GHANA HYPE

Ghana Hype is Back - Enjoy this documentary

2011-07-10T18:07:00.001Z

Excellent documentary by Atingo Asare-Nyako about her dads journey back to Ghana.

Synopsis: Changes is an emotional portrait of a journey that started more than 30 years ago.

After spending most of his adult life in Denmark, Kwabena wants to move back to Ghana, the country that he left more than 30 years ago. This film, shot and directed by his daughter, chronicles one of his journeys to Ghana in preparation for his return. It follows him as he reconnects with his old friends and his ancestral home. The questions, that subtly unfold within the film, touch upon the profound dilemma often felt by long-term immigrants, many of whom are no longer certain where 'home' is.

Changes explores the motives that drives immigrants back to their place of origin and the implications of such return.

Changes from Atingo Asare-Nyako on Vimeo.

THIS BLOG HAS MOVED

2010-11-22T19:56:00.001Z

Hi Folks THIS BLOG HAS MOVED and I will be blogging frequently on the blog for my clothing line - Kayobi clothing so follow the link here Thanks

Kwabena Boateng

Kayobi @ STREETFEST FESTIVAL 2010

2010-05-31T14:29:00.005Z

We had a wonderful time at the streetfest festival there was art, painting graffiti, music, skating fashion and off course KAYOBI this was our first big UK showcase and by the Grace of God it was a resounding success.
Check out some of the pictures below and UK hiphop legend TY plugging Kayobi - the vent was filmed by my man Kwame from Blakkdon Films and would be uploaded soon.

All the new shirts from the event are now available online: www.kayobi.bigcartel.com

Cleggmania, the media and election results

2010-05-14T14:00:00.001Z

The election dust has now settled and Britain officially has a Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government for the first time since the Second World War. Despite disappointing election results the Lib Dems have manoeuvred their way into government with five cabinet seats and the prized role of Deputy Prime Minister going to Nick Clegg. Was this simply a case of excellent opportunism or did the televised debates and social media have a role in creating this new dawn of British politics?

The aftermath of the first televised debate made Nick Clegg the most popular man in Britain and pushed the Liberal Democrats ahead in the polls. Even social media platforms such as Facebook’s Democracy page and the Xbox survey put the Lib Dems 30 per cent ahead of the competition. All these digital votes failed to materialise into actual votes, however, with the Lib Dems losing five electoral seats, despite gaining five cabinet positions as a result of the coalition government.

One positive outcome of the debates and the influence of social media on the elections was the increase in voter turnout from 61 per cent to 65 per cent, particularly among the usually apathetic demographic of students. It is a shame that this surge in turnout was not a victory for democracy but instead exposed the flaws in the electoral system, causing long queues, shortage of materials and, most disturbingly, disenfranchised voters.

It will be interesting to see whether there will be a resurgence of Cleggmania as a result of his newly found importance and whether his party will be able to deliver on their promise of electoral reform, albeit in the less radical form of the alternative voting system. One thing is for sure however: televised debates are here to stay and social media will definitely play a major role in any future election. If Clegg’s story is anything to go by, all future candidates should start practising now how to look straight in the camera and say ‘I agree with Nick’

2010 KAYOBI UPDATES

2010-02-06T20:04:00.005Z

2010 KAYOBI UPDATES - Please click on Picture below

Whats good people - I just thought i would give you an update on what we have been up to:

Ivory Coast International and Arsenal footballer Emmanuel Eboué supports the KAYOBI Movement

Make EBA not WAR Shirt will be available(limited quantities) and posted out from the 20th of FEB - buy yours here:http://kayobi.bigcartel.com/product/make-eba-not-war-pre-order

New Canvas art online here:http://kayobi.bigcartel.com/

We are taking orders for Ghana and Africa please contact kwabena on: 0233244889225/kwabenab@hotmail.com (customization(choosing colours) available)

Check out the pictures of the updates and Eboue here:http://ghanahype.blogspot.com/

