“I ONLY INVITED HER FOR MY VIDEO AND HOSTED HER” – FLAVOUR DEBUNKS DATING BBA DILLISH

Popular act, Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli, widely known as Flavour Nabania, has had his own share of many controversial stories of him being in a relationship with BBA winner Dillish who he used for his latest music video. Few weeks back reports went viral that Dillish has dumped her long time lover for Flavour, which has left tongues wagging.

According to reports online, BBA 2013 winner, Dillish appeared in Flavour’s Ikworikwo video last year but that was strictly professional. Flavour even paid for her appearance. Then they became friends. It was alleged that after she broke up with her boyfriend, she came for a movie in Port Harcourt. Afterwards, she came to Lagos, on a visit and had dinner with Flavour. Then she spent the night in his house at Chevron Estate, Lekki, Lagos, which he bought in November 2013. Thus, a secret affair emanated. Few days ago, a picture of both alleged lovers surfaced online which fuelled the rumour of their sexcapades.

The music artiste has finally out to debunk the widespread reports that he was having an amorous affair with BBA 2013 winner, Dillish. The Adanma crooner also debunked the insinuation that suggestive pictures in circulation was taken after their sexcapades in his Lekki, Lagos apartment.

In a chat with Encomium Weekly, the Glo ambassador, through his right hand man, Onucheyo Nasir a.k.a Nash said it’s just a professional picture and that there is no affair between them for now.

“For now there is nothing between us. She featured in my video and I went to pick her at the airport and also hosted her. That’s it. I wonder why they are spreading the falsehood all over the net. We are not kids and if there is something between us why hide it? It’s strictly professional for now.” 

SARKODIE REVEALS THAT KONVICT DEAL WOULD HAVE RESTRICTED HIS CREATIVITY

When Akon was in Ghana for the first time some years ago, news went viral that he had signed Sarkodie after he left the shores of the country.

There were many videos out there which saw Konvict Muzik manager and Sarkodie in talks so we all thought that was the deal until Akon cleared the air on that issue last year when he was Ghana for the second time for the Guinness Big Eruption Concert.

According to the Konvict Muzik boss, Sarkodie was not signed on his record label. Sarkodie has now explained why the deal wasn’t able to go through and it’s reported by one media house.

On Sunday evening’s episode of ‘Hanging With KOD’, Sarkodie gave more details on his deal with Akon’s Konvict Music which couldn’t pull through. Although without giving specifics, it was clear that Sarkodie wasn’t sure that Konvict had a plan for him. He said the deal was more about dwelling on the status of Akon to assure him of ‘making it internationally’ rather than having a clear-cut plan.

According to Sarkodie, he was born a leader, and wanted to be responsible for the direction of his career. He advised his fellow artists not to get carried away by the hype, explaining that the Konvict deal would have restricted him creatively and held back his fan base and ‘movement’ which was growing rapidly because the label could say he shouldn’t release any music in two years.

‘I had to be loyal to the movement’, he said. He also talked about having a meeting with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation hinting that, that meeting was more of the kind he wanted because it came as a result of them seeing his fan base, twitter following, YouTube views and more; and the Roc Nation respected him for that.

GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT GHANA’S NOMINEES IN THE UPCOMING AMVC AWARDS

The AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards is almost here and here is a look at some of Ghanaians who are up for laurels this year.

Shirley Frimpong Manso: Shirley Frimpong Manso is a Ghanaian movie producer/writer/director emerging as the biggest force to reckon with in terms of quality African movies. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Sparrow Productions and a former radio personality. By far one of the most talented and highly ambitious young women in Ghana today, Shirley seeks to raise the standard of film production in Ghana and Africa by telling progressive African stories as seen through the eyes of Africans. Shirley gave birth to a lovely baby boy in March 2010. Shirley is a graduate of the National Film and Television Institute and attended Mfantsiman Girls Secondary School in the Central Region where she obtained her “A” level certificate. Some of the movies produced by Shirley include ‘Perfect Picture’, ‘Sting In A Tale’, ‘Life And Living It’ and ‘Scorned’.

