Samini Justifies ‘2009 Best Performer’ Award at Accra Sports Stadium

I cannot find any suitable word to describe Samini’s recent performance at the Accra Sports Stadium. A word like “wow” will even be underestimation of the lyrical dexterity and the stage craft Samini exhibited. Whoever gave the accolade ‘Best Performer Award’ to him, is vindicated, as the Dance Hall specialist has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is indeed the best performer.

Andrew Samini can be said to be the ‘last man standing’. He is the only Ghanaian to have won an award from the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards also known as Mamas, after losing out last year in the same category.

Samini embarked on a nationwide tour where he made staggering stops at Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale with his ‘Samini Experience Tour 2009’ to get more closer to his fans. He ended the tour with an explosive musical concert alongside 15 other artistes at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Men lie, women lie but numbers don’t lie, so we can’t doubt the crowd. People were of the opinion that the numbers were not that bad and could have been better as video footage from the Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale shows confirmed that the Accra show was nothing to compare to the previously named places.

The numbers did not really deterred Samini from giving out one his best. I was at the show not primarily to watch Samini perform. I already know what he can do, I know his capabilities. I had two things on my mind, I was curious to see if he will prove Zain wrong that it doesn’t worth it to organize a show at the same venue (over 40,000 seater stadium) and charge a whooping GH¢ 100, GH¢ 80 and GH¢ 50.

And to see the lady dancers which Samini had spoken so much about. There isn’t any right word to say than they were off the chain; those ladies danced as if they were boneless. They did justice to every song from all the music genres and occasionally twisted their backsides to the delight of the male audience.

The attendance was not very satisfactory; I think it’s a lesson to event organizers to discard the idea of organizing a show like this magnitude at the stadium and charge exorbitant prices.

Nevertheless Samini stands tall among his colleagues and really connects well with his audiences. All the supporting artistes including VIP, Konfi, OJ Blaq, Obrafour, Kwaw Kese and others connected well with their fans.

Ghanacelebrities.com says CONGRATS to Samini.

Okyeame Kwame Launches ‘Hepatitis B Campaign’

Okyeame Kwame has been chalking a lot of success since his breakaway from the group Akyeame which was made up of Okyeame Quophi and himself. He is the reigning king of the Ghana Music Awards, a husband, a father, a Coca Cola and MTN Brand Ambassador. Yesterday, the undisputed “Best Rapper Alive” launched his Hepatitis B Awareness Campaign at the British Council.

The launch which was scheduled to take place at 3:00pm eventually started at 5:00pm. The legendary Dr. Amponsah (Agya Koo Nimo) and his Adadam Agofomma Band were there to provide live musical interlude.

The rapper joined the bandwagon of Ghanaian stars that have preceded him to launch their foundations to give life to the lifeless, hope to the hopeless. Calling himself the “Rap Doctor” and going to the way of the “Doctors” could be of resemblance.

Hepatitis B being one of the most deadly diseases is caused by a hepatitis B virus (HBV) which infects the liver of hominoidae, including humans, and causes an inflammation called hepatitis. This disease is ranked by the World Health Organization as the ninth leading cause of death in the world, while the Ghana Health Service estimated the disease prevalence as one in every six individuals, representing 40 per cent of the population.

The Okyeame Kwame Foundation (OKF), a non-governmental organization (NGO) has the sole aim of educating the masses on Hepatitis B and provides screening to help combat this incurable disease.

According to the hip life star, he wants to make the Hepatitis B prevention in Ghana so popular to match up the popularity of Malaria, Polio and AIDS prevention. What the foundation will be doing in the next couple of months is to find 200 gigantic billboards with the campaign slogan “Hepatitis B Is Mean, Don’t Be Green, Get Screened” boldly written on it and placed at vantage points throughout the country.

Okyeame ended his speech with the words “young people can also move Ghana forward”, which drew applause from the audience.

Also, the foundation has recorded a song and will soon shoot a music video and have it shown on all the television stations in Ghana from 1st January 2010 to December 2010. This is to cave a strong awareness that Hepatitis B is a real killer.

The Okyeame Kwame Foundation is made up of young doctors, nurses who share the same dream “kicking Hepatitis B” out of Ghana.

Before the launching, Hepatitis B Awareness Campaign had already started in Takoradi, Nkawkaw and KNUST as the first project by the Okyeame Kwame Foundation.

The ace rapper with real name Kwame Nsiah Apaw appealed to the general public to text “HEPA” short code 1994 to any of the mobile communication networks in Ghana to contribute their little to the foundation.

Exclusive Interview With Ms Shirley Frimpong Manso of Sparrow Productions

Ms. Shirley Frimpong Manso is the embodiment of an individual who satisfies the adage “What a man can do, a woman can do even better”. Shirley is a multi-talented writer/producer/director who has single handedly written, produced and directed excellent Ghanaian movies like “Scorned”, “Life and Living It”, Perfect Picture” and most recently “ A Sting In A Tale”.

She is also the CEO of Sparrow Productions and her company produced two semi finalists (unprecedented) at the Miss World beauty pageant within the past five years, after securing the rights from original franchise owners of the Miss Ghana Beauty pageant, Media Whizz Kidz.

In our efforts to celebrate Ghanaian achievers and bring these celebrities closer to their fans, Ghanacelebrities.com caught up with Shirley Frimpong Manso for an exclusive chit chat interview.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Tell us briefly about yourself. Who is Shirley Frimpong Manso?

Shirley: Unlike the job I do I’m a very private person. I keep very few friends who I’m eternally loyal to. I don’t shy away from hard work; I play smart and capable of a lot of silly fun. I’m a disciplinarian, I don’t condone gossip and I don’t suffer fools easily. I like to learn, I’m open to sensible criticism, and I have a lot of respect for people with principles. I Love to travel, read, watch movies and always up for a good old fashion joke. I believe in positive thinking and doing good… if you think badly of people, bad things happen to you. I detest mediocrity.

GhanaCelebrities.com: What is it like being a writer, a producer and a director? I am sure there are experiences you want to share with us.

Shirley: It’s fun but generally exhausting to write because you have to be many different characters and exist in a totally different world for the period but the end result is exciting and rewarding especially when you get people reacting to your words. Directing is tasking depending on whom and where you are directing, otherwise it’s an exciting adventure to combine the script with the act as well as the technicalities. Producing is always fun if you plan ahead, it’s nightmarish otherwise.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Who are your role models? How are or who inspires your stories?

Shirley: Generally I’m inspired by people who tread where only a few go… President Obama, Mandela, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey. Every-day events inspire my stories.

GhanaCelebrities.com: What was your approach in making Sparrow Productions one of the most recognized film production companies in Ghana and throughout Africa?

Shirley: Telling simple stories in a fun, quality way.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Now every movie lover is talking about Shirley Frimpong Manso and Sparrow Productions, what do you think has accounted for this?

Shirley: Our consistency in maintaining quality productions.

GhanaCelebrities.com: How did you initially get into writing, directing and producing movies?

Shirley: I begun directing and writing for the kids I used to play with as a child. I will organize them into groups and we will always put up some drama imagining that there was a huge audience. It just felt like a lot more fun than playing with sand and dolls. I continued in secondary school when I realized I was having more fun in English and Literature class than anywhere else. Then I knew I really wanted to pursue it once I enrolled into NAFTI.

GhanaCelebrities.com: I read a comment “Shirley has really made Ghanaian movie a must watch and am really proud of her”. How do you feel hearing a comment like this?

Shirley: I’m humbled. I never once think it’s all my doing I know God is playing a big role in all of this plus I’m lucky to work with such great talents. And this is only the beginning.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Your movies have been tagged as too westernized, how would you address this?

Shirley: If living in a good house, having educated friends, speaking good English and having real problems are un-Ghanaian then they maybe right.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Do you accept the solicitation of scripts? Can budding writers send you script ideas? If yes, how can they do so?

Shirley: I’m very cautious about reading people’s scripts because stories can be quite similar across board. However depending on the level of trust I’m very open to ideas and finding good writers.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Do you believe that the Ghanaian movie industry reflects the country’s culture?

Shirley: I think a lot of the stories I’ve seen told reflect our society. Is it told effectively? I think we can do much better.

GhanaCelebrities.com: You are undeniably unequaled in terms of production quality and have repeated shelled out what most consider flawless movies. What is the driving force behind this need for perfection and your admirable work ethics?

Shirley: It’s never only about the money, I’m an artist and so are many of the people I work with so we are driven to be creative, we don’t know anything else but to do the best we can.

GhanaCelebrities.com: What makes a good movie?

Shirley: A good script, good acting, good directing, a dedicated technical and production team.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Your critics are of the opinion that you are a technically efficient film director who lacks creativity and originality, do you share the same sentiments?

Shirley: Opinions are like noses, we are all entitled to one.

GhanaCelebrities.com: What skills are necessary to be successful in the movie industry as a director?

Shirley: An appreciation for great stories, a good rapport with your actors and technical crew and most importantly a general understanding of film work.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Media Whizz Kidz, the original franchise owners of the Miss Ghana Beauty pageant took it back from your company Sparrow Productions amidst of poor organization. Do you think you’ve failed to live up to the expectation with the Miss Ghana brand?

Shirley: We produced two semifinalists at the Miss World event within five years, we sustained a pageant that otherwise would have died. We did our utmost best.

GhanaCelebrities.com: What are your casting sections like? Do you do your castings by yourself or do you have people in place for that?

Shirley: I do casting along with the help of others. Everybody auditions before they are cast in a Sparrow movie.

GhanaCelebrities.com: What plans do Sparrow Productions have in place to introduce new upcoming actors/actresses?

Shirley: We are always looking for fresh talents so we encourage people to pick up forms from our office and then we call them for auditions. Trust me if you are good, you’ll soon get your dream role in a Sparrow movie. It’s really about talent.

GhanaCelebrities.com: What are your predictions for the future of Ghanaian movie industry?

Shirley: There’s a lot of work to be done but people are willing and in the past few years it looks like everybody wants to try a little harder, I’m very encouraged by that. Ghana will bounce back.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Any message to your fans?

Shirley: Because of them I’m encouraged to do better everyday. I thank them sincerely.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Thanks for your time.

Shirley: Thank you for having me.

