Samini Andrew Emmanuel, one of the most popular hip-life artistes
across the whole of West Africa, and who will be coming out with
another earth-rocking album next month, has vehemently deflated the
claim that musicians bribe DJs before they play their (musicians')
songs on air.

In an interaction with The Saturday Statesman to react to the assertion, he replied, "No it is never true. There is no way a musician can bribe a DJ; they rather stipulate an amount for us to pay.”

Readers will recall that this paper published in last week Saturday's edition that 'Merqury’, a presenter on Sound City, a video channel on GTV, had said in an interview that musicians bribe DJs to play their poor works.

Samini (known in the showbiz industry as ‘Batman’) rebuffed, “Any DJ who makes that statement is an irresponsible one. Tell them that I, Samini, said any DJ who will make such a statement is irresponsible. It may be that the DJ himself enjoys the ‘Payola’ very well and that is why he made such a statement”.

Batman further pointed out that kind-hearted people like Bola Ray, KOD, B.B Menson, Abeku Santana and some others, would refuse to collect money, “even when you put it right in front of them”.

He observed, “But for some of them, not only will they take money, but they will stipulate an amount they want, and if you fail to offer it then it means your music won’t go on air.

“I remember some few years back when I came out with a song entitled ‘Linda’, a DJ in one of the radio stations in Accra rejected my CD just because I couldn’t raise the amount he wanted me to pay; so I had to carry it elsewhere”, he recalled.

According to worried Batman, finances and record labels are not the only problems facing the industry. “More often than not, TV stations which invite artistes to perform in their musical shows, often put off the microphones for the musicians to mime without any logistics to make it livelier on stage. It is also a very big shame and a disgrace to the industry”, he queried.

Talking about his new album, he disclosed that it is his third and is entitled Dagaati. The 21-track album is a medley of hip-life and pop tunes, “because artists like Etana-Jamaica, Nameless-Kenya and Sway from the UK are featured on it”. Details of these and some issues about his personal life were disclosed.

How did you manage to get into the Music Industry?

After completing Senior Secondary School (now Senior High School), I was only in the house doing nothing because there was nothing worthwhile to do. So I decided to work on my talent, hence my first album Dankwansre, in 2004.

So what were some of the challenges you faced?

It wasn’t easy at all. For one to be able to execute one’s first album is a great challenge, but after everything I managed to get two Awards out of it. It also took me to UK, Canada, Holland, Germany and Italy.

How many albums have you come out with so far?

Three: Dankwansre in 2004, Samini in 2006 and Dagaati, which is coming out next month.

Did you write them on your own?

Yes, I can say 98% are from me and the other 2% are ideas from other people.

Which of these albums is your favourite?

I think Samini.

Why?

Because it portrays who I really am and where I come from. It also adds value to my image.

Does this imply that you’ve thrown away ‘Batman’?

Oh no. The fact is, I really feel alive as Samani and I become happier when small children call it. But Batman is just a nickname.

How many collaborations have you done?

A lot. I can’t even count them.

How different are the collaborations as compared to your own album?

To me, it is very flexible. It demands less work. I can say that for about 95% of it, I spend no more than 15 minutes in the studio to record it. But for the personal albums, it takes time and energy.

Do the collaborated albums sell better than personal ones?

Yes they do. They sell very well because all the collaborations I’ve done so far have made it to the top.

Do you buy the claim that the Nigerian music industry is on top of our…?

No, I won’t let you even land. It is absolutely no. Musically, by all standards, we stand out. In terms of investment, population and development, they are on top. But when it comes to talents we are far better than they. One thing we should note is that we are not competing. Rather, we should use our African music as a medium for  positive change to unite Africa.

How are you doing in terms of finances?

Very well. By His grace I don’t have to hide it, I’m doing very, very well.

How many Awards have you received so far?

Eight: 2 for the first album, 4 for the second from Ghana Music Awards, 1 MOBO Award, and 1on Hip-pop World 2006 (Best African Act 2006).

What do you do outside music?

I’m a farmer; I’m more into food. I grow maize and cassava in the Western and Ashanti regions. You know, it is not always about singing and dancing. One must also think about the nation too, so I urge all the youth to start tilling the soil and grow more food when the need arises. I also have a transportation company called Samini CAPs.

Have you embarked on any projects so far?

Yes, a lot, I’ve established a foundation call the Right of a Child. I go to the rural areas to educate children on their responsibilities, encourage them to read and harness their talents. I tried to assist in raising funds for those with sickle cell problems. It didn’t go well, but I will continue with the drive when I launch my album. I’m also working with the British Council-Debate to Action, which aims at training young entrepreneurs.

Can you tell us about your family background?

I’m a 100% Ghanaian from the Upper West Region, a Dagaati, born on 22 December, 1981 in Dansoman., Accra

What about your love life?

Ha-ha-haaa, my love life! Hmmmm! For now I’m a reserved person; I just want to concentrate on my albums. I just don’t want to enter anyone’s life for now.

Anything else you would like to add?

I just want to tell my fans out there that I love them and I appreciate the support they’ve been giving me. I also want to tell them that I will be doing a nation-wide tour in December so they should expect to see me.