Yvonne Okoro: Born Yvonne Chinyere Okereke Okoro to a Nigerian father and a Ghanaian mother, she is without doubt, one of the finest actresses around. She is the first child of her mother, and the fifth born of all siblings from both parents. Yvonne attended Achimota Preparatory School, then the Lincoln Community School before enrolling at Mfanstiman Girls Senior High School. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Linguistics from the University of Ghana, Legon and also studied French Civilisation and Culture as well as Drama and Marketing at the Universite’ De Nantes in France. Since her debut movie eight years ago, she continues to win the heart of movie lovers across the continent. She considers movies not only as a source of entertainment but rather a platform to educate and inform people of the various societal issues that could develop the society. She has featured in several movies including Beyonce, Beyonce 2, The Return Of Beyonce, The Return Of Beyonce 2; The President’s Daughter; The President’s Daughter 2; Play, 4Play Reloaded, Desperate To Survive, The Game, Agony Of Christ, Royal Battle, Queen Of Dreams and ‘Le Hotelier’ a French production.

Jackie Appiah: Jackie Agyemang (maiden name Appiah) was born 5th December 5 1983 and the last of five children. She spent her early childhood in Canada before moving to Ghana with her mother at age 10. Jackie’s rise to fame became after playing the role of Enyonam Blagogee, in the hit series ‘Things We Do For Love’ written by Edward Seddoh Junior. She was later featured in other productions such as ‘Tentacles’, ‘Games People Play’ and many other TV series. After her exceptional performance in ‘Mummy’s Daughter’, a film by Venus Films which chronicles the story of the Bartels Family where she played the role of Princess, the daughter, she became the one of the most sought after. She has been featured in several roles in different movies some of which are ‘The Heart of Men’, ‘Run Baby Run’, ‘Beyoncé – The President Daughter’, ‘The Return of Beyoncé’, ‘Mummy’s Daughter’, ‘The Love Doctor’, ‘Royal Battle’, ‘Princess Tyra’, ‘I Hate Women’, ‘Fake Feelings’, ‘Wind of Love’, and others.

Chris Attoh: Christopher Nii Attoh is a television show host, actor and a master of ceremonies (MC) popularly referred to as Chris Attoh. The multi- talented TV personality has steadily risen into stardom to become one of the finest actors Africa can boost of. Chris describes himself as a young entrepreneur, whose key objective is to continually strive to raise the flag of Ghana high. He started as a National Service personnel at Groove FM then moved to Choice FM and was later poached by Metropolitan TV, popularly known as Metro TV, where he hosted the show dubbed “Links”. He also hosted few episodes of Smash TV and GTV’s then popularly show, “Show Time”. Chris Attoh attended Achimota High School and did his Sixth form at the Accra Academy School. He later went to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where he read painting before moving to London to study Banking and Security. In London, he presented a show called “One touch” on OBE TV. Aside hosting TV productions: ‘Stars of the Future’ and ‘Rhythms’, Chris has also starred in M- Net’s production, Tinsel, which is the first multi camera soap to be done in West Africa, specifically Nigeria. He starred in Shirley Frimpong – Manso’s ¬‘Life and Living It’, which was his first Ghanaian feature movie, came along. ‘Scorned’, was his second production and was followed by ‘The Perfect Picture’ which broke box office records in Ghana.

Majid Michel: Majid was born in Cantonments, a suburb of the Ghanaian capital Accra. The son of a Lebanese father and a Ghanaian mother, Majid grew up in Accra with his nine siblings. He attended St. Theresa’s Primary School, and later, the Mfantsipim School. In secondary school, Majid was actively involved in theater and was a member of the school’s Drama Club. Majid entered professional acting by chance. He starred in ‘Things We Do for Love’ as “Shaker”, a lover boy. ‘Thing We Do for Love’ became a success and propelled Majid into the mainstream on the strength of his performance. Majid was cast in his first movie ‘Divine Love’ as the male lead, alongside Jackie Appiah as the female lead with Van Vicker in a supporting role. ‘Divine Love’ was a huge success turning Majid Michel into household names across Ghana and the rest of Africa. Majid has starred in several movies including ‘Agony of Chris’, ‘Somewhere in Africa’, ‘Shakira’, ‘The Game’, ‘Bursting Out’, ‘4 Play’, ‘4 Play Reloaded’, ‘A Sting in a Tale’, ‘Silent Scandal’, ‘Passion of the Soul’ and ‘Crime to Christ’.