Konfi Rounds Up Debut Album

Konfi, the rap duo, whose single track “Like Father Like Son” for some time now has been enjoying massive airplay are currently in the studio putting final touches to their debut album “Deeper Than Hiplife” aka Street Pop Pages.

They are in the studio finalizing the album Lyrical Jagoo told ghanacelebrities.com when we caught up with them recently. “We are still in the studio in the studio, we rounding the album up”.

Earlier this year the rap duo was associated with Kwaw Kesse, “The King of the Street”. These entertainers get their inspirations from everyday occurrences on the streets which explain the title of the album. “It’s an album with most inspiration from the street and back to the street, which means every piece of music we are doing have a significant resemblance on the street”. He said.

“We do real not abstract music, our lyrics are genuine not fake and we have a culture and a deep passion for what we are doing, so we define it street pop”, Lyrical Jagoo added with his trademark Wohono.

“The Deeper Than Hiplife” is their debut, it has 17 tracks with some bonus. The album will have local and international presence. Local featured artistes include Praye, Chemphe, Iwan.

The international flavor on the album is Young AO from Toronto, Canada. He featured in the track “Yewo Town”. They also collaborated with the new singing sensation Quata in true love tune “Intoxication”.

The duo is made up of Ato Kwamina Sagoe Ofei also called Lyrical Jagoo and Ebo Owusu-Amponsah aka Pimp Juice.

The duo have this message for their teeming fans. “Yeah we are working hard in the studio to bring them the best so they should watch out for the Street Pop Pages album also dubbed Deeper Than Hiplife. They are the reason we doing what we do and they should hold on to this pillar which is the future of Ghana and African music, you know who you rocking with, WONOHO”.

The album will be out soon.

By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

Obrafour releases video for controversial song

Obrafour is not one of the controversial hip life artistes but slowly he is aiming at that title. If you think the Okyeame Kwame – Obrafour saga has died a natural death then you will be laughing at the wrong side of your mouth. The latter has rekindled the whole saga and beating the war drums again, after performing with a dummy on which was boldly written “OK”; he has now released a controversial video.

I love creative people and I have not hesitated to say that Obrafour latest single ‘Kaseibo’, which features Guru, is a pure classic, it’s a master piece and portrays creativity at its peak. However, the controversy it has created does not emerge out of this creativity but as a result of the lyrics which were direct attacks on certain personalities in the Ghana music industry.

It’s an undoubted fact that the lyrics in that song are directed to Okyeame Kwame and Obour. Earlier on, the “Rap Sofour” disclosed on a Kumasi-based radio station, “I do not see my latest single as a ‘dissing’ song, not at all, for me, this is not a ‘diss’ song, I’m only expressing my opinion, I don’t have a grudge with Kwame as people may think,”.

He further said “People should appreciate the creativity in the song; they should not read too much meaning into the song. As I said, I don’t have any problem with my brother Okyeame Kwame,”

“Okyeame Kwame is prone to attacks by referring to himself as the best rapper alive. If Obrafour has a problem with that title, who gave him (Obrafour), the “Ghana Rap Sofour” title? Asked a music fan.

The Celebrity journalist Ameyaw Debrah once asked Obrafiour “You have no problem with someone like Okyeame Kwame saying he’s the best rapper live, right?” In his reply, Obrafour re-echoed his earlier submissions, acknowledging the originator of hip life Reggie Rockstone and “Rap Heavyweight” Lord Kenya, the guys he had little exchanges with, “Well, he can be the best rapper, the alive is where I have a problem, because am good, am not dead, Reggie is not dead, Lord Kenya is not dead”.

The whole hubbub about them was said to have died a natural death but the executioner recently told Myjoyonline after the Joy FM Nite with the Stars that, he is ready to teach Okyeame Kwame what ‘diss’ song is provided he (Okyeame) goes back to the studio to record a diss song against him, “Controversy sells and for me if Okyeame Kwame says he has a beef, I put it straight to Kwame that he should be a man and reply. I will come back and show him what a beef or a ‘diss’ song is should he reply,” Obrafour added.

All efforts to get the “Best Rap Alive” on the line to comment proved futile but we managed to get one Yaa Agyeiwaa, the Marketing Director of 1 MIC Entertainment, she told http://www.ghanacelebrities.com that, Okyeame Kwame wouldn’t want to comment on anything concerning what Obrafour had said and that they don’t have any reply for Obrafour.

However, she indicated that they are willing to talk about something else, something of much importance and not less important stuff, “We don’t have time for trivial things”, she ended.

Click Here To Watch The Video

By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr. / Ghanacelebrities.com / Ghana

PRESS RELEASE: Okyeame Kwame Considers Obrafuor As His Brother - 1 Mic Entertainment

One Mic Entertainment, the record label of the “Best Rapper Alive” Okyeame Kwame has issued a press statement giving out 10 reasons why Okyeame Kwame will not ‘diss’ or insult Obrafour.

They said Okyeame Kwame is not a dissing artiste but a gentleman who will not return evil to evil (They quoted Romans 12:17, Ephesians 4:26, Mathew 18:21-35 to buttress that point) and besides he considers Obrafour as his brother in the game.

One Mic Entertainment urged the media to see the whole thing as one-sided agitation and not call it a beef because it takes two to tango and it also takes two to have beef.

Even though they acknowledge the existence of ‘beef’ in hip-hop, going to the studio to record a dissing track against Obrafour would have been more situation but they didn’t think it was necessary as they didn’t want to bring Obrafour’s ten years reputation into disrepute and moreover dissing Obrafuor, Okyeame Kwame would have destroyed the corporate image he worked so hard to achieve, project and protect which is the perfect gentleman image.

By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr. / GhanaCelebrities.com / Ghana

Exclusive Interview With Adjetey "Pusher" Anang

Love him or hate him, Adjetey Anang is a household name. He launched himself into stardom with “Pusher”, a bad boy character role he played in the hit series ‘Things We Do For Love’ and has featured in films such as the Dutch production 'Slavery'.

His stage productions including August Wilson's 'Joe Turner's Come And Gone' and Eugene Ionesco's 'La Cantatrice Chauve'. Adjetey holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana.

He is involved in youth programmes, through several TV series, focusing on reproductive health issues, parent-child relationships and peer pressure, to mention a few. Adjetey is also active in his local film industry. He is part of a production house, called Sparrow Productions, whose goal is to revive Ghana’s struggling film industry.

His current challenge is to gain further insight and proficiency from the Drama for Life Programme which will enable him to advance his creativity in the movie industry.

Ghanacelebrities.com caught up with the “bad boy” Pusher for an exclusive interview. Below is the exclusive interview with Pusher and he decided to share with his Fans some photos from his recent wedding(check below)...

GhanaCelebrities.com: Adjetey, Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Adjetey Anang: If I am allowed to be blunt…I hate answering this question! Who is Adjetey Anang… Hmm I think I’m just a normal guy, who has lots of love and passion for well scripted, well produced, well acted movies and believes in commitment, dedication, hard work and discipline in everything you find yourself doing. I’m currently studying for a Masters’ in Dramatic Arts at Wits University in Jo’Burg and I have bigger dreams I am yet to realize!

GhanaCelebrities.com: What have you been up to lately Pusher?

Adjetey Anang: Still catching my breath after an exhausting shoot of ‘A Sting in a Tale’ otherwise I have been fully immersed in academic demands.

GhanaCelebrities.com: How difficult has it been for you to let go of “Pusher”, ' the bad boy' character you played in “Things We Do For Love “.

Adjetey Anang: Lol.. Its not been difficult at all! I only put on the elements of ‘Pusher’ when I was on the ‘Things We Do for Love’ set. Since then, no other role has demanded a similar character. I do miss it sometimes though!

GhanaCelebrities.com: We heard you had a private and low key wedding why that option?

Adjetey Anang: I laughed when I saw this description in the news recently! Well, I did not want an uncontrollable crowd at my wedding, but it surely wasn’t “private and low key”! We had a church wedding and the reception was at a very popular events’ venue. We invited 300 people but we had over 500 in attendance!

GhanaCelebrities.com: You are married to Elorm, whom you met on set. How does it feel to be in the same profession with your wife? Do you sometimes feel jealous?

Adjetey Anang: Just to make a correction, Elom is not in the same profession. She did a few stage and screen productions while at Legon, but she hasn’t done any productions since then. I guess God brought her into acting so I could meet and marry her! But I remember a few episodes of “Sun City” in which she played “Khadija”. My, I did have a few jealous moments!

GhanaCelebrities.com: It was reported recently that, you said your wife manages you. What message were you putting across?

Adjetey Anang: Owing to her work, Elom is extensively involved in contract documentation and she also knows quite a bit about the movie industry so asked her to handle all my contracts including shooting scheduling, fees, and all details with respect to my work so that I can concentrate on my core business.

GhanaCelebrities.com: What has really changed about the Pusher we knew from your earlier production “Things We Do For Love”?

Adjetey Anang: Lol! Pusher is still Pusher..as far as the story potrayed. And Adjetey has remained Adjetey since the days of Pusher. Nothing has changed!

GhanaCelebrities.com: In the days of ‘Things We Do For Love’, people loved and referred to you as a bad boy, is this genuinely you or just a screen character?

Adjetey Anang: Lol…Well Pusher is just one of the many characters I have played since I started acting and I’m not sure if Pusher and Adjetey have anything in common at all! But I think I leave that for people to judge.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Recently, Glo, the sixth mobile company in the country unveiled their ambassadors, which includes Van Vicker, Nadia Buari, Jackie Appiah, etc.What is your opinion on celebrity endorsement.

Adjetey Anang:I have no qualms about that. It just speaks volumes of the fact that artistes are not just there to entertain, but also to add value to the growth of various sectors of the economy as well as contributing to the quality of life of our people. Associating popular faces with brands is not a new phenomenon and in fact it is probably one of the best ways by which a brand attains the solid patronage of the masses. Kudos to Glo.

GhanaCelebrities.com: how did you get into acting?

