Legendary music executive and record producer David Kwamena Bolton has advised musicians to steer clear of politics.

"We did it in the past and it didn't go well," he said.

He spoke to DJ Slim on Hitz FM, recalling a time VIP got involved in politics and how it impacted the Hiplife trio's career.

It was election time in the year 2000 and, according to Bolton, the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC), was "so confident" of victory, they approached VIP to record a victory song in advance.

"They paid handsomely," he said, and, thus, "We made the song."

He noted First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings "and her children" came "to the studio whilst it was being recorded and all that. It was a party, victory song".

Fate was not in the Jerry John Rawlings-led NDC's favour, however. The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) had a historic win, led by John Agyekum Kufour.

"And then VIP started getting bashed and I got some flak from that as well," Bolton bemoaned.

| VIP (L-R): Abdul Hamidu Ibrahim (Lazzy/Zeal), Emmanuel Promzy Ababio (Promzy) and Joseph Nana Ofori (Prodigal)

"If you want to have a long-term career, try and stay out of politics. The way politics is, you should be careful because – don't forget, your fan base cuts across all the political views. You stand at risk of alienating a portion of your fan base and it's your fan base that keeps you who you are.

"So, I would advise any musician just to stay away from politics. You could get some decent cash for that time but then you may end up losing a lot more than the value of that money you're getting," he admonished.

"I don't think it's worth it as a musician," he emphasised.

With Promzy out and Hiplife pioneer Reggie Rockstone in, VIP is now VVIP.

| VVIP (L-R): Prodigal, Reggie and Zeal