Mad Rush For Okyeame Kwame As ‘OK In Your Zone’ Rocked Takoradi

On Friday, the 3^rd of December 2010 far away at Takoradi, over 5,000 fans besieged the Jubilee Park to catch a glimpse of their favourite rapper favourite’s rapper Okyeame Kwame.

The ongoing Hepatitis B free screening, the first exercise from the Okyeame Kwame Foundation (OKF) was in Takoradi as ‘OK In Your Zone’ made a stopover at the Jubilee Park. The three cities tour dubbed ‘OK In Your Zone’ kick started in Kumasi with an impressive crowd and schedule to end in Sunyani.

The crowd in Takoradi was off the hook. If am not exaggerating, I would have said when you divide Takoradi into 4, one portion made it to the Jubilee Park to watch Okyeame Kwame and his friends perform after the day’s successful Hepatitis B free screening exercise.

Market Square, the most crowded market in Takoradi was the venue for the screening. Indeed, attendance was impressive as usual; both old and young came in to find out their status.

The start of the musical event (show) was delayed by rain but when Kwame got to the venue with his entourage; the crowds were still there in the rains waiting for the rap doctor to give them the reason why they had travelled from other towns to see the show.

Some had already paid their GHC 5.00 waiting for the show to start and others flocked the gate waiting to see the rap doctor before making payment. Upon noticing him, some mobbed him as others pay to enter the venue. The trouble-free crowd gave the security officials a tight day.

Since, Kwame hails from Oseikrom (Ashanti Region), I thought the crowd in Kumasi did a pretty good job by attending the show in their numbers but I was amazed by the attendance in Takoradi.

The moment they were all waiting for arrived! The Best Rapper Alive was called to mount the stage and the crowd went gay. Even the ones outside were as twice excited. The organizers were forced to hold a chit chat, after which the crowd outside were allowed to enter.

This measure, according to them was to forestall any unfortunate incidence or stampede. Some crazy ones wanted to join him on stage, whiles other cheer him on with this words ‘You are indeed the best’, ‘OK OK OK OK’, ‘Ghana’s best’.

From one song to the other for close to an hour, Okyeame Kwame made the night a memorable one for the people of Takoradi. They have had a successful holiday courtesy the rap doctor.

Bradez, Mimi, Obour, Kofi B and Stunnas were all there to support Okyeame Kwame. The musical concert was aired live on Skyy Power 93.5 FM.

The tour is sponsored by the biggest telecommunication network in Ghana, MTN. GhanaCelebrities.com is proud to be part of this experience.

….And Takoradi was another success story for the ‘OK In Your Zone’ tour; catch the train in Sunyani on the 11^th of December, 2010 at Cultural Centre.

Click here to view the pictures of the tour.

Paradise Entertainment Finest 4X4 & VIP Rules 4Syte Music Video Awards

4Syte Music Video Awards was held last Saturday at the Accra International Conference Centre, though Ignace and his people didn’t think it was wise and necessary to give GhanaCelebrities.Com accreditation to cover the awards (not us only, even some sponsors were told boldly that their names were not on the guest list).

All the same, for the sake of our readers and also as an entertainment blogger, it didn’t deter me from following the awards.

I guess Paradise Entertainment, managers of Boomerang Night Club , 4X4 and VIP under the tutelage of Mr. Duke Banson will be the happiest man in Ghana now. This is because his artistes won the most awards on the night.

4X4, who are tagged as the international superstars won 5 awards with their hit track ‘Fresh Ones’. Some of the categories they won include ‘Best Choreography’, ‘Best Special Effect’, ‘Overall Best Video’, ‘Best Directed’.

Also known as the legends, Vision In Progress (VIP) on the other hand won two categories ‘Best Group Video’ and ‘Best Hiplife Video’ with their track ‘I Think I Like Am’.

Their label mate Mimi Davilish failed to win the discovery of the year, as it went to Jon Germain. Mzbel, formerly of Paradise Entertainment also won the ‘Best Female Video’ with her Saucy Girl video.

FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

Best Group Video: VIP – I Think I Like Am
Hi-Life: Kwabena Kwabena – Dadie Anoma
Best Storyline: D-Black / Kwaku T – Breathe
Best Male Video: Jay Ghartey – My Baby
Best Reggae: Iwan – Still Luv Me
Discovery Of The Year: Jon Germain – In My Head
Best Choreography: 4×4 – Fresh One
Best Special Effect: 4×4 – Fresh One
Best Gospel: Celestine Donkor – Supernatural
Best Editing: Sarkodie – Borga
Best African Act: M.I. – Safe
Overall Best Video: 4×4 – Fresh One
Best Photography: Sarkodie – Babe
Best Directed: 4×4 – Fresh One
Best Female Video: Mzbel -Saucy Girl
Best Hiplife Video: VIP – I Think I Like Am
Best Collaboration: D-Black/Kwaku featuring Jayso – Breathe
Honourary Award: Kwaw Ansah
Living Legend Award: Allen Gyimah

2 Reasons Why Sarkodie Will Lose The MAMAs

It was worrisome to observe that of all the musical talents abound in Ghana, the organizers could only pick one artiste from Ghana in the upcoming 3^rd edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards With (Airtel) Zain (MAMAs). Sounds interesting to me but are the organizers really the ones to be blamed? Whatever criteria, they used might be anti-Ghana.

As good as Ghanaian musicians are, they always play second fiddle to the population inflated Nigerians. Awards in Africa suggests that Nigeria and to a large extent South Africa are on top of the music game. Ghana’s position so far as these awards are concerned doesn’t look encouraging.

No matter how much sentiments Ghanaians show, it will still not change anything.

Ghanaian musicians have always had nominations since the inception of the awards. In the maiden edition in 2008 ‘Kwaw Kese’ was nominated in the ‘Best New Act’ category. Ofori Amponsah’s song ‘Odwo’ was nominated in the ‘Listener’s Choice Award’.

Though they all failed to win their respective categories, Samini made name for himself as the first Ghanaian to win, as he was adjudged as the ‘Best Live Performer’ in Africa in 2009.

As event unfolds to make way for the 11^th of December 2010, fans of Sarkodie or Ghanaians in general will stay glued and wait patiently for the category he is nominated in to be mentioned.

Sarkodie is nominated alongside Wande Coal from Nigeria, Daddy Owen of Kenya and South African’s Big Nuz in the ‘Best Anglophone‘. Ghanaians will be much interested and hope to hear, ‘the winner for the best Anglophone is … Sarkodie’.

But before Ghanaians continue to dream, let’s go through the 2 main reasons why Sarkodie might not win the MAMAs. This is not about who detests who. I will try as much as possible to be objective and it is only people in denial that will think otherwise.

Reason 1: Voting
Can any country in Africa compete with Nigeria when it comes to mass voting? For whatever reasons, Ghanaians don’t like voting. And any competitions that winners have to be decided by voting means the best does not always wins. This is not to mean any recipient of any awards, doesn’t merit it.

The Ghana man doesn’t like vote, when he or she does, it is because they like you, not because you are the best and deserves to win. I don’t want to blame the lack of voting in Ghanaians as the result of high tariffs charged by the telecommunication networks. I think it’s a natural habit of Ghanaians.

Maybe a different story would have been told if Ghanaians had voted for Nii (Joe) and Kesse during the MTN Project Fame West Africa season 1 and 2 respectively.

Perhaps Sammi B would have won or gone far in the first Big Brother Africa. Perhaps Ghana would not have gone to the Channel O awards and come home with nothing, but can Ghanaians votes surpass the Nigerians?

Samini deservedly won the Best Live Performer last year because that category was not voted for.

Reason 2: Popularity
Just like Ghana Music Awards which is popularity based awards; Sarkodie’s popularity will be tested on the continent. The second reason why he might not win this award is because he is only known and famous in Ghana, not really known on the continent.

Can the popularity of Wande Coal in Ghana and in Africa be contested? A school of thought says he is even popular than Sarkodie in Ghana. People on the streets I spoke to, agreed Sarkodie is good. They like him because he is a Ghanaian but likes Wande Coal’s songs more.

