KUMASI BUS DRIVERS ASK FIPAG TO RECONSIDERS ITS BAN DECISION

Few days after publications went viral that effective February 1 2014, long distance bus operators would be banned from showing movies in their buses as a result of the Film Producers Association of Ghana and the leaders of the various transport unions’ unsuccessful attempts to reach a consensus, VIP bus drivers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana have asked that FIPAG reconsiders its decision.

In an interview with NY DJ on the Kapital Entertainment Unplugged Show on Kapital Radio in Kumasi, PRO for FIPAG, Michael Ola explained although it had always been and continues to be illegal for their movies to be shown for commercial purposes until copyright permissions had been sought, many transport operators looked down on the law and hence the decision to reinforce the law effective February 1.

Speaking as to how FIPAG intends rolling out and monitoring such a policy as they would not and cannot be on all buses that travel across the length and breadth of the country, the PRO disclosed several plans had been penned down which they believed would work effectively.

In a related interview with leaders and bus drivers from the Kumasi garage of VIP as to how challenging the ban would affect their business, they disclosed it would be very necessary to resit and arrive at suitable terms since the ban will cause a huge effect on their transport business. Speaking to Big Adams, a vociferous driver at the station on Kapital Radio, he disclosed the movies were relevant to their customers as that was the first request travelers often made.

Michael Ola on the other hand has disclosed that the association is willing to meet with the executives of the transport operators should they call for it but until then, the ban takes effect from 1st February 2014.

KWESI PRATT PUNCHES KOJO ANTWI

Musician Kojo Antwi eulogized late broadcaster Komla Dumor who died last Saturday 18th Jan, 2014, disclosing that the latter’s death is as painful as that of Bob Marley, Nelson Mandela and other legends.

Kojo Antwi made those remarks in an interview with myjoyonline.com after signing the book of condolence opened at Joy 99.7 fm in honour of the former Super Morning Show host.

On today's edition of Adom fm’s morning show – Dwaso Nsem, ace journalist Kwasi Pratt spat venom at those who seem to be passing hyperbolized remarks at the late Komla Dumor; all in the name of solidarity.

“How can you liken Komla Dumor to Nelson Mandela? How can you compare the two? What do they have in common? Comments like these bring up needless wrangles! You say Komla Dumor is like Nelson Mandela and then another person comes to refute it. At the end of the day, we end up digging into their personality ‘work sheets.’

Mr. Pratt also took a swipe at the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dzifa Gomashie. “Komla Dumor is bigger than Ghana? How could the Deputy Minister of Tourism say that? How can any person be bigger than his or her country? Nobody is bigger than Ghana! Kwame Nkrumah, Komfo Anokye, Asaboamanfi, Aggrey, and others were all not bigger than Ghana!”

‘MY PASTOR HATES SEEING BREASTS’ - ACTRESS

A popular Akan/Twi movie actress, Nana Yaa Appiah, has told News-One that combining her active Christian lifestyle and acting career has been a major challenge for her.

“I cannot play certain roles and have had to reject many scripts because my pastor does not like to see my buttocks or breasts, not even a small part of it in movies. He would get angry because it is against the teachings of my church. I attend the Open Bible Faith Ministry at Atonsu and as you can see, I can’t even pierce my ears more than double. I sing at church and I am bound to be a role model,” Nana Yaa noted.

Interestingly Nana Yaa is a very pretty lady with well rounded curves that could raise eyebrows if exposed in movies. She is tall and light-skinned, has an infectious smile and the type of body that could excite any right-thinking adult male.

Nana Yaa admitted that the job of an actress has become very competitive and her selective attitude puts her at a disadvantage, but she does not have a choice because she is a practicing Christian and would have to abide by the teachings of her church and her pastor.

Asked if her church does not know she needs to work to get money to pay her tithes and offering, Nana Yaa said her choice of career is not motivated by money.

“Acting movies in Ghana is not all about making money. The movies for which I was paid very small monies have rather helped me enter places I could not have entered. It has opened doors for me. So sometimes, you consider some of these things rather than focus on money for now….there was a time a family invited me to spend holidays with them in Europe simply because they love the way I act,” she stated.

Nana Yaa emerged on the Akan/Twi movie scenes in 2009 and with support from Samuel Akwesi Nyamekye of Miracle Films, she has since acted in some 70 movies.

Though she started mostly by playing the role of a pastor’s wife, Nana Yaa later switched to other roles which have earned her numerous accolades including Osofo Maame, Dede, Mama G and Lady Posh.

NOMINATIONS FOR 2014 GHANA DJ AWARDS OUT

Nominees for the 2014 Ghana DJ Awards were finally announced at a special ceremony Saturday night at the forecourt of Club 45 in Accra.

