African Movie Academy Awards 2010 nomination party on March 6

The Mensvic Grand Hotel in East Legon will be the new venue for the 2010 edition of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Nominations Gala. The awards scheme in its 6th year was earlier on scheduled to take place on February 26 at the Banquet Hall also in Accra.

With about 280 movies submitted to the short listed in the various categories necessitated the gala night to be pushed forward a week to enable the juror to complete their task which is the screening.

AMAA is an offshoot of the African Film Academy, like any normal award, it is geared towards research, training and propagating film making in Africa. The awards since its inception in 2004, has since been awarding excellence. It is also a platform for gathering the biggest movie makers across African continent and the Diaspora.

The AMAA over the years has pulled together a phenomenal list of talented directors, actors, and films from around Africa, that have made, or are going to make a tremendous impact on the continent and in the Diaspora. At the gala night the nominees would be revealed for the following categories:

‘Best Documentary (Short Subject)’, ‘Best Documentary (Feature)’, ‘Best Short Film’,‘ Best Animation’, ‘AMAA Achievement In Sound’, ‘AMAA Achievement In Editing’, ‘AMAA Achievement In Art Direction’, ’Achievement In Make-Up’, ‘AMAA Achievement In Visual Effect’, ‘Best Original In Soundtrack’, ‘Most Promising Actor’, ‘Most Promising Actress’, ‘Best Performance By A Child Actor’,

The rest are ‘Best Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role’, ‘Best Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role’, ‘Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role’, ‘Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role’, ‘Best Film In African Language’, ‘AMAA Achievement In Cinematography’, ‘AMAA Achievement In Costume’, ‘Heart Of Africa Award For Best Films From Nigeria’, ‘Best Screenplay’, ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’.

Special guest on the night will include the governor of the Bayelsa State, Timepre Sylva, Minister for Trade and Industry, Hannah Tetteh, and the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Misiliu Obanikoro. Guests on the night will be treated to some cultural performances and fashion show

AMAA which is equivalent to Oscars in the United States will be held on April 10, 2010 in Nigeria and will be televised across the world. Various forms can be downloaded from the AMA-Awards website. For further information, please contact AMAA at info@ama-awards.com.

Are Lynx Entertainment Beats The Same?

There have been a lot of similarities in various beats we listen to on radio. When a song is played it doesn’t take too long to mention which engineer produced that beat. Before long, the engineer comes in with their signature tunes; like ‘Jay Q’, ‘The Last Two’, ‘Morris Baby Face’, ‘Ro Ro’, ‘Appietus’, ‘Killbeatz’, ‘Kaywa’ and ‘You Know The Name Right’ followed by ‘It’s A Hit’.

It has been an opinion that all too often; sound engineers tend to lose focus and direction after attaining mainstream success. They have been accused of rather sampling their old beats for the next available artistes.

What wasn’t said about Jay Q, Hammer and Appietus as constantly doing the same beat. They were persistently criticized for doing the same beat for more than one artiste.

People were frequently 'on Jay Q’s head' for the reason that they believed his ‘Kpanlogo’ beats were the same as heard in Buk Bak, VIP, Castro and Shilo songs. Most people also think the beats Hammer did for Obrafour were simply a repetition for Kwaw Kese and Tinny with a few changes.

These arguments will forever be there since every engineer has a particular instrument he enjoys using, which makes their beat similar in a way; which also gives them the best beats and enables them to bring the best in them. This is why the xylophone, the shakers, the claps, konkers are heard in every Jay Q’s beat and ‘base’ in Hammer’s instrumentals.

Currently there has been gossip in the media that the brain behind the youngest award winning recording label Lynx Entertainment and the reigning recording engineer of the year- (who is tipped to win the award again this year) is also doing a similar beat for numerous artistes. Similar beats that come to mind are Bradez’ ‘Simple’, Asem’s ‘Pigaro’, VIP’s ‘I Think I Like Am’.

Zigi, who was signed on the Lynx Entertainment with an exposure party at the Aphrodisiac Nite Club, came to the rescue of his boss (Richie), promising to give money to whoever can name songs done by Richie which has the same beat.

