GTV Blacklists Sidney

State-owned national television GTV has taken an official decision to blacklist Ghanaian musician Sidney Ofori, known in showbiz circles a Barima Sidney, NEWS-ONE has gathered.

Though GTV has not given an official explanation for this decision, high level sources from station say it is a politically motivated decision from the powers that be within the ruling government.

Since the decision was taken, GTV is on record to have refused to give airtime to the celebrated musician, even when the musician was ready to pay for it.

NEWS-ONE has also confirmed that GTV has turned away three different music videos from Barima Sidney. The said music videos were for Barima’s hit songs, ‘Enkoyie’, ‘Gadindingadem’ and his latest hit ‘Bye-Bye’. All three songs appear to be political satires that talk about the economic hardships of a society in a rather amusing way. They don’t contain anything vulgar, profane, indecent, inciting or insulting. “There is a five-member board that has been set up to ensure anything from Sidney does not get airplay.

His songs are always talking about hardships and it makes the government seem as if they are not working.

If we continue to play such songs, the other parties would benefit and we have realized that because his songs do not have any political colour, they convince more people and in an election year, we should not be seen to be promoting such things that can be used against government,” a deep-throat source on GTV’s board told NEWS-ONE.

‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’ Audition records High Numbers

Running to staging the final show at the National Theatre in December, preparations for the ‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’ has begun in an intense passion.

Dubbed the ‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’, which seeks to combine Theatre, Music and Dance on one stage on one night, organizers kick started with an auditions at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana over the weekend.

In attendance were very enthusiastic people of all ages coming to audition for various roles. Panelist had to make a selection from the over a hundred and fifty dancers, skaters and acrobats who showed up. Those who are chosen will make history together with Okyeame Kwame by performing with him and other artistes on the event night.

Being the first of its kind ever to be staged in the country, the ‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’ boasts of some of the very best pros in the respective industries. The audition panel which comprised of renowned Dance Choreography and lecturer, Prof. Nii Yartey and son, Nii Tete, Kofi Antonio, also a dance tutor and LaTina Rencher (dancer and dance trainer from the US) were highly impressed with the talents that were on display.

Kofi Antonio, the choreographer of the event was elated by the numbers, enthusiasm and sheer talents of those who came to audition. He was full of praise for the dancers who were auditioned and promised to bring out the very best in them for the show so they all make history together by staging the first of such a show in Ghana.

In an interview with Nii Tete, he said he was thrilled at the idea of fusing music, theatre and dance in one show, and was full of praise for the initiator of the concept Okyeame Kwame. “I am impressed with the immense amount talent displayed by the young dancers and acrobats, and I thank them for willing to share their talents with the rest of the world on such a stage”, he said excitedly.

After promising to give out his best, he added that, it is for all Ghanaian arts and music lovers to come to the National Theatre in their numbers on December, 14th to throw their weight behind Okyeame Kwame. “Okyeame Kwame to me represents a generation of young people who want to push the arts and music to its deserved heights and needs everyone’s help”.

The ‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’ comes with a TV reality series which starts airing soon on MultiTV and GHOne. The reality series will chronicle the journey of the event from auditions up to the final show at the National Theatre.

Demo Hits Okay FM

A group calling itself concerned listeners of Okay Fm has threatened to embark on a massive demonstration against the station for its decision to suspend one of its most patronised programmes, ‘Akekakeka’, which is a segment on the Drive Time programme hosted by Abeiku Santana.

The threat came after the host of Drive Time, announced the suspension of ‘Akekakeka’ on the network.

A section of the listeners who were not happy stormed the premises of the station located at Abeka junction to protest against the station’s decision to suspend the programme. The group, yesterday, gave the management of the station a grace period to address their concerns or would be forced to take to the streets of Accra next week.

Beatwaves learnt that the grievances of the group had already been forwarded to the management of the station, who would communicate their final decision to them as soon as possible.

The source at the station told Beatwaves the demonstration would not help the group in any way, since the concerns raised in the petition were being addressed at the management level.

“We have therefore forwarded the group’s petition to the management. We will communicate whatever response they may have as soon as they get back to us”, the source said.