The awards event is scheduled for February 25th at the National Theatre of Ghana.




Full list of nominees:

BEST DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Champagne

DJ Black

DJ Mensah

DJ Slim

BEST INTERNATIONAL DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Danny Blakk – Jam Afrique (Cote Divoire)

Tim Westwood – UK

DJ Humility – Nigeria

DJ Divalash – South Africa

DJ Symon Chris – France

Lady NV – Barbados

CAMPUS DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Fro – University of Cape Coast

DJ Vision – Central University

DJ Poxible – Jayee University

DJ Aroma – KNUST

DJ Kinino – Koforidua Poly

DJ Sly – Accra Poly

BEST INTERNATIONAL GHANAIAN DJ

Fiifi Pratt – UK

DJ Abrantie – UK

DJ Nana – Canada

Bonsu – USA

DJ Ice – UK

REGGAE/DANCEHALL DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Stanley Bongo – Kekeli Radio (Volta Region)

Blakk Rasta – Hitz FM (Accra)

Iwan – XFM (Accra)

King Bash – Live FM (Accra)

African Child – Solid FM (Kumasi)

Jones Man – Sunrise FM (Koforidua)

DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR

DJ Nyce

DJ Kay – Club Invasion (Accra)

DJ Kobby Drill – Focus FM (Kumasi)

DJ Vyrusky – Friday Friends

DJ Wobete – Adom FM

DJ MJ – XFM

DJ Reuben – Luv FM

DJ Bright – Vista(RedBull Challenge Champion)

DJs’ SONG OF THE YEAR

Adult Music – Samini feat Kwabena Kwabena

Pull Up – Stonebwoy

Slow Down – R2Bees

Dancehall King – Shatta Wale

Sarkodie – Illuminatti

Time Bomb – Samini

VIDEO JOCKEY OF THE YEAR

DJ Xpliff – GHOne TV

Billie Ocean – UTV

DJ Slim

DJ Black

BEST MALE RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Black – Joy 99.7fm

DJ Slim – Solid FM

Sammy Forson – YFM

DJ Mixx – Emak FM

Billie Ocean – Peace FM

DJ Armani – Citti FM

BEST FEMALE RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR

Delay – Oman FM

Doreen Andoh – Joy FM

Ohemaa – Adom FM

Jessica – Citti FM

BEST MOBILE DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Yoga – Urban Addiction

DJ Nyaame – SV Promz(Tema)

DJ Collins – Vinyl City

DJ Sly – Owner Service (Kumasi)

Deejay Foe – Ark Entertainment

DJ Bright – Vista

BEST FEMALE DJ OF THE YEAR DJ Kess

HIGHLIFE DJ OF THE YEAR

Maxi Billion – Hello FM

DJ Fish – Angel FM

024 – Life FM

Engineer – Peace FM

DJ Andy Dosty – Adom FM

GOSPEL DJ OF THE YEAR

Joojo Bediako – Citti FM (Accra)

Old Solja – Peace FM (Accra)

DJ Kofi – Kesmi FM (Tamale)

DJ Sapii – Hot FM (Accra)

Kofi Appiah – Metro FM (Kumasi)

DJ Coxbi – Light FM (Kumasi)

HIPLIFE DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Maestro – Zaara Radio

DJ Cypher – Obouba FM

DR Pounds – Pluzz FM

DJ Advisor – Happy FM

DJ Slim – Solid FM

DJ Fletch – OK FM

NIGHT CLUB MC OF THE YEAR

Miguel – Hollywood (Accra)

Lyrical – Aphro(Kumasi)

Comotion – Rockstones(Accra)

MC Coaches – Tyron’s Pub

ARTISTE DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Toyoo – Tic Tac

DJ Mynor – R2Bess

DJ Mensa – Sarkodie

DJ Carlos – VIP

DJ Godday – Edem

DJ Perfekt – Samini

BEST MUSIC PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

Frankie Taylor – Fox FM

DJ Nyaame – Breeze FM/SV Promz

Sammy Forson – Y FM

DJ Black – Joy FM

DJ Advicer – Happy FM

Kwame B – Hitz FM

NIGHT CLUB DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Bongo – Vienna (Kumasi)

DJ Nii – Club Aphro (Accra)

DJ Cue – Tyco Night Club (Sunyani)

DJ Mensah – Hollywood (Accra)

DJ Bootie Brown – Twist (Accra)

DJ Mic Smith – Rockstones(Accra)

MIXTAPE DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Kulcha – Beatz Mix Vol.1

DJ Mackie – Mix On My Mind

DJ Gadaffi - Ghana Man Mixtape

DJ Mensah – Azonto To The World

DJ Ashmen – Ghana @ 56 Mixtape

DJ Nyce – Dancehall Mix

DJ Black – Headnod Mix

BEST SCRATCH DJ OF THE YEAR (TURNTABLIST)

DJ Gospol

DJ Hubert

DJ Rampage

DJ Masta J

DJ Black

DJ Cue

BEST EVENT DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Mensah – Guinness Big Eruption Concert

DJ Black – Ghana Music Awards 2013

DJ Mic Smith – Back In The Day Concert

DJ Rampage – Tema Omo Tuo Party

DJ Kofi (Tema Father) – Sarkodie Rapperholic Concert(Tamale)

DJ Slim – Loud In GH(Kumasi)

Honorary Award

Magic Sam

Azigiza Jnr

BETWEEN KAAKIE AND MZVEE, IS THERE ANY HEAT GOING ON?

