Mr Drew Explains Absence from Akosombo Easter Show

Highlife and Afrobeats musician, Andrew Nii Commey Otoo who carries the stage name Mr Drew has refuted claims surrounding his absence from an Easter concert organised by JamRock Bar and Event Centre in Akosombo despite taking an initial 50% payment for his performance.

The artiste has subsequently been dragged to court by the Management of JamRock demanding GHc251,511 including a refund of initial payment, special damages and general damages.

The Management alleged the artiste on the day of the event failed/refused to perform despite showing up.

“On the day of the event, Mr. Drew arrived and checked into his hotel around 3 pm, in the company of 3 other team members, and he was to relax and get ready for the event in the evening. All the other artistes on the bill had also arrived and were in their hotels. At around 12:30 am, organizers say they tried calling the artiste to come and perform but there was no response from his team, hence the organizers drove to the hotel and found they were fast asleep. After some time, Mr. Drew and his team finally came out of the hotel and sat in their car and drove off,” organisers are quoted to have said.

In a counter statement, Mr Drew said part of their agreement was for the show to commence at 8:00 pm while he mounts the stage at 11:30pm and closes out the show; however, the concert had not commenced as of 12:00 am on April 2.

At the time, a statement released by the artiste said, he was awaiting the call of the organisers while lodging at a guesthouse together with his team.

“The organisers did not contact the team throughout this episode but at 12:26am came to the guesthouse asking that the team join a convoy through the town to draw patrons to the event. Despite the safety risks involved, Mr. Drew and his team indicated their willingness to join the convoy subject to being paid the outstanding 50% as had been agreed.

“The Organisers of the event refused to make payment and rather demanded that Mr. Drew move to the event first citing the low turnout as the reason for their refusal to make payment. As at 1:00am on 2nd April the event was yet to start with the supporting acts yet to perform. After waiting for a further 50 minutes with no communication on when he would receive his payment, Mr. Drew and his team left Akosombo at 1:50 am.”

Reassuring his fans of his commitment to delivering exhilarating performances whenever billed, he stated that “serious levels of unprofessionalism” exhibited by the organisers of the Easter Dance Party hindered his performance.

Source: opemsuo.com /Hajara Fuseini