Rex Omar
Veteran highlife musician and music rights advocate Rex Omar has responded to Mr Drew’s claim that he has not received any royalties from his music, saying he has never heard of the young singer before. Speaking on Accra-based Okay FM on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Rex Omar said artistes who fail to register their works with the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) should not expect to be paid by the body.
His comments have quickly stirred conversation online, with many fans and music watchers debating whether the remark was a jab at Mr Drew or a blunt lesson on how royalties work in Ghana.
What Mr Drew Said About Royalties
The conversation started a few days earlier. In an interview with Krakye on GHOne TV, reported on October 12, 2026, Mr Drew revealed that he had not received any music royalties.
He was careful to explain that he was not accusing anyone of failing to pay. According to him, “I haven’t received any royalties, not because royalties aren’t paid.” He said what discouraged him was the kind of returns reported by musicians who have been in the industry for more than ten years.
In the same interview, the “Dw3” hitmaker spoke about artiste beefs. He said rivalries should at least bring an artiste relevance or money, and even suggested that companies could sponsor boxing matches between feuding musicians, with cash prizes for the winners. He also said he plans to sign more underground artistes to his record label and support them with free verses.
Rex Omar: “I Have Never Heard His Name Before”
When the issue came up on Okay FM, Rex Omar did not hold back. Asked about Mr Drew’s royalty comments, he said plainly: “I have never heard his name before.”
Rex Omar, who is the Head Coordinator of the Black Star Experience and a GHAMRO executive, then turned to the bigger point. He questioned whether Mr Drew is a registered member of GHAMRO and whether he has assigned the rights to his music to the organisation.
The Car Insurance Comparison
To explain his position, Rex Omar compared the situation to someone who buys a car without insuring it. If that car is involved in an accident, he argued, the owner cannot turn around and expect insurance benefits.
In the same way, he said, musicians must first register their works with GHAMRO before they can expect royalties from the organisation. “If you are a musician and you do not do the right thing, do not expect anything from GHAMRO,” he said.
Quick Facts
- Who: Rex Omar (veteran highlife musician, GHAMRO executive) and Mr Drew (Afrobeats/highlife singer)
- Mr Drew’s claim: Made on GHOne TV, reported October 12, 2026 – says he has received no royalties
- Rex Omar’s response: Made on Okay FM on October 14, 2026
- Key message: Artistes must register with GHAMRO and assign their rights before expecting royalties
- Mr Drew’s real name: Andrew Nii Commey Otoo
Not the First Time Rex Omar Has Said This
Rex Omar’s stance is not new. As a former GHAMRO board chairman, he has spent years urging artistes to sign up with the body. Speaking at Joy Entertainment’s Showbiz Roundtable in October 2022, he told musicians who demand royalties without membership that they were “crying for nothing.”
He has also argued that GHAMRO does not automatically collect money for every musician in Ghana. Its work is to collect royalties on behalf of its members, especially from users that individual artistes cannot easily chase on their own.
A Long-Running Debate in Ghana Music
The question of royalties in Ghana has been a sore point for years. Many artistes have complained that payouts from local collection are small, while others say they now earn far more from streaming platforms than from traditional royalties.
Mr Drew himself has been part of royalty talks before. In 2023, Kuami Eugene publicly claimed he wrote a large part of Mr Drew’s hit song “Case” and said he was owed for it, a dispute that drew a lot of attention at the time.
Who Is Mr Drew?
Mr Drew, born Andrew Nii Commey Otoo, started out as a dancer at Achimota Senior High School before switching fully to music. He became first runner-up in Season 6 of MTN Hitmaker in 2017 and later signed to Highly Spiritual Music, led by producer Kaywa.
He has since built a strong catalogue, including “Dw3” with Sarkodie and KRYMI, “Later” with Kelvyn Boy, “Shuperu” with KiDi, and “Sumɔmi” with Medikal. He won Best New Artist at the 2021 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards and released his debut album, ALPHA, the same year.
Who Is Rex Omar?
Rex Omar, born Rex Owusu Marfo, is one of Ghana’s most respected highlife voices. He rose to fame in 1989 with the album Aware Pa and later formed the group Nakorex with Nat Brew and Akosua Agyapong. His well-known songs include “Abiba,” “Dada,” “Konkontey” and “Mama.”
A Busy Week for Mr Drew
The royalty exchange comes in the same week Mr Drew made headlines for a heated X Space session on October 12. During the session, he clashed with a participant who called him “chale,” telling the person he was not their mate. He later clarified that the outburst was aimed at trolls, not his fans.
Mr Drew has not publicly responded to Rex Omar’s comments at the time of writing. The week has also seen other Ghanaian stars like Medikal grab attention with candid interviews.
What This Means for Young Artistes
Beyond the personal jab, Rex Omar’s message is a reminder for young musicians: talent and hit songs alone do not guarantee royalty payments. Registering works and assigning rights to the right collecting body is part of the business.
Whether Mr Drew fires back or not, the exchange has once again put Ghana’s royalty system in the spotlight. For many fans, the bigger question is how to make sure both new and veteran artistes get paid fairly for their music.
Leave a Comment