Adjetey Anang: Phew! Now that’s some history. Very briefly, I was invited by Wakefield Ackuaku, a good friend of mine, for a drama rehearsal with his group (Nyankunton Players) at GBC. The group was rehearsing a script for T.V Theatre on GBC (Now GTV). Fortunately (or unfortunately?) one of the male cast did not turn up that day and so the Director asked me to read the part to assist other cast members rehearse their lines, including Kwame Sefa Kayi. Subsequently, I went with Wakefield and this turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the gentleman I was standing in for failed to turn up for a long time. I ended up taking up the role which earned me my first major acting role. That was where it all begun.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Can you tell us your experience so far in the movie industry and your perception about the Ghanaian Movie Industry.

Adjetey Anang: I have been in a few productions with the Ghana Film Industry, I played a stand-in on the HBO production ‘Deadly Voyage’, had a very pivotal role in a Dutch movie called ‘Slavery’ and of course my recent works with Sparrow Productions: Life and Living It, The Perfect Picture and A Sting in a Tale. I have been very selective though (not the same as fussy!) but it’s all been in good faith. It’s been a very interesting learning experience and I think I am ready to launch out into the deep. My perception about the Ghanaian movie industry is captured in these words: Ready to rumble!

GhanaCelebrities.com: In a scale of 20, how would you rate Ghanaian movies now?

Adjetey Anang: Hmmm…I would have to make some comparisons with other movie industries but since you have not offered me any such options, I would rather say that we are beginning to re-experience through Ghanaian movies, qualities that back in the day had our neighboring countries look up to us as a yardstick in the industry. Soon, we will transcend that mark. So on a scale of 1 to 20; I’d say 15 and a half!

GhanaCelebrities.com: How are you coping with stardom?

Adjetey Anang: Lol… that word. With my experiences with the ‘Pusher’ character, I am still just myself. I do get so much attention and favours though, but I always feel humbled and relate to both young and old fans with respect.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Any awards yet?

Adjetey Anang: Yeah, An Arts Critique and Review Association of Ghana (ACRAG) Talent Award and a Ghana Union of Theatre Societies (GUTS) Best Actor Award...eyeing a few more though!

GhanaCelebrities.com:How did you meet Shirley Frimpong Manso of Sparrow Productions?

Adjetey Anang: She gave me a call then we arranged a meeting. Apparently she had been keeping up with me by watching my productions over the years. Until then, I only knew her voice on radio.

GhanaCelebrities.com: You played a role in “Life and Living It”, “Perfect Picture” and the latest one “A Sting In A Tale”, what was the casting process like?

Adjetey Anang: I can only speak for myself. I think with Shirley’s experience, she knows what she wants when she comes up with her characters. However I still go through the audition process for her to be certain on which character she believes I am best suited for. Of course there are exceptions where for example with ‘A Sting in a Tale’, as she indicated, she had developed the screenplay for the movie with me in mind.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Apart from Movies, are you working on any other projects or anything your fans should expect from you anytime soon?

Adjetey Anang: I do have a few personal projects in the pipeline, but not immediately, they are still at the conception stages. I’ve however been offered roles in a couple of movies whose scripts we are looking at currently. Besides that, I am still a student and have got my hands full with school projects.

GhanaCelebrities.com: There are a lot of young ones out there looking to go into acting, any message for such individuals and what do you want to tell your fans at large?

Adjetey Anang: I think I am an example that you got to pursue what you have a passion for, because that’s where your claim to fame lies. So I would encourage anyone who desires or is passionate about professional acting to give it their best shot.To my fans, I am always humbled and grateful for your warm comments and constructive criticisms. I believe that as Artistes, we all need your inputs for our development and improvement and that of the industry at large. I wish you all the best.

GhanaCelebrities.com: Thanks for your time.

Adjetey Anang: My pleasure.

Was 'Prophet' Kwaw Kese Right?

Glo Telecommunication Company is the sixth mobile company to enter Ghana's mobile telecommunications industry. In September of this year it unveiled 17 personalities in the entertainment industry as ambassadors to promote their brand.

A name which conspicuously missed the tall list was Kwaw Kese, the notoriously controversial performer. Looking at the kind of personalities on the list, one wonders why the Kwaw Kase, self titled ‘King of the Street’ was not included. Music pundits and people from all walks of life were surprised at his exclusion and questioned the reason for this decision. It is amazing that the ‘King of the Street’, who was nominated for and won the highest number of awards including the most coveted prize, Artiste of the Year, at the 9th annual Ghana Music Awards in 2008, was not considered for Glo’s promotional campaign.

To some people he was not included in this promotional campaign because of his behavior. The artiste, known for his controversial utterances and aggressive personality was strategically left out for reasons unknown to the public.

It has turned out Kwaw ‘Abodam’ Kesse, hip-life idol cum model, is justified for his negative comments regarding Glo and MTN endorsements. For him, the GH¢50,000 to GH¢100,000 his fellow artistes received from the endorsement deals is not enough to buy his car nor is it worth being tied to a three-year contract.

To further grasp Abodam’s outburst, imagine a high profile show this Christmas without Asem, Okyeame Kwame, Samini, Wutah, Ayigbe Edem, Tinny, Amakye Dede, Paapa Yankson, Kwabena Kwabena, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Irene Logan, Pat Thomas, Reggie Rockstone, Sherifatu Gunus and Becca. Why? These artistes are restricted by their exclusivity contract for three or more years under the pretext of endorsement deals.

A show believed by many to have suffered to live up to its billings because of this exclusivity deals is JOY FM’s, ‘NITE with the STARS’. This annual show commenced nine years ago. ‘Nite with the Stars’ is geared towards the youths and offers local artistes the opportunity to grace the stage and showcase their talents. Special emphasis is given to upcoming artistes who have excelled in their career during the year. This year’s edition of the show can best be tag as “Nite with ‘few’ stars” because of the lack of artistes to make the show what it’s known for.

The probability exists that, three years from now, none of Glo’s ambassadors will be the featured artistes on weekly entertainment shows. Programs like TV3”s Music Music, TV Africa’s Sound Splash and annual shows like Star of the Future, Miss Malaika and Ghana’s Most Beautiful sponsored by MTN and Vodafone will have moved on the new stars and fresh faces.

Ghana Music Awards and Ghana Films Awards are two shows purported as a win for every artiste. The former is prestigious and the latter is being rejuvenated. None of the artistes under Glo Telecommunication Company ambassadorial contract will mount the stage during the roll call.

Christmas is almost here again and as usual there will be variety shows to mark this yuletide season. Music lovers and fans will expect their various stars to mount the stage to entertain them throughout this season and well into the New Year. The Glo contract may very well put a dent into the artistes’ ability to perform at shows that presents a conflict of interest. The above named artistes might not be only the biggest artistes in Ghana, but a show without them surely makes a difference in the quality of the entertainment.

The future really looks bleak as it stands out now. Major players must come together and communicate in the hope of helping this sad situation. Music fans can’t afford to pay exorbitant money to watch the same artistes perform at every show, because others are tied up.

By: Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr

Get Set, Its Accra Facebook Banku & Tilapia Party

When Ghanaians hear about something, they want to ‘really’ drain it or get to the very bottom of it; they have taken the name ‘FACEBOOK’ to a different level all together, the name is reigning now with the number of Ghanaians registering on the social network increasing daily.

My friends don’t be surprise to hear Ghana Facebookers Association, Face Book Pool Party, Facebook Addicted Party, Facebook Waakye Party, Facebook Donors Club and Facebook Jersey Party.

On Sunday, 22 November Two Thousand and Nine, from 10 am, yet another Face Book event is taking place dubbed “ACCRA FACEBOOK BANKU & TILAPIA PARTY” at the Dansoman Keep Fit Club.

There will be more banku and hot grilled tilapia to eat, more drinks to quench your thirst and get to meet the faces behind your wall posts, photo comments and status comments, and make new friends.

Facebookers will participate in *Pool, *Chess, *FIFA Challenge {Playstation3/2 & Xbox360}, *Draft, *Basketball competitions.

The show is sponsored by the Brown Uni4m Group and Adwise Multimedia. Also available for sale will be the SKILLIONS NEW GENERATION MIXTAPE.


RSVP:
Supamahn - 0246 384 375. Kay - 0244 940 686. Kwame - 0262 348 217.

Kokote! Newest Hip Life Duo

Hip life might be touted to be losing its focus and just when there has been hullabaloo as to if is dead or not, Kokote another hip life group has emerged. The group is the latest hip life rap duo to make entry into the hip life game. The name Kokote actually means Bush Pig or Wattock.

The rap duo is made up of two young men Emperor Amslin (Raymond Koranteng) and Ragoon (Emmanuel Bossman) both from the Eastern part of the country.

They were in different schools yet developed their musical talents as they used to entertain their respective colleagues on stage almost every time on entertainment time and that moment encouraged them to take music serious after completion of school.

Emperor Amslin had plans of becoming a great football and to don the national colours but realized his calling is singing so he shunned playing football. “As a young boy, football was a constant part of my daily life; and even though I enjoyed music a lot, I didn’t pay much attention to it until I started singing during the entertainment period in school. My singing improved so rapidly that the students couldn’t do without my performance during entertainment; and that gave me the reason to choose music over football”, he said.

“Like everyone else, I also had a role model. Musicians who inspired me include Buju Banton, CJ Lewis, Sizzla and Elephant man. Among these, Buju was my favourite and so I made him my role model and tried to imitate his voice style. Incidentally, some students called me ‘Yoggie’ (a Ghanaian raga artiste) because they thought we had similar styles.”

Facing the harsh reality of being disowned by his parents, if he chose music over education, Ragoon’s problem compounded but he never gave up.

“With them, it was either I choose to further my education or do anything else and am disowned. I didn't give up from there still, I started creating my own rhythms (beat) in the house because no one could satisfy me with the kind of rhythms I wanted any time I trip the studio. And also no one got my back in the music thing I was doing and for that no one was ever willing to support me money wise so I really had to do something for my self.. with all the dreams of becoming a top hitting artist in Ghana one day and at the same time setting up my recording studio”.

“I started making rhythms for my self in the house with a Pentium one PC, actually when I started at first a had a plan of creating beat for my own personal use but I later realized most of my friends were interested in my beats so I really had to commercialize it and do it for people too”

“I think I had my break through from this point because I was then making money for my self and doing more featuring in studios as well. I actually see my self as a beat maker and rap star even though there is more for me to learn, my dad later understood what I was doing and decided to let me further it, I continued by studying Multimedia in N.I.I.T in Accra and later furthered my sound engineering program in Fredyma Studios Inside Adabraka Accra and I even wish to further it more after making some more money”, he ended.

