MERQURY REPUBLIC UNVEILS NEW LOGO FOR GHANA DJ AWARDS

Organizers of Ghana DJ Awards, Merqury Republic, have unveiled a new logo ahead of the third edition of Awards dubbed, 'Ghana DJ Awards 15'.

With the G (lowercase) initial, a slightly tilted star is positioned in its head along with DJ and AWARDS written in full and 15. The unveiled logo comes in two colors, Black and Blue with same design.

This is the event's second logo change since its commence in 2012.

The logo was released ahead of the Ghana DJ Awards campus tour which makes its first stop at the University Of Ghana on Saturday October 11 with an exciting lineup including DJ battles and turntablist showdowns.

Ghana DJ Awards is the first and only national Disc Jockey awards and the biggest DJ event in Africa, ahead of the third Rhythm Nation themed edition will be held during the first quarter of 2015.

YVONNE NELSON CRAVES FOR OBRAFOUR’S SOLO CONCERT

Famous Ghanaian screen queen and movie producer, Yvonne Nelson, has pleaded with revered rapper, Obrafour to come up with a one-man concert in which he would perform all his songs.

The actress who is a big fan of the phenomenal lyricist said she has been waiting for him to release another album since his 1999 ‘Pae Mu Ka’ best seller.

“I love Obrafour! I’m just waiting for his next album. I miss the ‘Pae Mu Ka’ days and I want him to do something like that…a lot of people love him and a lot of people adore him so if he can, he should do something like that.”

“…In fact if he can do a show, perform all his songs, just him alone, we are ready, we are going to come and I’m gonna promote it for him,” she insisted.

The ‘Pae Mu Ka’ album has been argued to be the best Hiplife album ever released, and won him ‘Rapper of the Year’, ‘New Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Best Hiplife song of the Year’ at the 2000 Ghana music awards ceremony.

Nelson said she saved up as a teenager to buy the record because she adored his style and wanted to share in his talent.

“He is the best. There is no other, no other,” she declared. “I don’t care about anyone, Obrafour is the best rapper in Ghana…You are amazing,” she said to him.

Nelson called into the STARR CHAT on Starr 103.5 with Bola Ray on Wednesday, October 8 2014.

Also calling in to the programme was CEO of OM (Ohenemedia) Studios, formerly Si-Fex Digital, Abraham Ohene Djan.

Djan described Obrafour as a ‘voice’ worth recognising.

“I think that every generation has a voice. Every 10 years or so, you get a certain group of people who epitomise a certain generation. Obrafour even today is still one of those individuals whose name rings a bell. There are kids who were like five (when the Pae Mu Ka album was released) who still remember Obrafour when you mention his name,” he noted.

According to him, the ‘Odo’ hit maker “didn’t just do music. What he puts out there had something in it…lyrically… He epitomises Hiplife and the art of it. Not just the music, but the art of it.”

“…As we move forward and look back in history, he will definitely be one of the key individuals who will be mentioned. A lot of people will be forgotten but Obrafour will always be mentioned because of the work that he did.”

NURSING IS KAAKIE’S BACKUP PLAN – SAMINI

Ghanaian dancehall artiste Samini has said Kaakie’s thriving musical career will not allow her serve as a practicing nurse.

Kaakie is celebrated by her fans as a powerful voice and a unique dancehall performer who managed to combine music with her nursing education. She now holds a BSC in Nursing - Midwifery, from University of Ghana, Legon.

In a recent interview on Starr FM, Kaakie admitted she felt fulfilled about “earning a degree” but doubted her availability to practice.

“Right now I just want to do music. My focus, energy and everything will be put in that direction.”

Samini who is the head of the diva’s ‘High Grade Family’ strongly agrees with that point.

According to him, the dancehall queen still has a lot to achieve as a musician.

“I don’t think she is actively going to be a nurse as it stands because actively she is an artiste and that’s what we are working at.”

The 'Linda' hitmaker in an interview with StarrFMonlline.com said he always encouraged his “small sister”- Kaakie to focus and earn the degree so it could be her backup plan whenever she needs a break from music.

