Monday, 13 October

Grace Ashy laments 'needless' competition in Gospel music hampering authenticity

Entertainment
Grace Ashy, Gospel star

Gospel star Obaa Yaa Grace Ashy has observed an unsettling competition among Gospel musicians of today.

She spoke to Taller Dee on the No.1 Gospel Showbiz programme on No.1 105.3 FM.

"At first, I didn't see this work to be competitive. Not at all. But now, it appears to be so," the singer said.

She cautioned that ones a musician considers music as a competition, they lose their authenticity.

"Once you look at it like that, you won't be yourself," she said.

Grace Ashy emphasised she had stayed true to her original style and "voice, just as God has gifted me - I don't fake it". 

She noted this made it easier for people to identify her no matter the era. 

"Obaa Yaa has never changed. I don't want to sing like anybody [else]. I sing the [same] way I talk, so when you hear me talking you know it's me," she said.

The iconic cheerleader of the Ghana national male senior football team, Black Stars, again observed there was more camaraderie in Gospel music circles than at present.

"If I were to make a comparison, I'd say there was love back in the day than now," she said.

She recalled times in the past when "colleagues would passionately come to support you unlike nowadays".

She appeared to caveat, however, that it was natural for "a person to lose a lot of people the older they get". She indicated this was true in biological and professional years.

"When you are young and vibrant, there are people around you all the time but as you grow, they fall off," she explained.

Source: classfmonline.com