STOP SPREADING LIES ABOUT ME – SHATTA WALE WARNS

2013 Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the year, Shatta wale has lashed out at the Ghanaian media at what he describes as a deliberate ploy to associate him with negativity.

He was reacting to recent rumors in the press that he had deliberately refused to visit his manager Nana Asiama Hanson [Bull dog] after he got arrested.

Nana Asiama Hanson was arrested for the murder of Fenec Okyere, manager of Kwaw Kese after investigations by the homicide unit of the Police Criminal investigative department pointed to him as the prime suspect.

Speaking to Citi News in an exclusive interview, Shatta Wale questioned the rationale behind all the negative reports and said he was not in any way swayed by them. “The industry people are always talking about me. But I know it is God who’s brought me this far.”

Reacting to bulldogs imprisonment he disclosed that “I know all their plans against Bulldog will not materialize, I know the God that takes care of me and will extend his mercy towards Bull Dog. God Is watching everyone.”

He also added that “I heard the media spreading all sought of rumors that I don’t even go and visit him[Bull Dog]. What worries me about the media is that they never say anything good about me. They only concentrate on the bad stuff that is said about me.”

He has asked the media to desist from those writing false reports about him saying “I beg them, they should stop circulating false rumors about me. Actually, I don’t like what they are doing. Any bad thing they like to associate it to me. All the areas I know, Newtown Madina, Nima, they follow me because I am a man of truth.” 

MANY NIGERIAN ACTORS LIVE ON PAST GLORY — RAMSEY NOUAH

Nollywood star, Ramsey Nouah, exposes some of the realities confronting many Nigerian actors, writes Jayne Augoye.

After a phenomenal rise to global fame, Nollywood celebrated its 20th anniversary recently. At other times, the occasion would have been marked with much partying, probably round the year. But things are far from being rosy for the industry at present.

Many challenges, including piracy, absence of structured distribution networks and a string of scandals trailing some of its star players, are threatening to rob the industry of its glory. While these issues are not new, they have taken a toll on the fortunes of some actors and actresses

Over the last few years, the effect of the dip in Nollywood’s fortunes on some practitioners, especially the pioneers, has become a subject of debate and concern for stakeholders.

Before now, a good number of the screen stars found consolation in endorsements by corporate organisations, especially telecomunication companies like Globacom and MTN. But the business world is fast shifting its love to musicians.

Although some of their fans have come to realise that Nollywood movies ‘no longer sell’, a number of these stars, who themselves are obviously experiencing hard times, cover up by constantly hyping themselves.

But Nollywood star, Ramsey Noah, has burst their bubble.

Noah, whose acting career kicked off when he starred in the Nigerian TV soap opera Fortunes in the 1990s, is saying it as it is for the first time.

The actor was one of the panelists at the recently held Nigerian Entertainment Conference. He did not mince words when painting the true picture of the situation in Nollywood.

He says, “Many Nigerian actors live on their past glory. The truth is that many of us (actors) don’t make money from film-making or movies any longer. There is the show part, but there is actually no business side to Nollywood any longer.

“Many of these actors depend on and make their money from acquaintances. So, they simply depend on those who appreciate their works and then introduce them to other sources of income aside acting.”

The actor whose Globacom endorsement deal was terminated in 2013, alongside that of Rita Dominic, Uche Jombo, Mike Ezuruonye, Monalisa Chinda, Nonso Diobi and Odunlade Adekola, adds, “Some people who appreciate you for who you are and for your talent will then try to establish business links that can sustain you and your family.”

Judging by the number of factions that currently exist in Nollywood and the current leadership tussle within the Actors Guild of Nigeria, it is not difficult to tell that the actors are somewhat divided amongst each other.

Noah appears to confirm this when he notes, “The truth about creative people is that they lack unity. It is very hard to find unity among them. It has nothing to do with Nollywood, in particular.

“In Nollywood all you have is the show part but not the business. We lack structure. There is no balance. It is almost as if we sold our birthrights to the wrong people. Nollywood is capital — intensive and we are aware that improvements are needed, but we lack the structure to make this happen.”

Even as The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has approved a 12-man committee of Nollywood stakeholders (this will pave the way for Nigerian entries to be considered for the Oscars in 2015), Nouah is optimistic that the future is not entirely bleak for Nollywood.

He says, “Hopefully this digital era will bring about positive changes in the outlook and technology of some of our movies. I would love the situation where creative minds put the right structures in place for the industry and then things will get better.

“I suggest that the Federal Government should impose heavy taxes on DVDs/VCDs producers so as to curb piracy. There is a need for the right structure, in addition to marketing and promotions, to propel Nollywood.”

JIM IYKE OPENS UP ON ALLEGED BREAK UP WITH NADIA BUARI

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.

