Musicians Are Businessmen Too: Why the ‘Proper Business’ Question Is Insulting – Sarkodie

The popular question often posed to artistes—_“Apart from music, what business do you do? Like, a proper business?”_—has been called out as frankly *insulting*. According to a recent statement by Ghanaian rapper *Sarkodie*, this line of inquiry reflects a deep misunderstanding of the music industry’s true nature.

In a post on X on Sunday, April 27, Sarkodie expressed his feelings about the query, explaining that it disregards the fact that music itself is a multifaceted business. He wrote, “That question ‘apart from music, what business do you do? Like, a proper business?’ honestly comes off as a bit insulting.” Sarkodie argues that the implication—that musicians aren’t running legitimate businesses—undermines the entrepreneurial and commercial realities of creating, promoting, and monetizing music.

The mindset behind such questions fails to recognize that successful artistes like Sarkodie manage complex business operations involving branding, licensing, merchandising, and strategic partnerships. Labeling music as “not a proper business” ignores the financial risks, investments, and professional expertise required to thrive in the industry.

In essence, Sarkodie’s critique urges a shift in perception: musicians are already running sophisticated businesses, and questioning their legitimacy can be seen as dismissive and demeaning to their professional endeavors.