In the ongoing discourse regarding the means by which Ghanaian music can attain a permanent position on the global music scene, US-based Ghanaian disc jockey DJ PC has provided some excellent advice that, should it be embraced and executed by relevant parties in the Ghanaian music sector, will enable the nation to fulfill its long-standing ambition of having its performers headlining shows abroad.
DJ PC is well-qualified to offer solutions to one of the most pressing issues in Ghana’s entertainment industry, having over fifteen years of experience as a disc jockey. He has a great deal of experience performing Ghanaian songs for foreign audiences during his sets in order to feel and interpret their response.
He offered some suggestions that, in his opinion, could alter the storyline in an interview with Joy News.
According to DJ PC’s wisdom, fusing global music elements and sounds with native Ghanaian music is the key to turning Ghanaian music from a product that is primarily consumed locally into a commodity that is sold internationally.
In order to create music that is appealing to both local and foreign listeners, he preaches a deliberate and flawless blending of Ghanaian music with international sounds rather than advocating for the total abandonment of Ghanaian music.
He pointed out that stakeholders in the Ghanaian music industry can learn from models that other nations have used to transition their music from being locally to internationally popular.
“I think there is a chance for Ghanaian music to become well-known worldwide, but we need to emulate those who have achieved great success in order for that to happen.” For instance, Latin musicians create music that appeals to both their own culture and the tastes of a global audience.
“There is nothing wrong with Ghanaian music, but because it is so distinctive, we should maintain it as it is. We must, however, integrate our Ghanaian music with a global audience in order for it to have appeal on a global scale. We must figure out how to establish that connection in order to do that,” he remarked.
DJ PC believes that deliberate efforts by Ghanaian DJs living abroad to support songs from their homeland could be another way for Ghanaian music to become successful abroad.
DJ PC acknowledged the difficulty of pulling off such an event, but he also provided some suggestions for how Ghanaian DJs can introduce foreign audiences to local music without detracting from the excitement of their events and without compromising their standing as elite DJs.
“By playing Ghanaian music at my gigs, I helped the genre flourish internationally. Finding Ghanaian music that complements the audience’s musical tastes is necessary for me to accomplish that.
Consider this: you would not be pleased if I unexpectedly started dancing to an Indian song at a Ghanaian event for which you hired me to perform. I need to find a song that sounds like Ghanaian music and establish a rapport with the audience in order to do that,” he said to JoyNews’ Rebecca Tweneboah Darko.
DJ PC does not need an introduction for Ghanaians living abroad because he has headlined events in the US, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
DJ PC has been adamant about promoting African and Ghanaian music throughout his career. He is also a senior director of human resources at a medical device company in Silicon Valley.
