DIRECTING LIL WIN WAS FUN & EASIER THAN I THOUGHT

Ghanaian actor, Eddie Nartey confirmed reports that he directed a movie which featured popular actors, Lil Win and Majid Michel.

The movie titled Could This Be Love also starred Nana Ama McBrown, Gloria Sarfo, Doris Sackitey and Fred Amugi. It made headlines recently when word went round that Lil Win and Majid acted together in a movie.

According to Eddie, it was a great experience: “Acting is quite flexible. With acting, you are dealing with a character as in the one you are playing and relating to others. When you are able to get the character right, everything else becomes simple for you.

But with directing, you are dealing with every actor in the movie be it a major character or an extra. You are also dealing with the technicalities, calling for shots and making sure you execute every scene correctly. I bet you directing isn’t children work (laughs). Why do we watch movies with great actors in it and yet still say it’s not a good movie? If you ask me, directing is far difficult than acting,” he explained.

Eddie said he found it pretty easy directing Lil Win, though there were speculations that he had problems directing him because of claims that ‘local Twi actors don’t use scripts when acting’.

“Well, they do act with script. But of course it’s written in English so they summarise it and boom they are on. Initially I wanted him to go line by line but I realized it was getting difficult, so I explained to him the salient points I wanted. I must say Lil Win is very creative. He understands the job. All he needs is a good explanation of the scene and he will execute it for you. Initially I didn’t understand his style but after a couple of scenes it was easy directing him,” Eddie told NEWS-ONE.

The new movie will be premiering at the Miklin Hotel in Kumasi on February 1, 2014 and on February 2 at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST).

I’M NOT CONTROVERSIAL - ATUMPAN

Perhaps it is just as well that Afro Pop musician Atumpan has left the classroom to concentrate on his music career. The graduate teacher who used to teach at a senoir high school in Accra, has been generating controversies with every new song he releases.

In 2010, he came up with The Thing and then a year after, he dropped Sisi Mu Den and just recently, he has been out with Nyash. Besides the risque titles each of the songs presents, the lyrics also raise eyebrows.

Still Atumpan denies that he is controversial.

In an interview with Showbiz from his UK base, Atumpan said that contrary to the belief that he likes to be controversial in his songs, he is only committed to educating society about relevant issues that have been disregarded.

He said since artistes love to talk about different themes like love, family and other ills of society, he sees nothing wrong when he composes songs which carry “undertones of sex”.

“I am not controversial and I don’t know why people are hypocritical when the topic of sex comes up. We all agree that it is a very important aspect of life so why shield it?

“This is my contribution to the society. Besides, we can’t all preach about love and the ills of society. We all have different ways of expressing our feelings and passion and mine is to talk about women.

Giving his own definition of “Nyash”, Atumpan said NYASH represents the acronym of the qualities he wants to find in his woman which are Natural, Youthful, Adorable, Sexy and Humble.

“If you take a good listening to the song, you would notice that I am singing the praises of the qualities that I want in my woman to make her stand out among the lot. I want my woman to have a big NYASH and that is what I am telling the world. What is controversial about this?”

Atumpan, real name, Frank Elikem Cobbinah he, burst onto the music scene with his hit single The Thing which drew a lot of criticisms when he once labelled it as a gospel song.

Currently living in the UK, Atumpan said he had to take a break from the teaching field to concentrate on his music career.

For him, being in a limelight at a time when he was in the classroom endeared him to many of the students because they were privileged to have a celebrity as their teacher and “was a different ball game when in the classroom”.

He said that even though there was the tendency to bring his showbiz “elements” in the classroom sometimes, he was always cautious of the academic environment he found himself and never disregarded his commitment that he was nurturing future leaders of the nation who needed to be instilled with discipline and moral lessons.

He said he will be back home by mid-year to take a “glorious position” on the music radar after the release of his second album.