Thanks and holla if you need a discount :)
Stay Blessed Kwabena Boateng

New Art: Available here
New website:here

Akon - OH AFRICA

2010-02-05T22:41:00.001Z

ITS OUR TIME 2010 - AFRICA - ENJOY

Ivory Coast International and Arsenal footballer Emmanuel Eboué supports the KAYOBI Movement

2010-02-04T23:48:00.004Z

Big shout out to Emmanuel Eboué for rocking Kayobi and for joining the FUFU GANG also to PO T for hooking it UP

If you dont know who he is then get Schooled

Black men cant SKI - yeah right

2010-02-04T00:04:00.005Z

I am so proud of Kwame from GHANA who against all ODDS and no support from the GHANA Government or media has made it to the winter olympics in the unlikely sport of skiing - Yes say it loud -COOL RUNNINGS - Knick Named the SNOW LEOPARD - she sure deserves all the support he can get.

Please check out his site "

here and support him in any way - if the Govt. of Ghana can give each player on the Black stars 20 thousand dollars each for being the second best team in Africa I guess they can give Kwame something for being the first Ghanaian at the winter olympics.

PUMA presents: OF THE SAME EARTH

2010-02-03T23:35:00.001Z

Kehinde Wiley x Puma x African Football Stars = Magic

Fresh from the Motherland - Jay Ghartey - My Lady video

2010-01-31T02:40:00.002Z

This music is sooo fresh - peep the FELA inspired hook - and the Video captures the spirit of GHANA - POW

Check out more of his music here - you wont be disappointed

KAYOBI - 2010 ART

2010-01-23T23:19:00.003Z

Sneak peek @ Kayobi 2010 Limited Edition Canvas art :) out in February only 10 each
More designs to come so stay looking.

PUMA DoES AFRICA

2010-01-21T20:39:00.000Z

VIMBY - Puma & Afro Funke in San Francisco

Kraft owns Cadburys now - So what's next for GHANA

2010-01-19T23:16:00.007Z

You might have heard by now that Cadburys - probably the biggest purchaser and 'publicist' of Ghana and its Cocoa has been bought by American Company Kraft. As usual the Ghanaian government is still probably sleeping and has not thought about the implications this will have on one of Ghana's main foreign exchange earners( 6 percent of GDP and 30 percent of export revenue) and the relationship cocoa farmers have with the English ...errrr I mean American Company.

Cadburys as of 2009 had been trading with Ghana's cocoa farms for a 100 years (since 1908), as the main ingredient of their famous dairy milk is full of the goodness from Ghana with at least 20 percent cocoa powder per chocolate bar. Will Kraft reduce the content of cocoa powder to 10 percent which is acceptable under American rules for making chocolate?

To celebrate the hundred years of trade cadburys set up a Cocoa Partnership for Cocoa growing communities, mostly in the Eastern, Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo, have been lined up for Cadbury’s 10-year investment package designed to secure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of cocoa farmers and the communities in which they live and work.
How will the sale affect this partnership and the planned 30 million pound investment which is chicken feed when compared to the 30 BILLION Kraft paid for Cadbury.

"In Ghana, there is a phrase 'Coco obatanpa', which means 'Cocoa is a good parent. It looks after you'," said James Boateng, MD of Cadbury Ghana, in a statement. - What kind of parent will Kraft be to Ghana and its farmers?

I wonder if the government of Ghana even owns a single share in Cadburys - we all know Cadburys share holders will be smiling all the way to the banks today - but after a 100 years did any of our governments see it fit to invest in one of the limbs that feed it (i seriously doubt this) and once again our destiny is in the hands of someone else.

In 2009 Ghana and Ghanaian musician Tinny became the POSTER boy of Cadburys Fair trade dairy milk UK launch - as evident in the video below:

I commend cardury for promoting Ghana on an international scale (something our current government failed to do even with OBAMA forcing the world to literally watch Ghana) from music videos to itunes to prime time UK tv to massive billboards around the UK and of course the name Ghana features on all the wrapping of their fair trade bars.

