I had an offer from a UK-based record label, but I declined – Trigmatic

Ghanaian musician Trigmatic has shared how he narrowly avoided signing a record deal in the UK that could have cost him the rights to his debut album, Permanent Stains.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A to Z with Kwame Dadzie, Trigmatic revealed that at the early stage of his career, he was eager to work with a renowned record label that frequently visited Ghana.

He initially pursued them, hoping for a collaboration, but when his song My Life became a hit, the tables turned the label flew him to the UK to discuss a deal.

“I had an offer. They actually flew me to check their studios in the UK. I will never forget. And at the time, My Life was big,” he recalled.

During his visit, he was shown luxurious studios and cars, further tempting him to sign. However, upon receiving the contract, he consulted his lawyer, who identified major pitfalls in the deal. One of the key concerns was that the contract required him to give up ownership of his masters and relocate.

At the time, Trigmatic admitted he was struggling with his former manager, Godfred, and was tempted to sign. The label boasted an impressive roster, including a globally recognized female artist and a male artist of Ghanaian descent. This made him believe that signing would propel him to international fame.

“In my mind, I had already signed the deal. But I decided to let my lawyer go through it first. That’s when he pointed out all the loopholes and the long-term implications,” he said.

His lawyer’s advice was not what he wanted to hear. Feeling that his opportunity had been ruined, he distanced himself from his lawyer for almost a year and a half. However, with time, he realized that rejecting the deal was a blessing in disguise.

“Looking back now, I see that sometimes we don’t have to rush. It’s not just about the glam,” he reflected.
He acknowledged that while the label had a strong distribution network, many artists signed to them had been sidelined over time. He questioned whether he would have still been relevant in the industry had he signed.

“But would I have still been there after 10 or 15 years? The same way they shelved other artists, I’m sure they would have done the same to me,” he remarked.

Now celebrating 15 years in the music industry, Trigmatic has not only built a solid career but has also ventured into leadership with the release of his book, A Lion’s Aide. With five albums to his name, he remains a key figure in Ghanaian music, known for hits like My Jolley, Mefri Ghana, Agyei, Where We Dey Go, and Gye Nyame.