“it’s only good that you finish with the qualification and put it down so that as it goes, if you are beginning to feel too bored with everyone in your face and you wanna take a chill pill and relax, you can take that as a backup plan and say let me just take care of people and be a sweet nurse in some corner and not dance on stage anymore. That’s what I always say to her” he added.

Samini also commented on the Kaakie-MzVee comparison, saying Kaakie will always be a senior to all other female dancehall acts.

“MzVee is an artist who gets a lot of inspiration from Kaakie and so we are always blessed to know that we inspire people on the rise.”

I DREAM OF HOLLYWOOD - ELLA MENSAH

Dr. Mensa Otabil, the renowned Man of God, once said, “if your dreams do not scare you then your dreams are not big enough."

And it was if those challenging but inspiring words were meant for Ella Mensah, a rising star in the movie industry.

Sure, Ella has a dream; she sees herself in Hollywood in the next five years acting alongside the likes of Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Denzel Washington, among others.

And whichever way one looks at it, that’s a big, big dream – no two ways about that.

Known in showbiz as Ella Mendoza, the Ghanaian actress is also aware of the herculean task before her, and she says she is working really hard to make her dream a reality.

She is taking a lot of inspiration from the adage that ‘Heaven helps those who help themselves’ and she knows with God on her side, everything was possible

Born into a family of seven, she started life as a journalist with Metro TV after completing Trans African College but as destiny will have it, her passion and talent swept her into Africa's biggest movie market, Nollywood.

In a period of two years, Ella has risen from playing supporting roles into playing major roles in movies. She has featured in several movies and still counting.

Even though, she has become a known face in the industry; Ella remains humble. She told the Weekend Finder that she could not allow her fame to get into her head since she was still learning in the industry.

Commenting on how she copes in the very challenging industry, Ella said she has been able to develop a thick skin to all obstacles that comes her way, adding that she mostly concentrates on her love and passion for her career.

She has gradually won the heart of many Nigerian movie producers who seem to love to star her in their movies.

Not surprising, Ella has swept several awards in the industry including the Gbedu Award as the Most Talented Supporting Actress in 2013; Nollyfans Achievement Award 2014 as Best Actress; Fashion 1000 Award as the Most Fashionable Ghanaian Actress in Nollywood 2013; Club Vegas Award as the sexiest Ghanaian Diva in Nollywood 2014; and City People Entertainment Award as the Hottest Ghanaian Actress in Nollywood.

Aside being an actress, Ella is also into other businesses, and she is currently the Chief Executive Officer of House of Ella, a contemporary native wear for men.

The fashion house, which is situated in Ikeja, Lagos, seeks to bring fashionable and trendy clothes to men. She will soon open a branch in Ghana.

The mother of one, Ella says her son is her motivation in life: “Seeing him makes me want to work harder to achieve my goals and take good care of him and the less-privileged in society."

Ella will officially launch her charity project in Ghana towards the end of this year to help put at least, one thousand kids back to school on scholarship.

To her, that is a way of giving back to society since education was key to the development of a child.

Head of Ella’s management team, Mrs Abigail Semaha, was full of praise of the budding talent and highly optimistic that all their plans will come to fruition.

“Our faith in God is solid. There have been challenges, but we know He who has called her into showbiz will never fail. That is our motivation. That is our drive,” she indicated.

"SARKODIE IS A BEAST OF A RAPPER" – OBRAFOUR

Micheal Elliot Kwabena Otchere Darko, commonly known as Obrafour, has declared Sarkodie as the best rapper he has met in his career.

It is common knowledge to many Ghanaians that Sarkodie idolises Obrafour, a man he calls father and mentor and has on many occasions referred to as ‘the best rapper’.

The two have worked together on many tracks including ‘Life’, ‘Elijah’ and ‘Hiplife’.

But in an emotional and revealing interview on STARR CHAT on Starr 103.5FM on Wednesday, Obrafour said among all the young artistes he has met over the years, he is strongly drawn to Sarkodie and his talent.

