I have grown beyond paying payola – Kofi Kinaata

In spite of the proliferation of radio and TV stations, the payola phenomenon still exists although it is not talked about as much as before. Payola is the practice where artistes pay money for their songs and videos to be given airtime.

Artistes have over the years recounted how they had to dole out huge sums of money to DJs and presenters just to get their songs played but for Highlife musician, Kofi Kinaata, he had long gone beyond paying payola to get airtime for his songs, especially when he knew the impact his tracks would make.

“It is now easier for any song to penetrate because artistes are willing to pay DJs any amount of money to play their songs. I will not do that when I know the product I have is great. If my songs do not get airplay on radio, my fans will play it in their rooms, offices and at parties,” he told Graphic Showbiz recently.

Kofi Kinaata has got Ghana talking with his latest offering, Things Fall Apart, which paints a picture about our society today. He tackles the hypocrisy of today’s Christians, envy and jealousy among other topics which definitely pricks the conscience of listeners.

The musician, who is basking in all the glory the song is bringing to him, tells Graphic Showbiz his purpose has been achieved because his focus is to always do positive songs.

“I am in for positive songs. When you listen to songs such as Susuka, Adam and Eve, Sweetie Pie, Single and Free, Confession and Last Show, you will know the direction I want to go with my music.

“I want my songs to make an impact and not just do music for the fun of it. I am not that artiste who follows trends and it is probably the reason why the young and the old enjoy my music. I do music to impact life and give hope to the hopeless,” he said.

Kofi Kinaata said he was sure Things Fall Apart would be his biggest song ever.

“I can say with authority that Things Fall Apart will surpass Susuka, Confession and any other song I have done previously. The content of the song is deep and everyone is enjoying it because I took my time to write it,” he said.

He also told Graphic Showbiz that he deserved to win the songwriter awards all the time because of the kind of songs he did.

“With the kind of songs I do, I think I deserve to win Songwriter of the Year anytime I am nominated in any award scheme. I do impactful songs and everyone can attest to it,” he said.

Although Kofi Kinaata has featured on other songs by different artistes, he says he loves to work alone.

“Collaborations are good but I prefer doing songs alone because when you feature an artiste and you need them for video shoot, it becomes difficult to get them.

“I have not been able to shoot my video for Never Again featuring Shatta Wale because he is always busy. This and many others are the reasons why I prefer not to feature other artistes on my songs,” he explained.