Herty Owusu:At fourteen, Herty Owusu joined the Nyankonton Theatre Players group, where her acting talent commenced under the tutelage of top actors and late director Efo Kojo Mawubge. She acted in severally stage plays including Ebo Whyte’s Unhappy “Wives Confused Husbands”. She is also a Voiceover Artist for TV3 Network, the presenter and producer of BigBrains. She is passionate about scriptwriting and is the co-writer of Shirley Frimpong Manso “Adams Apples”, followed by “Peep” and then “Contract”. A trained Quantity Surveyor, Herty’s love for filmmaking and theatre has led her to tutor many upcoming actors as a Theatre and Artistic Director.

Ken Attoh: Ken Attoh is a name synonymous with multimedia design, creative photography and cinematography within the Ghanaian creative industry. He is the chief creative director and producer at Sparrow Productions, a film company based in Accra. He is also the co-founder of Illusions, a creative design studio that specializes in motion design and image manipulation for film and broadcast clients In 1997, after a professional course in information systems and management, Ken decided to pursue a career path related to his talent and begun his professional life as a fine art illustrator working for Akroma productions, an advertising agency in Accra. Within three years he had gained enough experience working on various accounts which moved him up the creative ranks to become Art Director, in charge of reputable brands like Castle Milk Stout, and Ghana Telecom to name a few. He became one of Ghana’s most sought after graphic designers and professional photographers. In late 2001 Ken left Ghana to the UK to further his education and also to broaden his exposure within the industry. He studied for a Bachelors degree in Multimedia Arts and also attained a diploma in Digital film making from Middlesex University in London. By 2007 Ken had worked for very diverse companies and among the creative elite in London and some of its smaller towns. He also took on many roles as a freelancer. A few of which were Art Director for Citi Bank, web designer for logic media and creative photographer for high-end image retouching company, TaylorJames. Ken met with Writer/ Film Director, Shirley Frimpong-Manso in 2008. Their professional union encouraged Ken to move back to Ghana. With his experience, he partnered with her and transitioned her events company into a full-blown film production studio. Today ken has worked as creative director and producer for six of Sparrow’s award winning feature films which includes ‘The Perfect Picture’ ‘A Sting In a Tale’ and the ten chapter iconic cinema series ‘Adams Apples’ He is a true believer of form follows function that all things created to perform a particular function should also be presented to attract and appeal through its packaging. He is inspired by the creative energy he shares with his partner.

WE ARE READY TO ROCK GHANA …..LUMBA

The soft-spoken highlife musician, Charles Kojo Fosu, aka Daddy Lumba who took the Ghanaian highlife music by storm three decades ago, and still reigning as one of Ghana’s best artistes with a number of hit songs, has promised Ghanaians an excellent delivery of highlife show when he mounts the stage at the Kumasi Sports Stadium in Kumasi, this April.

Speaking to BEATWAVES at his residence in Accra at the weekend, an elated Daddy Lumba could not help but to express his expectancy for the all-important musical tour.

He, however, promised that Ghanaians would see the best of him during the nationwide musical tour with Abrantie Amakye Dede.

During the interview, Daddy Lumba, who gave an assurance that he was definitely going to do more songs this time around promised that he was going to do many dances, including the Azonto on stage.

He disclosed that for some time now, “I have been ill, but now, I am well and ready now to embark on the nationwide tour with Amakye Dede.”

He said he would use the musical tour to prove critics wrong, adding, “This year we are ready for a good show. We will treat our fans with most of our hit songs and good stagecraft. The tour will be unique and historic.”

He disclosed that preparations were far advanced for their impending nationwide musical concert to say thank you to their fans and also raise funds to support some needy institutions in the country.

Abrantie Amakye Dede, who is well known for his infusion of traditional African rhythms with highlife music, is also preparing to treat fans to his own brand of music.

Backed by a 14-piece band and performing live at the show, Abrantie said he would treat audience to compositions from most of his albums.

He explained that his three hours on stage would be packed with drama, real entertainment, suspense and thrills from the beginning to the end.

Describing what patrons should expect of their performances during the tour, Abrantie promised that the two would stage an unparalleled show.

MUSIC IS MY FIRST LOVE – JULIET IBRAHIM

Juliet Ibrahim is a name to reckon with both in Gollywood and Nollywood as she has starred in well over hundred movies and still counting. Recently, she added music to her ever flourishing career with two singles already in the pipe line. In this interview, she opens up on her relationship with Majid Michel, and why she delved into music.

How’s your foundation doing these days?