TIM WESTWOOD TV TO START AIRING ON SPYDER LEE ENTERTAINMENT TV

Its official! Fans of the celebrated and award winning British disc jockey, radio and television presenter, Tim Westwood can now watch him on TV in the comfort of their homes.

The show was launched with a Meet & Greet session with some Ghanaian music stars including, E.L, Stonebwoy, Double, Akwaboah, and others at the Coconut Groove Hotel, in Accra.

Tim Westwood TV will air on the Spyder Lee Entertainment television (SET) channel, available on First Digital Plus, Ghana’s premier digital pay television operator. The show features interviews with international superstar musicians and industry moguls including Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Nicki Minaj, Drake, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, Eminem and many more during their tours, before and after performances, during parties and from unusual locations in London.

During the event, Tim Westwood said he was excited about bringing the show to Ghana and he called on Ghanaians to support local artists in order to help the music industry grow. Chief Executive Officer of Spyder Lee Entertainment, Mr. Edwin Edinkrah, was also excited that the show was finally in Ghana, and he commended Tim Westwood for his contribution to the Afrobeatz movement in the UK and worldwide.

Spyder Lee Entertainment is now part of the Ghana Media Group, a diversified media services company. Services provided by the company ranges from Talent Management, Event Logistics and Management, Audio-Visual productions to content provision.

OKYEAME KWAME RECEIVES AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Okyeame Kwame’s performance in the Ghana Music Industry has over the past decade won the admiration of various music patrons.

Particularly with regard to his differentiation from other artistes, high quality production and the social progressive value of his music, Okyeame Kwame won the award of high performance in the Music Industry during an award ceremony organized by SPID – UP.

Individuals and institutions such as Ashesi University, MTN Ghana, Emmanuel Dei-Tumi, and among others, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity International Savings & Loans Ltd., Mr. Kwame Owusu-Boateng all received awards for outstanding performance in their respective business and creative fields.

After receiving the award which was presented to him by the National Youth Co-coordinator of the National Youth Authority, Ras Mubarak, Okyeame took to his Facebook page saying: “I want to thank #Spid_Up for recognizing me as a high performer. I would like to thank God, and all my Friends for supporting my music and thus, bringing me this far. I promise to keep respecting your eardrum and giving you the best music in me and with your support once more, we would go farther. "Medamo ase."”

SHATTA WALE OPENS UP: I LIKE THE WAY SAMINI PERFORMS

The two top dancehall artistes in Ghana, Samini and Shatta Wale, for some time now have been throwing jabs at each other calling themselves names. Several songs have been released by these dancehall acts using foul words to describe the other.

If what Shatta Wale is saying is anything to go by, then OMG!Ghana.com can confirm that the feud between him and Samini has come to an end.

Shatta Wale who appeared as a guest on last Saturday’s Diva’s Show on TV3, showered praises on Samini for the energy he exhibits during his performances. He again defended Samini’s performance at the recently held Ghana Music Awards accusing Charter House, organizers of the event, of not allowing the ‘Linda’ hitmaker to perform with his band.

“When you get shows like Ghana Music Awards, promoters don’t allow you to perform with your band. Samini came on stage and found out that that wasn’t his band because if that was his band, he was going to deliver so good. When I watch him with his own band, I like the way he performs.”

He advised that promoters need to take artistes’ requests into consideration when they are master planning for their events to help the artiste give off his best during the show.

When Nana Aba Anamoah, host of the show queried him on when he is collaborating with Samini, the ‘Dancehall King’ hitmaker said ‘we will be working on it don’t worry. I want it to be a surprise”

He added that, “I’m an artiste and I need to work with all the great artistes in Ghana. I like him you know”

He revealed that he has recorded a track with Sarkodie which will be released soon.

Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Guru, Castro and Lil Win will lead Ghana to face Davido, Kcee, Wizboyy and Selobobo from Nigeria on Saturday, May 24th at the Accra International Conference Center for the fourth edition of Ghana meets Naija concert.

EFYA TO SHARE STAGE WITH MILEY CYRUS, FLO RIDA, MARIAH CAREY, D’BANJ, OTHERS @ WMA 2014

Ghanaian singer Efya, who has been confirmed to perform on this year’s World Music Award(WMA) is set to share the stage with international music superstars from around the world.

Efya will perform alongside Nigerian music superstar D’banj, Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Jason Derulo and Fall Out Boy.

Efya’s smash hit song “Best in me” has received nominations in 5 different categories: World's Best Song, Best Female Artiste, World Best Live Act, World Best Entertainer of the Year and World Best Video. Rapper Sarkodie and UK-based Fuse ODG have also received nominations for the same awards.

The reigning VGMA best female vocalist has also been nominated for the Best Female award in Africa’s most respected music awards event – the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2014.

This brings to seven, the award nominations so far this year. A clearly overwhelmed Efya has taken to her official Facebook page to thank her fans and team, asking for further support to win all the awards she’s been nominated for.

The international award show is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 27th May 2014 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, France.