Kokote have a lot of stories to tell but it can all summarize to the normal hardship, new artistes face in this game being lack of producers, lack of funds to records demo, lack of opportunities and the fact that every producer wants to work with the already known artistes.

Not finding success in their previous engagements, Emperor Amslin and Ragoon believed in the saying “two heads are better than one” hence coming together to form this group and they are certainly going to take their place in the hip life game sooner or later.

The duo are gifted with real talents, they are currently in the studio recording their debut album, which is set to hit you like a time bomb. They aspire to work with different artistes both famous and ‘underground’.



By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

Obrafour fires a warning shot.....Find sponsors and I will battle Okyeame Kwame

Over the past few weeks Obrafour's latest single track “Kasiebo” has been the highest subscribe Ghanaian music for the sheer controversy it has generated. The music has had everyone talking and thinking simultaneously. The track features Guru, a budding hip life artiste.

The controversy surrounding it's released can simply be described as overwhelming. It came at the right time perchance to the fans of Obrafour, who have waited for almost 4 years without hearing anything from their star.

Kaseibo has not been too long on the airwaves but it's threatening the very existence of other equally good music on the airwaves. Everywhere you go be it clubs, pubs, parties, funerals etc it's been played and to say it has hijacked the airwaves, will be an understatement, the lyrics is on the lips of every music lover.

Turn on the radio, switch on the television, browse the internet or even read or glance through the newspapers and you will get my drift, everyone is just talking about it. It has also become a topic for discussion during entertainment reviews and shows both on radio and on television.

Concurring with Kwame Sefa Kayi, host of Peace FM's morning show, Fiifi Banson and Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), I feel the track is just a masterpiece and creativity at its peak.

Though the song makes no mention of any particular person(s), it is clear who the song is referring to. According to Obrafour, he got the concept from the God Almighty and not picking on anyone. He said his detractors thought he's done, jaded and out of the game but blamed his absence to a strange sickness. “The rumour around says I was done and out of the game, I thought I wouldn't be alive now, but I thank God'.

On why he refused the rap battle invitation on DJ Black's Open House Party from the reigning king of the Ghana Music Awards and the guy who calls himself 'the best rapper alive', a title Obrafour is not pleased about. “Am not afraid, am not running away from anyone”, Obrafour fires with a sound of caution.

The outwardly deformed and emotionally looking Obrafour said he is not aware of any rap battle with Okyeame Kwame at Joy FM, but so far as he is concerned he is not a dirty rapper and sees battling as childish. But on second thought he will only battle if the organizers of such battle can solicit for 20 sponsors and put 10,000 with that he is sure to battle since by then he will know he is battling for something. So Is rap Osofour broke?

Meanwhile, the initiator of the battle, Ghana's rap 'Doctor', Okyeame Kwame failed to grab any awards at this year's Channel O Music Video Awards even though he received three nominations with his 'Woso' video. He was nominated for; Most Gifted Hip Hop Video, Most Gifted West African and Most Young Gifted & African Award.

The originator of hip life Reggie Rockstone has publicly asked Okyeame Kwame to do a reply song to Obrafour's 'Kasiebo'. But it looks like the former will not heed to Reggie's advice as he believes doing so will dent his image, he said he's now matured enough, especially as a married man and a husband.

“I am not prepared to enter into a fight with Obrafour because I am moving on. I am now a father, a husband, MTN Brand Ambassador, Coca-Cola Brand Ambassador and Hepatitis B Ambassador. If I went to the studio to do the same thing he has done, I would be allowing my name to be dragged into disrepute, that is all he wants to achieve”, He told Graphic Showbiz.


By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

Ayigbe Edem: A Rapper, A Philanthropist And A Thief?

...Ayigbe Edem & Confidence: Is this a broken relationship or missing / stolen phone?

Edem has really won my heart for his sheer smartness. He is yet to settle fully in the game and yet he is doing what the likes of Reggie Rockstones, Kojo Antwis and Daddy Lumbas could have done but have turned deaf ears to it.

From a rapper to a philanthropist and now to a thief? Oh God, have Mercy! Ayigbe Edem has seen and heard a lot.

A Rapper

We all wink when we hear a song done in our language, like I do when I hear a song from Shilo and Tinny. It is also trouble-free for an Akan rapper to rap or sing in the Ga language and vice versa but rapping in the Ewe language hasn’t been easy unless the rapper might have sojourned in Volta Region before.

In the backdrop, when Ewe rappers like Chicago and Agbeko of ototome fame proved to the whole world that they are jaded, with the latter, it seems he is a hit single artist. Ayigbe Edem came to the spot light to pick it up from where they left out and has managed to let the Voltarians wink once again.

Even though majority of Ghanaians do not speak his language, Ayigbe Edem has made the language more popular with his rap knack and has introduced more dances to accompany his songs.

A Philanthropist

In his earlier donations, he donated two Pentium 4 desktop computers with flat screen monitors, bags of rice, cerelacs, toilet rolls and other items which summed up to GHc3000 to the Mamobi Polyclinic. He also revealed that, this is something that will be happening periodically and whenever they spot any hospital, clinic or polyclinic in need, they will move there.

True to his promise, he recently donated an amount of GHc1,000 and a Dell flat screen computer, said to be around 750 Dollars to the Weija Leprosarium. This is something worth acknowledging but this pointless $14,000 phone accusation has surpassed what could be welcoming news to the ears of who those who wants to hear it. He has a charity organization, Volta Regime Foundation.

He said his priority is making people who need help get help. People do not have to be rich before they can donate and help the needy in society. This sends a clear message to the other musicians who want to have many albums before thinking about the less privileged in our society.

And A Thief

It was reported in the P&P newspaper that Ayigbe Edem is accused of stealing a mobile phone which is estimated at Fourteen thousand dollars belonging to the CEO of Aphrodisiac Night Club in Accra; Confidence Haugen.

What phone is worth that much? Talking about the price of the phone, I wondered if the first and the second richest men even own this kind of phone.

P&P gathered that Ayigbe Edem was accused of stealing the phone from Confidence’s car when the two in the company of others went to perform at the ‘Aboakye’ festival at Winneba in the Central region in May.

I am trying harder to grasp why Confidence came out with the alleged theft several months after the incidence. Is it because Ayigbe Edem left her or is she up to something? Behind every successful man there is a ‘wise’ woman says the old adage but there is also a woman behind every unsuccessful man. What is the brain behind this $14,000 phone accusation?

If there are two grown ups in a relationship and there is a problem, why can’t they solve it peacefully? What is Confidence Haugen up to? Is this a broken relationship or missing / stolen phone?

By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

This is the show ‘Just Like You’

Reality Television in Ghana is about to be to take a windfall with the launch of a new show which is set to blow your mind. 13 contestants prepare to duke it out in the studios of TV Africa imitating the likes of social commentator Kwesi Pratt Jnr. Others will imitate musicians such as Abrantie Makye Dede, King Ayisoba, Daddy Lumba, politicians like Nana Akufo-Addo, former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kuffour, and comedians Bob ‘Bishop’ Okalla, Koofori.

The contestants will be in full gear every week to imitate each personality in every sense of the word. It’s going to be unique as it differs from the usual film or music themed reality shows that have saturated our screens of late.

The show titled “Just Like You,” is organized by F&B Entertainment and is full of laughter. It is tagged to be very educative and entertaining.

According to Mr. Yaw Osafo Djan, General Manager of F&B Entertainment in his interview with Graphic Showbiz, he said “Initially the projected number was 12 but we ended up with 13, a decision taken by the judges based on the exceptional performances by the contestants”.

This explains the hard work that has gone into the planning of the program which is set to hit TV Africa twice a week with a short code for viewers to vote for their favourite contestant.

The task shows will be prerecorded whereas the eviction shows will be live. The contestants are at liberty to do their acts in any language of their choice. If what happened on “Run Down” or what transpired during the audition is something to go by then the show is a must watch.

Stay glued to TV Africa and prepares to laugh and learn for the next 10 weeks. The moderator of the show will be Clement Bonney, known in showbiz circles as Mr. Beautiful and editor of Graphic Showbiz Nana Banyin Dadson, and actors Fred Amugi, Irene Opare will serve as judges. Viewers should expect to laugh their head off with Mr. Beautiful in the middle of affairs.

Reality shows Ghana in which viewer’s votes is the means of determining winners and losers has been plagued with fraud. Let’s hope and pray that this show will be an exception and there would be an equal playing field for all the contestants. No favouritism on the part of the judges this time around, please play it fair judges!


By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards: Ghana lost out to Nigeria & Zimbabwe

Unlike the Kora Awards, which gives equal playing field to all African artists , the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards also known as Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards has a somewhat partial tradition of showcasing the talents of selected few African artist mainly artist from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Channel O Music Video Awards is a Pan-African music awards organized by South Africa based Channel O television channel. The awards were first held in 2003 under the name Reel Music Video Awards. Since 2005 the awards have been held annually. The winners are voted by Channel O's viewers across the continent.

Here is Ghanacelebrities.com run down of the 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards. It was an amazing award but why are the same artists from the same country being nominated year after year?

The Ghanaian contingent to the 2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards Okyeame Kwame, Kwaku T & D-Black all failed to pick up an award in their respective nominated categories. Ghana’s rap Doctor Okyeame Kwame who was nominated in three categories: Most Gifted Hip Hop Video, Most Gifted West African and Most Young Gifted & African Award with his ‘Woso’ video failed to win any award.

Kwaku T, Ghana’s former rep to the Big Brother House and his rap partner D-Black received one nomination ‘Most Gifted West African’ with their ‘Move’ track alongside their compatriots Okyeame Kwame, from Nigeria Ikechukwu with ‘Shoobeedoo’, J. Martins feat. Timaya & P Square ‘Good Or Bad (owey)’, Nneka ‘Heartbeat’, 9ice feat. 2Face ‘Street Credibility’, but they both lost out to Ikechukwu of Nigeria.

Darey Art Alade (Nigeria), Gal Level (Namibia) and Buffalo Souljah (Zimbabwe) each won two awards. Performers included nominees 2Face Idibia, Sound Sultan, HHP (Jabba), Nneka as well as Bongani Fassie (Jozi) & the Umoja Choir. Nigeria had five awards and South African musicians lost out again with only Khuli taking home the Best Newcomer award.