EMELIA BROBBEY DONATES TO THE NEEDY

Visibly excited actress Emelia Brobbey put smiles on the faces of these children by donating food items worth GH¢ 1,500 to the Rema Ghana Rehabilitation Centre at Patasi in Kumasi.

The items included boxes of Indomie, drinks and biscuits among others. All the 50 children at the centre were also treated to pastries and soft drinks.

The donation was made under her Emelia Brobbey Foundation which has been in existence for the past two years and seeks to support the needy in society.

Emelia won two awards at the recently held Kumawood Awards, the Best Twi/English actress and Best Actress in a Supporting role for the movie, Madamfo. She is currently putting finishing touches to her second movie under her End Time Productions.

For someone who faced challenges last year, one would say that Emelia is not doing badly for herself at all, “It is not every actor who can bounce back after all the humiliation but I am doing better than before,” she told Showbiz.­

EFYA SET TO UNVEIL NEW SINGLE “FORGETTING ME" WITH MINI CONCERT

Multiple award-winning Afro Neo Soul singer Efya’s debut album “Love Genesis” slated for a February 2014 release is about to get a follow-up to her 2013 promo single “Life”, entitled “Forgetting Me”.

Set to be released on Saturday 11th of January 2014, “Forgetting Me” is a powerful ballad that tells the story of love and heartbreak. The ascending singer-songwriter delivers every note with precision and passion and the song marks the culmination of personal and professional growth for Efya as she continues to demonstrate her musical aptitude.

The single as well as the forthcoming studio album “Love Genesis” follow the successful release of her recently digitally released mixtape (This Is Not The Album), a collection of all the hits she had released over the years as well as the songs which did not make the final cut of her debut album.

To celebrate the launch of the debut album, Efya will embark on a nationwide tour subsequently followed by an international one. For tour dates and the latest on EFYA news, please visit us at www.efyasworld.com

EIGHT (8 ) KNOWN GHANAIAN FACES WHO LEARNT THE LAW THE HARD WAY

Celebrities do get into trouble at times. As vulnerable as some are, and as troublesome as others come, security authorities are quick in dealing with them, as and when they are found culpable, making nonsense of their sometimes demi-god status.

Enewsgh.com takes a look at some known Ghanaian faces who got entangled with the law.


*Goodies of Goodies Music

Then CEO of Goodies Production, Isaac Abeiku Aidoo, popularly known as Goodies, is still serving a 13-year sentence. He was arrested on April 23, 2008, at the Kotoka International Airport, for possessing some 80 pellets of a substance believed to be cocaine.

Upon arrest, he denied any wrongdoing, and even requested that an X-ray examination be conducted on him to ascertain the truth or otherwise.

In his prime, Mr. Aidoo, produced albums for Lord Kenya, Tic Tac, VIP, Sydney, Nana Kwame, Mzbel, others. He also worked on collaborative projects with Nigeria’s 2Face and Tony Tetuila.



*Mzbel

The mother of one, together with two others, Emmanuel Edem Nordzor, a student, and Maxwell Mensah, a driver, were remanded for five days in police custody by the Accra Motor Court for a traffic related offence.

The musician and two others were said to have deliberately run their Mitsubishi 4×4 vehicle with registration number GR 9470-11 into the policeman who fell on the bonnet of the vehicle.

They then sped off and drove for a distance, with the policeman still hooked dangerously on the bonnet. All three were processed for court, and subsequently granted bail.


*Confidence Haugen

The Aphrodisiac Nite Club owner, Confidence Haugen, in September 2012 launched her fashion line which had the letter “K” with a butterfly as logo.

But Ghanaian designer Makeba Boateng who owns Keba Clothing, sued Confidence for infringing on her intellectual property claiming she (Makeba) created, actively used and popularized the same logo from 2002. The court placed a restraining order on Confidence, preventing her from further using it.


*Deeba

Known in real life as Acheampong Deeba, he shot to fame in the early years of Hiplife, with a hit single “Deeba” but stayed irrelevant years after.

