Sad News: Black Stars Midfielder Anthony Annan Loses Mum!

 

Information reaching GhanaCelebrities.Com confirms that ahead of the Quarter Finals match between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the ongoing 28^th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, Ghana midfielder Anthony Anna has lost his mom Madam Sophia Sampson who passed away on Thursday after falling sick earlier in day.

Anthony Gildas Kofi Annan plays for Vitesse in the Dutch Eredivisie (on loan from German club Schalke 04) of the Fußball-Bundesliga.

GhanaCelebrities.Com’s hearts go out to Anthony Annan and his family. The GFA has reacted with sadness to the news of Madam Sophia Sampson’s death.

“The Ghana Football Association is deeply saddened to hear of the death of the mother of Anthony Annan, Madam Sophia Sampson,” Ghana FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with Anthony, his family and relatives on this very sad day for us.

“We have spoken with Anthony and his family in Ghana to offer our support at this difficult time.

“As Anthony has decided not to leave the Nations Cup to go home, the GFA, the coaches, players and staff will continue to offer him our constant support.”

Source: http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2012/02/03/sad-news-black-stars-midfielder-anthony-annan-loses-mum#ixzz1ng9yaK3p

Okyeame Kwame Launches ‘Clinic’ Album & Migrates To Digital Music Distribution!

Rap extraordinaire Okyeame Kwame has finally launched his current album ‘Clinic’. The launch of the album coincides with his migration to digital music distribution channel.

The digital music distribution is about moving distribution of music from the traditional physical CD distribution to a digital platform so that people with Smartphones can download for a fee and enjoy whiles musicians make money from these downloads.

The proliferation of computers, smart phones and other digital gadgets to a large extent has curtailed the purchase of cassettes and CDs of Ghanaian musicians. It is so bad that now Ghanaian musicians only recoup their investments in making of an album from shows that they get to perform.

So when an artiste gets a hit and he doesn’t get shows to perform, he’s left to scratch his head and think of how to recover his investment or count his lose. The drastic drop in cassettes and CDs sales has folded up lots of recording labels; it has rendered many musicians paupers as well as killed the dreams of many artistes.
The drop has recently hit the West as music lovers move to the world of downloading compared to purchasing a physical CD – which is also the reason why digital music sales has seen unbelievable growth and paying dividends.

With the sale of cassettes and CDs dropping drastically, the rap Doctor has migrated from the conventional music distribution channel [that is known to Ghanaians] to digital distribution which will help him to make some money from his hard work.

What this means is that, songs on his current album ‘Clinic’ would be accessed on MTN radio by dialling 1303 to listen to the songs on the album and to download them onto your phones at a cool cost of 95 pesewas per song.

Part of the proceeds from the downloads would be used to support the ‘Okyeame Kwame Foundation’ which over the years has organised free Hepatitis B nationwide screenings.

In an interview with GhanaCelebrities.Com, the rapper, real name Kwame Nsiah Apau said his migration from the traditional distribution channels to the digital distribution is because even though the trend of music distribution has seen a facelift, the distribution channels in Ghana remain the same, this he believes retards the progress of the artiste.

“It is the problems created by the triangular distribution channels that already exist in Ghana,” he told GhanaCelebrities.Com indicating that, if a music lover doesn’t go to any of the triangular distribution channels to get a copy of CDs of any artiste, this means that, the person downloads it free on the internet and forgets about owning a copy of any album.

He believes now is the time for musicians to bring their music closer to the consumers hence the need for every Ghanaian musician to think of the digital music sales.

The Triangular Distribution is how cassettes and CDs have for years been sold from the three traditional domains [systems] in Ghana. These three distribution outlets include ‘Katamanto’ in Accra, ‘Kejetia’ in Kumasi and ‘Abeiku Container’ in Takoradi.

Katamanto caters for markets in the Greater Accra, Central and Eastern regions of Ghana. Kejetia takes care of the Ashanti Region, Brong Ahafo and the three Northern regions. Whiles Abeiku Container captures the market in Takoradi and its surrounding environs.

“I do not mean to say that my works could no longer be accessed through the aforementioned triangular system of distribution. I am rather adding to the existing, to ensure that lots of music enthusiast and my fans in the country get easy access to my songs wherever they find themselves in the country.” He told journalist.

