Ghanaian gospel musician Piesie Esther has voiced concern over the significant disparity in remuneration between gospel and secular musicians in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Eddie Ray on the Midmorning Show on Rainbow Radio 87.5fm, the artist asserted that secular musicians are currently paid substantially more for shows than their gospel counterparts.
Esther stated that she prays for the day when artists across both genres will be treated and paid equally for their craft. She offered a hypothetical scenario to illustrate her point clearly, arguing that the discrepancy is an undeniable reality within the industry.
“It is a fact that gospel musicians are paid less compared to what secular musicians are paid. I don’t know why that is the case. It is my prayer that we will get to the point where this disparity will be addressed,” she said.
She continued, “If for example, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, and Piesie Esther are billed on the same show, I am not sure they will give me the same amount as Shatta or Stonebwoy. Kuami Eugene would even take more than Piesie Esther. Anyone who would dispute this fact does not want to be truthful.”
Stance on Secular Collaborations
Piesie Esther addressed the participation of gospel artists at events hosted by secular acts, such as the recent ShattaFest, stating she found absolutely nothing wrong with it.
In her view, performing on such platforms serves as a critical evangelism opportunity, allowing gospel musicians to minister directly to a diverse audience and potentially “transform a life.”
She concluded her point, saying: “If a gospel musician is invited to minister on a stage of a dancehall musician, there is nothing wrong with that because it is a form of evangelism. There are those who will not accept such an invitation while others will go. I don’t have a problem for a gospel musician to stand on a dancehall platform and perform gospel. Who knows, probably God will use that as an opportunity to transform a life.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
