BISMARK ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday 4 December 2013

SONNIE BADU IS A LIAR - EDITOR OF 'NEWS ONE'

The Editor of 'News One' newspaper has described renowned gospel artist Sonnie Badu as a liar for denying it was his (Sonnie Badu’s) voice on a recording where the artist is alleged to have stated that a lot of Ghanaian gospel musicians sing "nonsense" and call it gospel.

Halifax Ansah in an interview with Braa Chef on Brunch2lunch, the mid-morning show on Radio Univers on Tuesday described Sonnie Badu as someone with a lying personality if he (Sonnie Badu) was insisting that he never made statements that implied that many Ghanaian gospel songs do not make sense.

According to Mr. Ansah, Sonnie Badu made those comments at a press conference he organised some two years ago. He went on to add that if the story he had published wasn't true, “why would he (Sonnie Badu) send two people to come plead with me to stop running the story?”

According to the editor of the newspaper, one gospel artist and a movie personality came pleading with him to stop running the story since it was destroying the internationally acclaimed gospel singer's reputation.

In his quest to corroborate his earlier words in the said interview, Halifax said “sometimes certain people just want to force us to say things we don't want to say. He said he was going to have a press conference today, ask him why he has still not been able to have it. He should be explaining to people why certain artists pulled out of the concert.

He should explain why the likes of Cwesi Oteng and Ohemaa Mercy pulled out of his show at the very last minute, look, he shouldn't force some of us to say things.”

The editor of the newspaper was reacting to a social media post by gospel artist Sonnie Badu which described a story published by News One as falsehood.

Below are some excerpts of Sonnie Badu's quotes on social media

"It's been drawn to our attention that there is a news circulation that I said this and that about Ghanaian gospel artistes. Well, first of all I am a big fan of Ghana gospel music and I would never say such a thing …" he said.

The renowned gospel musician continued, "It's quite sad that upon the victory God gave us all on Saturday, someone tries to destroy what God is doing. It's sad that in your own country instead of people appreciating your efforts they are doing all they can to destroy what God is doing."

Sonnie Badu clarified that, "Once again I am a big fan of Ghana gospel music and I will continue in my own little way to let the world know about this beautiful country."

In response to the newspaper's publication, the artiste said "The sad thing is that the newspaper that released that false news was media partners who were paid to talk about the show. Still I say thank you to them for all their support but it's my cross and I will carry it. Kwame Nkrumah was never appreciated by his own until he died.”

AMAKYI DEDE MEETS SAMINI ON DECEMBER 13 AT “BLACK AND WHITE” CONCERT

Event factory one of the biggest event organizers in the country has put togetherone of the most exciting and well thought out show ever to be organized in the country themed the “The Black And White”.

The event whose maiden edition scheduled for Friday, the 13th of December will host a couple of the biggest performances and entertainers in the country from the hi-life and hip- life genres in the showbiz industry.

Unlike any other event which would host a particular genre of musicians or a particular generation taste of musicians only for an event, the Black and White event is designed to host a blend of musical legends and best performers from the eighties and the current stars across both genres (hi life and hip-life) of contemporary Ghanaian music come December 13th 2013, will cater for every individual who will make his way to the Black and White concert.

Speaking to the event organizers, Event Factory, about the concert, they stated that; “The black and white concert is an event designed to entertain lovers of both the old and the current music and also cut across different parameters.

Secondly, Highlife meets hip- life is the sub title of this event and it’s to determine whether the current genre of music has come to take over from the older generation of music. It against this background that we intend to put together thebest of the old school against the best of new school.

Finally and most importantly we want patrons to enjoy both genre of music and to show the immortality of good music. We are giving a whole new and different experience to events in Ghana.

Currently as one can see all over town, there is solid confirmation on the artists who will be mounting the stage to represent their generation. Representing the old generation Hi- life genre, Doctor Paa bobo and George jarra will be led multiple by award winning and honored living legend Amakye Dede.

The new generation’s corner will be represented by Guru, Castro and these will be led by the reaffirmed king of dancehall, Samini. No matter who represent what the night of the event, One thing is guaranteed,the show is going to be one of the best shows to be organized in Ghana.

