GTV Blacklists Sidney

State-owned national television GTV has taken an official decision to blacklist Ghanaian musician Sidney Ofori, known in showbiz circles a Barima Sidney, NEWS-ONE has gathered.

Though GTV has not given an official explanation for this decision, high level sources from station say it is a politically motivated decision from the powers that be within the ruling government.

Since the decision was taken, GTV is on record to have refused to give airtime to the celebrated musician, even when the musician was ready to pay for it.

NEWS-ONE has also confirmed that GTV has turned away three different music videos from Barima Sidney. The said music videos were for Barima’s hit songs, ‘Enkoyie’, ‘Gadindingadem’ and his latest hit ‘Bye-Bye’. All three songs appear to be political satires that talk about the economic hardships of a society in a rather amusing way. They don’t contain anything vulgar, profane, indecent, inciting or insulting. “There is a five-member board that has been set up to ensure anything from Sidney does not get airplay.

His songs are always talking about hardships and it makes the government seem as if they are not working.

If we continue to play such songs, the other parties would benefit and we have realized that because his songs do not have any political colour, they convince more people and in an election year, we should not be seen to be promoting such things that can be used against government,” a deep-throat source on GTV’s board told NEWS-ONE.

‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’ Audition records High Numbers

Running to staging the final show at the National Theatre in December, preparations for the ‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’ has begun in an intense passion.

Dubbed the ‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’, which seeks to combine Theatre, Music and Dance on one stage on one night, organizers kick started with an auditions at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana over the weekend.

In attendance were very enthusiastic people of all ages coming to audition for various roles. Panelist had to make a selection from the over a hundred and fifty dancers, skaters and acrobats who showed up. Those who are chosen will make history together with Okyeame Kwame by performing with him and other artistes on the event night.

Being the first of its kind ever to be staged in the country, the ‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’ boasts of some of the very best pros in the respective industries. The audition panel which comprised of renowned Dance Choreography and lecturer, Prof. Nii Yartey and son, Nii Tete, Kofi Antonio, also a dance tutor and LaTina Rencher (dancer and dance trainer from the US) were highly impressed with the talents that were on display.

Kofi Antonio, the choreographer of the event was elated by the numbers, enthusiasm and sheer talents of those who came to audition. He was full of praise for the dancers who were auditioned and promised to bring out the very best in them for the show so they all make history together by staging the first of such a show in Ghana.

In an interview with Nii Tete, he said he was thrilled at the idea of fusing music, theatre and dance in one show, and was full of praise for the initiator of the concept Okyeame Kwame. “I am impressed with the immense amount talent displayed by the young dancers and acrobats, and I thank them for willing to share their talents with the rest of the world on such a stage”, he said excitedly.

After promising to give out his best, he added that, it is for all Ghanaian arts and music lovers to come to the National Theatre in their numbers on December, 14th to throw their weight behind Okyeame Kwame. “Okyeame Kwame to me represents a generation of young people who want to push the arts and music to its deserved heights and needs everyone’s help”.

The ‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’ comes with a TV reality series which starts airing soon on MultiTV and GHOne. The reality series will chronicle the journey of the event from auditions up to the final show at the National Theatre.

Demo Hits Okay FM

A group calling itself concerned listeners of Okay Fm has threatened to embark on a massive demonstration against the station for its decision to suspend one of its most patronised programmes, ‘Akekakeka’, which is a segment on the Drive Time programme hosted by Abeiku Santana.

The threat came after the host of Drive Time, announced the suspension of ‘Akekakeka’ on the network.

A section of the listeners who were not happy stormed the premises of the station located at Abeka junction to protest against the station’s decision to suspend the programme. The group, yesterday, gave the management of the station a grace period to address their concerns or would be forced to take to the streets of Accra next week.

Beatwaves learnt that the grievances of the group had already been forwarded to the management of the station, who would communicate their final decision to them as soon as possible.

The source at the station told Beatwaves the demonstration would not help the group in any way, since the concerns raised in the petition were being addressed at the management level.

“We have therefore forwarded the group’s petition to the management. We will communicate whatever response they may have as soon as they get back to us”, the source said.

