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VODAFONE GHANA MUSIC AWARDS VGMA 2012 NOMINEES

2012-03-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

VGMA 2012 NOMINEES

Slideshow»

1. Artiste(s) of the Year

* Becca
* Okyeame Kwame
* Sarkodie
* Efya
* R2Bees
* 4x4
* Kwaw Kesse

2. Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste(s) of the Year

* Stay Jay
* Okyeame Kwame
* 4x4
* Sarkodie
* D-Cryme
* Kwaw Kese
* R2Bees

3. Highlife Artiste(s) of the Year

* Daddy Lumba
* K. K Fosu
* Kwabena Kwabena
* Kwasie Pee
* George Darko
* Lucky Mensah

4. Gospel Artiste(s) of the Year

* DSP Kofi Sarpong
* Gifty Osei
* Philipa Baafi
* Lady Prempeh
* Bernice Ansah
* Selina Boateng

5. Best New Artiste of the Year

* Atumpan
* Racquel
* Stay Jay
* D-Cryme
* EL
* Zigi

6. Best Collaboration of the year

* Trigmatic/Raquel - Aageii
* Fuse ODG/Tiffany - Azonto
* Raquel/Sarkodie - Sweetieo
* Eduwordzi/Stay Jay - Yenko Nkoa
* Okyeame Kwame/Bertha - Faithful
* Sarkodie/Efya - I'm In Love With You
* Sarkodie/EL - You Go Kill Me

7. African Artiste(s) of the Year (Non Ghanaian)

* Naeto C
* Duncan Mighty
* Ice Prince
* D'banj
* Cabo Snoop
* Wizkid
* MI

8. Hiplife Song of the Year

* Stay Jay - Shashee Wowo
* Eduwordzi - Yenko Nkoa
* 4X4 - Yesi Yesii
* Sarkodie - U go kill Me
* Okyeame Kwame - Faithful
* Buk Bak - Kolom
* D Cryme - Kill Me Shy

9. Highlife Song of the Year

* George Darko - Lucky Star
* Lucky Mensah - Nkratuor
* Kwabena Maphia - I Go pay
* Daddy Lumba - Ko Hye Po
* Kwabena Kwabena - Be Gye Me
* K. K Fosu - Akoma

10. Most Popular Song of the Year

* 4 x 4 - Yesi Yesii
* Stay Jay - Shashee Wowo
* Selina Boateng - Me Nku Me Ho
* D Cryme - Kill Me Shy
* Sarkodie - U go Kill Me
* Zigi - You Say Wetin
* Atumpan - The Thing
* Okyeame Kwame - Faithful

11. Afro-Pop Song of the Year

* Ruff N Smooth - Beautiful
* Becca - African Woman
* Fuse ODG - Azonto
* Zigi - U Say Wey Tin
* Atumpan - The Thing
* Zigi - You Say Wetin
* Atumpan - The Thing
* Raquel - Sweetieo
* Chase - Tell Me Your Name

12. Hip Hop Song of the Year

* Bra Kevin - Three Headed Beast
* D-Black - My Kind Of Girl
* Sarkodie - I'm In Love With You
* Edem - Too Much
* Guru - Mmaakuo
* Kwaw Kese - Poppin

13. Gospel Song of the year

* Lady Prempeh - Nsantaban
* Gifty Osei - Fefeefe
* Philipa Baafi - Dea Eba Wosem Afe Yi
* Selina Boateng - Me Nku Me Ho
* Jake Alolome - Tomorrow By This Time
* DSP Kofi Sarpong - African Borborbo
* Bernice Ansah - Final say

14. Reggae Song of the Year

* Blakk Rasta - Miss Right
* Sonni Balli - All They See
* Edem - Ghetto Arise
* Kesse - Oh Yes
* Stonebwoy - Climax
* Jupiter/Trigmatic - Uptown Downtown

15. Best Group of the Year

* R2Bees
* Buk Bak
* Keche
* Ruff 'n' Smooth
* 4X4

INDUSTRY VOTING AWARDS CATEGORIES

16. Album of the Year

* Sarkodie - Rapperholic
* Kwaw Kese - Untold Stories
* 4x4 - Waist and Power
* Stay Jay - Repetition
* Trigmatic - Solutions
* Selina Boateng - Me Nku Me Ho