The ‘Clinic’ album is masterpiece of 12 songs, including ‘Faithful’ which has so far proven to be the favourite of many music-lovers in the country and abroad. It was produced by some of the finest in the industry such as good old Zapp Mallet, Appietus, Jay Q, Richie, Kaywa, Morris D’Voice, Oteng and Victor Dey, to mention a few.

It also features all the sensational song birds in the industry; Irene Logan, Efya, Bertha, Raquel, Vera [of Diamonds] and a men crew of Kesse [of Project Fame], Edwin [of Soule Black] and many others.

Source: http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2012/02/03/okyeame-kwame-launches-clinic-album-migrates-to-digital-music-distribution#ixzz1ng8nKZdy

Who Rocks The Stage Better: Samini Or Sarkodie?

I was fortunate enough to have been around at the Conference Centre when couple of friends were locked in a fierce argument as to which of the two artistes above rock better.

Honestly I find that very awkward because comparing the two in the first place was not right since they don’t do the same type of music.

In case you didn’t know Sarkodie is a Hip Life/Hip Hop artiste while Samini is Dance Hall/Ragga/Reggae/Hip Life artiste.

To say Sarkodie rocks better because you like him personally doesn’t sound good in my ears. Same way to say Samini is better on stage because you are in love with his dreadlocks makes me smile but I don’t think it’s a good enough reason.

By now it’s a known fact that Samini and Sarkodie can sell shows anywhere in Ghana. Their shows, ‘MOVADO LIVE in 2011 Fantasy Jam Hosted By Samini’ and ‘Sarkodie Rapperholic – Live In Concert’ were named as the best outdoor and indoor shows of 2011.

Samini is the king of modern music in Ghana. When it comes to live band, he rules his generation. Sarkodie on the other hand has seen the need to use the live band. He gives many headaches when there is the need for him to mime.

It is difficult to say one is better than the other but by your experience, which of them rocks better.
Let’s put emotions aside and be truthful and real to ourselves. The event organisers are reading your comments; help them to know which of the two you would want to see at shows.

 

New Music: ‘Budiin’ By Adez of TV3 Mentor Fame Featuring Stonebwoy!

 

I still don’t understand why Adez of TV3 Mentor fame has not achieved mainstream success after many years of being in the game. Could it be that, she is not doing something right? Hmmm! I just stumbled on her latest single ‘Budiin’ featuring Stonebwoy. Though I’m not a fan of Reggae music, I think I have fallen in love with the track which is in Reggae vein.

I’m told this is the silence version of the track, so perhaps the high tempo version is on its way. Laughs!

I love it, hope you like it too.

Listen To ‘Budiin’ By Adez Featuring Stonebwoy Below

Is MUSIGA President, Obour Married?

Bice Osei Kuffour a.k.a. Obour had the challenge of his life when he dropped by the Yellow House to Meet The Girls. It was not easy for a busy head like the current Musiga president taking questions from a flock of beauties. It was not easy keeping his attention on one person.

When the interview finally kick-start, the rasta haired MUSIGA president who is mixed parentage of Kwahu and Asante, talked about his ‘balding rasta’ explaining how uncomfortable it is to always have hair in your face and always having to throw it back. He said this irks him thus his shaving those areas off in front of his head.

He then descended into giving the Girls a hair lecturer about Brazilian hairs, Remy, weave ons and other delicate hair clichés to the amazement of the Girls. It was obvious he knew his bananas about hair and its associates because he later revealed owning, ‘Attraction’ a unisex Salon at Dome.

Was he worried he won’t be taken serious because of his looks? “People are seeing it as part of fashion lately unlike previously because of enlightenment. I have never had an issue with it before but I believe that content of character is better judgment than the physical outlook of people,” he puts it succinctly.

Obour does not know if he will run for re-election for another term but said he is enjoying his tenure and beside himself with the demands of the office. For someone who loves public service, he said it was a great pleasure to be of service to a group of people he is part of.

He said of the MUSIGA position being very challenging but he opted for it thus feeling the flow. MUSIGA is reiterated is not a very rich organization but largely a welfare organization for the Musicians in the country.

