NO MONEY FOR KUMAWOOD STARS' TRIP TO BRAZIL

Right after the government through the ministry for youth and sports unveiled 15 member celebrity ambassadors for the World Cup, Kumawood actors led by Bill Asamoah expressed their malaise towards the list.

There were reports after Bill Asamoah's outburst that government later sponsored a group of seven Kumawood actors with tickets to travel to Brazil and support the senior national team. The seven according to Wayoosi were supposed to travel to Brazil on Saturday at 10pm but as at 12pm on Monday, June 16, the group excluding actress Kyeiwaa were in Accra.

What stopped them from travelling to Brazil on Saturday to watch the first Black Stars match which comes off tonight? According to Kumawood actor Wayoosi, the non-governmental organization known as Sports Education and Management which is sponsoring them to Brazil has not paid them for their services.

Wayoosi stated that he made the non-governmental organization aware that he will take part payment of his fee before he leaves Ghana for the World Cup but they have not fulfilled the request.

Wayoosi added that he will stay behind and watch the matches on TV should the organisers delay their traveling for seven days.

When Edward Colman, CEO of Sports Education and Management was contacted, he said all is set for the Kumawood actors to leave the country but confirmed that the amount to be paid to them is not ready which has delayed them from travelling.

He added that the list of Kumawood actors travelling for Brazil are ten contrary to earlier reports that they were seven. According to Edward Colman, the cost to travel each person to Brazil is $7,700 with a pocket money of $2,300 summing up to $10,000. He explained that the $7,700 for each individual covers the feeding, accommodation, and upkeep of the person in Brazil.

He said the organization needs $18,700 to travel the ten Kumawood personalities to Brazil. He further pleaded with individuals and organizations to come to their aid to generate the money

The list of stranded Kumawood actors in Accra are Akua Ataa Kyeiwaa, Wayoosi , Yaw Daabo, Niini, Fumyaa, Kwame Frederick, Jones Agyemang and others.

IS UCHE JOMBO THE RICHEST ACTRESS IN NOLLYWOOD?

Uche Jumbo has gone to the US and is staying there until next year after Childbirth. Before she travelled, I could not believe my ears when I was told that she has produced her sixteenth movie, as we speak now Uche has about eight movies yet to be released, some of them are scheduled to be released in June 2015, that is a big one from the lady who started in Nollywood as a ‘waka pass.’ And I learnt she is the only actress who has attained such feat and produced that number of movies in Nollywood, one paper even reported that she is the richest actress in Nollywood, I don’t want to believe that though.

Uche Jombo has had over one hundred movies to her credit. As a screenwriter, she has written and co-written several movies, some of which include: Visa to Hell, The Celebrity, Games Men Play, Girls in the Hood & A Time to Love. Uche Jombo went on to produce her own movies which includes Nollywood Hustlers, A Mother’s Fight, Lies Men Tell, After The Proposal, Under Your Skin, Unconditional, Almost Perfect, Oge's Sister, False, A Long Night, to mention but few.

SAMINI OPENS DANCESTARDOM PUB

Last Friday saw the grand opening of Samini’s Dancestardom Lounge and Restaurant in Dansoman, Accra.

The centre comprises a night club, restaurant and a sitting area which overlooks a performance stage. It also has a small practice golf court.

The Dancehall King told Graphic Showbiz at the event his desire to run a business that would run on a daily basis is what motivated him to open his pub.

He promised that Dancestardom was not going to take him away from music since he will not be managing the day to day affairs of the place himself. He said being the owner of the pub was a totally different business from Samini Music and the High Grade Family.

Touching on the clientele for Dancestardom, Samini said “Everybody is invited to my pub. I didn’t set it up for any particular target audience, it is for everyone. If you come here, if whatever that is going on suits your standard, you are welcome to enjoy it”, he said.

According to Samini who is recognised for albums like Dankwasere, Samini and Dagaare, for now, he would be performing at Dancestardom from time to time but he would have a defined schedule later. He said that he would encourage other artistes to use his premises to perform.

“It is a business open to everybody and not just artistes. The place can be used to shoot videos, host events such as wedding receptions, parties among others. It is a place for every function”, he said.

While at it, the multiple award winning artiste also advised his fans and underground artistes to stay focused and apply positive attitude to work. “As individuals, we should always be on our toes and adapt new trends not necessarily following what others are doing.

“Be firm in whatever you do. Believe in your art and modify it to suit current trends”, he added.

At the event, Samini’s parents and some family members were there to support him. When Showbiz spoke to his father, Mr. Andrews Samini, he said that he has always been supportive of his son ever since he started singing in church. He said he never stopped him from what he wanted to do.

“I must admit I initially wanted him to do science back then when he was still in school but when he told me it was music he preferred, I didn’t stop him at all. I motivated him and asked him to persevere and today, I am very proud of him”, he said.

Some celebs who graced the occasion were musicians Chase, Ezy, Atumpan, Miss Naa of YFM and actress, Gloria Osei Safo.

STOP COMPLAINING AND WORK HARD – EDEM TELLS MUSICIANS

Ghanaian Musician, Dening Edem Hotor, popularly known as Edem, has stressed how tough it was as an Ewe rapper to break through the music scene which was mainly dominated by English, Twi and Ga artistes. ?

Edem disclosed on XFM’s WANABEE show with Thompson C.D Nortey that coming from a poor background and a relegated region, he decided to divert his course into music because that was his only choice to grab early success in life.

Responding to a question on the state of the Ghanaian music industry, the “Koene” hitmaker disclosed how disappointed he was and added that there has not been any improvement on issues of royalties and copyrights which are yet to be dealt with.

He therefore cautioned artistes to find other alternatives to make money instead of complaining all the time. Edem advised his fellow musicians to demand from promoters what they deserve.

The founder of “I am Edem foundation” said he decided to work mostly with Hammer because of his patience and the effort he puts into his projects comparing him to American Music Producer, Dr. Dre.

The award winning artiste advised underground artistes not to allow difficulties they encounter curtail their vision and ambitions.

He entreats the public to buy albums.