17. Best Male Vocal Artiste of the Year

* Kesse - Oh Yes
* Fritz - Me Dowu
* KK Fosu - Akoma
* Kwasie Pee - Shwe Ahenie
* Chemphe - Number One
* Kwame Adinkra - Abena Dansoaa

18. Best Female Vocal Artist of the Year

* Efya - I'm In Love With You
* Raquel - Odo
* Bertha - Faithful
* Becca - African Woman
* Irene Logan - Light and Darkness
* Diana Antwi Hamilton - Eye Wo Ara

19. Best Music Video of the Year

* Becca - African Woman - (Director: Davis Media Group)
* 4x4 - Yesi Yesii - (Director: Phamous People)
* D Black - My Kind of Girl - (Director: Jonathan Olamide & Desmond Blackmore)
* Mensah - No One Knows - (Director: Sam A Kessie)
* Bra Kevin - 3 Headed Beast - (Director: Nana Asihene)
* Sheriffa Gunu - Mrantie - (Director: Phamous Films Production)
* Okyeame Kwame - Faithful - (Director: Ohene Media)

20. Best Rapper of the Year

* Manifest - Ghana Must Go
* Sarkodie - U go Kill Me
* Okyeame Kwame - Faithful
* Edem - Legacy
* Trigmatic - Light and Darkness
* EL - Obuumo

21. Songwriter of the Year

* Okyeame Kwame - Faithful - (Writer: Kwame Nsiah Apau)
* D Cryme - Kill Me Shy - (Writer: Darlington Agyekum)
* Mensah - Fante Love Song - (Writer: Mensah Ansah)
* Manifest/Efya - Asa - (Writers: Kwame Tsikata /Jane Awindor/ J.Karp)
* Sarkodie/ Efya - I'm In Love With You - (Writers: Micheal Owusu Addo / Jane Awindor)
* Becca - African Woman - (Writer: Kiki Banson)
* Trigmatic - Light and Darkness - (Writers: Nana Yaw Oduro, Irene Logan)

22. Record of the Year

* Okyeame Kwame - Faithful
* Jayso/Adina - Music
* Mensah - Fante Love Song
* Trigmatic/Irene - Light and Darkness
* Sarkodie - I'm In Love With You
* Kwame Adinkra - Akua Dansoa
* Yaa Pono - Good Morning

23. Gospel Album of the Year

* Philipa Baafi - Dea Eba Wosem Afe Yi
* Selina Boateng - Me Nku Me Ho
* Bernice Ansah - Gbenze Gbenze
* Lady Prempeh - Ne Ntaban
* Skuulfou - Chapter One
* Gifty Osei - Fefeefe

Get it Hot: 13 Year old Young Dapper features D-Black on new single

2012-02-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

The talented and accomplished child rapper, actor, singer, model and athlete, Eric Mathis aka Young Dapper has featured Ghanaian rapper, D-Black on a banging new single. ‘Move This’.
The 13 year old US- based rapper recently performed at a number of shows in Ghana during the Christmas season, including ‘Ghana Rocks’, ‘The Yes Boss Concert’ among others, and one of the results of his visit to Ghana was the collaboration with D-Black. D-Black drops a twelve bar on this infectious club banger produced by Sammie Blacc.
‘Move This’ is off the young emcees upcoming album ‘Remake the World’ album and the video directed by Gyo of Phamous Philms is set to hit American and African screens soon! >>>DOWNLOAD
Even though this Prodigy Hip Hop Rap artist was born in Boston, Massachusetts, Young Dapper’s mother is a native of Accra, Ghana. He has always felt the need to connect with his African roots physically, spiritually and above all musically. Young Dapper, already a hit with the younger ladies in the States and Ghana, is back in Ghana in April to release the video for ‘Move This’.

It’s strictly come salsa at Close-up Salsa Fiesta grand finale!

2012-02-02T03:49:00.000-08:00

Move over, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’, Ghana’s hit salsa dance TV show, ‘Close-up Salsa Fiesta’ is ready for a fantastic finale on February 11. After many exciting weeks on TV, the competition will see the crowning of a new Salsa club, next Saturday at the lobby of the Conference Center in Accra.