We give God all the glory as we are moving forward and making progress. I just need a lot of support and help in terms of monetary assistance to keep my dream alive. With this, we shall be able to give prompt treatment to the people on our bill. A lot of people rely on us for help and we don’t want to let them down but there’s only a little we can do on our own.

There’s a gist making the rounds that you have gone into music. What informed your decision to do so?

Yes, I have gone into music and like I have said, times without number that music is my first love. It’s something I have being passionate about since I was a child. I had always wanted to be a musician; acting was like a stepping stone for it to become a reality. So, it’s just a case of me living out my dream.

How far do you wish to go in music?

I plan to go as far as God takes me. It’s not going to be a pastime; I intend making music my profession and thank God, it’s still in line with acting.

Would you leave acting eventually or you intend to combine the two?

No, I can’t see myself dumping acting for music. But I hope to stay there for long, become a veteran actress and act motherly roles without having to apply makeup that will make me look the age. So, I will definitely combine the two.

How do you intend to combine your duty as a mother with your multiple careers?

Remember, I combined it with running my boutique and beauty outfits too. So, it’s not going to be a totally new experience for me. I will cope with the new challenge. My family is very supportive.

With all these versatilities, one would think you set out to become an actress?

I grew up featuring in stage plays and performing at talent shows .I have always wanted to be on the big screen and in the spotlight. I started off as a model at the age of twelve. I was a runway and Editorial/print model till 2005, when I did my first major film audition and got the lead role to star alongside Majid Michel in “Crime to Christ.”

How many movies have you featured in?

I have featured in well over 100 movies and I’m still counting. I’ve starred in both Nigerian and Ghanaian movies. Recently, I started featuring in Hollywood movies.

Do you choose the kind of roles you play in movies?

If a director or a producer invites me to come and be part of the cast of his new movie. First and foremost, I read the script, understand my character and decide if I would want to be part of the movie or not. If I am paid what I have requested for by the production company, I will go ahead to star in the film. In this process, I put in my very best to interprete my role. I only improvise when it comes to the lines in the screenplay with the consent of the director.

For the right money, can you act nude?

Not for anything in the world would I ever act nude.

How has it been like plying your trade in Nollywood?

Nigeria is my second home. I have enjoyed working in Nigeria and with Nigerians as well as I enjoy working in Ghana. Nigerians are very friendly people and they make me feel at home.

From your complexion, one can decipher that you are a Mulatto. Can you tell us about your back ground?

My father is from Lebanon while my mother is a Ghanaian. I am the eldest of three children, two girls and a brother. I grew up in Ivory Coast; Liberia and Lebanon. I can speak French and Spanish.

Your last name is Ibrahim, are you a Muslim?

My last name is Ibrahim and it is also my father’s. I am not a Muslim. I am a Christian

If you were not already married, who would you have loved to date in the industry?

I cannot date anyone because l am a happily married woman. Besides, I don’t think I would want to date anyone. That’s where I work and earn my living, I wouldn’t want to mix business with pleasure.

Can you stand a cheating husband?

No! There is no second chance for someone who cheats. I believe that for every mistake we make, we are given a minute to think twice before making it.

The rumour about you dating Majid Michel few years ago. Is it true?

There was nothing in the past and the present between Majid and I except a working relationship.

What are the things you do aside acting?

Aside acting, I am also a business woman. I run a beauty salon better known as Envoque Beauty Parlour and a boutique called House of Glamour. I have a production company called Jewel’s Production and I launched my foundation last two years, the Juliet Ibrahim Foundation, JIF, to create awareness for the kidney related cancer disease. I have also added music to my bag of careers and I plan to produce my own movies and even more.

You are a beautiful woman. Have you thought about branching into modeling if the money is right?

I am a model to start with. And I don’t mind modeling now and then. I would love to do TV commercials, print adverts and represent major brands if the opportunity presents itself.

What else should we be expecting from you in this new year?

I will ask my fans to keep their fingers crossed. We have a bunch of pleasant surprises this year. We’ll be premièring my first self-produced movie ‘The Number One Fan” in Nigeria this year. Also, I ‘ll be working with a lot of people on some new projects I don’t want to talk about now.

For a beautiful woman with a great body, who has gone through the throes of motherhood; what keeps you in shape?

I drink a lot of water and l also eat healthy foods. I don’t do any form of exercise to be honest. I am careful not to eat anything heavy after 6 pm. I also try to avoid starchy food.