News of his alleged defilement of his stepdaughter, who is now 13 years (from age 8), came as a real surprise to many people. He has since July 17, 2013, been extradited to the United Kingdom, to face five counts of defilement and assault.


*Sima (Exopa)

Owner of the Exopa Modelling Agency, Sima was arrested at the Kotoka international Airport after a tip off on September 2009. A thorough search revealed a hidden compartment inside four tubers of yam, where a substance believed to be cocaine was found. The cocaine was said to weigh about 5kg.

An Accra Fast Track High Court on Thursday, 3 March sentenced Sima to a fifteen-year jail term after finding him guilty of drug trafficking offence. His incarceration came few years after he was constantly hailed as that one person, who could offer the Ghanaian modelling world, the much needed lifeline. He successfully held the Exopa Fashion Week which hosted Hollywood actor, Boris Kodjoe.



Wanlov the Kubolor

In June 2013, Romanian police approached Wanlov and asked for his Identification card which he did not have on him. He was later detained. “Because I was not wearing any footwear, the police stopped and asked of my ID.

“At that moment I wasn’t having my ID on me so the police decided to crosscheck my name from their computer”. “The other policemen insisted they arrest me not only because of the ID but also because they had also received complaint from a lady that I was displaying my penis indecently on the streets. “After I asked them to provide the woman who lodged the complaint, the inspector came out from his office and asked that they release me immediately.”


*Shaka Zulu

Then a 30-year old popular night club bouncer, Shaka Zulu, known in real life as Richard Cobinna, was arrested by the police in connection with an alleged arm robbery. Seven months after his arrest, he was formally charged before the court, together with three accomplices.

The prosecution said the four accused persons acted together to rob a Nigerian businessman and his colleagues at their residence at Batsona and made away with five laptop computers, a wrist watch valued at GH¢200 and cash of GH¢150,000.

The accused persons bolted but the complainant and his colleagues pursued them and arrested Owusu who led them to arrest Shaka Zulu. He is currently languishing in jail.


*Agya Koo

Media reports indicated that some 12 more people made reports to the police Agya Koo has defrauded each of them of an amount of $1,850 with a promise of securing them US visas.

The actor is alleged to have taken a non-refundable fee of $850 for ‘registration’ and a refundable amount of $1,000 from his victims in order to help them acquire the visas. But that never materialised. He was arrested and later granted bail after paying back the monies.



*Emelia Brobbey

Emelia Brobbey spent the months of June and July 2013, explaining why she is not a thief. After news of her being arrested in the United Kingdom for shoplifting went viral, she spent the next few months pleading her innocence.

The "Piercings" shoplifting saga, left a sour taste in her mouth and that of close associates. She’s denied any wrongdoing.

NANA BOROO’S MANAGEMENT ISSUES STATEMENT

Following management meeting on Tuesday the 7th of January we have decided to let the general public and Ghanaians know the whole truth about the recent events involving Nana Boroo.

Nana Boroo and I (manager) met with investors in Canada back in October 2013, which led to further meetings in America most recently. This past Sunday, whiles heading back to the hotel, there was in fact a slight accident due to the heavy snow storm. However, what was reported was never investigated nor cross checked by the media before being portrayed as such.

As you all know, Nana Boroo is a very private person and the malaria ambassador of Ghana, a post he has maintained till date which has previously been held by the Black Stars of Ghana and the former President Jerry John Rawlings. Hence we don’t need such negative publicity as been portrayed by sections of the media.

When the news broke up of this reporting the media house did not reach out to family or management as they claim, yet went ahead fabricating and blowing the story way out of proportion.

In the haste of pushing an agenda and being the first to report, this has caused unnecessary damage to the artiste, his image and most importantly his family; which is why we have decided to let the good people of Ghana and our fans worldwide to know what really transpired.

I’m very glad to let the world know that Nana Boroo is in good health and want to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers. He will be back soon to do what he does best on the MIC.

Thank you, may the good Lord bless us all.