The finale comes off with a firm promise to present Salsa dance lovers with the biggest gathering and a once in a life time chance of experiencing spectacular salsa performances by the 13 participating Salsa clubs and a guest appearance by an in

ternational salsa dance group. The Close-Up Salsa Fiesta promises to live up to the hype as first time learners of the dance have been preparing for over 10 weeks to take part in the festival for the fun and excitement as well as for the opportunity to win attractive prizes for participating in the festival.

During the Television series which run on GTV and GH-One, those who already know the dance steps were given the unique opportunity to share their love for the dance with a lot more people and show beginners some of the steps in the highly intricate yet excitingly simple dance steps inherent in the salsa.

During the festival each of the 13 participating Salsa Clubs were tasked to provide tutorials to those who turn up at their premises with coupons indicating their participation in the festival. These clubs will be presenting either a group or couple performance consisting of people who have come to learn the dance over the promotion period.

Participants are expected to engage in friendly competition in two main categories, Couples presentation and Group presentation. The winning club takes home Ghc 3000, second place winner takes GHc 2500 and the third place winner take Ghc 1500. All Participating clubs will also receive sponsor prizes.

All lovers of the Salsa dance are invited to be part the Close-Up Salsa Fiesta Finale by buying just 2 Close-Up Large from participating supermarkets or at the Gate and collect an entry

Donaeo samples DBanj’s ‘Oliver Twist’ on ‘Challey in the Chocolate Factory’

2012-02-02T03:44:00.000-08:00

It appears that some British pop stars of African origins cannot have enough of DBanj’s hit single, ‘Oliver Twist’. After songstress, Estelle did her female twist on the song, the ‘party hard’ man himself, Donaeo has also released a new Freestyle called ‘Challey in the Chocolate Factory’, that samples ‘Oliver Twist’
The up-tempo Caribbean mix features Anton Romero, the new signee to Donaeo’s label, Zephron. And unlike Estelle’s version that gave the thumbs-up to Kanye West, Usher, Tinie Tempah and others, ‘Challey in the Chocolate’ tells the story of Challey and the girls he loves and wants to get with. Some of the names that dropped out of the mouths of Donaeo and Anton Stacy Dash, Tyra Banks, Vanessa Williams, Alisha Bailey (Misfits), Rihanna, Jada Pinkett, Amber Rose and others.
Born Ian Greenidge, Donae’o (meaning Gift From God) is an English singer and rapper of Ghanaian decent from north-west London, and so it isn’t surprising that he uses the famous ghanian expression for a guy, Challey, in his song. He has also collaborated with Ghanaian artists like Tinny and Sarkodie.

Van Vicker To Receive Creative Award In California

2012-02-02T03:40:00.001-08:00

Actor Van Vicker has been nominated to receive a special award, the African Channel Creative Award, at the 20th edition of the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) scheduled to come off at a Night of Tribute on Friday, February 10 at the Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Los Angeles, California.

Van is listed among seven others who organizers say have impacted immensely on their fields and contributed diversely to the development of stage, television and film production among blacks.

In a citation, organizers of the awards described Van Vicker as “one of Africa’s hottest movie stars, he’s one of the most sought-after Nollywood actors. The award-winning actor has appeared in more than 100 movies, including Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark, Royal War, Broken Tears, Return of Beyonce and Princess Tyra. He’s been nominated twice for an African Movie Academy Award.”

Among the eight special awardees, the Pan African Film Festival will honor award-winning actress Loretta Devine with its highest honor for this year, Lifetime Achievement Award for her work on stage, television and film.

The six other recipients include, Meagan Good - Beah Richards Rising Star Actress Award, David Oyelowo - Canada Lee Rising Star Actor Award, Mr. Leon Garr - Community Treasure Award, Jewel Thais-Williams - Community Service Award, Jimmy Jean-Louis - The Africa Channel Diasporan Award, Eric Kabera and the Rwanda Cinema Centre - The Africa Channel Visionary Award.

One of Van’s movies, Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark will be screened on Saturday, February 11 during the festival.

PAFF was founded in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover, Emmy Award-winning actress, Ja’Net DuBois and executive director, Ayuko Babu, an international legal, cultural and political consultant who specializes in African Affairs.

PAFF is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art and creative expression. The goal of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative wo

rks, particularly those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the "Blackexperience".