“MUSIGA could make money if systems are in place to check over pirating of works and musicians paying their due for example. The welfare hand of MUSIGA is there to support old musicians and other initiatives” he stated.

MUSIGA, Obour educated the Girls is a Trade Union making sure the standards of living of Musicians is secured and they can collectively bargain on behalf of Musicians as well as make sure they are remunerated well.

The ‘Konkotiba’ singer then went on to talk about the intervention of MTN with the Hit Maker project to discover talents with those who have recorded their demos to get heard and the winner get a package of GH 100,000 to get their career on the way.

Asked about investments Obour gracefully said if he manages funds from the ‘Konkotiba’ album well, he won’t be poor in the next 10 year! Due to busy schedules however, the MUSIGA president doesn’t have much time for recording lately. He has been battling to record anything in the last year but still working hard in the studios to keep his creative juices following.

Jay told of her crush on the young energetic showman when in University to which he coolly reacted to about intelligently doing socially conscious music or very good songs to recoup investments. The Sociology and Music major ‘ran away’ from Economics while in level 200 because he couldn’t dedicate the time the course needed.

He was very dodgy when asked if he was married or not although he had ‘jokingly bragged’ on the show earlier about being investment savvy because he was a proud father of a one year old child. To have his pound of flesh, he quizzed why a bevy of Girls in the House were all single! I guess the joke is on us….catch the interesting all revealing program on Viasat 1 every Saturday at 10am with a repeat on Sundays at 9.30am. Don’t miss it.

New Music: ‘Budiin’ By Adez of TV3 Mentor Fame Featuring Stonebwoy!

 
I still don’t understand why Adez of TV3 Mentor fame has not achieved mainstream success after many years of being in the game. Could it be that, she is not doing something right? Hmmm! I just stumbled on her latest single ‘Budiin’ featuring Stonebwoy. Though I’m not a fan of Reggae music, I think I have fallen in love with the track which is in Reggae vein.

I’m told this is the silence version of the track, so perhaps the high tempo version is on its way. Laughs!

I love it, hope you like it too.

Listen To ‘Budiin’ By Adez Featuring Stonebwoy Below

 

Praye Tiatia Reacts To War With Winner Of ‘Miss Goldenwood’ 2011 Story. He Says ‘90% Of The Story Is True But ..’!

 

In a story published last week captioned ‘Praye Tiatia At War With Selorm Galley, Winner Of ‘Miss Goldenwood’ 2011 & Talent Hunt!’, we revealed that Selorm Galley, winner of the maiden edition of ‘Miss Goldenwood & Talent Hunt’, a pageant organised to scout for young ladies with interest in acting is warming the bed of Praye Tiatia, a member of the Praye group.

Our investigations revealed many things that the public didn’t know about the rapper who does most of his rap in his mother tongue; Ewe and his girlfriend of four years.
Yesterday, GhanaCelebrities.Com chanced on the rapper who is also known as Big J, real name Steven Fiawoo.

The rapper denied many things in the story but admitted that 90% of the things said in the story are very true but …

Check out the excerpt below:

GhanaCelebrities.Com: Have you read the story yet?

Praye Tiatia: Yes I read the story briefly. A friend told me about it so I read it briefly but I think as a showbiz person … I’m much aware of stuffs like this and how journalist can blow stories out of proportion. So upon seeing [reading] it, I wasn’t quite happy because of how they made the story look alike. It was nothing close to that.

Yes it was true I was out of town; I came back after a week only to learn from the house that, she’s travelled. I enquired from a friend; I heard she’s gone to Nigeria. Straight ahead I knew it was the West Coast Entertainment Ghana Limited because I know they had a binding contract, so I went to their office.

Yes I went there alright. I went to the receptionist. I spoke with her and she made me know that, they have a production and they are on set, currently in Nigeria. So I demanded a number, an address, a contact address, phone number and she gave it to me. At the end of the day I don’t know where the stories are coming from.

GhanaCelebrities.Com: Are you dating Selorm Galley?

Praye Tiatia: Yes I’m dating her for like three years; we are heading towards four years.

GhanaCelebrities.Com: How is she taking the story?