From my honest point of view, I think Wande Coal is the favourite to win this one (This is not to rule out the other nominees).

If Sarkodie doesn’t win the award, it will be because of the two reasons above, however, I will be ready for a surprise package.

People say, Sarkodie will win because he is signed on to Akon’s Konvict Music. Whether he is signed on Akon or not will not make any difference.

Ghana Movie Awards 2010 Nominations Out: Jackie Appiah, Majid Michel, Adjetey Anang, Nadia Buari, Yvonne Okoro, Ama K Abebrese & Co In There!

With Ghana flags hoisted all over the place yesterday, one thing was certain. That is, whatever was happening was of national interest and yes, it was the nominations party of the upcoming Ghana Movie Awards!

The event might not have started on time as scheduled but attendance was impressive. After words from the organizers and the chairman of the Planning Committee, the nominees were announced.

As you might say, usual players in the industry made their way into the nominations.

Ghana’s current top actor Majid Michel, Senanu Gbedawo, J.O.T Agyemang, Prince David Osei, Eddie Nartey, Van Vicker and Ruffy Samuel were nominated in the ‘Best Actor in a leading role’ for English language.

Also Agya Koo known in real life as Kofi Adu is nominated alongside Akwesi Boadi A.K.A Akrobetu, Francis Kusi, Timothy Bentum and Ebenezer Donkor in the ‘Best Actor In A  Leading Role’ for local language.

Jackie Appiah leads his girls Juliet Ibrahim, Yvonne Okoro and Roselyn Ngissah in 4 Play in the ‘Best Actress In A Leading Role’ for English language. Also in that category are Martha Ankomah, Akorfa Edjeani Asiedu, Ama K. Abebrese, Lydia Forson and Luckie Lawson.

GhanaCelebrities.com will in the coming weeks, analysis each category and predict a winner before the awards day on Christmas day 25^th December, 2010. good luck to all the nominees.

BELOW IS A LIST OF ALL THE NOMINATIONS

1. BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (ENGLISH)

• Senanu Gbedawu (Check Mate)
• Majid Michel (The Beast)
• J.O.T Agyemany (I Sing Of A Well)
• Prince Osei (Kiss Me If You Can)
• Eddie Nartey (Kiss Me If You Can)
• Van Vicker (Dna Test)
• Ruffy Samuel (Love & Lust)

2. BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE (ENGLISH)

• Martha Ankomah (Kiss Me If You Can)
• Akorfa Edjeani Asiedu (I Sing Of A Well)
• Ama Abebrese (Sinking Sands)
• Lydia Forson (A Sting In A Tale)
• Lucky Lawson (Desperate To Survive)
• Jackie Appiah (4 Play)
• Juliet Ibrahim (4 Play)
• Yvonne Okoro (4 Play)
• Roselyn Ngissah (4 Play)

3. BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (LOCAL)

• Kofi Adu A.K.A Agya Koo (Ama Ghana)
• Akwesi Boadi A.K.A Akrobetu (Sika Akuaba)
• Francis Kusi (Yaa Asantewaa War)
• Timothy Bentum (Devil’s Seed)
• Ebenezer Donkor (Madam Moke)

4. BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE (LOCAL)

• Rose Mensah A.K.A Kyeiwaa
• Emelia Brobbery (Tumi)
• Vivian Jill (Ama Ghana)
• Mercy Asiedu (Abrokyire Beyie)
• Theresah Mensah (Yaa Asantewaa War)

5. BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (ENGLISH)

• John Dumelo (Game)
• Ekow Blankson (Check Mate)
• Ekow Smith Asante (Naked Faces)
• Kofi Adjorlolo (Beast)
• Adjetey Anang (A Sting In A Tale)
• Kweku Sintim Misa (Check Mate)
• Omar Sheriff Captan (4 Play)
• Gavivina Tamakloe (Black Mail)
• Chris Attoh (Sinking Sands)

6. BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (ENGLISH)

• Nadia Buari (Check Mate)
• Yvonne Nelson (Game)
• Beverly Afaglo (Game)
• Rama Brew (Who Loves Me)
• Kalsum Sinare (Trinity)
• Naa Ashorkor (Check Mate)
• Khareema Aguiar (Check Mate)
• Nana Hayford (Beast)
• Doris Sackitey (Sinking Sands)

7. BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORING ROLE (LOCAL)

• Kofi Davis Essuman (Adults Only)
• Ofori Attah (Awieye)
• Clement Bonney (Ama Ghana)
• Kofi Laing (Ama Ghana
• Lord Kenya (Devil’s Seed)
• Samuel Ofori (Akrasi Burger)
• William Addo (Madam Moke)

8. BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (LOCAL)

• Nana McBrown (Madam Moke)
• Barbara Newton (Abrokyire Bayie)
• Pearl Kugblenu (Devil’s Seed)
• Alexis Ntsiakoh (Abrokyire Bayie)
• Gloria Osei Safo (Madam Moke)

9. BEST WRITING – ADAPTED OR ORIGINAL SCREEN PLAY

• Leila Djansi (I Sing Of A Well)
• Leila Djansi (Sinking Sands)
• Shirley Frimpong Manso ( A Sting In Tale)
• Benjamin K. Adu (Ama Ghana)
• Kobbi Rana (Kiss Me If You Can)

10. BEST VISUAL EFFECT

• Barry Isa Quaye (Flash Fever)
• Afra Marley (Game)
• Ken Attoh (A Sting In A Tale
• Godfrey Grant (A Sting In A Tale)
• Kalifa Adams (Devil’s Seed)

11. BEST WARDROBE

• Mabel Germain (Sinking Sands)
• Lydia Laryea (A Sting In A Tale)
• Samira Yakubu (Black Mail)
• George Atoba (Ama Ghana)

12. BEST ORIGINAL SONG

• Who Loves Me (Wutah)
• Delilah (Ofori Amponsah)
• Kiss Me If You Can (Kobbi Rana)
• A Sting In A Tale (Vip)
• Ama Ghana (Patrick Adu)
• Game (Bias)
• A Sting In A Tale (4×4)
• Chelsea (Dasebre Dwamena)

13. BEST DIRECTING (ENGLISH)

• Shirley Frimpong Manso (A Sting In A Tale)
• Kobbi Rana (Kiss Me If You Can)
• Leila Djansi (Sinking Sands)
• Patrick Yadaah (Dna Test)
• Socrate Safo (Adults Only)

14. BEST DIRECTING (LOCAL)

• Omar Sheriff Captan (Delilah)
• Asare Bediako (Tumi)
• Frank Gharbin (Ama Ghana)
• Albert Kudovu (Abrokyire Bayie)
• Kweku Twumasi (Yaa Asantewaa)

15. BEST EDITING

• Afra Marley (Game)
• Afra Marley (Trinity)
• Nana A. Manso (A Sting In A Tale)
• Fred Agyepong (Flash Fever)

16. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

• Bob J (Check Mate)
• Bob J (A Sting In A Tale)
• Prince Nyarko (Ama Ghana)
• Samuel Gyandoh (Chelsea)

17. BEST MAKE UP

• Lydia (Trinity)
• Jude Odeh (Ama Ghana)
• Jane A. Williams (Check Mate)
• I Sing Of A Well (Ruth Mensah)
• Lyrdyna Abuhipsah (Beast)

18. BEST PICTURE

• Ama Ghana
• I Sing Of A Well
• Sinking Sands
• A Sting In A Tale
• Chelsea
• Check Mate

19. BEST STORY

• Who Loves Me
• Sinking Sands
• A Sting In A Tale
• Game

20. BEST ART DIRECTION

• Game
• Check Mate
• Sinking Sands
• Ama Ghana

21. BEST ACTOR / WEST AFRICA COLLABORATION

• Yemi Blaq (Sinking Sands)
• Ramsey Noah (Guilty Pleasures)
• Desmond Elliot (Guilty Pleasures)
• Uti Nkwachukwu (Busting Out)