Special recognition award was given to Brenda Fassie, the South African pop singer, who died in May 2004. Bongani Fassie received it on behalf of his mother.

This year’s awards witnessed the re-introduction of the category – Most Gifted Afro-Pop Video which was won by Gal Level with ‘Touch Me’.The awards was held at the Carnival City in Gauteng on Thursday 29 October and sponsored by Amarula Cream.

Below are the nominations and the winners mark *****

By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

....................................

1. BEST MALE VIDEO
A. Naeto C for Ki Ni Big Deal
B. Pro for Uthini Ngo Pro
C. Buffalo Souljah for Judgment
D. Hip Hop Panstula (HHP) for Mpitse
E. Darey for Not The Girl *****
F. Xod for I Want You Back

2. BEST FEMALE VIDEOA.
A mani for Tonight
B. Lira for Wa Mpaleha
C. Lizha James for Estilo Xakhale
D. Nneka for Heartbeat
E. Thandiswa Mazwai for Ingoma
F. Sasha for Only One *****

3. BEST NEWCOMERA.
The Dream for Plenty Plenty
B. Brian Temba for Dominoes
C. Nneka for Heartbeat
D. Khuli for Tswak Stik'em *****
E. Jay Ru for Big Boi Anthem
F. Xod for I Want You Back

4. BEST DUO OR GROUP
A. Da L.E.S. feat. Bongz & Maggz for We On Fire
B. Kalibrados for Bambribam
C. P Square for No One Like You
D. Buffalo Souljah/Taygrin/Gal level for My Type Of Girl *****
E. Mwana Fa/Ay Mamba for Naongea Na Wewe
F. D'Banj feat. Mo Hit Stars for Pere

5. BEST DANCE VIDEOA.
Master Jam feat. RJ. Benjamin for Change The World
B. Goldfish for This Is How It Feels
C. Winnie Khumalo for Live My Life
D. Tzozo & Professor for Vuma
E. Lady May for Ndota *****
F. Black Coffee feat. Bucie for Turn Me On

6. BEST RAGGA DANCEHALL VIDEO
A. Kalaharians for Work The Middle
B. Buffalo Souljah for Judgement *****
C. Bantu for Where Di Water
D. Wahu for Sweet Luv
E. Paulino Q for Shake It On Me
F. Risasi/Collo for Watu Wote

7. BEST AFRO POP
A. Kelly Hansome for Maga Don Pay
B. Winnie Khumalo for Live My Life
C. Steel for Omoge
D. Theo for Ndihambela Phezulu
E. Durella for Enu O Se
F. Gal Level for Touch Me *****

8. BEST KWAITO
A. Gazza feat. Bleksem for Passop *****
B. Brown Dash for Back 2 Kasi
C. Howza for Styla Samahala
D. Damara Dik Ding for Bakuten
E. The Dogg for Hands Up
F. Mzekezeke for Nigi Hamba Phansi

9. BEST R&B VIDEO
A. Lira for Wa Mpaleha
B. Gxploits for Tear Rubber
C. Amani for Tonight
D. Darey for Not The Girl *****
E. Brian Temba for Dominoes
F. 2 Face Idibia/Sound Sultan for Enter The Place

10. BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
A. Okyeame Kwame for Woso
B. Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) for All I need
C. Zeus for Gijima *****
D. Jay Ru for Big Boi Anthem
E. Pro for Uthini Ngo Pro
F. Black Rhino for Black Chata

11. BEST AFRICAN SOUTHERN
A. Teargas for Take You Out
B. Taygrin feat. Wendy Harawa for Moto
C. Lira for Wa Mpaleha
D. Lizha James for Estilo Xakhale *****
E. Rhythmic Elements for 2 By 2
F. Negro Blue for Um Beijo

12. BEST AFRICAN WEST
A. Ikechukwu for Shoobeedoo *****
B. J. Martins feat. Timaya & P Square for Good Or Bad (owey)
C. Okyeame Kwame for Woso
D. Nneka for HeartbeatE. 9ice feat. 2Face for Street Credibility
F. Kwaku T & D-Black for Move

13. BEST AFRICAN EAST
A. Amani for Tonight
B. Mwana Fa/Ay Mamba for Naongea Na Wewe
C. Xod for I Want You *****
D. Wahu for Sweet Luv
E. Black Rhino for Black Chata
F. Cannibal for I Wish

14. VIDEO OF THE YEAR
A. Taygrin feat. Wendy Harawa for Moto
B. Da L.E.S. feat Bongz & Maggz for We're On Fire
C. Okyeame Kwame for Woso
D. Naeto C for Ki Ni Big Deal *****
E. Rhythmic Elements for 2 By 2F. Amani for Tonight

Obrafour To Release “Kasiebo” Album

After releasing his first album, 'Pae mu ka' (1999), 'Asem Sebe’ (2001), Time Out for Adhesion (TOFA) in 2003 and a number of remixes from the TOFA album, came NteteE Pa (Be disciplined) which coincided with his effort to join Ghana’s vice president to fight indiscipline in the country.

He started his own indiscipline campaign which targeted the youth alongside several projects such as Lecture/Counseling Workshop and the H.E.L.P (Hiplife Education and Literacy Project) Ghana initiative.

In 2004, under the tutelage of Execution Entertainment, he produced 'Execution Diary' compilation to expose new talents into the Ghana music scene. The compilation had the last two 'hiplife foot soldiers and brought most of them into the limelight. Some of the notable artistes who were on the compilations are Kwaw Kese (Oye nonsense), Hot Core (Ntakaa), Dogo (Susu dwen me ho), Tinny with 'Heko Ejorko' (I believe I can fly), Okyeame Quame (Opabeni), 4x4 (Kpekpele) and Yoggi Doggi (Ye ne saa ma me). Two years after this saw the release of his fifth album.

Now Obrafour, Ghana’s rap Osofour (Priest) is set to release his newest album ‘Asem Beba Dabi’ at the end of this month, October and will be on the music market from 1st November.

Already ‘Kaseibo’, a track on his yet to be released ‘Asem beba bedi’ album is enjoying massive airplay as a result of the lyrics it contains, music pundits feels it’s a direct attack on Okyeame Kwame and Obour’s game track which says “hip life is dead and needs resurrection”.

Watch out for Obrafour’s new album and clothing line (OB4) at all the outlets near you.

By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

I know am very stupid and a fool – Mr. Beautiful

It is rare for people to say publicly how stupid they are. John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, is undeniably one of Nigeria’s most talented comic characters. He is a multi-talented idiot, as he chose to describe himself.

He is on records as the first actor to come out publicly to call himself stupid and that his grandfather impacted that stupidity into him, because his grandfather has everything that can make people laugh.

Over here in Ghana, Clement Bonney known in showbiz circles as Mr. Beautiful has followed in the footsteps of the Nigerian comedian by declaring “I know am a very stupid and a fool”.

He said he knows he is a stupid and a fool in the studios of TV Africa during a discussion to introduce the contestants of the Just Like You reality show, which will be telecast on the same network. His explosion threatened to bring the show to an abrupt end, as the host Yaw Sakyi and Fiifi Banson, another brain behind the show, including the 13 contestants couldn’t help but to laugh occasionally.

Mr. Beautiful who recently came in the newspaper as a possible threat to Agya Koo, will be the moderator of TV Africa’s new reality show ‘Just Like You’ and was speaking to the host of the Run Down show in his usual style, the fante language which appeals to a lot of people.

He earned the name Mr. Beautiful from the movie Sika Anibre in which he starred alongside Agya Koo, he has done several movies after but came in the limelight in his role in a hilarious Kinapharma APC TV commercial.

By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

Who Is The ‘Real’ Mad Man And The ‘Perceive’ Mad Man? Kwaw Kese or Okomfour

What do these two people have in common? Madness? I think what they have in common transcends ‘mere’ madness. ‘Abodam’ means mad or crazy, I can’t say for sure who introduced that phrase into the Ghana Music Industry but the mention of that word brings in mind one person. He was seen carrying banner that read 'Welcome Back' on the stage at Okomfour’s welcome back show at the National Theatre and that says a lot about what they have in common. Like a friend said he’s welcoming back his ‘mad’ partner.

Kwaw Kese

He is one hip life artiste who always gets the entertainment columnists busy. Which hip life artiste hasn’t been provoked or castigated by the ‘Abodam’ lord? Only few.

It is also a known fact that he has been displaying himself around everywhere as the originator of that word, he calls himself ‘king of the streets’ and has since been part of every crazy or mad stuff so far as the Ghana music industry is concerned. He’s made ‘abodam’ slogan attractive.

He is known to have beefed fellow hip life artiste Mad Fish. There were little scuffle when he claimed ownership of "Abodam" as Mad Fish also made a lot of pronouncement of the word in one of his albums. And in an interview with Ghana Music.com, he said, Mad Fish is an imitator.

Am not too sure whether he would want to be referred to as a ‘militant’ based on his behaviour, utterances and his aggressive nature. Notwithstanding, he has done a lot of mad things to justify the title but for all this while, Ghanaians thought he is not mad but rather acting, but he says he is really mad.

Okomfour

For him, prior to his come back show, he had been away from the music scene for close to 4 years. It was later said that he had personal related issues, moved to his region of birth Upper East to spend some time with his family after news went round that he had gone mad as a result of smoking the ‘WEE’.

Speaking on Peace FM’s Entertainment Review Show, he debunked rumours and issues that dealt with smoking of “wee”, madness and all the supposed psychiatric treatment he received.

He stated emphatically that he doesn’t care where the media looked or the source from which they got their stories, but what matters most to him now is that he’s back full time into business with his latest album.

He said he isn’t mad but had to meet a psychiatric for some reasons. Ghanaians say it's a lie because he was mad.

On his interviews on Peace FM’s Entertainment Review Show, TV Africa’s Run Down, TV3’s Spot Light and even the Graphic Showbiz, Okomfour appeared lost, there were a lot of sporadic breaks and whenever he starts again, he did so with ‘stomach direction’ kind of answers. He goes out of touch in his delivery.

