Award-winning singer and songwriter, Wiyaala has shared a diverse opinion about artistes paying for features with colleague musicians.
The ‘African Lioness’ believes that as musicians, any collaboration should be meant to appreciate the art and not for sale.
Speaking in an interview with 3Xtra’s Kwaku King, Wiyaala explained that any monetary benefits from features should rather come from third parties who wish to enjoy the music.
According to her, paying for features will result in a commercial product rather than authentic one.
“So, when I’m collaborating with someone whether you are featuring me or I am featuring you, there should not be any payment whatsoever. Because if I have to go and pay plenty of money to get a feature, it means they are not giving me their emotion. I’m buying it and they would just give me something commercial.
“I just think that as musicians, when we are collaborating, it should not be for sale. We do it for art and then when we finish, those who are not musicians when they want to enjoy it, appreciate us. So, for me, I have to meet you. We collaborate and let the music do the appreciation for us,” she said.
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Wiyaala stressed that for her, she only needs to meet and connect more with an artiste before any collaboration.
She said she is willing to feature any musician irrespective of their pedigree as far as she is able to connect with them and not necessarily demanding money for features.
“It’s not like I don’t like features. It will happen when it happens, because I have to meet you first. I don’t care how popular your name is or how big your songs are; I need to meet you and talk to you first. If not, collaborating with you wouldn’t be sweet. I have to meet you first.
“When you meet certain musicians, the vibe they give you is so good that when the collaboration comes out, that song will hit you. It will be there forever. But some or them, if you go and just do it for them and, mostly they will charge you a high amount of money. There will be no emotions attached to it,” she said.