Ghanaian musical duo, DopeNation, has publicly addressed their decision to abstain from submitting their music for consideration in this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), moving beyond mere speculation.
Their statement follows comments made by DJ Slim on “The Street is Watching” podcast, which raised questions about their absence from the prestigious awards.
DopeNation’s response indicates that their reasons extend beyond simple nomination procedures, hinting at underlying issues within the Ghanaian music industry.
In response to a listener’s assertion that they had not submitted their work and had ignored attempts by the TGMA research team to contact them, DopeNation alluded to a sense of injustice.
“We have been battling a lot that can’t be said out of respect for some people in this hypocritical music space,” they posted on X (formerly Twitter). They further referenced past events, specifically dating back to 2021, suggesting that their decision was not impulsive.
“However, can we all recall from 2021? Maybe some of us will know this is not just about awards, sir. Gradually, this industry will be losing its ‘TRUE ARTISTS,’” they stated.
While DopeNation stopped short of directly confirming or denying contact from the TGMA research team, their comments convey a palpable sense of disillusionment with the current state of the music scene.
They imply that their withdrawal is a protest against perceived unfairness, and warn of a future where authentic artists may be driven away.