The past few days have witnessed social media buzzing with discussions about the so-called “Lynx Curse,” a term that has resurfaced and reignited debates among music fans and industry stakeholders.
First emerging on social media in 2019, the “Lynx Curse” refers to a perceived phenomenon where former signees of Lynx Entertainment, one of Ghana’s most successful record labels, appear to struggle after leaving the label.
The controversy gained fresh momentum recently when DopeNation, a music duo that parted ways with Lynx Entertainment in 2020, took a subtle jab at their former label mate Kuami Eugene on social media.
In their post, DopeNation claimed that their nemesis, Kuami Eugene, would need luck to survive the “Lynx Curse.”
This has since fuelled the ongoing debate about whether the “Lynx Curse” is real or just a myth.
Over the years, several of Ghana’s flourishing musicians who were signed to the Lynx label, including Asem, Ziggy, the late OJ Blaq, Eazzy, Irene Logan, and MzVee, have faced challenges in their careers after leaving the label.
Public analysis claimed that these artistes failed to reach the same heights they achieved while under the label, leading to the belief that they fell victim to the “curse.”
Case Studies of these former Lynx signees
Asem: One of Lynx’s earliest signees, Asem, known for his hit song “Gimme Blow”, left the label in 2011 amid controversies and a reported fallout over contractual issues.
His career trajectory, taking a nosedive after leaving Lynx, has been a topic of discussion among fans.
The Late OJ Blaq: OJ Blaq joined Lynx Entertainment in 2006, and during his time there, his career flourished with hit songs like “Chale Wote.”
He later left under unclear circumstances. After pursuing acting, he resurfaced as a gospel artiste.
He later faded from the spotlight, attributing his career shift to health challenges caused by lifestyle choices.
However, he maintained that he remained on good terms with Lynx CEO Richie Mensah.
Irene Logan: The soul singer left Lynx in 2010, citing a change in career direction.
Like OJ Blaq, she transitioned to gospel music, which some fans interpreted as a sign of struggle.
D3: The all-female group disbanded after leaving Lynx, with some members opting to pursue further education rather than continue in the music industry.
MzVee: MzVee stayed with Lynx for several years, delivering massive hits and was among the top three Ghanaian female musicians, prior to her eventual exit.
Her career has since been unstable, with some successes but not quite matching her earlier achievements.
Eazzy: Eazzy, one of the hottest female singers during her time at Lynx Entertainment, released back-to-back hits including “Wengeze,” “One Girl,” and many others.
However, the “Ghana Beyoncé,” as she was dubbed during her ‘heydays’, gradually faded from the spotlight.
She later ventured into being a judge for music reality shows and released tracks occasionally.
Counter-arguments
While some artistes have struggled after leaving Lynx, others have defied the so-called curse. For instance:
Kuami Eugene: The Rockstar, aside from being a musician, has also been one of the most astute songwriters and sound engineers in the country, producing hit songs for numerous musicians even after his exit.
He is currently preparing for the release of another classic album following his exit.
DopeNation: The duo has maintained a steady stream of successful releases, including club bangers. They have also since been sweeping awards, and performing on big stages, proving that life after Lynx can still be fruitful.
Richie Mensah weighs in
Lynx Entertainment CEO, Richie Mensah, has dismissed the notion of a “Lynx Curse.”
In a recent interview on Hitz FM with DJ Slim, he explained that the music industry is naturally challenging, and it is natural for artistes to face difficulties after leaving a structured label like Lynx.
He pointed out that Lynx employs over 60 people who work tirelessly to support an artiste’s brand, making the transition to an independent career a daunting task. He emphasised that these challenges are part of the music business and not the result of any “curse.”
Conclusion: Myth or reality?
While the “Lynx curse” is an intriguing narrative, the above analysis suggests that it is more myth than reality.
The music industry is extremely tough, and artistes often face ups and downs, regardless of their association with a particular label.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