The only thing I would have liked is if a few Ghanaians were involved in the the actual production of the videos and fair trade campaign. On closer inspection of the advertising and production credits of the campaign there are no Ghanaian names not even the main act Tinny is credited on the musical production - I guess they (Ghanaians) were all hired hands - contrary to the impression the cadurys site gives - click here
Once again there has been no transfer of knowledge and the foreign currency does not stay in AFRICA.

There is even a blog dedicated to Ghana - Click Here

I am not being ungrateful but music videos and blogs are lovely things but won't it have been better to take the opportunity to pass on some knowledge onto some creatives ie advertising student etc whilst the production team was in Ghana. After a 100 years cadburys does not have a chocolate production factory in Ghana. The cocoa is still shipped in its raw (unprocessed) and cheaper sate -

I am not blaming cadburys but there is even a lesser chance that Kraft will set up a plant in Ghana - In fact according to human rights activist craig murray (click here for full article) they might even do worse:

''What Cadbury’s use in the UK is from independent Ghanaian smallholders, and is the equivalent of wines from an ancient small chateau or boutique Californian estate. They pay extra for it, and their willingness to pay extra has been a key part of keeping the Ghanaian small farmer going.

Kraft on the other hand use the mass produced estate cocoa; the equivalent of soulless and tasteless wine from multiple fields and huge stainless steel tanks. They source mostly in Brazil – the World’s most tasteless cocoa – and Ivory Coast. The bad taste in the mouth from the cocoa is both real and metaphorical. The estates in both countries make massive use of child labour.

I have no doubt that in order to rack up the return on their vast investment, Kraft will switch to the cheap and nasty cocoa they normally use. This could be the worst thing to hit the Ghanaian rural economy since blackpod disease.''

I hope for the best outcome with this situation - by the time the Ghanaian government wake up and protect the famers and the interests of the nation it will be a done deal. I guess they are too busy thinking of the Black Gold (oil) Ghana will start producing this year - wow we mismanaged Gold Cocoa and probably oil - WAKE UP AFRICA

on a lighter note whilst trawling cadburys fair trade blog

I noticed they had a picture of one of my t -shirts on a chap in the midst of two Ghanaian STARS SWAY and TINNY - who ever can tell me which t shirt he is wearing I will send you the exact same shirt: email answers to info@kayobiclothing.com

Peace and STAY BLESSED

Watch Afrikan Boy - Lagos Town _ FRESH

2010-01-19T00:41:00.000Z

MORE NWA's - NEW WORLD AFRICANS

Afrikan Boy - Lagos Town from afrikanboy on Vimeo.

Best African Music from 2009

2010-01-09T05:52:00.001Z

2009 - through African Music and Culture

Happy New Year from Ghana Hype and Kayobi

2009-12-31T06:07:00.002Z

Happy New Year people - Decisions Determine Destiny - I hope we make the RIGHT moves and decisions in 2010

New Beginings YALLLLLL

The FUTURE of UK streetwear and art

2009-12-10T22:49:00.005Z

This past weekend was one cool one and this was mainly because the ''OFF THE RAILS FASHION EVENT'' was literally off the hook.
Wih sick artists and designers, free drinks , nice food and ridiculously talented people that were down to earth and humble. I left the event with one thing in mind - INSPIRATION - The FUTURE IS OF THE RAILS.
This is a list of some of the Designers - who were all cool with their time and ideas - BIG UPS to -

http://WWW.OFFTHERAILSUK.COM
http://WWW.TWITTER.COM/OFFTHERAILSLIVED-visions Clothing

Oddkingdom
Alice Boutique
Originique
True Sterling

Check out their sites and support the movement - i coped a sick shirt from pins - classice poster from ODDKINGDOM and got some freebies from True Sterling whose attention to details and desigs are MAD

www.D-visions.co.uk
www.THENEWBLACK.EU
www.twitter.com/TheNewBlackProjectLive
www.alices-boutique.com
www.oddkingdom.com
www.pinspired.com

