participant addressed the singer as “chale”, prompting Mr Drew to insist that they were not age mates and to argue that differences in age and financial standing should command respect. The exchange ended with insults from both sides.
“Recently you saw what happened to Mr Drew. It will never happen under my watch,” Nana Yaw said.
He explained that artistes working with him are trained on how to speak on television, participate in radio interviews and respond when provoked.
“Because you don’t want to put somebody off by saying the wrong thing,” he added.
NanaYaw made the remarks during a discussion on building a successful music career. He stressed that artiste development involves more than producing hit songs and promoting music. It also requires preparing musicians to handle public attention and maintain a good relationship with their audience.
Mr Drew’s X Space controversy
The incident involving Mr Drew occurred during an X Space he hosted to interact with fans and promote his single Steeze. The discussion turned tense after a participant addressed him as “chale”, a popular Ghanaian expression often used informally among friends and peers.
Mr Drew objected to the manner in which he was addressed, insisting that the participant was not his mate and arguing that differences in the age, social status and financial standing should be recognised.
“I am not your mate. A lot of people think I am their mate, but I am not your mate. A lot of the boys think they are my age mates. When it comes to money and age, I am not your mate, and you need to put that in your head,” he said.
The participant challenged the singer’s response, arguing that he was not an A-list artiste to make such a distinction. The exchange escalated, with both parties trading insults and Mr Drew threatening to block the participant.
The confrontation attracted criticism on social media, with some users questioning the musician’s response, while others argued that artistes should be treated respectfully during online interactions. Mr Drew later clarified that his outburst was directed at trolls rather than his genuine fans.
The importance of media training in artiste development
NanaYaw Wiredu’s comments raises concerns about the importance of preparing musicians for public engagement as part of their professional development. Media training can help artistes communicate effectively during interviews, manage difficult questions and respond to provocation without escalating disagreements.
In September 2023, Mr Wiredu, founder and creative director of Oneplay Africa, announced a free online Music Master Series aimed at helping emerging entertainment executives understand the business side of the music industry. His experience spans artiste management, publicity, publishing, events management and digital media.
He has also managed artistes, including Nana Yaa, D-Flex and Mzbel, and worked on events such as Ghana Meets Naija and Mzbel at 10, according to published profiles.
He is currently the PR Manager for Edem Goget’em.