“There is only one artiste that when it comes to Hiplife and what we do - there is this young man who blows my mind. I’ve told him that any day, anytime, whatever he needs from me I’m ready to give. This young man is Sarkodie” he declared.

“I’ve seen many; I’ve heard many, and there is something about him that I cannot really put a finger on. And seriously, this guy is a beast of a rapper! Sarkodie!” he said emphatically.

Obrafour rose fast on the Ghana music scene when he came out with his first album, ‘Pae Mu ka’ in 1999.

The album won him ‘Rapper of the Year’, ‘New Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Best Hiplife song of the Year’ at the 2000 Ghana music awards ceremony.A Secondary level school dropout, his creativity, ingenuity and deep lyrical contents made him the most respected and loved rapper in his time.

His work earned him the title ‘Ghana Rap Sofo’.

Speaking to host, Kwabena Anokye Adisi aka Bola Ray on the Wednesday evening show, Obrafour admitted he was greatly influenced as an individual by ‘Hiplife Grandpapa’ Reggie Rockstone.

“At the time I started, Reggie was already on the scene and that whole enthusiasm caught me. And so I got into it. By then I never thought it would come to be like it is.”

“Reggie. I call him the revolutionist! Reggie had a lot of influence on my career. I believe strongly he is one of the best. I think he has paid his dues” he added.

Obrafour said the younger generation of Hiplife artistes must be commended for their exploits.

“I believe the young ones are doing well. They are taking advantage of social media. They are putting their songs everywhere and getting recognized.”

His appearance on the STARR CHAT on Wednesday October 8, 2014, the third inductee into the STARR HALL OF FAME.

The program is designed to celebrate great Ghanaian achievers.

NO MEDIA HOUSE SHOULD CALL ME OVER CASTRO... I WANT HIS PARENTS

Actress and musician Diamond Appiah’s phone has been buzzing since she told source that a CCTV camera of a bank in Togo captured a person believed to be Castro making a transaction.

She stated that Castro is not dead but she is ready to disclose full details of the whereabouts of the hiplife artiste only to his parents. Diamond who is not ready to grant any media house an interview over Castro’s location says “Some people have been calling me for an interview about Castro’s issue but I don’t want to talk to the media.”

She added that “I don’t want to to talk to the media but only Castro’s parents so the media should please respect it”. Castro and her friend Janet were reported missing since July 6.

I AM NOT A CELEBRITY- LYDIA FORSON

Famed screen actress, Lydia Forson is currently on a media run promoting her self-produced movie A Letter from Adam.

In an interview with Giovani Caleb on E.TV’s Late Night Celebrity Show which airs on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.30PM, she said;“I always tell people I’m not a celebrity but a film maker andan artiste. I was not on a break, because I was in productions that were released outside Ghana but movie goers always want more because even at the premier of A Letter from Adam people were asking when the next one will be coming. A Hollywood artist can stay behind the scenes for years and that doesn’t make that person less of an artiste but in Ghana, people want to see you on screen all year round.”

After playing several roles in Sparrow Productions’ projects as a company she squashed the notion she had falling out with the Shirley Frimpong-Manso led motion house.

“The industry is big enough for everyone and I’m an actress and not in contract with any production house, but what is funny is that when I was in all Sparrow Production movies, people were complaining I didn’t want to work with other production houses and now I start doing movies with other production houses and everyone wonders why I’m not shooting with Sparrow again. Who knows I might be in another Sparrow production soon. I’m an artist.”

Deciding which role suits a picky actress like Lydia is simple,

“I know a script will be good or bad after reading the first few pages. But another thing is that I do well to finish all the scripts I get whether they are good or bad. However bad it is, I make sure I finish it so I can make an informed decision. Usually from the few pages, I know this is a script I will like to work on or not.”

And like everyone, Miss Forson known widely for her award winning performances in A Perfect Picture needs advice too;
“There are people I probably don’t see or speak to on the regular, sometimes it will take a year or two to see them but they are the first people I call when I need advice, even though I have my mom and other family around, it’s not everything you want to tell your family. So I have friends on standbythat takes care of that.”