More pictures

M3NSA ADJUMA (WORK!! HUSTLE!) VIDEO

2009-12-05T11:38:00.000Z

This video is an ODE to the real movers of AFRICA - check it out

Adidas apologizes for misrepresenting KENTE, GHANA and AFRICA

2009-11-23T23:30:00.004Z

This is a follow up from my previous posts about Adidas stealing from Africa :Click here to read how adidas stole fron Ghana
It pays to speak up - people of africa please patent, copy right and protect your heritage.

Dear Mr Kwabena,

Thank you for contacting adidas regarding the Jeremy Scott, Originals by Originals shoe Nizza 2 Hi; and for correcting us on the incorrectly referenced Kente cloth. We regrettably made an error in the copywriting process when describing this shoe. I can assure you that this was not meant to be disrespectful in any way, but a simple human error when creating copy which would be used to describe the shoe.

We have begun to correct this where we can - ie adidas.com/originals, Press Materials etc.

We have also contacted all of the communications and PR managers in our local markets to advise them of the change and act accordingly. Any future stories from adidas should correctly reference the Kente cloth which inspired the design.

We're very proud to work with external design partner Jeremy Scott and also to be able to reference and be inspired by materials, designs and styles from around the world and we're also reverential in crediting the origin of the design correctly.

In this instance, Jeremy Scott sent us the design with the correct name, but in our process of writing the description a typo was made. We have now tried to correct this mistake.

Thank you again for calling this to our attention.

Kind regards,

Tom Ramsden
Senior Communications Manager - adidas Originals

Unlike Adidas Puma acknowledges Africa and Ghana's Kente as inspiration

2009-11-03T17:49:00.009Z

Adidas Please watch and learn - PUMA shoes you how its done even though their design is not as obvious they still had the decency of letting the world know who's intellectual property was the inspiration for their shoe. You guys simply copied and pasted and still decided to re write African culture and History.

Puma goes wild by way of Africa with this Pack of Clydes that takes you on venture through the Serengeti. Available in black or jungle green, each shoe features a woven geometric strip along the eyelets inspired by traditional Ghanaian Kente silk fabrics. The scuffed mid and outsole gives a rugged wild look.

PLEASE REFER TO MY LAST TWO POST ON ADIDAS - THANKS

How Adidas Stole from AFRICA - First response

2009-11-03T13:19:00.005Z

PLEASE REFER TO PREVIOUS POST - HOW ADIDAS STOLE FROM AFRICA

HI guys thanks for the support in spreading this message i sent the letter to many offices of adidas including their head of intellectual property - This is the first automated reply :( - Allot of people have called for a petition. I am giving adidas a few
more days to get their act together if we dont get a satisfactory reply we will petition and will take them on through all avenues.
Thanks and keep spreading it on twitter, facebook etc PEACE

Customer Ref No: 665396

Dear Kwabena

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

Your email has been forwarded onto the relevant department and
we will contact you again shortly.

In the meantime, we would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for contacting adidas and for your interest in the
brand.

Yours sincerely

Lauren Cruse
Customer Care Manager
For and on behalf of adidas (UK) Limited

For career opportunities within the adidas Group please go to:
www.adidas-group.com/careers

Your Personal information may be used to invite you to provide
valuable feedback on your Customer Care experience and to inform you
about any future developments in adidas. If you would prefer not to
receive further information, please e-mail customercareuk@adidas.com
with a Subject title of 'Remove'.