TAGOE SISTERS PROMISE A SPECIAL HOLY GHOST ENCOUNTER AT MOGO 2013

Ghana’s evergreen gospel music duo, the Tagoe Sisters, is promising an ethereal experience at this year’s Citi FM MOGO 2013 concert.

The sisters, known for hits like ‘Fire of Favor’, ‘Anka m’atete’ and ‘Yeredi nkunim’, told Jessica Opare Saforo on the Brunch in the Citi that they will spread the good tidings of the Holy Spirit with patrons at MOGO 2013.

“We are inviting everybody to MOGO 2013 on Friday the 6th at the National Theatre, 7pm. On that day, wonders will happen, the heavens will open up and blessings shall flow to everybody present.”

Thirty-three years after hitting the gospel trail, the Tagoe Sisters have not looked back and they continue to share their experiences with people all over the world who are affected by their music in different ways. Friday’s show will be a night to remember with the inspirational gospel duo.

The MOGO concert seeks to ‘celebrate the past and inspire the future.’ Other musicians billed to perform on the night include Kwabena Kwabena, K.K. Fosu, Okyeame Kwame, Sherifa Gunu, Kwaisey Pee, Awurama Badu, Samuel Owusu and the Ohia Be Ye Ya Band.

Tickets are available at Citi FM, Hotel JoeCarl in Tema and Silverbird Cinema, Accra Mall. Patrons can also reserve tickets by calling 030 222 6171.

SARKODIE SHOOTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO IN SOUTH AFRICA

Africa’s finest MC and multiple award winning artist, Sarkodie, yesterday shot his latest music video in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The video is for his track Pon Da Thing, which will be the 4th single to be released off his upcoming album, Sarkology, due for release on December 25, 2013.

Pon Da Thing features the renowned Banky W and is being directed by acclaimed, award winning director, Sesan, who shot D’Banj’s Oliver Twist, Sarkodie’s Bounce and Wande Coal’s The Kick music videos among others.

“I’m very excited about this video shoot and song. It’s a long overdue collaboration between my good friend, Banky W and I”, says Sarkodie.

The track and video will be released in two weeks’ time, just ahead of the launch of Sarkology.

“Sesan is an amazing director with great creative intuition so everyone can expect a mind blowing video” adds Samuel Forson, Sarkodie’s manager.

NINE YEARS ON; STELLA DAMASUS PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE HUSBAND

Wow! It's amazing how time flies. It's been nine years since you left us and it still feels like yesterday. I guess it's because I remember too many things and feel all the emotions like they just happened.

I woke up this morning with thoughts and visions of you, wondering what you could be doing right now and the number of new friends and angels you would be chatting with now.

You were always the man of the people, who loved to put smiles on faces, especially mine. I also wondered what and who you would expect me to be now. I wondered if I have done justice to at least a huge portion of all the plans we had together.

Before I got out of bed I wanted to make sure that wherever you are, there would still be a smile on your face when you see how far I have gone.

I nodded my head, smiled and got up because I knew that God heard us those nights we held hands and prayed together, asking for his help in accomplishing what we set out to do, especially in the lives of our children Isabel and Angelica.

He has done great things in our lives and has continued to be there for us. Jaiye, your girls miss you so much and I have made sure that whenever they hear any of your songs, they know it's you because that voice has remained in their hearts.

Isabel still tells me how she knows that her shoe size came from you and Angelica insists that her height has nothing to do with me but owes it to you. Above all they know and will always know what a wonderful and loving father you were. Nothing will ever change that no matter what.

As I always say "time does not heal wounds, it only makes the load and pain lighter. Only God can heal wounds".

Today I am writing this letter to you and I am not crying, instead I am smiling because in my heart I know you are in the best place ever, where your laughter will resonate.

I miss you so much my love and I know that when the time comes I will see you again. Okay, let me go and face the world now. You are so lucky because you no longer have to deal with all the hate, gossip, backbiting, deception, oppression, sickness, war, accidents, disasters, robbery and all the other things the rest of us have to deal with.

Rest in the arms of The Lord JAY.

Let me go and continue with all the negativity the world brings. My happiness is that I am not going alone, my God is with me all the way.
 

