Archive for September 2010

Hear say!!! R2Bees are club owners

Refuse To Be Broke’ is the popular slogan of the group R2Bees, the latter seems to have a better understanding of what that slogan means than any one, as they are said to be the owners of Barcadis Night club inside Tema.

The initials of the group name has gotten a positive influence on the Tema based hip life artiste, R2Bees, simply because their investment in the music industry has started yielding results that will never make them broke and one of such investment we gathered is them being the owners of Barcadis Night club.

A close source told our team that, the group has an office inside the club and that is where it operates its activities from.

Also most of the top musicians spend a lot of time there, the source also added that. In continuation it was said that ‘if one is looking for R2bees during week days, let’s say, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, the best place to find them is inside Barcadis Night Club, Tema.

Upon this hear say, we did every effort to reach one management member of the group, with the aim of getting their side on this heavy ‘Hear Say’, to either confirm or deny but all effort proved impossible.

Efforts are still in place to find out the truth behind this hear say, meanwhile the group R2Bees are tagged/not seen on many stages of shows in the country.

Pushing music lovers in the country to put on their suspicious and thinking cap as to where the magic came from, if the Hear Say is true.

A review of their (R2bees) journey so far, starting from show performances to hit singles released.

Could their first big show be the MTV Mama Africa Awards train, held at Citizen Kofi last year, where Ghanaians welcomed their style, kind of music and flexibility?

Could that show have made the investment? Recently, R2Bees were also seen on the stages of GMA’s 2010 held at the international conference Center, here, the group might have played many shows but let’s concentrate on these two as major ones, of that is the case could the GMA’s plat form course the magic?

We will not add their album, video launch and premier respectively, since both happened recently.

So let’s play the assumption game here, let’s say it’s true, R2bees are owners of Barcadis Night Club at Tema, which song did the magic on their journey to success, we are only asking?

Could it have been the break through song, ‘Yawa Girl’, or ‘Money’ (the song that describes how to search and handle money) or the latest hit ‘Kiss Your Hand featuring Wande Coal’?

May be it is their ‘Africa song’ (a sign in tune for Aphropolitan Mix on Yfm 107.9), ok probably it is ‘Rataaaa’ (a popular tune played by Sammy Forson), which ever song did the magic is a great one because celebrities especially musicians in the country lack assets.

Trust yours truly to get you the fact behind the news and join us as we declare celebrities with assets plus those with nothing.

Reggie Rockstone & Sarkodie fight over top spot

Let do this quick review of Ghanaian music videos produced so far in the year, we are basing our judgment on good concept, camera angles and, movements, story line and locations.

As usual the team went out to find out from people who, and what music video, they think is the good, the bad and the ugly.

We did not give any songs out to the people we interviewed on Oxford street; we allowed music lovers and followers to come out from the shell and judge constructively.

The team budged into two beautiful ladies in front of Frankies Ice cream joint and this is how they judged the good, bad, and ugly video so far for the year.

Tina from Zenith College said, ‘I believe 2010 has being an interesting year when it comes to music in Ghana, so judging the good, the bad and ugly is so funny.

Anyways, the ugly video for me is R2Bees ‘Kiss your Hand’, the bad, Irene featuring Asem, ‘Run Away’ and the good will be Sarkodie’s ‘Borga’.

Tina’s friend went straight ahead and said, ‘the ugly video is Eazzy’s ‘Wengeze’, the bad is Richie’s ‘Yaaro’ and the good is Reggie’s Madafo featuring Quabena Mafia.

So with that response we moved on towards the MTN office area, stood infront of the office and spoke to this gentleman that refused to tell us his name but claimed he works with MTN inside their phone shop.

He told us, ‘my ugly video so far in 2010 will be, Mzbel’s ‘Who is calling’ (here we did not get the video but we realize he meant Mzbel’s video shot by Solid Multimedia), he continued as ‘my bad will also be R2Bees ‘Kiss Your Hand’ but the good will be sarkodie’s ‘Lay Away’.

Nana Asare, came up to us upon following us from Frankies to the MTN office and wanted to know what we are asking people, so we did and Nana Asare, a trader on the Oxford street was delighted to share with us what he thinks.

His opinion was in Twi, but the team did some translated into English, so this is what he said, ‘to me I don’t know what is a bad video and a good one.

I simply believe Nana Boroo’s ‘Aha Yede’ and Reggie’s Madanfo Paa are nice videos. Still inside Oxford street the team spoke to two more people, one Rasta guy, who sells directly opposite the MTN office, his selection, ‘my ugly video is Mugu by one Akoo Nana, the bad is VIP’s video ft F O I and D flex, the good is still VIP but this time their video ‘Away’ and ‘I Think I Like Am’.

The last lady the team spoke to was inside Shenails, a beauty salon for ladies, that was a deliberate move to find out from a very different crowd.

Instead of a lady, every one there wanted to share an idea on the topic, this was the finding. Some of the girls voted for Trigmatic’s Jolley, Reggie’s Madanfo paa, and Sarkodie’s Lay way videos to be their Best, their bad was Richie’s Yaaro, R2Bees Kiss your hand, Mzbels’ song, Nana Buroo’s Ahayede and their ugly was.

This is our good the bad and ugly videos produced so far in the year;
Majority of videos on Crystal TV are ounted because they are ugly videos, just like ‘Kiss Your Hand’ by R2bees.This song made our ugly video list because it lacked a good concept, story line and directing.

Then also our bad videos are in ranges, the first range is some of the videos like ‘Run Away’ by Irene featuring Asem, lacked some concept, storyline and locations.

