I AM NOT UNDER PRESSURE-FRANK RAJAH

Movie Director Frank Rajah has responded to claims that he is under pressure over his decision to change the cast for the upcoming sequel to his movie, ‘Cheaters’.

According to him, everything is under control.

Frank reportedly kicked out lead actress Jackie Appiah and other cast in the first and two instalments of the movie and replaced them with archrival actress Yvonne Nelson and a new set of cast including Eddie Watson, Naomi Watson, Kweku Elliot and Zynnell Lydia Zuh.

Sources said the development was generating some controversy in the ‘Cheaters’ camp as Frank Rajah is under pressure to satisfy the cast on each divide.

However, Frank told NEWS-ONE yesterday that “there is no problem. Everything is perfectly going well. Everything is cool.”

He said the new sequel is titled ‘Cheaters Vacation’ and that “it is not a continuation of the Book 1&2. Those stories have ended and totally different from the new one, so don’t get it twisted,” Frank reiterated.

D BLACK: I’M NO OPPORTUNIST

Ever since D-Black started his music career, most of his hit songs have been collaborations with other musicians and now some music enthusiasts are seeing him as someone who cannot come out with a ‘banger’ on his own.

Others are even branding him as an opportunist who takes advantage of already established artistes to enhance his works to churn out hit songs.

Some of his hit collaborations include Somebody ft Kwabena Kwabena, I like That ft Sarkodie, Carry Go ft Davido, Vera Ft Joey B, Conference Call ft. Kwaw Kese and Personal Person ft Castro.

However, D-Black who debunks this perception believes he can stand on his own without the support of his other colleague musicians.

He told Showbiz “I collaborate with other musicians because they are different in their own ways. It is ridiculous for anyone to say I am an opportunist because my fan base is beyond Ghana”.

D-Black explained that because he is not fluent in Twi and Ga, he goes in for artistes who speak those languages well to help get his message across.

“If I could sing in Twi or Ga, I wouldn’t have to feature others on my songs most of the time. That is not say I wouldn’t have done collaboration even if I were fluent in Twi or Ga. I cannot sing Twi or Ga that is why I always feature other musicians”

D-Black who has topped several charts in Ghana with his current song Personal Person is about releasing a gospel song titled Son of God which features Bisa Kdei.

Son of God was produced by DJ Breezy of Personal Person, Selfie, Sei Ho and Tonga fame.

In Son of God, D-Black praised God for the success he has achieved with his music career. He also used the song to encourage people going through difficulties to have faith in God because He is the only one who never disappoints.

Son of God is D-Black’s second single gospel song. The first one was Somebody which featured Kwabena Kwabena.

“Son of God is an inspirational song and I hope it improves the lives of those who listen to it. I hardly do gospel music but looking at what God has done for me throughout my music career, I believe it is right for me to do a song to glorify His name and to encourage others to do same” he said.

KWAW KESE DIVORCES WIFE AFTER 6 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

Hiplife artiste Emmanuel Botchwey aka Kwaw Kese has ended his six-year-old marriage with his wife.

The ‘abodam’ rapper's wife is a white American and used to work at the American Embassy in Ghana.

Reasons for their separation is however not yet known.

Kwaw Kese has two kids with his wife: a boy and a girl whose names are only known as Sean and Veronica.

The rapper tweeted in a rather elated tone on Monday that he is single. It is strange that he chose to break the news publicly since he has kept his marriage quiet all these years…

Below is the exact comment on tweeter

“SINGLE AGAIN, AFTER 6 YEARS OF MARRIAGE I AM OFFICIALLY SINGLE!!!!”

2014 HAS BEEN POSITIVE FOR DANCEHALL -JUPITER

Dancehall artiste Jupiter says 2014 has really been a positive year for most members of the Dancehall fraternity.

The ‘Money Box’ hit maker was nominated for the Dancehall Artiste of the Year, Dancehall Song of the Year, Best Collaboration of the Year (Dancehall), Music Video of the Year (Dancehall) and Best Performer of the Year categories in the second edition of the BASS Awards.

“This year has really been a great year for the Dancehall artistes. Personally as a Dancehall artiste, three years ago I wasn’t actually having platforms like the VGMAs and other platforms we have here in Ghana to perform. This year has really been a positive year for every Dancehall artiste, I mean the reigning ones,” Jupiter told NEWS-ONE.

Born Michael Okine, Jupiter stated that in the past Dancehall artistes could not make it at most of the popular events in Ghana because of the genre of music they were doing.

“In the past I found it really difficult to be on those platforms because of the kind of music I’m doing which is Dancehall. Last year and this year, I’m not bragging, but I have been on every show and gained a bit of money so I guess it’s really been a good year. Every Dancehall artiste who actually did well also enjoyed the same way I enjoyed,” he added.

Perhaps the year under review has really heightened the interest of Ghanaians in the genre with Shatta Wale winning the Ultimate Artiste of the Year award at the just ended Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

TEARS FLOW FOR CASTRO

Several showbiz personalities in Ghana have expressed shock and sympathy after news broke on Sunday afternoon that hip-life artiste Castro had drowned in the Volta Lake at Ada Foah after a failed attempt at rescuing a drowning female friend.

