Ghanaian artist Krymi has expressed his displeasure with the conduct of some people who are frequently referred to as “gatekeepers” in the creative arts sector. Krymi made the case that the industry should value talent over those looking to control it in an interview with Onua FM on January 21, 2025.
According to Krymi, these so-called “gatekeepers,” who have been given particular authority, frequently behave as if they had the authority to decide whether an artist succeeds or fails. I dislike those who are referred to as gatekeepers since the industry isn’t for them, he underlined. “You should not keep a talent you did not give because the music industry is for the musicians. The industry can only be gatekept by God”, he said.
Krymi acknowledged that while such figures exist within the current system, artists must find ways to navigate it.
Krymi further explained that creatives can achieve success in the industry by focusing on proper branding and promotion, adding, “For a creative to succeed, it’s about putting things together in terms of your team, branding yourself, and making good music.” He referenced veteran artists like Amandzeba, Daddy Lumba, and Kojo Antwi, noting that they had access to superior instruments. He suggested that, in the present day, artists should concentrate on marketing, producing quality products, and making strategic investments in their work.
Krymi’s concerns echo sentiments previously expressed by other musicians in Ghana. He is not the first artist to publicly criticize gatekeepers in the industry and accuse them of sabotaging artists using their influence. Dancehall musician Shatta Wale, for example, has consistently voiced similar concerns about these practices over time.
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