GHANA MOVIE AWARDS 2013 NOMINEES LIST OUT DECEMBER 14

Ghollywood Production (GP) Limited, organizers of the Ghana Movie Awards on Tuesday December 3, launched the fourth edition of the event at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra.

The main event is scheduled for Monday, December 30th , 2013 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Present at the launch were the Minister for Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts- Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare; Mr. Steve Asare Hackman, President of Film Producers Association, plus a host of celebrities including John Dumelo, Sonnie Badu, James Gadner, Ekow Smith Jnr., Vivian Achor, Eddie Nartey, etc.

Addressing the media on what would be new at Ghana Movie Awards 2013, General Manager of the Company, Prince Tsegah, said: “We are promising nothing but a very entertaining and concise four-hour-package, which would start at 8pm prompt; irrespective of the number of people present in the hall at 8pm on December 30th This year, the Academy system has replaced the Jury System which has been used for the Nomination/Voting process since the inception of the awards show four years ago.

According to the organisers, a panel made up of 50 key industry people shall form the Nominations and Voting Academy. Different wings of the Academy shall determine the nominees in their respective categories.

However, all voting members can vote for best picture nominees. Members from each wing vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories — actors nominate actors, for example, while film editors nominate film editors, each member selecting up to five nominees.

For the special awards and African categories, more than one wing screening committees vote on the nominees. Special screening by the Academy would be at Silverbird Cinemas; meanwhile each member would
later vote secretly and post their sheets directly to the event statisticians, Deloitte & Touche for accounting.

Also, according to the organisers, the 2013 Ghana Movie Awards is dedicated to the memory of Ghanaian writer, poet and film maker, the late Kofi Awoonor (13 March 1935 – 21 September 2013), for his contribution to the industry.

In her keynote Address, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare who endorsed the event, said: “Ghana Movie Awards has soon become the biggest annual event in the film industry, where the entire industry looks forward to.”

She continued: “It is my expectation that events like this would help encourage businessmen to invest into the industry, in addition to the advocacy for Government’s assistance and policies to court film studios to come to this country for productions; which would further open up the landscapes and create jobs for local film crews”

The Minister hinted that she had already constituted a committee that is drafting a legal and regulatory framework for the creative arts industry.“Also my Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Information and Media Relations, and Industry stakeholders to ensure that the Draft Cinematography and Film Bill is passed into Law”, she hinted.

President of the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), Mr. Steve Asare Hackman, used the opportunity to hint about plans he has for FIPAG, and its affiliation with Ghana Movie Awards.

The final list of Nominees will be released at MAG Nominee Party 2013 at Golden Tulip on December 14, 2013. To enable them cover the event, the media have been urged to apply for accreditation between December 5th and December 15th , via this e-mail: entertaingh@live.com (Entertain GH Ltd, Media Agency for the MAGS) Limited advance tickets for the December 30th big showdown would be available from December 15, 2013.

Meanwhile, courtesy of the Ghana Movie Awards Foundation, a percentage of the proceeds from the main event would go to support “Kwabena Kwabena Save a Heart” campaign.

JOHN DUMELO, RAMSEY NOAH OTHERS STORM SIERRA LEONE FOR ZAINAB'S MOVIE PREMIERE

John Dumelo, Ramsey Noah, Yemi Blaq,Jame Gardiner, Maria Kekurah, Nasser Ayoub, Jimmy B, Barbz and friends from Big Brother Africa Stargame have confirmed to hit the red carpet this Thursday (5th /12/2014) at 7pm for the premiere of Zainab’s first produced movie, “Ghetto Queen”.

On Thursday, Zedzee production will set another record in Sierra Leone, “the first producer to host a grand premiere (VVIP) on her first movie attempt.”

Taking place in an open space near the poolside of Bintumani Hotel, Freetown, the movie is said to start at 9pm. Dignitaries will grace the occasion whilst K. Man and Vida will perform at the after party.

Set for only 50 persons on a special invitation, the movie will soon be in the cinemas for all to see and to be a part of the grand premiere contact: 088538793 or +233 261 328 443 for the premiere right in Ghana.