“Anybody who tells you Richie’s beats are the same, tell the person to listen to ‘Run Away’, listen to ‘Wengeze’, listen to ‘Pigaro’ and listen to ‘Catch Your Eye’ and tell me the similarities, if the person does that, I will give the person GH¢10,000.00” he said.

It baffles Asem to hear people think Richie’s beats are similar. “You see, when I hear stuff like that it baffles my mind, is it ‘Gologolo’ which sounds like ‘Pigaro’ or is it ‘Woso’ which sounds like ‘Run Away’ or it is ‘Simple’ which sounds like ‘Gimme Blow’ or it is ‘Suuliya’ which sounds like ‘Intoxicated’ or it is ‘Wengeze’ which sounds like ‘Bo Wo Sem Ma Me’.

“In as much as we are creative, at times you can think of an idea of a song, you put it on the radio and you can see the same idea, someone has used it, in as much as we are human beings, there will be certain similarities”.

“Like when you play ‘Simple’ and you play ‘Pigaro’, you get the same similarities but that doesn’t mean it’s the same beat or Richie is not creative enough but maybe because of the feel around that time, Richie wants to create the groove”.

“People don’t get it, there is a groove in town, we don’t just make music, we make grooves, when you go to the clubs, people turn to dance in a certain form so you turn to do music to suit how they dance but you don’t abuse it, that’s is why even after ‘Simple’, ‘Pigaro, ‘I Think I Like Am’, ‘No More Kpayor’ is very different from the other songs”.

Though Asem concurs there are certain similarities in Richie’s beats in songs like ‘Simple’, ‘Pigaro’, ‘I Think I Like Am’. He said they are deliberate; which is to get a groove into the system of the people and see how best they can introduce new things.

“When ‘Simple’ came out and maybe Richie keeps on doing ten songs which sounds the same, then you have the cause to complain. Give me examples of Richie’s song which sounds the same ‘Simple’, ‘Pigaro’, or ‘I Think I Like Am’, you will not find a fourth song, it’s intentional; it’s to get a groove into the system of the people”. Asem ended.

Ghana vies for Glo-CAF Awards

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has declared International Conference Centre in Accra as the venue for the Glo-CAF Awards ceremony. It is also the second time the country is hosting the awards after hosing it March 2007

The award seeks to award excellence and distinguished African football personalities for their performance during the year under review.

Ghana is nominated in four of the six categories, namely the African Footballer of the Year 2009, National Team of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Black Stars midfield general and Chelsea star Michael Essien has been short listed in the final three alongside Chelsea and Cote d'Ivoire striker Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o Fils of Inter Milan and Cameroon for this year's African Footballer of the Year award.

Barcelona midfielders Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita didn't make the last three.

Ghana's U-20 coach Sellas Tetteh who masterminded the Ghanaian team for their first ever World Cup in the U-20 level vies for the Coach of the Year with stiffer competition from Diego Garzitto and John Obuh.

Diego Garzitto, the coach of T.P. Mazembe led the DR Congo champions to beat Heartland of Nigeria to clinch their third African champion's trophy for the team. John Obuh guided the Nigeria U-17 team also known as the Golden Eaglets to win silver medal in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Nigeria 2009 after losing 1-0 to Swiss.

Ghana's Dominic Adiyiah, the best player and highest goals score at the FIFA U-20 World Cup of has been nominated for the Young Player of the Year with Kermit Erasmus of Feyenoord and South Africa U-20 and Sani Emmanuel of Bodens BK and Nigeria U-17.

Ghana has also been nominated in the National Team of the Year 2009 with Algeria and Cote d'Ivoire.

The Best African player on the continent 2009 has Uche Agba (Heartland FC and Nigeria), Mputu Mabi (T.P. Mazembe and DR Congo) and Abdelmalek Ziaya (Entente Setif and Algeria).

Current African Champions league winners T.P. Mazembe (DR Congo), finalist Heartland FC (Nigeria) and Stade Malien (Mali) vies for the Club of the Year 2009.

The ceremony was earlier on scheduled for Dakar, Senegal but has been rescheduled and confirmed to take place in Accra on March 11, 2010.