PAFF holds the belief that film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.

This year’s festival selected a total of 160 films, representing 30 countries, 91 feature length films (narrative and documentaries) and 67 short films.

The festival will hand out prizes for Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Narrative Short, Best Narrative Feature, and Best First Feature Film, as well as audience favorite awards at the close of the festival.

I Have Never Slept With Sika Da Diva- Slim Busterr

2012-02-02T03:39:00.001-08:00

Dance guru Slim Busterr yesterday denied reports that he is dating actress Sika Da Diva, with whom he starred in his movie ‘Hellmett’.

The music icon told 'Beatwaves' that his relationship with the actress was purely business, adding, “I only contracted her to play a role in my movie ‘Hellmett’, which was premiered last Saturday”.

Slim Busterr confirmed that the actress had visited him at his house, but as a friend and a business partner.

He explained that he go

t to know Sika through a very good friend of his when he told the friend that he was working on a movie and needed a good actress to play the lead role.

Slim Busterr, who also played the lead character in the movie, denied having a sexual relationship with the actress, saying, “I have never slept with Sika Da Diva. I will not go that far. We are very good friends.”

The 1986 national dance champion and a former student of the Ebenezer Secondary School stated that he was not surprised when the news got to him that he was dating Sika.

“I don’t see anything wrong with dating Sika. The issue is that we worked together on my movie and that is all,” he stressed.

Ohemaa Mercy To Stage A Major Concert At The National Theater

2012-02-02T03:38:00.000-08:00

The sensational gospel musician who has been touted as one of the best gospel musicians in the Ghanaian music industry Ohemaa Mercy is set to stage a program dubbed "Ohemaa Mercy in Live Concert" at the National Theatre come 5th March 2012.

Ohemaa Mercy told Flex newspaper that, she will use that as an opportunity to unveil her latest and fourth album titled"Prophecy". On the day, we will experience great men of God who will come pour the anointing of God on all souls that will come over.

The inspirational gospel singer Ohemaa Mercy and her management sees and call this program "Tahila Praise" in other words a type of praise and worship that brings the presence of God unto mankind. According to Ohemaa Mercy, every one should try as much as possible to be there to witness the power of God.

She added that, most people will be healed from their wounds, sickness and will be touched by the Holy Spirit. "I challenge anybody who wants to testify the power of God to be there with his or her problems and i promise the person that he or she will never go home the same for the God of Prophecy will reach him." Ohemaa Mercy stated.

The program is expected to see a lot of Gospel stars including Ernest Opoku, Moses OK, OJ, No Tribe, Soul Winners, Pastor Joe Beecham, Army Newman and one surprised artist whose presence will shake the premises. Most of the artists have already spoken to this reporter and how they are going to shake the grounds.

The management of Ohemaa Mercy led by Mr, Isaac Twum Ampofo, has assured their fans of a well organised and a memorable event that will forever remain fresh in the minds of Ghanaians.

He said that, they chose that day because 5th March is close to the birth day of Ghana and that is 6th March and for that matter, the event will be a prophesy onto this country this year. Your authoritative Flex newspaper will continue to update you on the event.

Asylum Down" Premieres On February 10

2012-02-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

Asylum Down, a new Ghanaian movie by Sorag Films presented by HM films is scheduled to premiere on February 10 at the Silverbird Cinema in Accra.

After the premiere which is anticipated to attract a number of movie fans, the movie will continue to show at Silverbird Cinemas through the valentine season. Asylum Down is described as a movie of a kind. It is full of thrills and suspense as it unveils heinous crimes committed by trusted people in society.

It opens with a search for the murderer of a prominent business tycoon. The tycoon’s son, played by David Forson, has sworn heaven and earth to find his father’s killer.

A professor in clinical human psychology is dragged into the matter to find the killer since the only witness at the murder scene is a mentally unstable man.

Hell breaks loose when the professor discovers the witness has no clue about the killer. He must find the killer at all cost else his family dies! The movie comes with a lot of action packed scene and features stars Nollywood actor Scott Robert, John Dumelo, Kalsume Sinare, Magdalene Mensah, David Hans and a number of others.

The premiere is expected to gather together a number of Ghana’s top movie producers, stars and the cast. Sorag Film is one the new production houses under HM films which last produced ‘Who Own Da City;’ a movie which received nominations at the African Movie Academy Awards and Ghana Movie Awards.