Praye Tiatia: Obviously it’s a story that is … once her boyfriend is not quite happy, she will also be not quite happy…the story is a story that is saying something wrong about her boyfriend; definitely she would see everything wrong with it. So she’s trying to find solutions … because it’s her management that is involved and she would have to sit down with the management. Let’s see where the story was coming from, if it’s from the management then I think we would have to sit down because that is the promise she made me, that we would have to sit down and sort this thing out.

Because I personally don’t like the story. The story … 90% of the story is true but the other part of it that is making it untrue is the fact that I went to the office … to cause confusion … to make noise and all that.
Everybody know me in the society as Praye, I mean for seven years of being a showbiz person nothing of that sort, you’ve not even heard a single article that saying Praye has done this, i have gone to steal this … I have done that. So it’s looking quite irresponsible, like I’m an irresponsible … by I’m a honourable man, very faithful and generous man so this story is putting lots of black on my name.

GhanaCelebrities.Com: She will be going to South Africa. You want the company to put you on the trip. How true is that?

Praye Tiatia: She spoke about this South Africa thing and … in the midst of all this stories that have come up now … when she told me about the South Africa thing I mean… yet again, this story … I don’t know where this one too is coming from because she spoke about the South Africa thing that the management have a shoot, they have production in South Africa. After all this noise … it was just recently she told me that they have a production in South Africa. But there was nothing like I want to follow her to South Africa to be part of the shoot, there was nothing like that.

I also told her that, we [Praye] have a show in South Africa too but the date is somehow closer to her date because I think it’s going to be somewhere in February and mine too is like first or second week in March. So I thought it wise that definitely I’m going to see her. So if they are narrating this story … This is how sometimes they blow things out of proportion. She has a production in South Africa and I have a show in March.

I don’t know why a very normal human being or very normal man who is dating a girl that you love very much, I don’t see a reason why you support a girl; you actually pushed her to go for this competition. I have always try to urge her because I have seen the talent in her, she is a brilliant girl; she’s very intelligent and I always try to support her in this things … so why would the person try to contradict myself after she’s won something like this? I should be happy for her and give her all my support.

She has always wanted to be an actress, she always admired acting; she love acting so if a competition of this sort has been put together by West Coast, why me, as a showbiz person with all my experience in showbiz, why would I want to do to anything to jeopardise this whole thing to bring confusion here and there … so basically the long and short of it all is South Africa story is yet again is quite false, yes its true West Coast is taking her to South Africa for another production but I didn’t give them the option that unless they add me to the trip, she won’t go. There was anything like that.

GhanaCelebrities.Com: You just confirmed that 90% of the things in the story are true. What has the story done to your relationship? Has the story changed the way you look at her in the relationship? Has anything changed?

Praye Tiatia: Oh yea! Apart from the fact that I’m getting calls from my close friends, I mean showbiz friends, who are … i don’t know but some of them are  quite serious [offering] constructive suggestions, some of them too, I will just take it like they are making fun of me. You know with the fact that, why are you showcasing your girl now because she is an upcoming star and all that. That’s the bit of it that I didn’t like.
That’s the only thing that is making me now even not want to …when there is an important thing that I have to go with her, I’m contemplating if I have to go with her or not, especially with her car with all the plenty stickers, West Coast and her picture all over it, I will be contemplating whether I should go with her or not.

So someway somehow, it is in the positive direction and someway somehow it is in the negative direction. Please they should save me my marriage. [Uncontrollable laughter]

GhanaCelebrities.Com: You had me laughing. You know she is so new and she’s won a competition and there is attention all over on her, how are you feeling about it?

Praye Tiatia: [Laughing] Of course, I feel like Jay Z and Beyonce dating … because I mean two stars – she’s an upcoming star, I’m a superstar already you know, within a very short time, she’s going to be a very big star. From what I’m hearing from West Coast. I speak with the CEO and the director of West Coast, they are like good friends. If these people are my good friends, why would I even want to go ahead and do this?

Why would I go there and cause confusion? That is my problem. After she won I try to establish a very good relationship with the management and all that. I’m very happy that … I feel like her dreams has been fulfilled and I’m also happy that at least my work didn’t go in vain. I supported her in all her … and finally she’s been able to realise her dream. She’s always wanted to be an actress and she’s realizing it.