Veteran Ghanaian musician and dancer Slim Buster has criticised the disrespect some veteran musicians face on social media, saying artistes must speak up when people attack their reputation.
Speaking on Adom TV, Slim Buster recalled how social media users mocked him when he first joined the platforms, making comments about his finances and place in the music industry.
He said the insults were difficult to deal with at first, but he later began checking the profiles of those who trolled him before responding.
“When I came to social media in the beginning, it wasn’t easy. I used to be trolled a lot. They called me poor and other things,” he said.
The musician explained that he would look at the followers and posts of his critics to learn more about them before deciding how to respond.
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According to Slim Buster, the experience taught him to defend himself against negative comments. He believes that keeping quiet when people make damaging claims can lead others to accept those claims as true.
He also noted that many young music fans may not know the achievements of veteran artistes and could judge them based on information shared by others.
Beyond his personal experience, Slim Buster raised concerns about the growing hostility among fan groups supporting different musicians.
He described the rivalry as “demonic”, arguing that some fans become so attached to their favourite artistes that they fail to appreciate good music from others.
He urged musicians, their supporters and other people in the entertainment industry to speak out against the problem and help bring an end to the hostility.
Slim Buster further called for greater respect for veteran musicians, saying those who contributed to the growth of Ghana's music industry should not be mocked or have their achievements dismissed.
AK/AM
