IDRIS ELBA PLANNING A TRIP TO GHANA

British award-winning actor Idris Elba is planning to make a pilgrimage to Africa to see the countries where his parents were born.

The Wire star was brought up in the U.K. by his father Winston, who hails from Sierra Leone, and his Ghanaian mother, Eve.

They married in Africa before emigrating to Britain, and Elba has now revealed he is planning a trip to trace his family's roots.

In a post on Twitter.com, he writes, "Ghana what'sup? I'm going back to where my Mum is from for her birthday... My first time... Next up Sierra Leone."

JOHN DUMELO SAYS HE BECAME AGGRESSIVE BECAUSE OF PLAYING AGGRESSIVE ROLES IN MOVIES

Now this is getting interesting! Actor John Dumelo is complaining that, playing of aggressive roles in movie has affected him rather negatively. He mentioned a particular role he played alongside Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic.

He said “… I was given a script to act like an aggressive husband who was supposed to be beating his wife every day. The character had so much impact on me that by the time the shooting was complete – I became so aggressive. It took me some days to come to myself”.

According to The General Telegraph;

Ghana’s top actor, John Dumelo, has made it known that he sometimes gets affected by the role he plays in movies.

He made reference to a particular movie in which he acted as an aggressive husband. “There was one time I was to act as an aggressive and abusive husband towards Nigerian actress Rita Dominic. I was given a script to act like an aggressive husband who was supposed to be beating his wife every day. The character had so much impact on me that by the time the shooting was complete – I became so aggressive. It took me some days to come to myself,” he revealed.

These occurrences seem to have strengthened the actor who has a passion for acting. The actor who was in the company of his colleague, Majid Michael, went on to reveal his challenges as a new actor.

“There were lots of criticisms, and in the first movie I casted, I was paid Ghc10.00, but because I know what I was looking for I did not complain. I have not been to any acting school, but because of the passion, determination and support I got from people, I was able to make it to the top.”

The handsome actor has already started giving back to society as he has opened an acting school named John Dumelo Film Academy to nurture young talents.

He further revealed his dream to act in Hollywood should an opportunity arise. He expressed the belief that Ghana can reach a Hollywood status if the movie industry could be developed to attain more international recognition.

CARLOS SAKYI CAUSES ARREST OF KOFI B OVER COPYRIGHT ISSUES

We are also able to tell you that the highlife musician is currently at the Central Police Station in the Central Business District.
Enewsgh.com sources at the facility tell us he was invited there over a compliant made byCarlos Sakyo, lead-head of the music rights protection body, GHAMRO.

The latter is said to have told the Police that Kofi B has threatened him on radio hence the arrest.
The lawyer of the Musicians Union of Ghana, Joseph Konadu, is trying to secure a bail for him. He’s been at the station since 1pm. The Police went to his house at 11am today to effect arrest but met his absence. His wife later called to inform him.

His arrest comes as a rather interesting twist after he had told Accra-based NEAT FM he had received several death threats over his hard stance on GHAMRO, and on the issue of royalties.

“Did you see how Fennec was killed and I said yes and he said then I should stop talking about GHAMRO issues and Carlos Sakyi. He asked how many songs or how many albums do I have to be talking like that and he warned me that if I don’t stop talking I will die like how Fennec died,” a

purported text message to him read.

He’s challenged the general handing of GHAMRO, insisting the office has done very little in the collection of their royalties.

“They should resign from that position or else we would beat them but of course they need to account for every pesewa before they resign. You can’t sit in the offices and allocate any amount of money for yourselves as allowances. When was the last time Carlos Sekyi and his people released musical materials? You sit there and eat from our sweat,” he’s said.

SHATTA WALE: AYITTEY POWERS DISAPPOINTED ME

Dancehall sensation Shatta Wale is asking boxer Michael Ayittey Okine, otherwise called Ayittey Powers to forget about any rematch with his conqueror, Isaac Braimah Kamoko, aka Bukom Banku.

Wale does not believe Powers can redeem his image from the pummeling he suffered in the hands of Banku when the two fought in the one-sided "Judgement Day" non title Cruiserweight bout at the Accra Sports Stadium a fortnight ago.

So lopsided was the much hyped bout that Banku could not even wait to be affirmed the unanimous winner as he lifted his two hands high up in jubilation soon after the scorecards were read. Nobody was surprised.

Shatta Wale who confessed in an interview with Asempa FM that he was supporting Powers to win the bout, and partly so because they were somehow related, he had a feeling ahead of the bout that Powers was going to disappoint.

Instead of training hard for the bout, Powers was doing all the talking, and Wale said when his premonition seemed concrete enough, he decided not to go to the stadium but stay at home and watch the bout on television.

And there he was, beaten around the ring without much resistance, and according to Shatta Wale, the one-sided affair got everyone confused if this was the same Ayittey Powers.

In his view, Powers will do well to look for a "small boy" somewhere to whip in the ring so as to recoup some pride, but for the rematch, he better forget it.

GOSPEL MUSIC RENDITIONS ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE ORIGINAL SONGS - BOHYEBA JOSHUA

Ghanaian Gospel musician Bohyeba Joshua may soon be in for trouble as his assertion that the new renditions being made by some colleague musicians are better than the original renditions from years back is already receiving some backlash.

In the past few years, some Ghanaian Gospel musicians have had to apologize for doing their own renditions to old songs without due processes being followed and later begged for out of court settlements but these precedents would not deter others from doing same as Gospel musician Bohyeba Joshua believes there are particular reasons for doing so.

