The X & Y elements of Ghana Music

The place of radio in the promotion of music and the general development of the music industry can not be over emphasized. In Ghana, where until recently radio was about the only medium of promoting

one's music, the medium has grown to become very influential in deciding which songs make it to the listener.

Even so, it was not until the late 90's that we saw a few other than the state owned stations springing up. Today, there are almost as many radio stations as there are newspapers. When the first few privately

owned stations were established, the concept of payola and the ills of inferiority ( Thinking music from other countries are better) increased. Some stations even decided to play only music from other

countries so as not to pay any royalties to the collecting society.

Over the years, there have been several of them and through out Ghana there are close to 200 radio stations. This has effectively reduced payola and more and more stations are becoming pro-Ghanaian. Research indicates that most stations which hitherto would exclusive promote foreign content did so because there was a segment which believed only in the highest quality of sound and production.

Fortunately, there are several young artistes meeting that market today. That is probably why when Y fm was launched it concentrated on the youth. After Only a year of it's existence, the Capital has

another station with a similar one letter alphabet name: x fm and perhaps the same target market.

These last few weeks, there has been several comparisons in varied platforms; most of them being informal. pinnaclegh.com looks at the similarities and differences. This week, we deal with the

political angle.
Unknown to most propellers, participants and contributors to the XY debate as well as presenters on the respective stations, the battle/competition and comparison is as political as it gets. Y fm is owned

by Edward Boateng of Global Media Alliance and formerly of CNN. Edward is a known associate of the former president of Ghana, John Agyekum Kuffour. X fm on the other hand started operating after the

President Attah Mills led NDC government took power. X fm is owned by Herbert Mensah, now a known NDC stalwart.

For most involved in this raging informal debate it has nothing to do with politics but we will not be surprised if months to elections these stations put on their political colours. Indeed, the presenters

might not have taken notice of how coloured their respective owners might be but in Ghana, about 9 out of 10 companies unofficially show their political colour to stay afloat.

Next week, we take a critical look at the perdigree and calibre of presenters of these stations. Stay tuned with Richmond Adu-Poku on the XY SERIES.

Originating at www.pinnaclegh.com