The event is sponsored by Globacom, Africa's leading integrated telecom operator who has signed a five-year sponsorship contract with Manchester United, English Premier League Champions to unite the two brands in marketing campaigns and promotional activities in the Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic.

Below are the nominations:

African Footballer of the Year 2009
Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Cote d';Ivoire)
Michael Essien (Chelsea and Ghana)
Samuel Eto'o Fils (Inter Milan and Cameroon)

Best African player on the continent 2009
Uche Agba (Heartland FC and Nigeria)
Mputu Mabi (T.P. Mazembe and DR Congo)
Abdelmalek Ziaya (Entente Setif and Algeria)

National Team of the Year 2009
Algeria
Cote d'Ivoire
Ghana

Club of the Year 2009
Heartland FC (Nigeria)
Stade Malien (Mali)
T.P. Mazembe (DR Congo)

Young Player of the Year 2009
Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan and Ghana U-20)
Kermit Erasmus (Feyenoord and South Africa U-20)
Sani Emmanuel (Bodens BK and Nigeria U-17)

Coach of the Year 2009
Diego Garzitto (T.P. Mazembe)
John Obuh (Nigeria U-17)
Sellas Tetteh (Ghana U-20)

Oh Ghana! ‘Lights Off’ @ Three Major Events in 3 Weeks

The rate at which light goes off in Ghana is very alarming, indeed it is really irritating. In the entertainment industry, this ill-fated development has created a very sour relationship between event organizers and the audience. Within the space of just three weeks, sudden power cut off has affected three major entertainment events.

The first was on 30th January 2010, at the Aphrodisiac Night Club in Accra the venue for the outdooring of ‘Zigi’ dubbed ‘Exposure Party’ organized in collaboration between 4Syte TV and Fiesta TV to welcome him as the latest addition to the Lynx Entertainment family. On bill that night were Lynx Entertainment stars such as Asem, Richie, Eazzy and OJ Blaq.

The night was to outdoor Zigi as an artiste and als o launched his single ‘Catch Your Eye’. His performance ended abruptly because of the power fluctuation to the chagrin of the large crowds. The light went off and on subsequently for three occasions.

The second event to experience the power outage as reported by Peacefmonline was the official launch of hiplife rap trio V.I.P. (Vision In Progress) new album “Progress” at the Boomerang Night Club, at Caprice in Accra, on Saturday February 13, 2010.The lights was said to have gone off around 1:15am and came back on after 30 minutes.

The third show in a succession to enjoy this unfortunate turn of events in the capital city of Ghana was a pre-Val’s day show. The show was dubbed “Pre-Vals Day Bash with Obrafour & Tema's Finest”, featuring the likes of R2Bees, Guru, Keche, Stay-Jay, Nana Boroo, Ikonz, Supababes, Vibz, S. L., Tuga, Chemphe and Macho Rapper.

It took place in the forecourt of the Korean Hotel Poolside, Community 12, to climax the 2nd anniversary of the Groove Control Nite Club on Saturday 13th February 2010. The power fluctuation had the show put on hold for several minutes and the light kept going on and off to the annoyance of the crowd.

Several hours after the light off had subsided, it started drizzling but the organizers masterminded by Verus Nartey of HI NEWSPAPER defied the little rains pouring down to continue with the show. Eventually the rains went heavy and the torrential rains made sure the show never continued till it was moved into the nite club to make way for Obrafour to perform his controversial track ‘Kaseibo’ featuring Guru.

Though all these high profile events strived to go on despite the various power cuts, it took something away from its success. Why can’t we make sure there is stable power at high profile events or even automatic switch on generators? This is extremely disappointing to the audience. No wonder some people ask for refunds when the lights cut off.

Morris D'Voice Releases Valentine's Day Video

Saint Valentine's Day (shortened to Valentine's Day) is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. First time in the history of Ghana a song has been composed purposely for the celebration of the lovers’ day. Morris D’Voice formally known as Morris Baby Face, the winner of the Ghana Music Awards 2005 Best Sound Engineer for Obour’s multi award winning track “Konkontiba” has just released the video of his hot single ‘Valentine’ which will be aired regularly on all the television stations in Ghana till 14th February, which also happens to be Val’s Day.