Student Sells Her Virginity For Half A Million Pounds

A BRAZILIAN student has reportedly sold her virginity for almost half a million pounds in an online auction. Catarina Migliorini, 20, was one of two virgins to take part in the auction for an Australian documentary. A Japanese man bid £487,000 to be the first to take her to bed. Catarina said she would use the money to study medicine in Argentina, according to Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo. “I am 20, I am responsible for my body and I am not hurting anyone,” she said. “For me, it’s not prostitution. When someone does something once in his or her life, this is not considered a profession. If you take a picture and it comes out good, you are not a photographer because of it.” Russian lad Alexander Stepanov also sold his virginity on the Virgins Wanted auction, receiving the winning bid of £1,876 from Brazil. The documentary has attracted criticism on its Facebook page with several users voicing concerns over the ethics of the auction. According to the auction’s terms, Catarina will undergo a medical examination to prove she is a virgin and the consummation will take place within the next ten days. The "rules" also ban the use of sex toys, kissing and recording, as well as stipulating a minimum time of one hour. Each virgin will reportedly receive $20,000 as well as 90 percent of their "sale" figure. Catarina was previously said to be taking part to raise money for the poor.

Majid Michel, Zack Orji, And Sam Sarpong Arrive In Toronto For Planet Africa Awards

Big Time

The international players are lined up and in place for the 2012 Diversity and Planet Africa Awards.

Nigerian Actor, Filmmaker, Media Consultant, Singer, Composer, Writer, Motivational Speaker and winner of the Planet Africa Entertainment Award is in Toronto! Also in the city, is recipient of the Rising Star Award, Ghanaian actor and producer Majid Michel. Sam Sarpong

The star studded gala will be hosted by Canada’s own ‘Mr. International’, Kardinal Offishall. British born, Hollywood Actor and Supermodel Sam Sarpong will keep the vibe going for the after party excitement. Call the awards hotline at 647-328-8670 for your tickets!

Some confirmed VIPs for the event include, Chief Bill Blair, Toronto Police Service; Chief Eric Jolliffe, York Regional Police; Her Excellency Amina Ali, African Union Ambassador to the United Nations and TV Hosts; Dwight Drummond and Ann Marie Mediwake.

We have also confirmed Mayors, Senators, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, Consul Generals as well as other VIPs and Celebrities.

E.L Makes Legon Student Go Crazy On Stage

Last Saturday, at the hall week of Saba Hall of University of Ghana gathered great artists from Ghana to torture the entertainment aspect of the week long celebration. Gospel artiste Herty Borngreat, E.L, D-Black, Edem, Kwaw Kesse, Dobble, Dr.Slim and a couple of artistes were there to make sure students enjoyed the weekend after a week long lectures.

E.L who was billed to perform also at Kaalu beach party on Sunday October 21, did not perform that much since he wanted all the students to meet him. Students who attended the show were eager to see E.L perform a whole track of which E.L didn’t want to.

At long last, when that kaalu hitmaker decided to rock students with his hit track, 'Kaalu', a student whose name cant be disclosed, from no where landed on stage dancing as if his head was lost.

When organizers of the show decided to drag him down, E.L signaled them to leave him to do whatever he wanted to do on stage. After the four minute track ended, the student jumped off stage and nobody saw his where about again.

Music Duo ‘Twens’ To Shine At The Ghana DJ Awards

Where there is a gathering of DJs there is good music! The making of good music is no easy thing thus artists who tend to make hit tracks need to be applauded and DJ’s do great justice to that. Every now then, people who have excelled in the industry need acknowledgement and recognition for their exceptional work and that is why “THE DJ AWARDS” is here!

DJs in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa would be representing and would get the turntables blazing in flames as they scratch, spin and do all that they do best to get the beats and tracks banging hot!

Ghana’s own TWENS, the duo Hip Life/ Hip Pop/ R&B group has been spot lighted as been makers of great tunes which DJ’s across the continent love. With the various singles hits such, “Asem Ben Nie ft. Kwabena Kwabena” , “Playas Want [Reloaded]”, “Put Me On Six” and their latest hit “Makuma ft. Coded [4x4]”, they are slated to perform LIVE on the DJ AWARDS stage on Friday 26th October.

CypressGH talking to Merqury Quaye the event organizer was told he has no doubt the duo would crank the event another notch high. Meeting up with TWENS later, Manuel TWENS aka GBESO and Henry TWENS aka NATURE both said, they are fully geared towards shaking the stage and making sure the awards is on pace with great momentum. “We will do what only TWENS know how to do and that is to perform and excite the audience”, Gbeso said.