CEO of Lynx Entertainment, Richie Mensah, has spoken candidly about the natural progression of artistes leaving record labels, stating that no artiste should be expected to stay with a label indefinitely.
His remarks come amid ongoing public debates about loyalty in the Ghanaian music industry, especially following the exits of high-profile signees from major labels.
In an interview aired on Joy Prime on June 10, 2025, Richie, who is widely respected for grooming successful talents such as KiDi, Kuami Eugene, and MzVee, clarified the business dynamics between record labels and artistes. According to him, the foundation of a label-artiste relationship is growth and eventual independence.
“First of all, it would be selfish to say an artiste shouldn’t leave,” Richie explained. “The way a label-artiste contract works is that you bring someone on board, support them, and help them grow to a point where they can handle things on their own.”
He further elaborated that once artistes reach a level of experience and visibility, the nature of their dependency on the label changes. “At that stage, they don’t need as much support as they did in the beginning, so it’s up to them whether to continue with that support system or find their own path,” he said.
Richie’s comments challenge the belief that loyalty to a label must be eternal. Instead, he advocates for a healthy industry culture where transitions are expected and even celebrated, provided they are handled professionally.
He also noted that labels invest heavily in artistes at the early stages—covering costs from production and marketing to branding and distribution—so it is only fair to allow both parties to benefit from the relationship during the contract period. However, once obligations are met, there should be room for the artiste to explore other opportunities if they so wish.
Over the years, Lynx Entertainment has been at the center of several high-profile exits. MzVee, for instance, parted ways with the label after several years, citing the need for personal and creative freedom. Despite public speculation at the time, both parties maintained a cordial relationship post-departure.
Richie’s statement is being viewed as both progressive and pragmatic in Ghana’s evolving music industry, where young artistes increasingly desire autonomy and control over their careers.
He concluded by emphasizing that the ultimate goal of any record label should be to elevate artistes to a point where they can succeed independently. “If an artiste leaves and continues to thrive, it means the label did its job well.”
Richie’s perspective adds to the broader conversation about transparency, contracts, and mutual respect within the entertainment ecosystem—values that are essential for a sustainable and thriving music industry in Ghana and beyond.