He has earlier on released the single ‘Valentine’ from his yet to be released ‘Home & Away’ album for the Valentine’s Day celebration. Multiple awards winner at the 2009 Ghana Music Awards, Okyeame ‘Rap Doctor’ Kwame was featured prominently on the song. His brilliant and thought provoking rap added some spices to the song.

The video was shot and directed by Abraham Ohene Djan of OM Studios at two venues in Accra, Dansoman near the SSNIT flats and Reggie Rockstone’s Office behind Police Headquarters with Miss Liela Yenma Liman, a finalist in the 2009 Miss Maliaka Ghana contest as the lead character.

The idea of the video is simple but interesting. It depicts Morris, rich, successful and overly hardworking musician staying overnight at the studio working on his latest project. The only problem is, it is Valentine and he’s completely forgotten! Well, ignorance is bliss, until he comes home in the morning to meet an empty house; fiancée gone. He goes into shock, reminisce and...

Ghana Shows Love To Haiti - The Concert

How will you feel if the sad incidence of Haiti fell on your birthday? If you wouldn’t feel right, then KOD (Kofi Okyere Darko) didn’t feel right either because the catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake that hit the people of Haiti on the 12 January was his birthday.

This necessitated him to gather some friends under the auspices of the Ministries of Information and Foreign Affairs to organize a musical ‘tribute’ concert dubbed “Ghana Loves Haiti”, which took place at the International Conference Centre last Saturday.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere has lost 90% of their properties as a result of the earthquake which damaged the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and the main jail. Several lives were lost, including that of the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot and opposition leader Micha Gaillard.

Journalist Kwaku Sakyi Addo, the host of Kwaku One-ne-One, apparently one of the known Ghanaians to have touched down on the Haiti land narrated “life” in that country according to his short stay there. A story was told of a Ghanaian woman who was saved because she had come to Ghana for a wedding.

The concert which was to raise funds to support the Haitians saw most of the musicians such as Okyeame Kwame, Paapa Yankson, Kwaw Kese, Bradez, Wutah, D-Black, Yasmeen Helwani, Iwan, Kwabena Kwabena, Ohema Mercy, Bertha (Stars of the Future), Ruff-n-Smooth, Nii and Pat Thomas advocating in their performances for the need for each and everyone to support the Haitians.

Do you believe that in Ghana, you have to know somewhere to get somewhere?

Satirist KSM made the audience laugh out loud to forget the pain of coming to support the Haitians. Imagine being approached by a white woman to give her directions to the National Theatre. Definitely, she needs to know somewhere first to be able to direct her to the National Theatre.

The concert was produced by Blaqkaprikorn, with the help from Charter House and the venue was kindly sponsored by the Ministries of Information and Foreign Affairs. Though some of the artistes billed to perform didn’t perform, the programme was a success.

Though the show had ended fundraising activities for Haiti still continues. Interested individuals can Text "HAITI" to Kasapa, MTN and VODAFONE short code 1990 and donate GHc1.00 per text. Text as many times as you like. You can also donate into any GT Bank nationwide and make your donations directly to the HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND - ACCOUNT NUMBER: 202 109097.

Ghana Music Awards 2010: Asem Tips Ayigbe Edem But Richie Says Sarkodie

Nominations for the 2010 edition of the biggest entertainment event of the Ghanaian calendar, the prestigious Ghana Music Awards have just been opened by Charter House, the event. However, there have been a debate as to “who wins what” come Saturday April 10th at the conference Centre.

Though nomination is still on-going, Ewe rapper Ayigbe Edem and Sarkodie, a rapper who was recently signed on Akon’s Konvict Music label are already being mentioned from all corners as two outstanding artistes who will slot out in the category ‘Discovery of the Year’, a category Asem won last year.

As spelt out by the organizers in the ‘discovery of the year’ category. The award goes to the artiste who made most impact with his/her first commercial release (Single/Album) during the year under review. The winner of that award is adjudged by the Selection Committee, Planning Committee and the general public as the most promising and talented new artiste.