Rex Omar And Carlos Sakyi At Each Other's Throat

2012-02-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

Stakeholders in the Ghanaian music industry have fought tirelessly amidst divisions, for so many years to take control of a collective society to be managed by the musicians themselves to replace the existing Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) which was set up by the government under the supervision of the Attorney General. Thankfully, their sweat and toil was finally over when COSGA was liquidated late last year to be replaced by the newly established Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO). After a long wait GHAMRO’s certificate to operate as a collective society for musicians in the country was approved by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on December 23, 2011 and was officially presented to its board members at a short ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012. Even though the whole industry is rejoicing over the seemingly good news, the infighting among some members is already threatening the progress of the new collective society. There is currently, a looming fight between Carlos Sakyi, Interim Chairman of the newly-certified Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) and a member of the Interim Board Rex Omar. Before the certificate was officially presented to them, the two disagreed with a statement Rex Omar made at the MUSIGA inauguration that COSGA was dead as at that time. Carlos Sakyi insisted on Peace FM last year that he disagreed with him whiles Rex still maintained his stance that COSGA was dead. Well, it seems the two are not done yet with each since they are engaged in another heated dispute over how the new board should operate. Peacefmonline.com investigations have revealed that the current Interim Board responsible for the Management and Administration of GHAMRO has been divided into two factions. Carlos Sakyi and some members believe the Interim Board should be allowed to preside over the affairs of GHAMRO for an unspecified tenure to put the right structures in place before substantive executives are elected into power. Some have interpreted this to mean a two-year mandate for the Interim board(that is the maximum number of years the board can operate as stated in their adapted constitution). But Rex Omar and his group are of the view that since GHAMRO now has a valid certificate to operate; it does not make sense to continue operating with an Interim Board for an unspecified term, when there can be election to elect competent people to operate the organization. According our sources, the disagreement between the two key members of the board is gradually generating into something fractious with some members of the board threatening to take legal action or stage a massive demonstration against the Interim Board. Carlos Sekyi and Rex Omar clashed over the same issue on Peace FM’s “Entertainment Review” when their exchanges went overboard and even degenerated into insults. Tempers flared as Carlos began using certain unprintable words on Rex and even threatened to walk out of the studio. Kwasi Aboagye, host of the program had to end the discussion abruptly at a point when none of them was ready to listen and both of them were interjecting each other needlessly. “GHAMRO is a result of a conflict resolution...it was borne out of a conflict. There is nowhere in the world that a collective society like GHAMRO has a board,” Carlos Sakyi stressed. According to him, in most similar societies in other parts of the world, there are elected representatives from all stakeholders in that industry, but because GHAMRO came as result of a peace move it is made up of identified organizations who have been made part of the peace movement. “It is an interim board but it is a board with all the powers to run the body because if you go through the constitution which was used to set up GHARMRO, the transitional provision states clearly and there is a process that we will have to go through before an election can be held, however they have all the powers to run the body”. Rex Omar conceded that it was because of the many conflicts plaguing the industry that compelled the various groupings to come together to form GHAMRO. He, however stressed that "in any part of this world, one belongs to a collective society by assigning rights. Collective societies are not formed with organizations”. He explained that if any renowned musician like him or other musicians with numerous hit songs do not assign their rights to GHAMRO they have no business with GHAMRO even though they are musicians. “We are speaking to all Ghanaians therefore we need to do things for all to better appreciate and understand. GHAMRO takes its powers from the members and the members have not gone for elections to elect anybody, they are an Interim body. So any time Carlos speaks, he should address it as interim so that it is clear to everybody that it is an interim board”. The two kept arguing back and forth, and unsurprisingly tempers went an octave higher resulting in the exchange of vituperative language. When call for calm heads fail to prevail, the host had no choice than to stop the discussion and open the phone lines for listeners to air their contributions. Music Producer and a m

ember of the Interim GHAMRO Board, Mark Okraku Mantey, later came in to condemn both of them for washing their dirty linens in public describing their behavior as unfortunate and uncalled for. To him, that was not the right platform to discuss such matters since the board will be meeting for the first time after the issuance of the certificate to the group, where all pertinent issues could be resolved. Eventually, Carlos apologized to listeners and asked them to forgive him if he said anything offensive, adding that he believes all what happened was for the good of the music industry so that musicians and all stakeholders will be okay. "This has been my only interest in fighting this battle for the past twelve years," he said. Rex Omar, on his part, said he was not invited to launch an attack on anyone but to express his opinion and urged the media to open their eyes and follow issues about GHAMRO very closely and always report the truth.

