RuffTown Records manager and songwriter Ricky Nana Agyemang, popularly known as Bullet, has opened up about the heavy financial pressure he faced after the sudden death of Ghanaian music star Ebony Reigns, revealing that replacing the late singer with Wendy Shay was not just a musical decision but also an economic necessity.
Ebony, born Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng, was one of the fastest-rising female artistes in Ghana’s music industry before she tragically died in a car accident on the Sunyani–Kumasi road in February 2018. Her sudden passing shocked the country and left RuffTown Records facing both emotional and financial challenges.
Speaking in a recent interview, Bullet explained that Ebony’s death created a huge gap not only in the label’s musical lineup but also in its financial stability. According to him, the record label had invested heavily in building Ebony’s brand, music, and image, and her sudden demise meant the label had to quickly find a way to survive.
He disclosed that at the time of Ebony’s passing, the label had ongoing commitments including production costs, promotional expenses, staff payments, and other investments tied to the artiste’s career. Without a performing artiste generating income through shows, endorsements, and music releases, the label faced a difficult financial situation.
Bullet said it was this pressure that pushed him to search for another female artiste who could continue the momentum Ebony had created.
“It was not easy at all,” he said. “People think we just replaced Ebony immediately, but they don’t understand the financial burden we were carrying. There were investments, responsibilities, and a whole team depending on the label.”
He noted that the decision to introduce Wendy Shay shortly after Ebony’s passing attracted criticism from sections of the public who felt it was too soon. However, Bullet explained that the move was necessary to keep the label afloat.
Wendy Shay, who was relatively unknown in the Ghanaian music scene at the time, was eventually signed to RuffTown Records and introduced as the label’s new female artiste. Her debut single Uber Driver quickly became a hit, helping to re-establish the label in the industry.
Despite the initial backlash and constant comparisons to Ebony, Wendy Shay gradually carved out her own identity in the music industry. Over the years, she has released several popular songs and built a strong fan base, becoming one of Ghana’s notable female musicians.
Bullet admitted that the transition period was emotionally difficult for everyone at RuffTown Records because Ebony had been like family to the team. However, he said the label had to remain strong and continue working in order to preserve the legacy they had built.
He added that while Ebony’s death remains one of the most painful moments of his career, the success of Wendy Shay has helped stabilize the label and keep RuffTown Records active in Ghana’s music industry.
Bullet concluded that the experience taught him important lessons about the business side of music, noting that beyond talent and creativity, sustaining a record label requires significant financial resilience and difficult decisions.