Both Sarkodie and Ayidge Edem have tasted mainstream success with their maiden album.

As the debate rages on and the tongues wagging in anticipation of the potential winner come awards day, Asem who won the accolade last year after feuding off challenge from fellow hip lifers R2Bees, Wanlov the Kubolor, Klana, Richie and Gospel songstress Gifty Osei feels the best person to succeed him is no other person but Ayigbe Edem.

But Richie disagrees, because to him Sarkodie should grab that award with so much ease. Asem told GhanaCelebrities.com that he contends the 2009 saw the number of talents cropping up and feels Ayigbe Edem has given the Ewe population something to cheer about.

“Honestly, this year, there’ve a lot of talents, like now am listening to Iwan, I think he is fantastic, am listening to Stoneboah, I think he’s fantastic, I listen to Lil Shaker, I think he’s fantastic too”. He said.

“There are lots of talents around and I believe when its very competitive, then you know Ghana music is soaring, Eazzy baby, Eazzy is phenomenal, wherever you go they talk about Eazzy like crazy, OJ’s music is nice, Macho Rapper, he is something else, he is different and his music is good”.

“I believe it’s going to be competitive, if I had my way, all these artistes will be given some acknowledgement for their good works”. He ended.

Pushed to the wall, Asem mentioned Ayigbe Edem as one of the best MCs in the game, apparently for his knack for rap. He was impressed Edem took a risk by rapping in Ewe, a language only few people speak in Ghana.

“I think Ayigbe Edem has done well, over a number of years, Ewe rap has been on the down side as in Ghanaian music, all the dialects have had their fair share of exposure and the fact that he actually came from no where”.

“What Edem did was a risky thing; he had the guts to rap in Ewe, knowing that majority of Ghanaians don’t speak Ewe and Edem is an MC, when I listen to his song, I don’t speak Ewe but I call him for explanation, so I think Edem is fantastic and will win the award” he ended.

Richie, the brain behind Lynx Entertainment, also the current recording engineer of the year disagrees with Asem. Richie revealed to GhanaCelebrities.com in a separate chit chat that though 2009 saw the influx of new acts in the hip life game, Sarkodie stands out tall.

“To be honest, I think it will go to Sarkodie, because among all the new artistes who came this year, Sarkodie has done the most and I think he deserves it”.

Lights Off At Aphrodisiac Night Club Messed Up Lynx Entertainment

The Aphrodisiac Night Club in Accra, the venue for the outdooring of the latest sensation of Lynx Entertainment had a power outage after actor cum musician ‘O. J. Blaq’, pretty boy ‘Asem’, smooth voice ‘Richie’ and ‘Eazzy’, had teased the crowds with pieces of their songs to outdoor Zigi.

The biggie man, O. J. Blaq opened the night with ‘Biggie Boy Lover’, followed by the chap whose name is a hit song ‘Asem’. He performed his latest single ‘No More Kpayor’, after which was followed by Richie and then Eazzy of ‘Bo Won Sem Ma Me’ fame.

Eazzy then introduced Zigi to the crowds as the latest addition to the Lynx Entertainment family. Dressed in suit with trademark ‘You say weytin” Kwaku Sarpong Plahar known in showbiz circles as ‘Zigi’ performed his single ‘Catch Your Eye’ to the large number of crowds that had been teased with ‘you know the name right’ and ‘it’s a hit’ instrumentation.

Though the crowds were excited and singing along with Zigi as he performed his single ‘Catch Your Eye’, the power fluctuation brought his performance to an abrupt end. The light went off on three occasions and came back in approximately 60 seconds each time it went off.

Why the sudden light off? The members of the Lynx Entertainment crew told GhanaCelebrities.com the light off came in as a result of Zigi’s bringing new thing in the music industry.

In a chit chat with Albert, Lynx’s Administrative Director he said they should not be blamed for the power fluctuation but the blame should be shifted to the club management.

GhanaCelebrities.com would bring you an exclusive interview with the Lynx Entertainment family on their views on the sudden power outage. A club like Aphrodisiac doesn’t have a standby generator? Watch this space.