DADDY LUMBA, ABRANTIE TO ROCK KUMASI ON VALENTINE'S DAY

ACE highlife music icons, Abrantie Amakye Dede, and Daddy Lumba have announced that preparations are far advanced for their impending musical concert slated to take place on Valentine’s Day, February 14 at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

The two seasoned musicians whose stage performances have attracted a large following have promised to give out their best at the musical concert dubbed ‘Chocolate Nite with Daddy Lumba and Abrantie Amakye Dede’.

The musicians who have also promised to thrill fans to their satisfaction stressed that the event was going to be the biggest and most authentic highlife musical concert which would also bring together, families, friends and lovers of highlife to celebrate Ghanaian live band music.

This is an opportunity for music fans based in the Ashanti Region who missed the live performances of these artistes to witness another historic live music concert.

BEATWAVES was reliably informed that Daddy Lumba and Abrantie Amakye Dede who are billed to perform alongside some selected stars are excited about the concert and were getting set to go ‘butubutu’ and maintain their status as the best creative music icons and best stage performers in Ghana today.

A source close to Daddy Lumba hinted that he had promised to perform most of his hit songs which include ‘Theresa’, ‘Obi Ato Meso Buor’, ‘Aban Nsa Aka Wo’, ‘Eye Sika Asem’, ‘Aben Wo Ha’, ‘Ebi Se Eye Aduro’, ‘Wo Ho Kyere’, ‘Aben Wo Ha’, ‘Adepa Hye Adepa’, ‘Poison’, ‘Ofie Banbofo’, ‘Mato Odo Mu’, ‘Bubra’, among others.

In an interview with BEATWAVES, Abrantie Amakye Dede disclosed that the live concert, which would be the biggest Highlife get-together in decades, would be a night of fun and glamour for music fans who would troop to the Kummasi Sports Stadium on Friday February 14 to watch them live on stage.

The Iron Boy told 'Beatwaves' that he and Daddy Lumba would give music fans a surprise package and an extraordinary performance on the night.

“Amakye Dede is always Amakye Dede but this time around we are going to go beyond what we are. We are going to do something different, something extraordinary; something ‘serious’ so they should come and they will not regret,” he said.

He said he and Lumba were relying on God to give Ghanaians an unforgettable experience; one for their money’s worth, adding that they would take everybody by surprise on February 14 and the show would be unique.

The event, which according to the organizers, would be a night filled with live band music in a bid to promote and preserve the culture of Ghanaian music, would treat fans to an unforgettable night of spectacular performances.

The two successful Ghana highlife musicians, who have carved a niche for themselves in the Ghanaian music scene, have also confirmed their plans to embark on a nationwide tour to entertain their fans and also raise funds to assist the needy in society.

According to the two icons, they would perform in all the 10 regional capitals alongside some selected Ghanaian hiplife and highlife musicians and use some of the proceeds to support some educational institutions in the country.

The two musicians at a meeting reaffirmed their commitment to education with a promise to assist some educational institutions in the country with musical instruments and other items to help students who want to study Music.

MARRIAGE SCARES ME... I RAN FROM A PROPOSAL TWO YEARS AGO - TV3'S NANA ABA ANAMOAH

Host of popular TV program Divas Show and newscaster with TV3 Nana Aba Anamaoh has dropped a bombshell in a special Twitter interview arranged by Graphic Showbiz columnist and entertainment blogger Francis Doku on Friday January 10th 2013.

In a special Twitterview session that sought to find more about the presenter, her work, family and other interests, Francis Doku got served with exactly what he sought for as he asked if the presenter was dating and had plans of marriage.

Answering in the affirmative, the beautiful Manchester United fanatic disclosed she was dating although she would not disclose the partner.

She however made a shocking revelation as she disclosed she was scared of marriage although she would love to have more children. “Marriage scares me. I run from a marriage proposal two years ago. I guess i’m not ready… plus marriage is not for everyone.”