Based on the above, who is not being honest? It’s a case of getty-getty-no-want and wanty-wanty-no-get. Funny world, isn’t it? To be honest, I know Kwaw Kese is faking madness; Okomfour could be the real mad man based on his own revelations.

But what do you also think?

By: Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

Obrafour Can ‘Piss in’ or ‘Piss out’

Is this a new madness that has taken the music industry by stomp? Or perhaps it is a publicity stunt to get the inactive artistes on board to announce to their teeming fans that they are after all not worn-outs or are back from their hideouts?

Chale this madness has gone on for far too long now? By the way who is Obrafour anyway? He is known to be coming out with proverbs in his lyrics but no disrespect some people have finally taken hip life to the gutters. Without sounding remorseful and vulgar, I think Obrafour should just shut up, if he is jaded (sounds like it), he should take a rest and not create unnecessary controversy.

Obrafour has been low profile for sometime now so I will understand if it’s a ploy to get out of his shell and be seen at least. Without any doubt, I strongly believe Obrafour got encouragement from Kwaw Kese’s outburst during his interview on TV3’s Spot Light when he said “Some people said hip life was dead and they are resurrecting it but they couldn’t do anything, they couldn’t do a thing, to say hip life is dead, what about Reggie Rockstone, Obrafour and co.”.

The mere mention of his name perhaps made him feel he is still the best hip life artiste ever if not what did he mean by “when did hiplife die without him knowing” in his new single “Nkasiabo” I think that’s a sad line.

I disgust comparism but when we talk of consistency in the hip life game, Lord Kenya stands out tall, he was the first hiplife artiste to dominate the Ghanaian music charts, for the 6 years (stand to be corrected) he was active in the hip life game, he proved himself by churning out hit album after hit album, a feat, his colleagues in the game will only dream of.

Obrafour has been parading himself from first album Pae Mu Ka to his last one as Ghana's rap Osofour (priest), without anyone questioning him, so why should he suddenly have a problem when another artiste contends his is the best rapper alive?

From my perspective, I think Obrafour still holds quite a consideration number of fans and doesn’t need to diss or beef anyone to get his message across or to sell a record, the fans still love him. This personality attacks must stop.

Obrafour can decide to ‘piss in’ or ‘piss out’, but for crying out loud, Okyeame Kwame is the reigning king of Ghana Music Awards and merits some respect.

You can share your opinion without necessarily stepping on someone else’s toes, the truth hurts but that was unnecessary controversy.

OJ BLAQ Outdoors Biggie Boy Lover

Night dwellers, friends and well wishers thronged to the Aphrodisiac Nite Club to official witness the launching of OJ Blaq’s debut album “Biggie Boy Lover”. Already his two hit singles “Chale Wote”, and album track “Biggie Boy Lover”, has been enjoying massive airplay.

The actor cum musician hit the stage last Friday night for an extraordinary performance in front of a star-studded crowd. To say the night was a bomb will be an understatement, it was fire ja, I mean proper fire fire ja (whatever it means).

Aside his new found love, music, known in real life as Andy Nii Akashie, OJ Blaq played MARLON in the hit T.V. series, SUNCITY, which became a household favourite across Africa, Europe and the U.S.A and that projected him into the lime light and has a couple of movies coming out soon.

The Sun City star was touted to be wilder than OJ Simpson, hence given the name Notorious OJ, but he later on changed it to OJ but since there is a gospel musician with the name OJ, he finally added Blaq to make it OJ Blaq.

The rapper launched his album “Biggie Boy Lover”, plus the “Chale Wote” video. He performed a rousing medley of his biggest hit “Chale Wote” featuring ASEM and Captain Planet of 4X4 and “Fire” featuring Lynx all stars and walked off stage to wild applause. The “Biggie Boy Lover” features Richie, Asem, Captain Planet, Eazzy, Zigi, Guru and a whole lot more.

To be on top in the hip life game, one has to be little crazy, creative and inventive, that’s what OJ Blaq is all about.

Present to show their support and love were Reggie Zippy, Mad Fish, Iwan, Wutah, Kwabena Kwabena, Michael Asare, Majid Michel, Ekow Smith Asante, Eddie Nartey, Kojo Dadson of Home Sweet Home, Prince David and many others in attendance.

You are ‘BEAUTIFUL’ than me but am the one on the stage – Okomfour

Yes! Okomfour staged a come back With MEA ME NIE. The vastly publicized and much anticipated show in recent times dubbed ‘Okomfour Mea Me Nie Concert’. It was the biggest comeback in the decade as Okomfour welcome himself back to the hip life game with over 4 years of being in the wasteland.

At the National Theatre last Saturday the 3rd of October, 36 artistes were supposed to have performed, some before and after Okomfour’s performance but only a hands full managed to grace the big stage and the reason best known to the organizers.

MTN ambassador Samini, another brilliant chap from the Northern part of Ghana who didn’t make an impact at the Busta Rhymes’ show was in his usual electrifying mood, he performed with live band, he got the whole audience on their feet dancing and jumping to his ‘Samini’ and ‘Where my baby dey’ tracks.

Sammy B, Ghana’s first rep to the Big Brother Africa reality show, who earlier on dished out some funny jokes, Jayne Buckman Owoo of Graphic Showbiz and Muntari Muntala of TV3’s Spot Light were seen doing the ‘asabone’, they just couldn’t help but to do the left and right dance amidst clapping. In a nutshell Samini prepared and pulled the audience for Okomfour to seal through.

Based on the performance of Samini, http://www.ghanacelebrities.com wondered if he has not stolen the show but views sampled indicated that we have to wait and see what Okomfour has up in his sleeves.

And finally, Okomfour did hit the stage and the whole place went gay, am sure the loud noise that came out of the audience would have woken up some dead bodies at the Awudome Cemetery. The audience, the paparazzi all rushed to the walkway, making it extremely difficult for the security men to control them, they tried to shove them back to their seats but no one was ready to listen.

Those who thought Okomfour was down and out were proved wrong, he showed enough energy to the delight of the audience and shouted “Wo Ho Ye Fe Tsen Me Na So Mea Na Mi Gyina Stage” literally means you are ‘beautiful’ than I am but am the one on the stage, the audience couldn’t help but laugh and cheer him on habitually as he dished out more thought provoking and funny lyrics.

For the one or so hours that Okomfour was on stage, he clicked with his audience nicely, both old and young, nobody was left out as he involved them in his performance, they sand along with him from ‘Meyere ne mepena’ to 'Abrantee', to 'Kwaadee', to 'Ka Wo Nan Toso', to 'Okomfo Si Koo', to 'P1' and to ‘Mea Me Nie’, which proved that indeed Ghanaians are still in love with the greatest story teller of our time.

Guys who came there purposely to feed their gullible eyes on the ladies had a field’s day admiring the beautiful creation by God, as the ladies were busy dancing and showing their cleavage. The night will pass for a fashion show.

Silky voice KK Fosu and ‘President’ Obour joined Okomfour midway through his performances. Other noticeable artistes who made an appearance were Okyeame Kwame, Bradez, Asase Aban, Ayigbe Edem, Mad Fish, Joe, H-Mode, Konfi, Scizo, Joe Frasier, and from Nigeria, Flavour of Ashawo fame.

The night wasn’t for only the known faces of the hip life game but there were some amateur and underground artistes who for me were just comedians, most of them can’t rap, some appeared like old drunkards, they just appeared to be rapping just because they are colleagues are doing.

Pop Skinny could have done a lot better with his performance. Bringing a dead laptop on stage was a good thing but it just didn’t help his course, the laptop should at least been switched on and not necessarily on the internet. A line in his ‘Mugu’ track which says ‘we are going to browse, on yahoooooo.com’, apparently, the laptop would have serve as a good purpose but as it was dead, the audience were confused but cheered him on.

The likes of Tinny, OJ Blaq, ASEM, Richie, and the other guys from Lynx entertainment were in the house but couldn’t grace the stage. The show weren’t fully packed to capacity but it was well patronized and action packed.

Story By: Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

http://www.ghanacelebrities.com

And he rocked Facebook Waakye party

Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around the world. Hundreds of facebookers flocked to Auntie Munis’ Waakye Joint inside Labone to be part of Facebook Waakye Party which took place yesterday.

And oh, the place was really packed. The party in its second edition was an improvement of the first one, it brought together other introvert and extrovert, mostly young folks (boys and girls), (sorry, the MC kept referring to the crowd as boys and girls) but old folks were also not left out of the fun.

It was a night (day) to remember, the party came with a lot of exclusivity, people who have known each other on facebook but yet to meet, had to chance to meet, enjoined waakye in one bowl and share some jokes that comes as a result of facebooking instead of working in the office.

The party was one for music and dance as people deserted their seats. For most part of the party, a lot of seats begged for attention, but the people decided to be on their feet and dance. Clad in customized facebook t-shirts with each person’s name at the back of it, there were a lot of waakye to eat, more drinks to drink and more boogey. Those who came there only to yak the ladies had their field day as the ladies made sure, the place never went bored.

Pop skinny by far was the best of the day, he had a short but wonderful performance, his ability at using the names of other hip life artiste to the free style really worked for him, the whole thing can best be described with one word “BOMB”, Reggie Rockstone, Buk Bak, VIP, Asem, 4X4, Tinny, Lord Kenya all got some love from Pop Skinny midway through his performance, the crowd couldn’t help but laugh and cheer him on with his funny lyrics.

I got to the venue at exactly 5:30pm so I couldn’t see the other performances but from what I saw; Pop Skinny rocked the whole place, he painted the place red and black (like it’s said in the local parlance), the place was turned outside down with his performance and a lady near me could not help but scream “Po Po Po Skinnnnnnnnnnnnnnny”.He got the people on the feet dancing from the start to the end of his performance.

He finished his performance and exclaimed ‘I am the richest hip life artiste’. There was also some argument as to which one is the best and more popular in Ghana: Facebook or Twitter? One shouted “the last time I checked, this is Facebook Waakye Party and not Twitter”.

A guy who can’t help himself, said “as a shy person who can’t approach ladies, facebook has really helped me in this regard, at least I have met 7 ladies before this party”.“I will keep exploring and meet some more of them and hopefully pick one as my bride”.

Charlie, things are knocking things on facebook ooo, so what about Facebook Mass Wedding? Organizers, I hope you guys are listening ooo

Even at Facebook Waakye Party, people were seen still facebooking, funny huh? I think that explains why ministers want to interact via facebook. Hahaha!