Catch The Late Nite Celebrity Show with Giovani Caleb on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9.30 PM with VannesaGyan updating viewers on Celebrity Trends.

I SAW CASTRO …JOSHUA CLOTTEY REVEALS

WBA International super welterweight champion Joshua ‘Hitter’ Clottey has joined optimists who believe Hip-Life ace Castro has not joined the ancestral world yet.

He debunked speculations that Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan had a hand in the artist’s disappearance.

To him, there was no way Gyan would sacrifice his musician friend. “Asamoah will never do that. After all, he has a large following, and so if indeed he wants to sacrifice somebody, it could be any of his many fans and not Castro.

“Let me tell you something, I saw Castro in a dream, held his hands and asked him why he has allowed many to worry over his disappearance and he said jokingly, ‘Go away!’.

“I believe Castro is not dead, he will definitely come back. I believe he is still alive,” the former IBF Welterweight champion said on Happy FM.

Castro and his female friend Janet Bandu had gone missing for close to two months after an expedition to an Ada-based resort in the company of Asamoah Gyan and other friends.

Meanwhile, 36-year-old Clottey has cut short his mission in the USA due to his Mexican opponent’s ankle injury, ruling out their December 6, 2014 clash.

Clottey is expected back home this week.

PEOPLE WISH THEY WERE LIKE ME...WANLOV THE KUBOLOR

Controversial Rapper Wanlov the Kubolor has stated that most Ghanaians who insult and criticise him wish they were like him.

Wanlov has, over the years, been consistent in generating controversy about himself and has been called many vulgar names because society is unable to relate to his style.

Some individuals on Twitter yesterday started lashing out at the ‘Beatrice’ hit maker over some pictures and comments he posted.

But he stated that Ghanaians often insult individuals they wish they were as a result of jealousy, adding that they wished they were like him.

“Ghanaians often try to insult by proclaiming pity for someone while being secretly jealous #WishingYouWereMe#SoakInYorSterileLife,” he posted on Twitter.

Known is real life as Emmanuel Owusu Bonsu, Wanlov is often referred to by many of his fans in Ghana as a ‘Half-Caste’. He was born in Romania to a Ghanaian father and a Romanian mother.

It would be recalled that Wanlov was recently in the news for saying Ghana’s “sickness” was bigger than the dreaded Ebola virus and Cholera.

Wanlov and his lyrical twin, Mεnsa, are known for their unique pidgin rap style, which has a touch of the Ghanaian language. The duo who call themselves ‘Foes of Kwame Nkrumah (FOKN) Bois’ are the first Ghanaians to put together a pidgin musical film titled ‘Coz Ov Moni’.

I WANTED TO BECOME A LAWYER. OBRAFUOR

Multiple award-winning rapper, Obrafour made a candid and revealing appearance on 'Starr Chart'.

When asked by Bola Ray what he actually wanted to become in life, Obrafour revealed that he never thought of being a musician, “I wanted to become a lawyer, it was after my mum died that the thought of being a musician occurred to me, my mum used to sing at church and my dad himself is a music man, I wanted to become a lawyer.”

Real name Michael Kwabena Okyere Darko, Obrafour attended Abetifi Secondary School in the Eastern Region and then entered St. Peters Secondary School for his sixth form education but just after two weeks of being in school, Obrafour had to drop out from school because his mother, who was the breadwinner of the family passed on. He said, “I was dealt a big blow when my mum died, I was completely paralyzed, it was just difficult for me.”

Obrafour in the bare-it-all interview was full of praise for his long time producer, Hammer. He disclosed that his friend linked him to Hammer. “I was in a pair of slippers when my friend took me to Hammer and after I had laid some bars for Hammer to hear, Hammer just said instantly to me that you are the guy that will give Reggie Rockstone competition”.

Hammer then helped Obrafour secure a deal with Abraham Ohene Djan (OM studios) in the late 1999. Obrafour’s first album, ‘Pae mu ka’ was then produced and distributed. Obrafour has released hit songs upon hit songs; Yaanom, Aden, Agoro no Aso, Kokonsa, Kwame Nkrumah, Pae mu kae, and the list just goes on and on.

