Ghanaian musician and entrepreneur D-Black has opened up about the commercial failures he faced building his business empire, revealing that not all ventures succeeded and some closed permanently.
The artist, born Desmond Kwesi Blackmore, disclosed during an interview on Hitz FM monitored that two of his East Legon establishments shut down in 2020, joining a portfolio that has experienced both victories and setbacks over the past decade.
“Not all the businesses I invested in worked. Some made money. Some didn’t. Some had to be closed,” D-Black stated. He acknowledged that building companies demands constant oversight even with hired management, describing the process as comparable to raising children.
The 38-year-old entrepreneur confirmed closures at two separate East Legon locations in 2020 but declined to elaborate extensively, noting simply that the ventures did not achieve commercial viability. However, he maintained that failure has never deterred his ambitions.
D-Black compared entrepreneurship to the music industry’s business model, where record labels sign multiple artists knowing only a fraction will succeed commercially. “You sign ten, maybe two will make it,” he explained, drawing parallels to his own management experience at Black Avenue Muzik.
The record label executive addressed the recent departure of Sefa, one of his most successful signees, whose contract ended after seven years with the label. The singer joined Black Avenue Muzik in 2017 and achieved mainstream success with hits including E Choke, which won Afrobeats Song of the Year at the 2022 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
D-Black defended his decision not to renew her contract, stating labels should function as training grounds rather than permanent arrangements. “It was time for her to grow. I don’t believe in signing an artist for ten years,” he said, emphasizing that artists must eventually operate independently.
Regarding his dual career in music and hospitality, D-Black explained that music provided the platform for brand recognition while hospitality generates the majority of his revenue. His portfolio includes Club Onyx in the Cantonments area and restaurant ventures across Accra.
The entrepreneur acknowledged that his musical output remains inconsistent compared to peers but stated releases prove financially rewarding when executed. He operates on a cyclical model, alternating annual focus between music production and hospitality management, a strategy influenced by his mother’s 30-year career in tourism.
D-Black founded Black Avenue Muzik in the early 2010s and has signed artists including Joey B, Wisa, Darling Gage, and Nina Ricchie, though only select acts achieved commercial breakthrough. Sefa confirmed her departure from the label in October 2024, citing business misunderstandings while maintaining she still considers the organization family.
The musician holds brand partnerships with Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka and previously represented telecommunications and energy drink brands. He continues to operate multiple businesses under the Black Avenue Group, spanning music, fashion, and hospitality sectors.
