Ms. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, an internationally recognised South African Artiste, has asked young artistes to desist from drinking alcohol and other hard drugs, before going on stage to perform.

She said artistes must take their arts seriously by being disciplined and acknowledging that they have direct influence on society.

She said: “You don’t go on stage drunk guys, it only means you don’t respect yourself and your act. You can drink and have fun as much as you want, but don’t go to the stage drunk”.

She said this at the Africa Music Business Summit organised by the All Africa Music Awards organising (AFRIMA) 2018 team in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in Accra.

Ms. Chaka Chaka urged music producers and directors as well as event organisers not to negotiate on the demands of musicians.

“Do not negotiate with our artistes, if they want $20,000, give it to them what they are worth,” she said.

She asked Managers not to take a bigger share of profits yielded from producing artistes, as it was very wrong, adding that it was unfortunate that, Africa still does not have proper record companies.

Ms. Chaka Chaka advised African musicians to create a suiting atmosphere for themselves and desist from adopting certain foreign culture that destroyed their works and values.

She urged musicians to concentrate and discuss issues and problems that would unify them and promote the industry.

Speaking on piracy and its effects, the South African Artiste said, music was business and therefore, the rightful owners need to yield their profits, adding that piracy kills music and shouldn’t be allowed.

She called on Government to level the playing field for piracy to cease to promote the entertainment industry.

Mrs. Catherine Abelema Afeku, the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts welcomed the Artistes especially the non-Ghanaians for gracing the occasion.

She urged the Artistes and the continent at large to eat what they produce, wear what they design, and develop love for their culture.