Talented Ghanaian songstress, known by her stage name Wiyaala has disclosed that it isn’t easy for female musicians to break into the Ghanaian music scene and those who penetrated didn’t get things easy. She stated those making it big out there are still not free from the challenges they encountered since day one.
Speaking to Atanga Alex of Yem FM via phone call, the songstress otherwise called the Lioness of Africa, expressed that most people are of the view that women are not strong and can’t handle tough situations, and must always stay behind their male counterparts which she said, she often disagrees to.
She asserted that the major challenge female musicians face, be it undergrounds or top-notches is always sexual gratification. According to her, most men feel that when they are helping you, it is their right to have their way with you. She stated some might not even want them to be their wives while others also don’t see them being that appealing but once they are helping them, you the beneficiary has to make your body available to them. This is her opinion is subjecting many female musicians to frustration. “Sometimes, not all the time, people help you and want to take advantage of you. They want you to give your body to them for the help you receive, the person might not even love you or want you to be his wife, but feels it is their right because they are helping you….”, she disclosed.
Another setback she reveal was the fact that many partners of female musicians feel insecure as their fame builds with time. She states this fact accounts for the numerous break-ups female musicians sometimes suffer and not as a result of promiscuity. She said if you are married or have a boyfriend and once you begin to get popular and get to know more people, your partner will feel you have now accumulated money and thinks you are now on top of matters. This jealousy in them makes them question all your moves and some who can’t withstand it eventually break up their marriages or relationships.
Family life is also a militating factor that female musicians endure in their professional lives. She is of the view that, once you start making babies, your career also takes a slow turn. She emphasized, that you can’t climb a stage with a baby bump and even if you want to, you have to first see your doctor who will decide your fate then. So as soon as you get pregnant, you have to take a whole year off and when you are back you might find it difficult catching up with your colleagues. “Unlike the men who can get their wives or girlfriends pregnant and go about their duties normally, you a lady won’t be comfortable with a baby bump on stage and to even carry a baby bump to the stage, you have to first consult your doctor who determines whether it’s safe for you or not, this will have to force you to take a whole year off……”, she stressed.
Listen to the interview HERE