On whether he has any regret in life, he said, “life is very short to have regrets, things happen for several reasons.” Obrafour was just full of praise for Sarkodie, describing him as a beast. “Sarkodie is a beast of a rapper; I continue to tell him that anything that he needs from me, at any time, any day, he should not
hesitate to call on me.”

EBOLA ISSUE: MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN IN TRAUMA ...VAN VICKER

Handsome Ghanaian actor, Van Vicker, has discredited reports that he has been diagnosed with the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.

Reports went viral earlier in the week that the actor contracted the virus while he was out in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital shooting the sequel to the movie ‘Bendu Sudan’. While other reports on social media also suggested that the actor has been quarantined and denied access back to Ghana.

In order to clear his name, the actor has called on his fans to discredit such rumours as he is well and nothing of such took place.

The actor stated that he was not diagnosed with Ebola and currently in Ghana and well. He shared his heart felt condolence to those infected with the virus especially Liberians, noting that he is working with the United Nations (UN) on the Ebola Response project.

According to him, his wife and kids were visibly traumatized by the story because they were both getting calls, which was very disturbing. Adding that he has begun the process to take legal action against publishers of the story.

NITE CLUBS NO MORE LUCRATIVE; "MANAGERS DO NOT TREAT DJ`S WELL" -DJ BLACK

The blame game is about to start again even as Flex newspaper is revisiting another discussion on the collapse of Nite Clubs in Ghana over the years.

As if it is a curse which has been placed on many Nite clubs in the country, most of them do not appear to be enjoying longevity in terms of operation.

In a previous interview with DJ Black as to why Nite Clubs businesses collapse in Ghana that easily, he told Flex newspaper that it is because Nite Club managers do not treat DJ`s well, hence, why the clubs do not last long in the system.

“People always go to the Nite Clubs when they know there are serious and good resident Djs who provide good music to revelers any time the clubs operate. In the absence of these Djs, there is no clubbing because the assets and the drinks in the house alone cannot make the revelers who come there happy but good music from special Djs” DJ Black told Flex newspaper.

He even added that because the Djs are not respected by the club owners, they do not even keep the Djs Cabin clean enough for the Djs to operate in healthy environments which is also affecting the delivery of the DJ.

Meanwhile, Flex newspaper investigations have proven that the issues leading to the collapse of Nite clubs in Ghana goes beyond bad treatment of Djs but the availability of open pubs on the streets of Accra.

A journey around town in Accra at night will expose one to many open pubs on roadside with a good number of people dancing and drinking their hearts out bringing in mind this economic equation.

If music will be given to the people at the same cost with the drink, why would he or she pay another cash as entry fee at a Nite club else where that the DJ might not even be better than the open pub DJ.

This problem is more economical than poor treatment of DJ`s by the Nite club owners and according to our investigations, it is causing more harm to the Nite club than one can imagine.

In an interview with a DJ at Aponkye Spot in Adabraka, he told Flex newspaper that now musicians do not even give them breathing space as every one wants his music to be promoted at these joints more than the Nite Clubs.

I AM WILLING TO PERFORM AT NIGHT CLUBS – NICHOLAS OMANE ACHEAMPONG

Award winning Ghanaian gospel artiste, Nicholas Omane Acheampong has revealed in an interview that it will indeed be a great honor when called upon to perform at nightclubs.

According the “Tabita Kum hitmaker”, his intention is to change the ungodly acts such as smoking, and drinking, etc, which happen at nightclubs, and win more souls for Christ through his performances.

He added that he sees nothing wrong with gospel musicians performing at nightclubs because the word of God has no barriers. He explained that the duty of every gospel musician is to preach and spread the word of God regardless of where they find themselves.

The “Zaphenath Panneah” hit maker stressed that gospel music is not meant to be performed solely in the church. Instead, it is meant for anyone who is ready to listen to the word of God.