As reported in the last quarter of 2012 that Okuraseni Samuel had accused Mugeez of R2Bees fame for copying his style on the duos maiden highlife song, ‘Odo’, I seek to ask if MzVee is also daring to imitate the style or compete with the self acclaimed queen of dancehall, Kaakie.

Kaakie, as best described as Ghana’s dancehall diva since she had no competitor in her genre of music, I think this time around may have to sit up with her song composers to write deep lyrics yet in simple language to raga as MzVee seem to be wooing the attention of the genre’s fraternity to her persona and songs.

Although the Dancehall Diva already has her brand established, her irrefutable ‘competitor’, MzVee is also working tirelessly on perfecting the use of the Jamaican Patois language as her management, Lynx Entertainment is endeavoring to push her through.

Unlike Kaakie whose fans had issues with her wardrobe before now, MzVee seem to be on point and already fitting onto the Dancehall music scene with her outfits enticing quite an interesting number of the Dancehall fraternity without queries.

One may say in every field of work likewise life, there are both known and concealed competitors but my worry is; will Kaakie, who is synonymic to DJ Kess (the ‘undoubtedly’ only recognized female DJ in Ghana who for the second time has gain nomination in the Best Female DJ of the Year category with no competitor) survive the heat MzVee seem to be approaching her with?

I'LL LIKE TO DATE TONY YEBOAH - AMA K. ABEBRESE

Actress and TV host Ama K. Abebrese has revealed that if she had to date any of the Blackstar players, it will be Tony Yeboah.

“Oh my goodness, hmmmmm….. I want to go back for the legends and I mean Old school. Tony Yeboah should be the one,” she stated.

According to her, she will choose Tony because “he seems like a nice man even though I’ve never met him before.”

The actress who loves football at seasonal times said she keeps pace with tournaments like the World Cup and the African Cup only if Ghana is in. On what she thought would be Ghana’s chances at the World Cup, she said: “I am a big dreamer because I always say if you are going to do anything in your life, then you have to aim for the top and I’m aiming for the cup to come to Ghana.”

She added that although it’s not going to be easy for any team at the World Cup, “I believe we have as good a chance like every other team.

I feel Akwasi Appiah is more than competent and will make the right decisions. I’m sure the top three teams for the World Cup will be Brazil, Germany and of course Ghana.”

Asked about who she thought would make a good movie star amongst the players Ama said Dede Ayew, will be fit for a role in an action movie whereas Asamoah Gyan will fit in perfectly for a ‘Kumawood’ Kumasi kind of film.

ACTRESS VIVIAN JILL CAUSES STIR AT ERIC ASANTE'S FUNERAL

The burial and funeral of a dearly departed brother and colleague in the showbiz industry Eric Asante, whose death took the country Ghana by shock on December 5 2013, took place over the weekend in Kumasi.

It was perhaps the first of the series of “cardiac arrests” that hit the Ghanaian media industry in recent times.

In the early hours of Saturday January 19, 2014, the body of the late brother was laid in state for public viewing and paying of last respect at the Kumasi Cultural till around 10 am when the body was lifted for internment at the Ayigya cemetery.

Unlike many, the corpse was seated in a chair in an upright position with his hands on his laps. (I would have loved to share a photograph with you but I hold a different view now of sharing such images as I take a cue from sharing late musician Nana Wusu’s own).

The funeral was well attended by industry personalities, the general public, members of the media and family. The event looked orderly until a torrential downpour after the burial got everybody dispersed at the funeral grounds and just like they do in their movies, there was a part two of the family sitting at the same venue on Sunday. Call it “Eric Asante’s funeral Reloaded.”

Fast forward to the burial grounds where a very despicable act of ignorance or perhaps superstition transpired.

Amidst wailing and crying by loved ones, Ghanaian actress Vivian Jill Lawrence dropped her head gear and spectacles unto the coffin and asked it to be buried with the deceased; an act that got many heckle and attempt to remove the said materials as it had a spiritual significance in the local Akan setting.

She however managed to achieve her purpose as the materials were buried with the corpse.