Raquel’s performance on Dodi Princess postponed to February 3

2012-01-29T10:50:00.000-08:00

The much anticipated ‘Candle in the wind’ performance of buzzing Ghanaian songstress, Raquel on the famous Dodi Princess Cruise Boat has been postponed from the advertised January 27 date to February 3. The performance on the famous Volta Lake had to be postponed for a week due to technical challenges.

Tickets purchased for January 27 will still hold for the February date and tickets are still available for 60 GHC(inclusive of food and drinks) and are available at YFM, HITZ FM, TEMA COMM 7 SHELL and ROYAL RICHESTER HOTEL. The Management of the singer and organizers of the event have apologized for the inconvenience, assuring guests of an even better experience on the new date.

Guests will get up close and personal

with the singer as she performs her hit songs ‘Odo’, ‘This Is Me (Sting In A Tale)’, ‘Sweetio’ and many more.Guests will also be treated to an entrée of delicious and tasty food and drinks, as they enjoy an hour of musical intimacy with Raquel and De Genius Band. After the music, food and drinks, it would be time to shake it off on the dance floor alongside special guest artists at the After-Party inside the Dodi Princess

Azonto goes Academic!

2012-01-29T10:40:00.001-08:00

A symposium to look at ways in which Azonto, the latest dance and music fad to hit Ghana, could be exploited for economic and social development is in the offing. Planned to take place at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, the conference will have among its panel of discussants Azonto proponent, Sarkodie and music producer, EL. They will hold the discourse with musicologists and the intellectual and corporate community to trace the development of Azonto, and find ways to give the craze longevity, and make it a symbol of modern Ghana.

Azonto is bitingly originally GH – a construct of the new Ghanaian! It lends a parlance for describing everything popular that happens in the country, like this year’s AFCON which has starting being regarding as the Azonto AFCON! Azonto is swagger, but more importantly, it is GH, and is gaining increasing much national and international popularity, growing to become one of those cult trends that tend to bind us as Ghanaians by default.

“If culture is constructed as ‘the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively’ or the ‘attitudes and behaviour characteristic of a particular social group, then surely, Azonto, whose display enthralls everyone, cutting across young and old, must become part of our culture now,” contends conference convener, PaJohn Dadson.

The impending symposium, titled ‘Harnessing Azonto for Ghana’s Socio-Cultural and Economic Development.’ is being organized by ACVB Events in collaboration with The World Bank and Graphic Communications with assistance from number organizations including Bentsifi.com, GH One, www.AmeyawDebrah.com and Dust Magazine.

There is a school of thought that believes it is about time that as a nation and a people we recognize that even fads can hold their own and grow organically so that in another generation, their foundation can be referred to in terms of tradition, and thus become part of our culture. Azonto is a part of our living culture today, a part of our reality.

Ashesi lecturer and one of the interlocutors at the upcoming symposium, writer Kobby Graham sums it up succinctly. “The concept of Ghana, after 55 years still has not much symbols that hold it together. Try a call to rally round our national flag and see if the euphoria that will generate will be anything like that which the ultimate Ghana symbol – the Black Stars – can cause! Then, try it against Azonto! Azonto, am afraid, I can see in my mind’s eye, ca

n pull us together in euphoria more than the Ghana flag!”

Although it seems to be a derivative of the Kpanlogo dance but is wildly adaptive to Adowa, Kete, and any other kind of dance, or gesture, another of the pluses of Azonto is how it is not any tribe’s dance but a dance move done by Ghanaians. It is a dance form with a burgeoning music style and a mindset that can potentially spew an industry like Hip Hop has done in the US!

The school of thought that seeks to promote Azonto believes it is time to wake up to its promise. Growing rather organically, from among the ghettos and now onto You Tube, with images of people doing the dance all over the globe on the streets, and it is insightful that the dance gingers everyone, and gets people from all walks of life, pumping blows into the air whenever they hear its fast beat accompanying beat!

