Journalist, Isaac Kyei Andoh is urging managers of Children Celebrities as Children Celebrities and desist from directly comparing them to established adults in the industry.
Mr. Andoh in a Facebook post sighted by Awake News is urging parents of children that rise to fame at the wake of DJ Switch’s being adjudged DJ of the Year at this year’s Ghana DJs Awards.
“Last year at the Ghana DJ Awards and last two years at the RTP Awards, I had a very brief conversation with her mum and I commended them for what they had done with the kid. I told her to manage her well and more importantly, ensure that she doesn’t lose the opportunity to live as a kid, play with her mate and what have you.”
According to him, “No DJ in Ghana will get the gigs they get if they played exactly like DJ Switch Plays. What is fascinating about DJ Switch is that she is playing at least, 10 years above her age, indeed, she is a joy to behold but we can admit her rise, recognitions and the opportunities given her are largely down to her age and what she has done at that age.”
“She is always on the stage to entertain briefly with her skills, for real DJs, sometimes, or most of the times, you don’t even see them. They just come to have full control of the music aspect of an event.” – he added
Comparing scenarios, Mr. Andoh said: “It’s like seeing a talented young boxer who is a kid and putting that kid on programs to entertain people with his boxing skills and later coming out to adjudge the kid as the very best boxer when in fact, he hasn’t or doesn’t even step into the ring for a proper bout.”
“To those who tagged me for my opinion, this is what I think: THE BEST DJ in Ghana is not DJ switch. We can only recognise her as such when she starts to really DJ.” – he stated.
Read his full post:
I love this kids talent, I love the fact that she is getting a lot of big platforms most of our Djs would dream of and I love the fact that she delievers whenever she is given the opportunity.
Last year at the Ghana DJ Awards and last two years at the RTP Awards, I had a very brief conversation with her mum and I commended them for what they had done with the kid. I told her to manage her well and more importantly, ensure that she doesn’t lose the opportunity to live as a kid, play with her mate and what have you.
This is why I am reacting to this. We have to manage children celebrities as children celebrities and desist from directly comparing them to establashed adults in the industry.
No DJ in Ghana will get the gigs they get if they played exactly like DJ Switch Plays. What is fascinating about DJ Switch is that she is playing at least, 10 years above her age, in deed, she is a joy to behold but we can admit her rise, recognitions and the opportunities given her are largely down to her age and what she has done at that age.
She is more of an exhibition DJ than a mainstream dj. She doesn’t DJ shows, she doesn’t DJ on any radio program, she only gets paid to show audience how someone of her age can DJ. At most 30 minutes, her job is done. And then we have people whose job is not just to dj so they are looked at and admired, but DJ to get people on their feat, dance for hours, control the fun and sustain the mood of an event, of a radio program or in the club. How many times has she been the main DJ of an event? 0.
She is always on the stage to entertain briefly with her skills, for real DJs, sometimes, or most of the times, you don’t even see them. They just come to have full control of the music aspect of an event.
To those arguing that she has climbed big stages, we all agree, but were those cameo appearances DJing?
That is not DJing. So if you ask a Ghanaian footballer to joggle a ball at Wembley, Camp Nou, he becomes the best player in Ghana even without playing a single competitive football. What logic is that?
It’s like seeing a talented young boxer who is a kid and putting that kid on programs to entertain people with his boxing skills and later coming out to adjudge the kid as the very best boxer when in fact, he hasn’t or doesn’t even step into the ring for a proper bout.
It’s like besting a soccer ‘freestylelist’ over mainstream footballers.
This is the issue, DJ switch is not yet a mainstream DJ, she is just a special kid, with a special DJ..ing talent that everyone wants to watch.
Such a person, especially being a kid should be treated like the kid she is, managed so that she gets a prolonged top-notch career success. Don’t make her feel she has arrived when in truth, she hasn’t even started mainstream DJ…ing.
Don’t make her feel she is better than mainstream DJs when she is not. Give her good recognition awards, give her all the applause she deserves but don’t draw her onto the turf.
She still has a lot to learn from the Industry’s top guys, she will improve everyday and hopefully, beat everyone by the time she is old and decides to really be a DJ.
To make her the overall best DJ, pitching her against senior DJs in this country is a bad call, to an extent an insult to the established names in the industry who don’t do exhibition but DJ proper and a ‘bad’ trap for the adorable young girl
This is how many kids with special talents are mismanaged and then when they grow and are expected to scale higher heights, they are nowhere be seen.
I don’t want this to happen to the lovely girl.
She has to be managed strategically, no need to rush and make her feel she is the best when in reality, she hasn’t even entered mainstream.
To those who tagged me for my opinion, this is what i think: THE BEST DJ in Ghana is not DJ switch. We can only recongnise her as such when she starts to really DJ.
Until then let us allow the girl wow the world with her talent and captivating personality.
And this goes to you DJ Switch if you happen to chance on this, Ghana loves you, you are such an adorable kid with an amazing talent.
Don’t let it get into your head that you are the best DJ in Ghana, anyone who tells you this is not being honest you.
You have a lot to learn to improve, you have a lot to do to be considered a complete DJ
Keep enjoying yourself, take your education seriously and don’t get ahead of yourself because of this misleasing award.
Isaac Kyei Andoh
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / awakenewsroom.com