JOHN DUMELO URGES AFRICAN LEADERS TO REDUCE OR REMOVE MOBILE PHONE IMPORT TAX

Ghanaian actor and businessman-John Dumelo has asked African leaders to reduce or completely eliminate import taxes on mobile phones and other communication devices.

Mr Dumelo made this plea when he addressed Students of the Harvard business School in Boston, USA on Saturday.

“Completely reducing or eliminating import taxes on mobile phones makes the device more affordable to the ordinary African thus making dissemination of information easier and that adversely affects positive development across the continent” John Dumelo said.

He also said, more mobile phone assembling and manufacturing plants should be built across the continent as this will create employment and boost African economies. John made the above statements when he spoke at the Harvard Business School on the topic “The power of mobile technology and media in changing the mindsets of Africans”. The event was held as part of the 16th annual African Business club Forum.

Other speakers on the panel were the General Manager of Safaricom in Kenya Sylvia Mulinge and TV host and Entrepreneur Julie Gichuru.

In all, over 1200 participants from all over the world attended the Event.

I AM SATAN – KWAW KESE

It is very rare for an individual to liken himself to the Devil but Kwaw Kese has revealed that when it comes to Hiplife he can be likened to Satan.

Kwaw, who is also known as ‘the man insane,’ made this rather intriguing revelation during the official launch of the 15th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) Saturday night.

“It gets to a point in life where every bad thing is attributed to Satan. I got to a point in the game where every evil finger was pointed at me and if I’m being that person, then I’m the Satan in the game,” Kwaw Kese said

According Kwaw, recorded his ‘Obunsam’ song with Obrafour for all of his fans who are doing good but people see them as bad.

“We are in the part of the world where when you stand up for your right, they think you are the odd one. I think everyone was pointing fingers at me because I stood up for my right and what is right. So that song is dedicated to anyone who feels that people are seeing him the other way. Anybody who is doing good but people see it as bad, the ‘Obunsam’ track goes to them,” he said.

Kwaw Kese’s ‘Me wo Dollar’ which featured BBnZ’s EL got nominated in the Hip-Hop Song of the Year category and he believes if his fans deem it fit, they will vote for him to win that award. Other contenders in the category are M.anifest, Sarkodie, EL and Dee Money.

“The thing is we have the voice of the people and the people through their voices make us win awards. So if the fans say I deserve to win the award, I will be grateful for that but I’m not going to stand here and say I’m winning the award,” he added.

Kwaw is currently working on his upcoming album titled ‘Forever.’

HOW I WAS ARRESTED BY GOD - OHEMAA MERCY

When she started singing at church as a child, Ohemaa Mercy only considered it a hobby and was content with the happiness that came with it when she ministered to people. She did not ever think about taking it to a bigger stage.

It appeared, however, that God had His own plans, for when the time came, Ohemaa said, she was “arrested and God has used her since as a vessel for his kingdom”.

Just like the story of Jonah told in the bible, Ohemaa said she tried to “run” away from God’s assignment but unlike Jonas who was swallowed by the whale for his disobedience to God’s purpose, Ohemaa was rather lucky to escape from that “destiny”.

Speaking with Showbiz last Monday at the Accra Mall, Ohemaa Mercy said, “When God chooses to use you as a vessel, you cannot run away when the time comes.

You have no control over your life because He had a reason for picking you from the millions of people in the world to fulfill that task”.

For a performer who reflects a lot of energy on stage, that trait was virtually missing during this one-on-one interview. Her explanation? “I am a very quiet person but when I get on stage, it is a different ball game.

I think I am empowered by the Holy Spirit and sometimes, don’t have control over what I do.

“As a mortal, I underestimated my gift and the ability for God to use me as a vessel for his kingdom. I was really stubborn till God decided to teach me a lesson of my life. I learnt that it is important for man to seek the welfare of the Kingdom of God first before other things.

“I wanted material things that will make me comfortable in life but hard as my husband and I worked hard to improve our living standards, our condition got worse.

It was not until I was humble enough to commit myself to work for the Christendom before things turned out for good.

“When I came out of teacher training college as a professional teacher, I never thought that it will get to a time that my name would be a household name on the gospel music scene.”

Ohemaa Mercy who will be celebrating her tenth anniversary in Ministry this year said that her current album, His Word is a testimony of her life story remarking “His word has been our guide in this journey of life”.