The highlight of the movement that is Azonto, would be when Obidimpong Sarkodie got onto Westwood’s program on BBC Radio 1 Extra, a mainstream radio in London to demonstrate the moves as his music was being played, scenes captured for You Tube! Now, that’s taking things beyond the Ghanaian Diaspora, prompting time to dance!http://www.ameyawdebrah.com/

Korle Bu Children’s Emergency ward closed down

2012-01-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

The authorities of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have closed down the Children’s Emergency ward indefinitely due to an outbreak of a bacterial infection known as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

Five cases of the infection, according to a press statement issued by the hospital, have been diagnosed among children on admission at the ward and are currently undergoing treatment.

Authorities are, therefore, screening both patients and staff in the affected area to ensure they are free from the infection.

The statement signed by Mustapha Salifu assured that “the infection has, however, not spread to other parts of the hospital.”

The closure, the statement added, “is to enable the hospital clean and disinfect the ward to rid it of the bacteria.”

The re-opening of the ward, according to authorities, will be announced as soon as the problem is solved but advised “people who require paediatric emergency services” to “call at other hospitals and clinics within the metropolis.”

The statement also urged other health facilities not to refer patients to the ward and must “endeavour to manage them [cases] at their facilities

Azonto Goes To University

2012-01-28T06:12:00.001-08:00

A symposium to look at ways in which Azonto, the latest dance and music fad to hit the nation could be exploited for economic and social development is in the offing.
Planned to take place at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon by the end of next February, the conference will have among its panel of discussants Azonto proponent, Obidimpon Sarkodie and music producer, EL.
They will hold the discourse with musicologists and the intellectual and corporate community to trace the development of Azonto, and find ways to give the craze longevity, and make it a symbol of modern Ghana.
Azonto is bitingly originally GH – a construct of the new Ghanaian! It lends a parlance for describing everything popular that happens in the country, like this year’s African Nations Cup (AFCON) which has started being regarded as the Azonto AFCON!
Azonto is swagger, but more importantly, it is GH, and is gaining increasing a lot of national and international popularity, growing to become one of those cult trends that tend to bind us as Ghanaians by default.
“
If culture is constructed as ‘the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively’ or the ‘attitudes and behaviour characteristic of a particular social group,’ then Azonto, whose display enthralls everyone, cutting across young and old, must become part of our culture now,” contends conference convener, PaJohn Dadson.
The impending symposium, titled Harnessing Azonto for Ghana’s Socio-Cultural and Economic Development is being organized by ACVB Events in collaboration with The World Bank Ghana Office and Graphic Communications Group Limited with assistance from a number organizations including Bentsifi.com, GH One, Ameyaw Debrah.com and Dust Magazine.
There is a school of thought that as a nation and a people, we recognize that even fads can hold their own and grow organically so that in another generation, their foundation can be referred to in terms of tradition, and thus become part of our culture. Azonto is a part of our living culture today, a part of our reality.
Ashesi University lecturer and one of the interlocutors at the upcoming symposium, writer Kobby Graham sums it up succinctly: “The concept of Ghana, after 55 years still has not much symbols that hold it together. Try a call to rally round our national flag and see if the euphoria that will generate will be anything like that which the ultimate Ghana symbol – the Black Stars – can cause! Then, try it against Azonto! Azonto, I can see in my mind’s eye, can pull us together in euphoria more than the Ghana flag!”
Though Azonto seems to be a derivative of the Kpanlogo dance, it is wildly adaptive to Adowa, Kete and any other kind of dance, or gesture. Another of the pluses of Azonto is how it is not any tribe’s dance but a dance move done by Ghanaians. It is a dance form with a burgeoning music style and a mindset that can potentially spew an industry like Hip Hop has done in the US!
The school of thought that seeks to promote Azonto believes it is time to wake up to its promise. Growing rather organically, from among the ghettos and now onto You Tube, with images of people doing the dance all over the globe on the streets, it is insightful that the dance gingers everyone, and gets people from all walks of life, pumping blows into the air whenever they hear its fast accompanying beat!
A highlight of the movement that is Azonto, has been when Obidimpon Sarkodie was on BBC Radio 1 Extra, a mainstream radio station in London to demonstrate the moves as his music was being played, scenes captured for You Tube! Now, that’s taking things beyond the Ghanaian Diaspora, prompting time to dance!

