PRESIDENT OF THE KUMASI FILM CREW ADMITS THAT KUMASI MOVIES LACK QUALITY

Many are those who have complained bitterly about the quality of movies produced in Kumasi and the fact that most of them are increasingly destroying the film industry.

Though some Kumasi movie makers disagree with people who pass negative comments about Kumasi movies, the President of Ghana Film Crew Association of Ghana (Kumasi branch), Owusu Asare has revealed to Flex newspaper that, it is true that most Kumasi films lack quality.

He lamented that many people who are technically good when it comes to movies end up blaming the Kumasi film crew because they handle most of the technical aspects of the movies. He added that he believes most of the blames should be directed to the film producers because they refuse to invest in quality and they like cheap labour.

He added that on the part of the Film Crew members, they are doing a lot to raise the standard of Kumasi films. “One of the main reasons why we came together to form this association is the blames we receive for poor work done, and we think though the producers are rather to blame, we also have to learn and work hard to bring out the best in us. We agree with those who criticize us for poor quality of our movies and we have learnt a lot from some of their criticism,” he said.

Talking about some of their strategic activities for the year, he said that they were planning to collaborate with NAFTI, so they could train most of the crew members who didn't have formal education, so they could also be professionals.

He also supposed that it would get to a point where they would control and force the producers to invest in quality and if they refuse, they would take personal actions against them.

As to what they have achieved within a shorter time, the president of the Association Samuel Owusu said that most of the winners of Kumawood Awards and Ghana Movie Awards are part of the Ghana Film Crew Association of Ghana. The Best Costumier in Ghana Movie Awards, George Atobire and makeup artiste Jude Odoh are part of the film crew.

NICHOLAS OMANE ACHEAMPONG EYES GOSPEL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Last year, Nicholas Omane Acheampong had his eye on the top Gospel Artiste of the Year award but lost it to Herty Borngreat.

Although Omane picked up the Gospel Song of the Year, the gospel musician, it appears, would not be content until he has won the ultimate Gospel Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards.

He is back saying the road to victory, this year, is smooth for him since he sees no competitor in that category.

According to him, he has worked better than any other gospel musician and deserves to be awarded Gospel artiste of the year.

“The impact my latest album Mahashala Hashbaz did in 2013 was so great. No other gospel musician was able to dominate the gospel scene or had better impact than me” Omane Acheampong told Showbiz last Thursday.

He said that anyone who had the opportunity to attend any of his shows during last year would testify the influence he had on his audience anytime he mounted the stage.

“Normally you are not likely to get too many gospel musicians cutting across both the secular and the gospel world but I believe I achieved that with Mahashala Hashba^ in 2013” Nicholas said.

Asked why he always praised himself for being the best, Nicholas said hard work pays and as a musician who is vibrant and releasing hit song after hit song, he would not let things bypass him and will continue to talk just as other musicians do when it is so clear the award is for them.

According to him, never would he complain if he knew he did not deserve any award but when Ghanaians are giving him. The support for his good work, he will always fight for his right.

“There are times when it is clear a particular musician deserves an award but at the end of the day, a different person picks it up. I cannot talk for others but I know what I am capable of and the influence I have on the society with my songs”, he said.

What if someone else picks the Gospel Artiste of the Year? “I will be disappointed although I am not the only Gospel artiste in Ghana. You need to call a spade a spade; I deserve the Gospel Artiste of the Year and probably Gospel Song of the Year as well”, he said.

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?