22. BEST ACTRESS / WEST AFRICA COLLABORATION

• Genevieve Nnaji (Silent Scandal)
• Nse (Guilty Pleasures)
• Tonto Dikeh ( Love & Lust)
• Uche Jumbo (Nollywood Hustlers)
• Omotola Jalade (Private Storm)
• Mercy Johnson (Shakira)

23. BEST MOVE / AFRICAN COLLABORATION

• Sinking Sands
• Guilty Pleasures
• Love & Lust
• Private Storm
• Bursting Out

24. BEST MUSIC SCORE

• Game
• Ama Ghana
• A Sting In A Tale
• Kiss Me If You Can
• 4 Play
• Sinking Sands

Click Here To See The After Party Photos

Okyeame Kwame Shocks Fans In Kumasi! Performs With A Live Band

 

There is a saying that ‘He who climbs a good tree, is given a push’. This saying was given a meaning as the people of Kumasi and its surrounding areas converged at the Golden Tulip Hotel to support one of their own.

The tour is dubbed ‘OK In Your Zone’ and the sole aim is to raise funds to support his ongoing free Hepatitis B screening campaign. The Kumasi show was the first of the three cities tour. The show attracted mostly the youth who seems to have missed their ‘favourite rapper’ and were willing to even pay more than the GHC 5.00 charged at the gate, just to support a worthy cause.



At each venue, the free screening exercises (the clinics) took place in the morning and the musical event followed in the evening. Basically, the idea behind this is to create awareness and educate the people on Hepatitis B through entertainment.

Earlier on in the day at Kumasi, free hepatitis B screening was held at the forecourt of Prempeh Assembly Hall (Fox FM). Over 500 people were screened for the hepatitis virus; education and advice were offered to the affected persons.

The show which was for a seated audience was well attended; Bradez, Mimi, Obour, Agya Koo Nimo, Morris D’Voice, Kofi B, Bertha offered a helping hand to one of Ghana’s greatest linguist Okyeame Kwame.

After staggering performances from the supporting musicians, Stone of Bradez fame exerted lots of pressure on the shoulders of the ‘Rap Doctor’ but then when he came on stage, he conquered his own show. Watching Stone represent both himself and his brother Kunta Kinte, one thing comes to mind: who the hell says, he’s the fastest rapper in Ghana?

Like ‘I-miss-you-fashion’, the audience welcomed the MTN and Coca Cola brand ambassador on stage. His performance on the night could be described as best in recent times. No wonder, he is called Mr. Versatility.

Kwame started with ‘Masan Aba’, a track he did together with his former partner in the rap duo Akyeame. Slowly, he managed to get the audience involved.

Kwame performed with a live band, in what he describes as ‘hybrid’ presentation. ‘Hybrid’ is a CD playback fused with some live instruments. This presentation is believed to be popular with foreign musicians, though not very popular in Ghana.

Performing with a live band was perhaps surprising to many, notably people who thought hip lifers are only good in miming on stage, GhanaCelebrities.com gathered..

Kwame was able to entertain the crowd for over an hour with his live band presentation. The standing ovation offered to him confirms that, indeed, he is one of the best entertainers in his league.

Even before being ushered unto the stage as the next performer, 5 people out of the thousand had earlier on been invited to the stage to imitate the rap doctor. It came out that, there is only one best rapper alive and that is OKYEAME KWAME.

The Hepatitis B screening is the first exercise from the Okyeame Kwame Foundation (OKF) which was launched earlier this year. The foundation is a non-governmental organization that seeks to counsel, create awareness and screen Hepatitis B.

The tour is sponsored by the biggest telecommunication network in Ghana, MTN. GhanaCelebrities.com is proud to be part of this experience and we are following the tour throughout.

Be on the look out, if you see Okyeame Kwame somewhere near your neighborhood then you know it’s all about ‘OK In Your Zone’.
The tour continues in the following towns …

Jubilee Park, Takoradi on 3rd December, 2010.
Cultural Centre, Sunyani on 11th December, 2010.

Click here to view the pictures of the tour.