How Adidas Stole from AFRICA

2009-11-02T01:14:00.005Z

If Adidas wants to borrow inspiration from AFRICA then they should pay up or Give Credit Where due - This is my letter to adidas with regards to the misspelling of the word 'KENTE' and lack of ascribing the origin of the cloth use in their African Inspired 'KENTA" Nizza 2 Hi sneakers

Hi i noted that for a while now Adidas has been doing the materials of the world special edition shoes and clothing. I think this is lovely and commend adidas for this.
As an African Designer I was also extremely excited by the release of Jeremey Scotts Africa Themed apparel. I was excited when i saw the African Inspired Nizza 2 Hi sneakers however i was saddened by the wrong description of the material used. The Adidas description stated that it was a unique 'kenta' cloth. Unfortunately Adidas has got it all wrong the cloth used on the shoe in question is actually the 'kente' cloth and not the 'kenta' cloth as has been published in all materials pertaining to the shoes.

This lack of respect for the name and history of Ghana's national cloth shows how little research and consideration was taking in fashioning or mimicking this shoe as an authentic African product.

Kente is the trendiest and most renowned cloth in Ghana and possibly in all of Africa. The strip-woven cloth made by the Akan people of Ghana and the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, is the best known of all African textiles. Its fame has spread globally where it is now one of the most admired of all fabrics in many parts of the world.

Africa as it is a misunderstood, over exploited and misrepresented continent - If conglomerates like adidas wish to take inspiration from African art and textiles for their products the least you could do was provide an accurate historical description of the 'borrowed' design.

The country of origin of the kente design was not published.
Kente has been woven for centuries on looms by skilled artisans in Ghana and Togo - these designs are the daily bread of these Africans and the intellectual property of these artists and Nations as a whole.

I am certain Adidas will not be happy if a small shoe and clothing factory in Ghana decided to utilise the Trefoil logo and the 3 - Stripes mark on their make shift line.

So why is it that the culture and intellectual property of whole nations can be misrepresented by such a big company without and regard for the originators of the design.

I would appreciate it if the name of the shoe could be corrected and the design origins of the material could be rightfully ascribed to its originators. I am sure this is either a typographical mistake or just a slight oversight as a company with such a rich history will not intentionally misrepresent the whole continent of AFRICA.
thanks for your attention
P.S No AFricans were plagiarized in the making of this letter.
Kwabena Boateng

Please spread the word and post this on your blogs, diggs, twitter facebook etc
If africans dont speak out on injustices on or image and brand wewill wake up one day and the copy right of the word AFRICA
will be owned by a multi national in the WEST.

The Mystery of FUFU

2009-10-21T04:57:00.009Z

This is an excellent mini audio documentary on FUFU from the perspective of a westernerhttp://savvytraveler.publicradio.org/show/features/2002/20020531/rafiles/20020531feature3.ram
Plese click here to listen
Enjoy

I am now taking Pre Orders for the Make FUFU not war ladies T- Shirt - please email me your size if you want one - boateng.kwabena@gmail.com

Shirts can be shipped to UK
EUROPE, AMERICA and CANADA

Thanks
Click here for a peak and or size guide

Click here

Catch Kayobi at UCL on the 30 Oct

2009-10-20T22:34:00.001Z

As part of our celebration of Black History month, The UCL ACS will hold a 1 day exhibition.

Kayobi will be there - Come and vibe with us. I will have some shirts, bags, ipod covers and art on sale. If you have a specific shirt you want then please email me the details and i will print it just for this event. If you have a particular design you want on a canvas please send me details.

It will me nice to meet you guys so dont loose out on fashion food art and history - from UK's finest artists and disigners.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=142695543573

Black History Month Exhibition
Name: Soul Source
Venue: UCL North and South cloisters
Date: Friday 30th of October

P.s we are taking pre orders for make fufu not war tshirts for ladies and hoodies for men. This will be our las batch for the year so please email me your sizes. boateng.kwabena@gmail.com
Thanks

Don't Waste Your Life

2009-10-19T02:20:00.002Z

I am at the point in my life where i need to take a stand for Christ and get rid of the sins that are holding me back and the false idols i have occupied my life with - it is a struggle but he is good and will not give me a load i can not bear - i dont want to gain the world and waste my life - pray for me and i will pray for you on this road - SEEK ETERNITY