Student Sells Her Virginity For Half A Million Pounds

A BRAZILIAN student has reportedly sold her virginity for almost half a million pounds in an online auction. Catarina Migliorini, 20, was one of two virgins to take part in the auction for an Australian documentary. A Japanese man bid £487,000 to be the first to take her to bed. Catarina said she would use the money to study medicine in Argentina, according to Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo. “I am 20, I am responsible for my body and I am not hurting anyone,” she said. “For me, it’s not prostitution. When someone does something once in his or her life, this is not considered a profession. If you take a picture and it comes out good, you are not a photographer because of it.” Russian lad Alexander Stepanov also sold his virginity on the Virgins Wanted auction, receiving the winning bid of £1,876 from Brazil. The documentary has attracted criticism on its Facebook page with several users voicing concerns over the ethics of the auction. According to the auction’s terms, Catarina will undergo a medical examination to prove she is a virgin and the consummation will take place within the next ten days. The "rules" also ban the use of sex toys, kissing and recording, as well as stipulating a minimum time of one hour. Each virgin will reportedly receive $20,000 as well as 90 percent of their "sale" figure. Catarina was previously said to be taking part to raise money for the poor.

Majid Michel, Zack Orji, And Sam Sarpong Arrive In Toronto For Planet Africa Awards

Big Time

The international players are lined up and in place for the 2012 Diversity and Planet Africa Awards.

Nigerian Actor, Filmmaker, Media Consultant, Singer, Composer, Writer, Motivational Speaker and winner of the Planet Africa Entertainment Award is in Toronto! Also in the city, is recipient of the Rising Star Award, Ghanaian actor and producer Majid Michel. Sam Sarpong

The star studded gala will be hosted by Canada’s own ‘Mr. International’, Kardinal Offishall. British born, Hollywood Actor and Supermodel Sam Sarpong will keep the vibe going for the after party excitement. Call the awards hotline at 647-328-8670 for your tickets!

Some confirmed VIPs for the event include, Chief Bill Blair, Toronto Police Service; Chief Eric Jolliffe, York Regional Police; Her Excellency Amina Ali, African Union Ambassador to the United Nations and TV Hosts; Dwight Drummond and Ann Marie Mediwake.

We have also confirmed Mayors, Senators, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, Consul Generals as well as other VIPs and Celebrities.

E.L Makes Legon Student Go Crazy On Stage

Last Saturday, at the hall week of Saba Hall of University of Ghana gathered great artists from Ghana to torture the entertainment aspect of the week long celebration. Gospel artiste Herty Borngreat, E.L, D-Black, Edem, Kwaw Kesse, Dobble, Dr.Slim and a couple of artistes were there to make sure students enjoyed the weekend after a week long lectures.

E.L who was billed to perform also at Kaalu beach party on Sunday October 21, did not perform that much since he wanted all the students to meet him. Students who attended the show were eager to see E.L perform a whole track of which E.L didn’t want to.

At long last, when that kaalu hitmaker decided to rock students with his hit track, 'Kaalu', a student whose name cant be disclosed, from no where landed on stage dancing as if his head was lost.

When organizers of the show decided to drag him down, E.L signaled them to leave him to do whatever he wanted to do on stage. After the four minute track ended, the student jumped off stage and nobody saw his where about again.

Music Duo ‘Twens’ To Shine At The Ghana DJ Awards

Where there is a gathering of DJs there is good music! The making of good music is no easy thing thus artists who tend to make hit tracks need to be applauded and DJ’s do great justice to that. Every now then, people who have excelled in the industry need acknowledgement and recognition for their exceptional work and that is why “THE DJ AWARDS” is here!

DJs in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa would be representing and would get the turntables blazing in flames as they scratch, spin and do all that they do best to get the beats and tracks banging hot!

Ghana’s own TWENS, the duo Hip Life/ Hip Pop/ R&B group has been spot lighted as been makers of great tunes which DJ’s across the continent love. With the various singles hits such, “Asem Ben Nie ft. Kwabena Kwabena” , “Playas Want [Reloaded]”, “Put Me On Six” and their latest hit “Makuma ft. Coded [4x4]”, they are slated to perform LIVE on the DJ AWARDS stage on Friday 26th October.

CypressGH talking to Merqury Quaye the event organizer was told he has no doubt the duo would crank the event another notch high. Meeting up with TWENS later, Manuel TWENS aka GBESO and Henry TWENS aka NATURE both said, they are fully geared towards shaking the stage and making sure the awards is on pace with great momentum. “We will do what only TWENS know how to do and that is to perform and excite the audience”, Gbeso said.

