Veteran Ghanaian musician and producer Slim Buster has criticised what he describes as selfish attitudes among some artistes in the country’s music industry, urging musicians to embrace unity and collaborate more often to promote the growth of Ghanaian music.

The musician made the remarks during recent media interviews, expressing concern about what he considers an unwillingness among some contemporary artistes to work with veteran musicians.

According to Slim Buster, the industry would benefit if musicians looked beyond individual success and recognised the importance of supporting one another, regardless of their level of popularity.

He argued that collaborations could help artistes reach new audiences, create fresh opportunities and strengthen the competitiveness of Ghanaian music locally and internationally.

Slim Buster Recalls Supporting Fellow Musicians

Reflecting on his own experiences, Slim Buster said he had supported other musicians during his career, including producing songs for fellow artistes without charging them.

He cited his involvement in Tic Tac’s hit song Philomena, released in 1999, as an example of his contribution to the careers of other musicians.

The veteran performer explained that his willingness to work with other artistes was not dependent on their fame or commercial standing. He said he was prepared to support musicians who were still building their careers because he believed in helping others succeed.

He suggested that this spirit of generosity and cooperation was lacking among some musicians today, particularly in their relationships with established artistes from earlier generations.

Concerns Over Respect for Veteran Artistes

Slim Buster’s comments also reflect wider concerns about the recognition and treatment of veteran musicians in Ghana’s evolving entertainment industry.

In a separate interview, he criticised what he described as a lack of support for older artistes, recounting an experience in which a collaboration request involving a veteran musician was reportedly rejected.

He argued that musicians who helped build the industry deserve respect and should not be dismissed because their commercial popularity has changed over time.

His remarks add to ongoing discussions about the relationship between established musicians and younger performers, as well as the role collaboration can play in preserving musical legacies while creating new opportunities.

Call for a Stronger Music Industry

Slim Buster maintained that Ghanaian artistes must work together if the country is to strengthen its position in the international music market.

He believes that greater cooperation between veteran and emerging musicians could help introduce younger audiences to older performers while allowing experienced artistes to connect with new listeners.

His appeal comes amid continuing conversations about how Ghanaian music can expand its international reach and compete more effectively with other African music industries.

The musician’s central message is that individual success should not come at the expense of collective progress, and that a stronger culture of collaboration could benefit artistes across generations.

Photo courtesy: Slim Buster