For one who is passionate about the less privileged, a reason for establishing the Ohemaa Mercy Foundation which visits the various prisons to evangelise and worship with them, it is not surprising that the gospel diva is ready to use half of the proceeds from the sale of the new album at the launch for such charitable works.

“Those who know me have always wondered how passionate I am about this prison project and why not? It is really heart breaking to hear stories of some of the inmates in the house and it is surprising that, for some, their families do not even know that they are in prison.

The prisoners are the same people who come back to the society after being released so it is important to win them for God. Teach them the right moral lessons to settle easily in society” she said.

Apart from having a voice that is full of character, Ohemaa’s head gear which she wraps in a particular style has always been a point of attraction anytime she mounts the stage.

“People have come to identify Ohemaa with headgears but I want to bring in a new look to appeal to my different audiences who enjoy my music.

Anyone who has seen the cover of my new album will see the new Ohemaa Mercy. It is a hybrid of African and corporate style” she said.

How true is it that your marriage almost crashed sometime ago? Ohemaa who was obviously hit by the question took in a deep breath and looked at her husband who was seated next to her “This man here has been with me all these years.

He really understands me and I don’t know who can love and understand me better. It was just a speculation”.

Real name, Mercy Twum Boafo, Ohemaa Mercy whose credentials in the gospel industry has earned her the “the Queen of Gospel” is a mother of two boys.

She has five albums to her credit namely, Adanfo papa, Edin Jesus, Wobe ye Kese, Prophecy and His Word.

“I can’t mention everybody’s name but I want to use this opportunity to thank all those who have been instrumental in my life and career.

My story and life has been victorious and I want to celebrate that in a grand style at the album launch on March 8. Come and praise and worship with great gospel icons like Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Tagoe sisters and Mary Ghansah.

The dress code is strictly white and it is to signify victory” she said.

FULL LIST OF THE VODAFONE GHANA MUSIC AWARDS 2014 NOMINATIONS

The 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards nominations have been announced and the Dancehall King is at the top of the pack with 6 nominations, also coming in close are Sarkodie and Guru with 5 nominations.

Check out the rest of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014 nominees with the full list below:

Artiste of the Year

Castro

Kwabena Kwabena

Sonnie Badu

Shatta Wale

Sarkodie

Samini

Guru

New Artiste of the Year

Akwaboah

Joey B

Kumi Guitar

Highlife Artiste of the Year

Bisa Kdei

Kwabena Kwabena

Castro

Gospel Song of the Year

Osoree Nnwom - Cecelia Marfo

Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz- Nicholas Omane Acheampong