I’m Envious of D-Black – M3nsa (FOKN Bois)

Lately, there seems to be some kind of friction going on between the gospel musicians FOKN Bois and the self proclaimed hustler of the year rapper D-Black.

Last week, Wanlov the Kubolor alleged that D-Black wrote Sarkodie’s BET cypher verse of which D-Black responded by mocking Wanlov’s infamous manhood.

Days later, the kelewele pimping rapper and half duo of FOKN Bois – M3nsa Ansah has jumped into the hurdle as well.

On Wednesday night, M3nsa declared he is envious of D-Black and literally begging for his help to ‘blow up’.

15 people vet my songs before they are released – Sonnie Badu

Sonnie Badu, one of Africa’s biggest gospel music artistes, has stressed that in his quest to give his fans the best of music, 15 personalities, from various parts of the world, constantly vet each song he records before they are released.

The artiste boasts of several international awards including both the Trailblazer Award and Album of the Year award at the 3rd Africa Music Awards, and was the first African to perform at both the Wembley Stadium and the Wembley Arena in London.

He told Myjoyonline.com in an interview that the route to attaining success in his musical career is to write good songs and also get mentors to guide him. He however stressed that, the most important ingredient for him is “humility.”

Sonnie Badu advised upcoming musicians: “If you are writing a song and it is not good and someone tells you it doesn’t sound good just change it. Before I release one song, I have 15 people that I send it to. The moment they tell me this is not good, I take it out or if they say yes, then it is good.”

The Baba singer said he never gets offended whenever the 15 personalities reject his song and he sometimes weighs the number who are for or against the song before he decides what to do.

Sonnie Badu, is set to rock the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre on December 1, 2012 in a concert dubbed, Sonnie Badu Concert. Several renowned local and international gospel acts will also support the concert.

Being his fourth concert in Ghana, “It will be one of the best shows Ghana has ever experienced. It is going to be a different gospel show. I promise Ghana that the Heavens will kiss the earth.”

Fetish Priestess Curses Castro

The health condition of Hiplife artiste Castro De Destroyer real name Theophilus Tetteh has been in the media for a couple of days now since Television hostess Baby Dapaah mentioned last Saturday on her “Hot Gossip” programme aired on TV3 that Castro is seriously sick, he can’t walk and that his health condition is getting worse by the day.

This some section of the media has interpreted as spiritual and linked it to an issue that came up in the media that Castro has refused to fulfill a promise he made to a so called fetish woman after she helped him spiritually to make his album a hit.

There are rumors all over the media that Castro has been attacked by illness as a result of the fetish woman who cursed him on Okay FM few months ago when she was interviewed.

It will be recalled that sometime this year, one fetish priestess appeared on Okay FM claiming that Castro has ignored a sacrifice he had to do for her after helping him come out with his hit song ‘African Girls’ which featured soccer superstar Asamoah Gyan.

An allegation Castro denied blatantly and laughed over labeling it as false and lacking facts and substance on rumor mongering segment “Akekakeka” on Okay FM’s “Ekwanso dwodwo” drive time program. Some months after the accusation and the denial, fans of Asamoah Gyan’s (Black Stars Striker) crony Castro has been rumored to be suffering from an ailment which is almost paralyzing him.

Though different people have been making many assertions on the issue, manager for DJ Amess told Peacefmonline.com this morning that Castro is not under any curse as its being rumored around town.

‘Where are all these rumors coming from I don’t understand why some people will decide to fuel this allegation because Castro is alright nobody has cursed him”.

However, his manager confirmed that Castro injured his foot in Ghana few weeks ago but he failed to treat it well and travelled abroad with it where he suffered another injury on the same foot. According to DJ Amess, his condition got very serious to the extent that he couldn’t walk as some point but he is getting better. “I can say as a matter of fact that he is currently receiving traditional treatment in Takoradi”.

Amess explained further to Peacefmonline that he was sent to Takoradi because he was still busy trying to go through his everyday schedule like; going to the studio to record, granting interviews among other things as though nothing was wrong with him which was delaying his recovery. “So we decided to take him to Takoradi where his family lives for him to be able to take some time off the public eye, spend more time with family, relax and recover fast”.

He assured fans of Castro not to be alarmed because he can now walk and go about his daily activities. Amess promised that Ghanaians should expect the biggest come back from Castro with yet another chart topping hit album very soon.