Why Do They Break Up?

2012-01-28T05:55:00.000-08:00

It is common knowledge, even to the most casual consumer of popular music that musical groups don’t last forever and that the monster everyone refers to as ‘irreconcilable differences,’ always shows up whenever gifted people get together for a common cause.
Internationally-acclaimed groups like Destiny’s Child, TLC, Spice Girls, Commodores, Jackson 5, Wailers and many others broke up at various times for reasons that included huge falling outs, untimely deaths and over-dependence on drugs.
Here in Ghana, groups like Irene and Jane, Echo, Wutah, Klala and Praye have broken up in the recent past though not with the kind of acrimony associated with some breakups we know of elsewhere.
All the same, some fans have been saddened and have even wondered why amicable terms could not be reached by the individuals involved to avoid the breakups.
Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), a broadcaster and artiste manager contended that groups will always break up because they are made up of individuals who, like in marriages, come together with already formed attitudes which manifest more vividly with time.
“ Some of the groups that have broken up here in recent times came together purposely for the Nescafe Africa Revelation (NAR) contest . They didn’t look beyond staying together after that but realized people liked what they were doing and decided to stick together,” said KOD who used to manage the Wutah duo of Kobby and Peevee that came to prominence through the 2004 NAR contest.
“I have realized it is not even money that often brings about the differences. It is more about work attitude. One is punctual at rehearsals and wants to work hard towards shows, the other is not of that frame of mind. You would book and pay for a studio for a recording session and one would be on time , the other would be missing. At least in Wutah’s case, that was what brought about the split.”
Klala was originally a trio but was reduced to F. Gee and Mantse Sole when Lyff Angels left. The duo that remained has also now gone apart. F Gee said they did not quarrel but came to an amiable agreement to work separately and that were still friends.
If Klala broke up peacefully, that does not seem to have been the case with Praye where Praye Tintin claimed he was literally thrown out by his two other friends. Kiki Banson of EKB Records who used to manage the group, told Showbiz he was surprised to learn that the trio could not see eye to eye anymore.
“They were three personalities with distinct contributions who seemed to be on the same wavelength. Obviously, things would not be the same without the third party. I even have a feeling that Praye now may not be as successful as when it worked as a trio unless the remaining two do something radically different from what the group was known for earlier. I stand for correction, anyway.“
Big egos wanting to dominate colleagues is sometimes a cause for breakups. KOD insists that since breaking up is not unique to any country but happens everywhere, the best thing artistes could do was to go off and pursue whatever they desired and regroup to work again.
“The Wutah guys had different styles that jelled nicely together as a group. When they separated, the idea was to come together again later but it seems that won’t happen now.”
Even siblings sometimes cannot stay together in a group. The Jackson 5 is the best example of that. People say the way of all flesh is to die at some point in time. Maybe the way of all musical groups is to break up at some point in time

Corporate comedy series

2012-01-28T05:19:00.000-08:00

Excerpts from corporate comedy series on the 23rd of Dec, 2011. Lets meet at the Mac Dic Royal Plaza Hotel for the second edition on the 6th of March 2012. You cant miss it for anything. Koftown staaaaaaand up!!!!!!!

CASTRO & STAY JAY JOIN SCIENTIFIC'S CAMPUS TOUR IN TAMALE

2012-01-28T04:56:00.001-08:00

This week end, Scientific heads to Tamale with Stay & Castro to perform at the Face of UDS (Tamale) pageant. The trip to tamale is the second destination of (da New era Campus Tour) train. Demand for amazing hip hop album (Da New Era) by Scientific has fast peaked among university students in Ghana since its release last year.
Scientific chooses to give his fans in Ghana, especially students a chance to experience his thrilling live performances with support from top artistes who are featured in the album. Before the impending trip to Tamale, University for Development Studies in Wa had preceding opportunity of having the tour train at their campus last year October and next will be KNUST where Scientific promises a mega showdown for his fans.
Motive behind initiation of the tour is to enhance promotion of hip hop music among young people and grant them opportunity of free live performances.
Call 0262304069 or E.mail: moment@gmail.comto invite the tour team to your university.