Wonder God - Sonnie Badu

Maye Se Mo Pen - OJ

Nyame Egwamaa - Joyce Blessing feat. Jewel Ackah

Menu - Patience Nyarko

Best Female Vocal Performance

Efya - Life

Joyce Blessing - Nyame Egwamaa

Miriam Afari - Ashei Nyame

Gena West - No Power Against Me

Best Male Vocal Performance

Sonnie Badu - Wonder God

OJ- Maye Se Mo Pen

Knii Lante - Baby Take Good Care

Kwabena Kwabena - Engya Me Ho

Castro - Odo Pa

African Artiste of the Year

Mafikizolo

P-Sqaure

Davido

Kcee

Wizkid

Flavour

Gospel Artiste of the Year

Sonnie Badu

Nicholas Omane Acheapong

OJ

Joyce Blessing

Patience Nyarko

Hiplife/ Hip Hop Artiste of the Year

Sarkodie

Eazzy

R2Bees

Guru

M.anifest

EL

Joey B

Afro Pop Song of the Year

Latext - Edem feat. Kaaki

Million Pound Girl - Fuse ODG

Dance (Neke Neke) - Itz Tiffany

Slow - R2Bees feat. Wizkid

Dance For Ne - Ruff N Smooth

Scream-Eazzy

Highlife Song of the Year

Adult Music - Kwabena Kwabena

Odo Pa - Castro feat. Baby Jet & Kofi Kinaata

Love - R2Bees

Metanfo- Bisa Kdei

Break Into 2 - Kumi Guitar

Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year

Freaky Girl - Jupiter

Pull Up - Stonebwoy

Hot Cake - Pope Skinny feat. Shatta Wale

Dancehall King - Shatta Wale

Fever - D2 feat. Shatta Wale

Scatter Badmind - Samini

Vodafone Song of the Year

Adult Music - Kwabena Kwabena feat. Samini

Odo Pa - Castro Feat. Baby Jet & Kofi Kinaata

Slow Down - R2Bees Feat. Wizkid

Dancehall King - Shatta Wale

Metanfo - Bisa Kdei

Tonga - Joey B feat. Sarkodie

Maye Se Mo pen - OJ

Akaiyida (Boys Abr3) - Guru

Down On One - Sarkodie feat. Fuse ODG

Million Pound Girl - Fuse ODG

Record of the Year

Trigmatic - Wo Sika Nti

Knii Lante - Baby Take Good Care

Tseataa (Josh Laryea) - Everlasting Love

Akwaboah - I Do Love You

Best Collaboration of the Year

Odo Pa - Castro feat. Baby Jet & Kofi Kinaata

Down On One- Sarkodie feat. Fuse ODG

Slow Down - R2Bees feat. Wizkid

Adult Music-Kwabena Kwabena

Azonto Boys-Guru Feat. Lil Win

Hot Cake-Pope Skinny Feat. Shatta Wale

Nyame Egwamaa-Joyce Blessing Feat. Jewel Ackah

Album of the Year

Sarkology - Sarkodie

Heavy Price- Joyce Blessing

Aroma of Worship - Sonnie Badu

Akaiyida (Boys Abr3) - Guru

Song Writer of the Year

Maye Se Mo Pen - OJ

Wo Sika Nti - Trigmatic

Engya Me Ho - Kwabena Kwabena

Baby Take Good Care - Knii Lante

Baba - Bisa Kdei

What do you think of the 2014 VGMA nominees?

I’M THE BEST HIP-HOP PERFORMER IN GHANA - EDEM

When you’re one of the most successful artists of your generation, a time comes when you need to innovate. And just like some of his illustrious predecessors did in their heyday, Over Again hitmaker, Edem, says he’s adding a live band to his repertoire.

Drawing his inspiration from the likes of Abrantie Amakye Dede, Kojo Antwi, Bessa Simons and other highlife artists that have endowed Ghana’s rich musical history, Edem reveals that this is a new step in his career and says he’s assembled a group of bandsmen he hopes will take his music to the next level.

Brimming with confidence and enthusiasm, Edem says he’s more than excited about his new project and let out a small secret that will certainly excite his fans. “I’m also learning to play some instruments,” he says, “And I can’t wait for people to see me playing an instrument live. It might be a piano, guitar or whatever”.

Asked why he has decided to play live at this point in his career, Edem says he feels it will give his image a facelift, a new appeal and a new direction.

Barring all the difficulties associated with keeping and maintaining a live band in mind, the Nyonuviade rapper and Dzodze native plans to be more strategic with how he uses his band.

“It’s not every show that I’ll be performing live but most of the strategic shows that are live band oriented like Ghana Music Awards for example. I feel that I can do better with live band than a lot of people because I’m the best hip-hop performer in the country, and once I roll out and I start performing live it has to continue. I’ll try and see if I can add traditional instruments like the local drums that I’d rap over and take this to a totally new creative direction.”

Commenting on what different thing his band would bring to the music scene, he said: “Because I’m a purely hiphop artist, most of my songs are rap songs but I want to infuse hiphop with live band music and do it effectively.

“People shouldn’t think that it’s only soldiers and highlife artists that can do live band music. With the kind of consistency my musichas achieved since my first album, people should know that this is something I’m going to do on a highly professional level.”

Edem divulged that he has named the band Volta Regime Music Group (VRMG) band and says he wants his fans and people in general to associate his band with his music brand like it pertains in other countries. “In time, as an artist, I want to be identified with my band as pertains in other countries where some artists can be identified with their bands. This is what the old very classic highlife artists used to do,” he told Showbiz.

The next plan, according to Edem, is to conquer Africa with his band in tow. He sees the next five years as an opportunity to grow his brand and his band to continental renown.

“Within five years, the Edem brand is supposed to be found on the African continent and by this I mean visibility in Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania and efforts are already being made in that direction.”

In his final words, he said he would be releasing his new album titled Books and Rhymes very soon and thanked fans and well wishers for supporting his career. “And I have a lot of major international collaborations on my album so they should look out for it also,” he said.