Thumps Up Ayigbe Edem!

Celebrities over the world are well respected, because they bring happiness to the faces of the crestfallen. A lot of celebrities have always set up charity foundation to support the less privileged and needy in the society.

It has always been refreshing news when one read in the newspapers or watches on TV about philanthropists or stars donating to the less privilege or needy in our society, one can only get satisfied with such reportage.Recently, Parade Magazine published a list of Most Generous Celebrities, ranked by the amount of funds donated to charity.

Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey ($52 million), Barbra Streisand ($11 million), Paul Newman (donating $10 million), Mel Gibson ($9.9million), Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ($8.4 million), Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan and hockey star Eric Lindros - each donating $5 million.The donations were channeled to provide education, health care, advocacy for women's issues and children, environmental causes, civil rights, AIDS research, refugee aid and cross-cultural understanding.

Not only do they donate frequently to charities but most of them have either set up their own foundations or adopted some and supporting them.Over here, Ghanaian celebrities do not earn anything close to the above, what they earn is insufficient, but it’s not good reason enough not to donate to charities. I read a story captioned “Tinny Fetes 300 Orphans” in 2007 and now in 2009 reading about Ayigbe Edem’s donations, I feel it’s been really a long time, since something of that sort was done, from hip life artistes (I stand to be corrected), nevertheless it has finally happened again and hope it’s not going to be a nine day wonder.Funnily, I have a lot of Ewe friends but don’t understand one Ewe word; I think that doesn’t stop me from saying ‘Thumps Up’ to Ayigbe Edem.

This guy has indeed won many hearts, considering the fact the hip life is touted as the lowest in terms of sales. Sometime last weekend hip life (I don’t care if he says he does hip hop) artiste Ayigbe Edem under the sponsorship of Volta Regime Foundation and with support from the Last 2 Music Group donated some items worth GHC 3,200 to the Mamobi Polyclinic in Accra.In his interview to Graphic Showbiz, he said he would donate something to charity every month for the next one year. It’s really welcoming news.

I think this is just phenomenon and unprecedented coming from a Hip Lifer artiste.“It is a humbling experience coming this far in such a short time,” Edem said. “I feel I must share the little I have with some less fortunate folks so I decided to give to children, I grew up without my parents being around and I know how good it feels as a young person to have someone care about and inspire hope in you.”For someone like him, who grew up without his biological parents being around, donating to the needy perhaps might not be big news enough but for me it is really and that differentiates him from his colleagues, people like him needs to be acknowledged and honoured for not using his hard-earned cash on trivial stuff.

I have always had negative thoughts about Hip Life artistes, my problem has to do with them using their monies on less important (for me) stuff, like purchasing the most expensive clothes, cars, smoking weed, chancing of girls and etc. but the “You Dey Craze” and “Bra Fre me” star has given me reasons to suspect myself and change my mind about how I see them.I think his donation should be a wakeup call to other stars to give back to society, what the society has offered them, to emulate his kind gestures especially to Yvonne Nelson and John Dumelo who were set to have splashed whooping 4,100 Euros on clothes. Instead we can organize and contribute to the needy. They should stand up to be counted. It's nice to see that some celebrities do care about others and give back.Who would you like to see donating more??

By: Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr

Kwaw Kese Slaps Obour

I am not a fun of Kwaw Kese’s constant attacks on his fellow hip life artistes and bickering in the music industry, but I believe without it, there won’t be any news for the entertainment journalists to write (based on hunch).

Rapper and self acclaimed king of the streets Kwaw Kese is at it again, this time around, he has slapped Obour and co for thinking hip life is dead and consequently resurrecting it.

Presenting a dog to the host of TV3’s Spot Light Muntala Muntari as his present for the show’s second anniversary. He said “When I heard you people are celebrating two years of the show, I thought of presenting this dog to you”.

“If you have managed to get the show running for two years means you can keep this dog for a long time”, he concluded funnily.

He then moved on to jab Obour and co for the so called resurrection of hip life. Last Sunday Obour organized a hip life concert dubbed “Resurrection”, where number hip life artistes made appearances to give meaning to the phrase RESURRECTION.

The problem here is that it wasn’t too clear what Obour was talking about, is he talking about the fact that he is sinking as hip life artiste and was resurrecting from hibernation or resurrecting the genre ‘HIP LIFE’? Obour’s so called resurrection track “GAME” featuring Okyeame Quame is on chrunk beat.

Confusion galore. To resurrect hip life, you need to have the major players of the hip life game on board but getting only a handful surely doesn’t work out. One interesting thing was that the guys from Lynx Entertainment who really stole the show are known to have come out publicly to say “we don’t do hip life, we do chrunk”.

In one word, methinks Obour LOST it. Whether Obour likes or yes, hip life has stolen it to chrunk, he even ENDORSED it by singing his campaign anthem (THE GAME) on chrunk beat.

Abodam said hip life has never been sick not to talk of being dead as some people have perceived it to be. “Some people said hip life was dead and they are resurrecting it but they couldn’t do anything, they couldn’t do a thing, to say hip life is dead, what about Reggie Rockstone, Obrafour and co.

“Aboa bi be ka woa, efri wo to ma mu” he said. The controversial rapper went on to punch some people he thought are seeking his downfall. He said these were people closer to him and that he is not a hungry looking man and not a cheap commodity.

“At end of the day, mankind needs to survive” He cautions the public, when asked about his future as a model now that his boss Ibrahim Sima (EXOPA), has been nabbed for allegedly trying to take coke out of the country.

About his involvement with Konfi, the rapper said “Konfi have been with me for 5 years, they have been my disciplines and am glad I brought them up, a lot of things has been said which am aware of but I thank Mad Time for bringing people like them up, I hope they get to where I have gotten to now”.

His case at the court is still pending, and will therefore make an appearance on 14th October 2009. He consequently believes so far as he is concerned, he has won in advance.

By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

Is 4X4’s World Trade Centre Song A Mockery Of 9/11?

Tommorrow is September 11, and it marks 8 years of the coordinated suicide attacks by Al-Qaeda upon the United States on September 11, 2001. On that morning, 19 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners. The hijackers intentionally crashed two of the airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing everyone on board and many others working in the buildings.

Both buildings collapsed within two hours, destroying nearby buildings and damaging others. The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania, after some of its passengers and flight crew attempted to retake control of the plane, which the hijackers had redirected toward Washington, D.C. There were no survivors from any of the flights.

In total 2,993 people, including the hijackers, died in the attacks. The overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals of over 90 countries.

A friend approached me with this “Do you think it was right for 4X4 to call their song World Trade Centre? Considering the fact that over 6,000 people died in those towers. A serious world catastrophe and they use those two towers in comparison to a ‘mere’ woman's behind (ass/buttocks)? How would they like it if I used something of the Manhyia Palace and compared to a guy's dick, pardon my Greek”.

“My family and I were discussing it. I liked the song when I first heard it but when I heard the title I was appalled. I am thinking "let's show some respect please". He ended. I do personally understand his frustrations. When I heard 4X4 has a new song named WORLD TRADE CENTRE, following the heels of Black Eyed Peas and other musicians, ‘wow’ I said to myself, knowing very well that 4X4 is going to pay their respect to the victims of the 9/11, that unfortunate incident that trembled the whole world.I was indeed very wrong. I was taken aback when I finally listened to the song and saw the video over and over again; I thought I was going to see firefighters covered in debris but all I see in the video was totally different and an eyesore.

I do not seems to identify with what the "World Trade Centre” mean in the song, 'they are referring to the ‘mere’ buttocks of the woman, comparing it to the huge twin towers, thus the World Trade Centre, since ladies buttocks are also twins”. It still doesn’t look clear or make sense to me why they decided to name it 'World Trade Centre'.It beats me how my compatriots can behave sometimes; it takes me back down memory lane to 2001 when this unfortunate event occurred and it was a very sad incidence indeed.

A lot of musicians have proceeded by composing songs and music producers have done movies to create awareness about the 9/11 and how the incidence has affected the human race.The sad events of September 11, 2001 indeed without any doubt inspired many songwriters to write songs.With my friend’s question still hanging on my neck and knowing very well that my own personal opinion does not really matter, I set out to find the reason(s) if it was right for 4X4 to call their song World Trade Centre?

I talked to politicians, journalists, businessmen, movers and shakers of the entertainment industry mostly DJs, presenters, producers, promoters, sound engineer and some members of the general public as well as musicians themselves.The politicians I spoke to seems to have not noticed the song yet.

Jargo of Konfi of Like-Father-Like-Son eminence feels, “It describes a woman’s body according to the lyrics of the song. Secondly, since the World Trade Centre couldn’t stand same way a woman’s booty can satisfy a man forever, the latter is my own interpretation, a woman’s body being a World Trade Centre can’t survive a man forever”.“As I said it an expression of how booty a woman is and also the booty woman is not forever since World Trade Centre collapsed so will her booty get collapsed so its vanity to believe in a woman’s booty, nice track to wind with and forget about the atrocities that came with World Trade Centre” he jabbed.

DJ Black, Ghana’s number one, on his part does not also see any problem at all and he’s in support of it, “People say and do worse things, if that fit the expression, so be it. What about the Ku Klux Clan? He asked. “What about the many guns sold by the west to rebels in Sudan, Nigeria, etc. people compare stuff to what they think is comparable. If they think the woman's behind is synonymous to a World Trade Centre and it gets their attention, well. But I understand if people think it’s not cool, but it’s nothing to be angry about”. he charged.

Teddy Abrokwa of Hot Digital Radio, London assumes it's out of time as the World Trade Centre does not even exist anymore. He doesn’t seem to have any problem with it also; his only problem has to do with 4x4’s constant ‘nigerialising’ of their music.“It’s a good sound regardless and about time 4x4 claimed their rightful position in Ghana Music. They've been hugely underrated in the past and were under the shadows of Buk Bak for far too long. They are a very talented duo and now that they have added a third member will only make them stronger. My only issue is the 'Nigerianising' of the music at the moment. We need to create an identity for our music and do well to sound Ghanaian” he emphasized. “It’s a very emotional reference point judging from the history behind the World Trade Centre. It would have been in serious distaste if the song was glorifying what happened on 9/11, He intoned”.

