Ghanaian music star Wendy Shay has shed light on pervasive issues in the Ghanaian music industry, stating that it is “very normal for women to receive unwanted advances from men in the industry.” Her remarks have sparked conversations about gender dynamics, power and collaboration in the male-dominated entertainment business.

In a recent interview, Wendy explained that female musicians often face a double standard when seeking collaborations. According to her, while up-and-coming male artistes receive features easily from established male artists, female artistes—no matter how established—frequently encounter sexual advances as a condition for collaboration.

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“This is a male-dominated industry where women are mostly overlooked… You see them feature a normal male upcoming artiste but an established female artiste would like to have a feature from another male artiste and they want to be sexual.” — Wendy Shay 

The Pattern She Identifies

Wendy notes three major issues:

• The industry remains male-dominated, making it harder for female artistes to access the same opportunities.
• Male musicians reportedly demand sexual favours in exchange for features or collaborations.  
• Female creatives, even when established, face rejection or exclusion from male artistes unless they comply with implicit or explicit sexual expectations.

Why This Matters

• Power imbalance: Wendy’s account highlights how women in the creative sector may have to trade their safety or dignity for professional advancement.
• Collaboration inequality: The features that elevate giovani male artists seem more easily accessible, while women face additional barriers beyond artistry.
• Industry culture: Such revelations challenge the notion that the music business is purely merit-based and indicate underlying structural issues that hamper gender equality.

Wendy’s Call to Action

Wendy also emphasises that women must build their own value, brand and network rather than waiting for male artistes to grant access. She has publicly pledged to use her platform to promote up-and-coming female musicians and advocate for a safer, more equitable industry. 

Reflection for the Industry

Her statements add to ongoing dialogues about the treatment of women in entertainment and other sectors. While the issue of “advance for favour” is rarely publicly discussed, Wendy’s willingness to speak out can help break the silence and prompt calls for systemic change.