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Remember the days when Jay Q used to be a household name in Ghana. Every new good song came from his golden fingers then, but it seems it’s all over now as more and more musicians and executive producers turn to Appietus to produce their songs and albums.
At the time, an album without a Jay Q production was considered one that can’t sell. Question is, why is the table turning suddenly and why is the fame Jay Q once enjoyed moving like a baton to Appietus?
Since the baby days of Hiplife a little over a decade ago, there has always been a ‘chief producer’ of the genre at periods in time. It used to be Zapp Mallet when it began with the likes of Reggie Rockstone, the Hiplife grandpapa. Later Jay Q and Hammer took over as president and prime minister respectively. But at a point in time Jay Q played both roles qualifying him as chief of the producers. Today, the terrain has changed and it’s all about Appietus ‘in the mix’.
Some say the fame that comes with the title of a ‘chief producer’ gets them blissed out that they sometimes take things for granted and loose focus. But are we as Ghanaians not being too one-track minded? When it’s Zapp Mallet, every executive producer goes to him for production. When it’s Jay Q, they flood his studio with money and demos to get a production done. Today it’s Appietus and the story is not different, it’s his turn to be snowed under.
We have no reason to complaint that all the songs played on radio sound the same. Reggie Rockstone has talked many times about the fact that Hiplife or Ghanaian music for that matter is loosing its element of variety. May be the Hiplife grandpapa hasn’t noticed this phenomenon of one producer for all.
Should Reggie Rockstone create a few beats that turn out to be hits, you can bet your last Ghana cedi that executive producers and musicians alike shall form one ‘logologo’ line from circle to his home at Cantoments for beats.
There are other music producers on their marks, getting set for the Appietus era to be over so they can also take over as reigning champions. Jay Q’s regime, as some will say, is over and he shall not come to power again. Look, let’s stop perceiving music as some game of politics where there are reigns and regimes. Good music is good music and has no expiry date. Good songs produced by Zapp Mallet, Jay Q, Hammer, Morris and Appietus shall forever be good songs no matter the time of day, week, month, year, decade or century.
We need more variety in our music scene to avoid monotony. We need all good music producers and not just the known ones. If it’s about reign, yes Jay Q’s is over and soon it shall be Appietus. Who’s next? Next please…
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I mentioned this very issue when i wrote a comment for mzbell 1 on 1. “it seems appeatus has the game on lock…jay-q’s boring old jama beats…” that is what i wrote then. i used to like jay q myself, but his stuff has become predictable. sometime u hear a nice song some where, u think “damn, this song is all that” suddenly u hear “appietus in the mix” on the song, then u go “whoa”. appietus has created a variety of sounds, i hope he doesn’t become redundant like others have been.
In my opinion, I think Appietus’ reign has just begun. If anyone doubts me, they should listen to 5Five’s “African Girls,” Ebo’s “Once Twice,” and the brand new “Sweetie” by Andy featuring Samini just to mention a few. As I said before, nowadays I have to hear Appietus in the Mix to believe his golden hands was at work again. I am one of the many people who are truly happy to see Appietus finally shining. This young chap had been working hard behind the scene without any recognition. Back then he did all of Sydney’s songs such as “Apuskeleke”, “Scenti No.” and many more. Nevertheless, no one gave him props. He started getting a little nod when he did “Rakia.” But in February of 2005 or 2006, I can’t recall the exact year, but I was listening to Fiifi Banson of Peace FM(via ghanatoday.com) when I heard the most beautiful song I hadn’t heard in a long time. I later leant the song was called “Otoolege.” Before the song even became popular, I predicted it would catapult Ofori Amponsah, Kofi Nti, Barosky, and Appietus into fame beyond even their own dreams. I put that prediction right here on ghanamusic.com back then before they did the redesign. Today, not only I am I vindicated, the guys especially Appietus are all getting rewarded like they should. I hope Appietus had taken a lesion from Jay Q, and remember that variety in the spice of life.
Anyway Riki, ya wat u said wasn’t bad abt “variety in the spice of life.” but u know we ‘ve got gud gud sound Engineers in dis Country who are also gud n even better than some of da top ones so look 4 dem and we ‘ll have all da VARIETIES IN OUR MUSIC.
YO ARE STILL GOOD. I LIKE THE BEATS YO MADE FOR OBRA4 ON THE HEAVY ALBUM.