In an interview with www.nydjlive.com, Bohyeba Joshua who has had several renditions to some of the old Gospel songs explained his justification for the assertion was not based on the premise that he had done his own rendition to some of the old songs but because times had changed and there was the need to device new approach to the propagation of the Gospel.

“Indeed, times have changed and it is only right to add a twist to the very old materials we have. That changes nothing. It is all in propagation of the same Gospel”

Adding to the reasons, the artist explained the new renditions gave life back to these old songs, made them more inspirational and powerful although others have critiqued his assertion and called that practice a work of lazy musicians.

Asked what he meant by the latest renditions being powerful than the original songs, the artist referred to Haggai Chapter 2 verse 9 and stated “the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former” hence the anointing under which the renditions were made were exceptional.

Reacting to recent calls by great Gospel musicians such as Professor Kofi Abraham, Uncle Fiifi, Mr. Osei Boateng, Osenkafo to be original with their content, Bohyeba Joshua explained there was nothing new under the sun hence the need the recent trend.

The Gospel musician whose latest album Onyame Dada which features his own rendition to Yesu Ka Wo ho is currently enjoying massive airplay in the hub of Ghanaian Gospel music, Kumasi explained his assertion is not belittle the old musicians who laid a foundation for them but only point out a fact.

Bohyeba Joshua has four albums to his credit and has had several features with other Ghanaian Gospel musicians including Joshua Blankson, Joseph Mensah, and Monica Fordjour etc.

Do you prefer the new renditions being made by Gospel artists to our known old hymns? If yes, why? If no why?

GHANA VRS NAIJA: WHO WINS THIS TIME?

It was not born as a competition but when the first Ghana Meets Naija concert came off in 2011, it was largely believed that the Nigerian artistes performed better than their Ghanaian counterparts. Ghana lost to Naija and since then, subsequent concerts have ignited a rivalry on the music stage.

The following year, 2012, Nigeria beat Ghana again, according to the music enthusiasts who have appointed themselves referees. The line-up comprised Keche, 4X4, Kaakie, Guru, Sala, R2Bess and Kwaw Kese from Ghana against Davido, Brymo, Tiwa Savage and M.I.

Last year, Ghana redeemed itself beating the Nigeria line-up of Timaya, Burna Boy and Wizkid, with a homegrown selection of Okyeame Kwame, E.L, Edem, Raquel and D-Black.

Once again, Ghana will have the opportunity to prove they are better than the Nigerians at the fourth edition of Ghana Meets Naija slated for Saturday May 24, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Representing Ghana, in what many pundits see as an unfair overloading of the Ghana side, are Sarkodie, Guru, Castro, Shatta Wale and Lil Win against the lean Nigerian side of Davido, Kcee and Whizzboy. But trust Nigeria to be loud. Some Nigerian students studying in Ghana have claimed that Davido alone has a larger following in Ghana than any of the Ghanaian artistes on the bill. “Remember, we are five times bigger in size than Ghana,” they say.

The Ghanaian artistes billed to perform have promised to overpower their Nigerian counterparts come Saturday when the event takes place.

The Naija claim has been received with a measure of sneer by some of the Ghanaian performers. Speaking to Guru, he said, “I have been rehearsing for weeks now and I believe patrons will love my performance on the night. I don’t want to give too much away, but I promise Ghanaians an excellent performance.”

According to Guru, Ghana Meets Naija is a big platform and once he has had the opportunity he would make good use of it. “Apart from my popular songs like Boys Abre, Akonta Fried Rice, Nkwadaa Nkwadaa, Lapaz Toyota, Amen and Bonsam Ani that people know, I will be releasing two new songs on the night.”

Castro told Showbiz he would be singing as many songs his fans expect from him. “I am prepared to spend hours on stage, if the organisers will allow me, singing hit song after hit song. In addition, musicians, Kofi Kinaata, Shilo, Screw Face and perhaps Asamoah Gyan will be joining me on stage.”

Comedian, Lil Win, who featured on Guru’s Boys Abre said he has three singles he will be singing on the night. “What most people do not know is that I do music alongside acting and on Saturday, Ghanaians will see the other side of me.”

Ghana Meets Naija is sponsored by MTN, Unibank, Oak Plaza Hotel, rlg, Smirnoff, Africa World Airlines, MegaLife Investments and Atlas Rent A Car. Ghana Meets Naija is powered by Empire Entertainment.

NADIA BUARI AND I ARE STILL TOGETHER - JIM IYKE OPENS UP

Contrary to reports that he and Ghanaian actress, Nadia Buari have gone their separate ways, Jim Iyke has come out to deny it all calling it “pure speculation.”

In a statement issued by his media manager, Mitch Ngaman, he that the rumours are “unfounded” and therefore should be ignored.

Ngaman said, “I can assure you that whatever you may have heard regarding the ‘misunderstanding’ between Jim and Nadia is pure speculation. Nonetheless, it is normal for lovers to disagree with each other occasionally or they wouldn’t be human beings. We are aware of the false rumour about Jim and Nadia’s breakup.”

“We have decided to ignore it because it is unfounded. That guy is a frustrated musician and blogger whose stock – in – trade is blackmail. All he does is to meddle in other people’s business. And if he does not have his way, he goes into a tantrum and fabricates stories. We will act when we deem fit. He can keep on ranting for now,” the statement reads.

Rumours have been rife that the relationship between Iyke and Buari has broken down owing to the Nollywood actor’s temperament which many say leaves so much to be desired.

Buari is yet to react to speculations of a break up but her silence signals to many that all is not well between both lovebirds.