Gospel musician Obaapa Christy has paid an emotional tribute to Mabel Intuah, the late sister of actress Vivian Jill Lawrence, describing her as a selfless and supportive person whose kindness had a major impact on her life and career.

Speaking in an interview on Okay FM, the award-winning gospel singer said Mabel was more than just a friend or acquaintance, but someone who played a significant role in helping her connect with influential people and grow professionally.

According to Obaapa Christy, Mabel consistently created opportunities for her by introducing her to important personalities and helping her build valuable relationships that contributed to her journey.

She revealed that she had spent time with Mabel only a few days before her passing, during which she requested her assistance with some errands. She said Mabel willingly offered to help without hesitation.

The gospel artiste also spoke about their close relationship, noting that Mabel often drove her to various places because of how frequently they spent time together. She jokingly referred to herself as Mabel’s “personal chauffeur” due to their constant movement together.

Obaapa Christy recalled that Mabel had been assisting her with preparations for an upcoming programme and had promised to personally take her to meet some prominent personalities she wanted to invite.

“I even spoke to her on Wednesday when she told me she was in the hospital,” she said.

Although Mabel informed her that she was not feeling well, Obaapa Christy said she never imagined the situation would become tragic, as they had plans to meet the following day.

She explained that she was devastated after receiving a phone call informing her of Mabel’s passing.

“I asked what was wrong, and she said her condition wasn’t looking good, but I assured her everything would be fine. Then later in the evening, I heard she had passed away. Since then, I have been devastated and have had to cancel most of my appointments,” she recounted.

The singer admitted that the loss has taken a heavy emotional toll on her, adding that she is still struggling to accept the death of someone who had been such a dependable and important presence in her life.

Mabel Adwoa Intuah, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mayan Stitches, passed away shortly after celebrating her 50th birthday.

Ghanaian reggae and dancehall artiste Ras Kuuku has rejected the idea that artificial intelligence (AI) can replace human creativity, insisting that genuine songwriting comes from personal experiences, talent, and originality.

Speaking in an interview with entertainment journalist Joseph Owusu Worae, the award-winning musician said he has no problem with artistes using AI as a supportive tool but believes technology cannot match his songwriting abilities.

Ras Kuuku explained that some of his popular songs, including “Adie3 Bekye,” were created long before AI became widely used in music production, which according to him proves the strength and authenticity of his craft.

“AI is being used in many fields, and I can’t say I don’t use it in some things I do. But musically, I didn’t even know AI could write songs. ‘Adie3 Bekye’ and many of my best songs came before AI. When I compare myself with AI, I’ve realised I’m a better songwriter than AI,” he said.

The musician warned that excessive reliance on AI could affect the creativity of young artistes. He argued that while technology can provide support and inspiration, it should not take over the creative process.

“AI can never give me a song like ‘Adie3 Bekye.’ If you depend too much on it, your creativity will sleep. The people who created AI used their own brains, so we also need to use ours. AI can add a thing or two, but it shouldn’t do everything for us,” he stated.

Ras Kuuku further revealed that he would not allow AI to write songs for him because his career has been built on original compositions and personal creativity.

He encouraged emerging musicians to remain authentic, stressing that true talent is proven through live performances.

“When you pick up the microphone to perform, AI won’t be there to sing for you. That’s why it’s important to stay original. AI can help, but don’t depend on it too much or you’ll lose your way,” he advised.

The reggae star maintained that every song in his catalogue was written from scratch by him, adding that the use of AI in music remains a personal choice for artistes.

Source:3news

Ghanaian reggae artiste Ras Kuuku has cautioned musicians against depending entirely on streaming platforms for income, arguing that many artists are falling into financial hardship because they underestimate the huge financial investment required to succeed in the digital music industry.

Speaking in an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Ras Kuuku acknowledged that streaming services have opened doors for musicians to reach audiences across the world and earn revenue from their music. However, he stressed that simply uploading songs to streaming platforms is not enough to generate significant income.

According to him, artists must invest heavily in promotion, marketing, and visibility if they expect to make meaningful returns from streaming.

“Streaming has helped a lot of musicians. When you invest, you make money out of it, all things being equal. But if you don’t invest, you make nothing,” he said.

The reggae musician explained that many artists only realize the true financial demands of streaming after committing substantial sums of money without seeing immediate returns.

He noted that promoting music on digital platforms requires considerable funding, warning that artists who lack the resources to sustain promotion risk running into financial difficulties.

“It is a lot of money that goes into getting your songs on these platforms. So if you don’t have that money, you will go broke. That is why you see so many artists going broke because they rely on streaming and hope it will make returns for them,” he stated.

Nigerian Music’s Success Is Driven by Investment

Ras Kuuku also shared his thoughts on why Nigerian music continues to enjoy a stronger presence on Ghanaian radio stations, television networks, and entertainment platforms.

He believes the difference is not necessarily talent but the level of financial investment behind the music.

“Their songs keep dominating because it’s all about money. They invest so much,” he said.

He explained that Nigerian artists and their management teams often commit larger budgets to promotion, allowing their music to remain visible for much longer than that of many Ghanaian artists.

To illustrate his point, he said while a Ghanaian artist may pay for a month of airtime on a major television station, Nigerian artists often pay for as long as six months, ensuring their songs remain in rotation long after local artists’ promotional periods have ended.

“Let’s say when our local artists here pay for a month to, for instance, our big TV stations, the Nigerians come and pay for like six months. So the time the locals use up their slot, theirs will still be there. So it’s about investment,” he explained.

Despite the disparity, Ras Kuuku maintained that Ghanaian musicians possess the talent to compete globally. However, he emphasized that without adequate financial backing and long-term investment strategies, many local artists will continue to struggle to match the reach and dominance of their Nigerian counterparts.

“We are also doing well, but it’s about investment,” he concluded.