CHARTERHOUSE THREATENED?

Charterhouse was about bringing in new awards scheme, Ghana Entertainment Awards but has hold on with the event the reason being that, the name has already been registered. This is like the case of MUSIGA and Kwaw Kese and his manager over the name ‘Ghana Music Week’. Razz Newspaper reports more on this.

One of Ghana’s best events organizing firms, Charterhouse rarely gets it wrong when it comes to putting together major events – but for the first time in many years, it seems the firm has faltered.

The much-touted ‘Ghana Entertainment Awards’ which was supposed to be a new awards scheme under the aegis of the popular firm has been put on hold indefinitely because; unbeknownst to Charterhouse, the name had already been registered by another company.

Last week, Charterhouse announced the official launch of the ‘Ghana Entertainment Awards’ which was scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Villa Monticello, but in just a few days leading to the launch, word circulated from the company that the launch had been postponed indefinitely with no official reason.

Razz Newspaper can confirm authoritatively that, Charterhouse pulled the plugs on the new awards scheme upon realizing that the name had already been taken by another firm.

Apparently, the name ‘Ghana Entertainment Awards’ had been registered by Xtreme West Entertainment and the company attained its ‘Acknowledgment of Trade Mark’ Letter from the Registrar-General’s Office on 2nd September 2013 with Reference No. RTM, 9/001788/2013.

Speaking to the paper, Mr. Henry Prince Okum, CEO of the company said he threatened to sue Charterhouse if they went ahead to launch the awards scheme. According to him, he has also got the hint that Charterhouse wants to use the tag ‘Gh. Entertainment Awards’, using ‘Gh.’ instead of ‘Ghana’, a move he claims can be litigated.

Per his account, he registered the name ‘Ghana Entertainment awards’ last year when he conceived the idea of awarding industry players in all sectors within the arts and entertainment industry. Since registering the brand in September 2013, Mr. Okum said, his firm is still putting structures and resources together to launch the awards scheme very soon.

When Razz reached out to Mr. George Quaye of Charterhouse, he admitted that his Office is aware of the registration of the name by another company and they have no option but to change the name for the awards because, as stakeholders in the industry, they understand and respect intellectual properties.

“Unfortunately, this occurrence has not happened to us before but I do not think whoever registered the name has the same concept as we do,” he said.

On their ploy to amend ‘Ghana’ to ‘Gh.’ for the awards, he stated, “If we decide to amend the name of the awards to any suitable name, I don’t see how that will affect Charterhouse.”

Explaining the postponement, Mr. Quaye claimed there were two major events in town the same night and they felt that most patrons will attend such events and especially when they wanted all industry players to be part of the launch; it was only right to push the launch date to another date.

VGMAS WILL SACRIFICE GOOD SONGS - STONEBWOY

In the ongoing debate about whether or not the Reggae and Dancehall genres deserve to be placed under one category for the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs), Dancehall artiste Stonebowy says that by merging the genres, a lot of good songs are going to be sacrificed.

Charter House, organizers of the VGMA, had earlier stated that the Dancehall genre had still not gained solid grounds in Ghana, hence the merger with Reggae in one category.

But the ‘Pull Up’ hit maker thinks that “it is going to be difficult because maybe a Dancehall song did very well and a Reggae song did very well, so in that case who is going to get the award?”

“So that is where we are going to sacrifice one for the other. But in anything that gains proper grounds there is always a sacrifice so let this be done,” Stonebwoy stated.

Artistes’ works in both the Reggae and Dancehall genres under the calendar year – January 1 to December 31 2013 – were screened and placed under the same category for this year’s music event which is slated for May 3 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

Calls by artistes and patrons of both genres to separate Dancehall from Reggae for this year’s event seemed to have fallen on rocks.

“In certain instances, Reggae is the mother of Dancehall. So if we can’t separate Dancehall from Reggae to form different categories then I believe it is a perfect merge. There is nothing I’m going to say here that will change the Reggae and Dancehall category for this year but I believe that for Ghana, they are waiting for Dancehall to really get some more whatever they are expecting to their criteria to make sure that they put it as a separate category. I can’t be vexed about this but be patient and reason with them if they are merging them up together,” he added.

Meanwhile, it appears this year, songs on the Reggae and Dancehall song of the year are all from the Dancehall genre, meaning calls by various Dancehall artistes and patrons for a separate category is gradually proving a point.