“Clearly they are referring to a ladies backside being big like the World Trade Centre. For me it’s not on point lyrically as the World Trade Centre doesn't exist now. We should not read too much into the title. I bet the guys did not mean to cause any offence or outrage “

“If they are doing their music in their accent or twang and we embracing it in Ghana, why not do ours in our Ghanaian twang for them to embrace. Nigerians in the UK are riding high on tracks like 'Kiss ur bride' by Bollie, VIP's 'Ahomka wo mu' which are clearly Ghanaian twang. You accepting defeat as soon as you take on someone’s identity”.

”Let’s not play too much into the choice of title for 4x4's track but rather see more of the great tracks they putting out” said the Hot Digital Radio gem.

Dela of TV3’s Mentor II also added her voice and this is what she has to say “I think that the Ghanaian music industry has grown immensely to the point that the Ghanaian listener is discerning. Now, since some people just ignore hip life and other Ghanaian genres of music solely because it's not their thing. The musician also has to structure means of drawing attention to his/her music, hence the use of a "Catch Phrase".

She continued “I deeply sympathize with those who lost relations due to the 9/11 World Trade Centre disaster and they have my condolences but Americans and the world have put it behind them and have moved on. I guess we should also do the same and let music live on. It could have been any other caption. All the same we would have enjoyed it. You will agree with me that although you are against the title "World Trade Centre", you can't help but tap your feet anytime you hear the song play”.

“The World Trade Centre was a tall, strong building that depicted power that’s why I think they compared it to a woman’s ass. It’s got power over men you know. I don’t think they meant any harm or anything negative by calling their song World Trade Centre. Catchy song too. Don’t think it had noting to do with the tragedy and deaths that happened in the World Trade Centre. That’s ma honest opinion”. D - Black.

Mframa Terry of Feeli Gadoochi fame said he doesn’t think it is a bad thing to do because every musician looks out for words or phrases that can help make hits. “So they thought World Trade Centre is a hit, it has so many controversies surrounding it so linking it to some part of the human body, I think they have even been smart. Let’s appreciate good work and stop politicizing it”.

A member of the Nescafe African Revelations winner Echo Elijah in his response also shared this views “Well I think that to be very objective if we are looking at it from the tragedy perspective then I think that yes it might bring back memories more especially if the song makes an impact in the country where that incident occurred.Well on the other half of the bake it was very smart for them to have used that considering the fact that the twin towers was very popular back in the days so yes bad when memories of the families of those victimized are concerned and all full of bliss when promo is concerned”.

“The way they presented the song didn’t make it seem too vulgar so we can pardon them. Let’s hope that the buttocks they talk about don’t lead them to catastrophic ends like the original World Trade Centre”. Journalist Ameyaw Debrah said with laughter.

Sound engineer Panji Anoff, shared the same views “Yes, in the absence of the old one, I do not find the song offensive at all. One of my favourite 4x4 tracks of all time” New kid on the block,

Sarkodie opted to remain mute and not say anything about the controversy “they are entitle to their own opinion. I can’t say anything about it, thanks” Below are some of the views expressed by individuals ghanacelebrities.com spoke to, they are picked randomly:

*
“What 4x4 did is metaphorical, it sounds myopic if someone should lambaste them for it It’s just an analogy to depict the gigantic nature of the ass they were talking about, it is accepted and it's just coincidental that people died from there but they haven’t done any wrong in using it” one journalist said.



*
I think it goes to you guys in Ghana. World Trade Centre is bad news because of the disaster courtesy Osama, so is fat ass and boobs a disaster to you men. BEWARE SO DAT YE SHALL NOT COLLAPSE IN OR ON IT.

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You know most hip lifers hardly think before selecting themes for songs. I am sure they were looking at sizes and for them the woman's backsize is as big as the World Trade Centre.

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I kind of saw them as not taking the situation serious lest making them an "unserious" people. I see their music as a mockery to the catastrophe which befell America and the world as a whole. I like them but I think they should rephrase the song” from another die hard fan of the duo.

*
I don't think it was right, and I don’t see how the World Trade Centre relates to the song, and I don’t see how two straight buildings that look like a pillar, with no round edge can be use to refer to a woman's booty in music.

*
Personally I don't like the song. Come to think of it, they should have found something else to compare to a woman’s buttocks than the World Trade Centre which was attacked by terrorist and precious lives were lost. So no I don't think they should have used World Trade Centre.

*
Its just creative mind or art. It can be explained in so many ways but as u said it was a serious event and must not be used to associate to a woman’s behind or ass. My honest opinion is just that it’s a creative art thing. My other opinion is that it doesn’t speak well of women because World Trade Centre means everyone can enter which makes the woman cheap in some way.

*
In my opinion no, it doesn't mean anything. And again it was an American Tragedy, not world. As sad as it was, life does go on. And, "mere" woman's behind? Don't underestimate the power of a woman's behind, it causes traffic and accidents, I personally like that song, and I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

*
World Trade Centre was not a catastrophically area before the incidence. World Trade Centre is a commercial place where trade goes on. To decide whether it was okay for 4x4 to use it, I think we must get the internal meaning of what they where trying to imply. Simple World trade Centre is big and his Girl’s booty is big. It is simple and on the other side it can be wrong when view with the moral eyes but still morality is relative.

*
Maybe they tried to explain how a big ass could destruct so many minds just like the World Trade Centre did.

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I think it’s entirely wrong to have it called that because as you initially said; many people died there. With an influx of people traveling abroad, it’s highly understood that a vast amount of people do remember September 11th, 2001 when so many innocent people died. And a lot of us live here n the US and have family here and we are actually paying for what happened.

*
There's nothing wrong with using world trade centre, besides, a lot of people don’t know the day it happened and I believe they want to mention it so no stress about that.

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I believe every individual is entitled to his or her own opinion and what you might think does not matter.



The debate continues…

Bradez to launch ‘SIMPLE’

“It's a hit man! Make I dey feel it! You know the name right? Bradez! (1 mic entertainment)” Babe you dey be me too much, Smile make I see your dimple, Pretty girl I'm loving your touch, Bad girls me I no dey mingle, I'll never ever say u bye bye, Never ever leave you single, Anytime I dey by your side, You make me feel so simple”

Yes the above will be on the lips of music lovers who will be expected at the plush Monte Carlo Grand Cafe, Labone where the rap duo Bradez is set to launch their latest album “SIMPLE”.

Bradez is a rap duo made up of Stone Da Flowking and Kunta Kinte. They have churned out hits upon hits like tracks ‘One Gallon (419)’ and ‘Flash’, and are set to launch their newest track ‘SIMPLE’ which is already enjoying massive airplay through out the country.

The duo, rode on the success story of Okyeame Kwame aka rap doctor who happens to be their big brother and has featured in virtually all their hit tracks.
In an exclusive interview with the Predy X, the event manager for the launching who is also member of the Greenland Promotions team. He told Ghanacelebrities.com that “Aside Bradez who will steal the show come 19th September, 2009 Ghana Music Awards multiple winner Okyeame Kwame is set to make an appearance including other hip life artistes like Tinny, Lynx Entertainment guys like ASEM and Richie will pass through to grace the launching”.

The launch is not only about the hip lifers, its surely going to assembly Ghana’s best DJs, including Ashanti’s finest DJ Andy Dosty who is set to be on the spin. If you know what the time is, then Monte Carlo Grand Café is the place to be come 19th September.

The launching is powered by Greenland Promotions and One Mic Entertainment.

Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.

Nigeria to send Ghana to the cleaners

If the signal we are picking now is the right one then Ghanaian producers must sit up, watch out and get their arsenals ready for a showdown as their Nigerian counterparts are in a secret meeting to get them (Ghanaian producers) out of the movie market.

The primary aim of this secret meeting is to hatch a plan to flood the market with only Nigeria movies hence getting the Ghanaian producers out of job, Venus Films Production producer Abdul Salam Mumuni, whose first film was God Loves Prostitutes, which brought Nollywood superstar Genevieve Nnaji to Ghana and responsible for the discovery of the Van Vickers, Jackie Aygemangs, Nadia Buaris, Eddie Narteys and still discovering more talents is their prime target.

Speaking under anonymity, the Nigerian producer based in Ghana said they (Nigerian producers in Ghana) have a lot of problems with the system now, he mentioned how GAG (Ghana Actors’ Guild) is making things exceedingly difficult for them, “Can you imagine the GAG does not want us to charge money for registration at auditioning, my brother, as if to say we don’t pay for hiring the place for the audition, aside that we also take care of the panelist” he told ghanacelebrities.com

So where does Venus come in the picture? “Salaam doesn’t use Nigerians anymore in his productions, he thinks he’s Ghana’s number one producer, so just doing what he likes, my brother, about 4 to 5 most powerful Nigerian producers are in to get him out of the market, already we have shot about 12 movies which are yet to be released and as I am talking to you now, we are still on location shooting more movies”.

Who gave him the title, Ghana’s number one producer? “My brother, you know what am talking about, he’s the only Ghanaian producer producing good movies now”

“We have flown in the third biggest person from Liberia and she’s on location shooting in Ghana. We are planning be shoot in Uganda, Liberia and we are targeting 40 movies in a year”, he said boastfully.

At this stage, he was completely in dreamland as I fought back “But he has worked and still working with Nigerian directors, talk of Ofeanyi Onyeabor (Mr. Hollywood), Frank Rajah (The Return of Beyonce (2006), Crime to Christ (2007), Princess Tyra (2007), Wedlock of the Gods (2007), Beyonce 2: The President's Daughter (2006), Tchidi Chikere (Girls’ Connection) and a host of others”.

For a minute, he was stammering and prevaricated for a while “My brother, yes I know of Frank Rajah but am not too sure of Ofeanyi Onyeabor and Tchiki Chikere but all that I am saying is that Venus does not use the Nigerian stars in his movies and we will get him out of the market”.

Actor Kofi Adjorlolo was not left out as Yvonne Nelson’s buttocks was smacked, “I don’t know what is happening now but when you pair Kofi Adjorlolo with someone who is non Ghanaian, then he charges more, forgetting that he was brought up in Nigeria, for the latter, she always create ‘awareness’ on set/location, which I think is unnecessary”.

Where from this xenophobic tendencies now?

Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr.