Ghanaian songstress Wendy Shay, renowned for her hit ‘African Money,’ has recently exposed a disconcerting issue that permeates the music industry. Shay revealed that some male musicians demand sexual favors from female artists as a condition for collaboration opportunities, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in the music business.
Speaking on TV3’s special edition of International Women’s Day, Wendy Shay highlighted the gender disparities within the male-dominated industry, emphasizing the hurdles female musicians encounter. One major challenge she brought to the forefront is the rejection female artists face when seeking collaborations with their male counterparts.
Shay disclosed, “There is this rejection on the path of women. We actually get rejection from our male counterparts when we really want to have a feature.” She went on to reveal that some male musicians take advantage of their established positions, demanding sexual favors when approached by female artists for collaboration opportunities.
“This is a male-dominated industry where women are mostly overlooked. You see them feature a normal male upcoming artiste, but an established female artiste would like to have a feature from another male artiste, and they want to be sexual. These are some of the things that women face and have to go through in the industry,” she expressed during the interview.
In response to these challenges, Wendy Shay is using her platform to support and encourage up-and-coming female artists. She stated, “I use my platform to push and encourage them. Post their videos and all. I wish I could do more which I would financially.” This proactive approach to uplifting fellow female musicians showcases Shay’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment in the music industry.
The award-winning singer also provided advice for women in the industry, urging them to build their potentials and add more value to themselves. Wendy Shay’s revelation serves as a call to action, prompting a critical examination of the unequal treatment faced by female artists and advocating for a more equitable and respectful environment within the Ghanaian music scene.