Castro, 32, was reported to have been cruising on a jet ski on the river when the unfortunate incident happened near the Ada Estuary, and as at Monday afternoon, reports said his body was yet to be found though fisher folks and Marine Unit of the Ghana Police Service had launched a search operation.

NEWS-ONE surfed social network Twitter to check what some of the country’s celebs tweeted about the tragedy.



Bull Dog (@BULLHAUS)

Artiste Manager and Chief Executive of Bullhaus Entertainment Bull Dog on Sunday tweeted: “Sad day in the Entertainment Industry… RIP bro.”

Jay Foley (@jayfoley2131)

Radio presenter and TV personality Jay Foley also tweeted: “That feeling beyond PAIN.. Ghana has been brought to its knees. RIP #castro.”



D-Black (@DBLACKGH)

Rapper D-Black on Sunday said: “Rest In Peace my brother Castro. Ur legacy will forever live on..”



Lydia Forson (@lydiaforson )

Popular actress Lydia Forson tweeted: “Just put on my phone to see several messages about Castro… Please say it’s not true.”



Reggie Rockstone (@ReggieRockstone)

Veteran rapper Reggie Rockstone on Sunday said: “My fones [phones] blowing up bout [about] Castro and I pray this is not true pple! Called him but no pick! (he returns calls late so I wait) all pray NOW.”



Wanlov the Kubolor (@wanlov)

Wanlov the Kubolor tweeted: “oh Castro!!! oh!!!”



Bisa kdei (@bisa_kdei)

Contemporary High-life musician Bisa kdei, who was shocked at the news, said: “naaa i don’t want to believe this..this is not true..Castro???



Tiffany (@itz_tiffany)

Ghanaian female rapper and singer Tiffany, who appeared to be in denial, posted: “#never never he’s deffo gon swim back I swear. Under can swim I know u can… please swim bk. this ain’t true. My heart God….”



Trigmatic (@trigmaticrocks)

Rapper and song writer Trigmatic also tweeted on Sunday that “This shouldn’t be true. God pls! #castrostillalive”



Chase Forever (@chaseforever )

R&B sensation Chase Forever also tweeted: “Omg omg I hope is not true Castro!!!”

TOURISM AUTHORITY COMMENCES INVESTIGATION INTO CASTRO’S DEATH

The Ghana Tourism Authority has sent a fact finding team to investigate the reported death of Ace Hip Life Artiste Castro and his female friend.

The artiste and his female friend have still not been found since Saturday after they went Jet Skiing at a resort in Ada. There have been several rumors as to what really caused the Jet Ski accident.

However the tourist board suspects safety standards may have been breached. Its Public Relations Officer, Ohene Aryeh told Ultimate Radio, there are laws regarding the operation of all sea and water crafts and their operations at resorts and coastal recreational centres.

“Our new law even says that we need to licence the jet skis and those who provide these water crafts and we indeed have new laws that encompasses the licensing of all these activities” he emphasized.

“We are sending a fact finding team to Adaa because we need to know whether it was the hotel that gave him the life jacket or the Jet Ski or the water craft which he went unto”

He assured that a statement will be issued after its investigations are over.

Mr. Ohene Aryeh also emphasized that punitive actions will be dealt squarely to anyone found to have acted in negligence.

CASTRO WANTED TO QUIT HIP-LIFE MUSIC FOR GOSPEL - MORRIS BABYFACE CLAIMS

Award winning beat-maker and musician Morris Babyface now known as Morris D’voice has disclosed that “missing” Hip-Life artiste Castro also known “Under-Fire” had wanted to be a full time gospel singer, thus, quitting the secular music genre.

He claims the “African Girls” hit maker personally told his blood brother Roro Buddy who also happens to be a sound engineer.

“I remember Castro telling my brother Roro Buddy not long ago that this is his last hip-life album and that he would do gospel after. And I said brother, you don’t give yourself time to hear the voice of God, for God knows tomorrow but you do not. Listen to that still voice of God and act now, for that may be your saving grace,” he claimed to have told Castro.

Morris D’voice made this assertion on his Facebook wall after expressing much pain that Castro did not experienced the Grace of the Lord before his unexpected calamity.

Castro and his lady friend named Janet Bandu went missing on Sunday July 6, 2014 after allegedly drowning in a jet ski accident at Ada where they were on holiday with some friends including Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan.

The Marine division of the Ghana Police is said to be working tirelessly to find Castro and his female friend.

However, many including fetish priests, Mallams and prophets have told Peace FM and that the lady whom Castro wanted to save before they both drown is a Marine Spirit or “Mame Water”.

However, Morris D’voice says that, though he does not consider the claims by the spiritualists as factual yet he insists Janet Bandu is not “fully human”.

“Even though I don’t believe in these fetish priests, mallams and all these false prophets because there’s no truth in the devil, people shouldn't be amazed about what they are hearing about the lady [Janet] he [Castro] was with. She isn't full human...”

He further explained that “There are such people around that we are living with. Ever asked yourself when someone goes to a fetish priest for a baby and he is able to give one, where from that baby? Can the devil create ‪man‬? It is up to you to believe it or not but be careful before it is too late”‬.

His only hope is that, Castro who he calls his brother is found alive.

“I can only hope God does a miracle. There is no time to joke with friends. JESUS is still calling. Don’t let things of this world distract you…I pray we all avail ourselves and get saved. ‪#‎AMEN‬” he posted on his social media Facebook wall.‬