Mzbel’s ‘Run Away’, Ruff-N-Smooth’s ‘Swagger’, Trigmatic’s ‘My Life’, Nana Boroo’s ‘Aha Yede’, Akoo Nana’s ‘Mugu’ and VIP’s ‘Away’, Samini’s ‘Sweet Mistake’, all lacked story lines, concepts but had their locations on point plus good camera works, they also make up our bad videos list.

Reggie’s ‘Madanfo Paa’, Sarkodie’s ‘Borga’, Trigmatic’s ‘Jolly’, VIP’s ‘I Think I Like Am’, D Black’s ‘Somebody’ make up our good video list for the year so far.

Ghanaian music is growing year by year, we know there are some others videos that were not mentioned here, readers are advised to submit their videos that did not make our list, it can be the good, the bad and the ugly.

Selassie Ibrahim resurfaces after brief hiatus

Selassie Ibrahim, an industrious Ghanaian actress with many years of experience, is about to sparkle again after a break from the screens.

The beautiful and talented actress who has paid her dues to Ghana’s movie industry, is not only moving her acting career in a different direction, but is also backtracking onto the screens to pursue other aspirations in the gradual growing movie industry.

Currently, the one time favorite screen goddess is set to encrypt her name on the movie pedestal as a producer with her first movie titled ‘The CEO’. This will grace the movie scene very soon and there are high expectations that she will raise the standards as she joins the many female movie producers in Ghana who are giving their male counterparts a hot chase.

“Unless you are not a creative thinker, once you are in an industry, you learn to upgrade yourself. It’s like learning how to sew. You go into learning how to sew and it gets to a point you, like everybody, are using your hands, so let me go and learn how to use the electronic machine and then you move on to learn how to do designing. Once you are in an industry, you have to upgrade yourself. It has been my dream to have my own production because we as actresses can also create employment and give people the opportunity to also exhibit their talents,” Selassie said.

The movie, she indicated, will roll out concurrently with her new TV programme and lifestyle magazine, which are both christened, ‘Smath People,’ all by her Smarttys Management & Production Company.

The TV programme is an exclusive, personality-profile interview programme, created to engage prominent people in all fields of endeavor, including presidents, businessmen, lawyers, pastors, traditional rulers and more, to bring to the fore what they have had to go through and how hard they have had to work to achieve their present status.

The lifestyle magazine will also celebrate achievers in society, motivate and entertain readers, as well as serve as a beacon of hope when the odds are down.

The movie, written by Selassie and directed by John Ezedomi and Afam Okereke, tells a story of Gloria, a CEO, played Selassie herself. She is an uncompromising, meticulous, principled, demanding and unfriendly woman, who is set to prove to everyone that she can go beyond public expectations of a woman.

She fires her workers at the slightest mistake. There can be no slip-ups in her world. She succeeds in her business almost at the detriment of her family and then her daughter is kidnapped. There, intrigue, suspense and betrayal set in. The movie blends a wonderful cast, including some of the crème de la crème in Nigeria and Ghana’s movie industries.

Among them are Nadia Buari, Rosslyn Ngissah, Desmond Elliot and number of others.

Selassie said the movie is targeted at reminding women in particular about some of their responsibilities.

“Now, there are a lot of women in the forefront of businesses and majority of these women are so hard that they forget that the other aspects of their lives (families) also need their attention. They are like, ok, let me give 80 percent of my time to my work and 20 percent to my family, with the impression that the family will understand. Such women are however the first people who get suspicious when they think that their husbands have stayed out too late, meanwhile, they themselves are hardly home,” she explained.

KSM goes public with son’s drug addiction

Ace Ghanaian satirist/actor/TV personality, Kweku Sintim-Misa (KSM) had his most revealing interview yet, when he publicly spoke about his son’s drug addiction for the first time ever on The One Show on Viasat 1.

KSM told Joselyn Dumas, host of the chat show, that he was devastated with his son’s addiction to Cannabis and the torturous low-points that came with it. He said that although he had restrained from talking about it publicly, he believes that it was high time he spoke out about the ordeal in order to make Ghanaians aware of the dangers of drug abuse.

According to KSM, his son who lives in the US was brought to Ghana for treatment and with the help of a family doctor; they were able to clean him up. KSM commented that his son responded well to the treatment and is back in the US, schooling.

He also hoped that his son would not get pulled back into the addiction. The comedian hinted that his son’s addiction may have resulted from his split with his wife and the catastrophic battle for custody that ensued.

KSM revealed that he had shared custody over his two sons with his ex-wife and when the boys came to Ghana to visit their father, they fell in love with the place and didn’t want to go back. However, his wife reported him to the US authorities, leading to him being listed on Interpol for parental kidnapping.

According to KSM he is still wanted in the US for those charges but he assured the public that his lawyers are working tirelessly to rectify the situation. He said that, as a result of the charges, he is unable to travel to the US.

Tuesday night’s episode of The One Show was really emotional for the comedian who also revealed that he is yet to meet his 18-year old daughter for the first time this Christmas. According to KSM, he was so shocked when he spoke to the said daughter, who also lives in the US, on phone for the first time. He was heart-broken when his daughter referred to him as Mr Sintim-Misa.

He admitted that he was naughty during his first marriage; he had an extra-marital affair leading to the birth of her unknown daughter. He also added that he had seen pictures of his daughter, and she bears a striking resemblance with him. Altogether, KSM has 5 children and he adds that, he is very proud of each one of them.

On a much lighter note, KSM lamented the poor sales of his first full length movie in Ghana, ‘Double’. He described the movie as a financial disaster although it was artistically a good work of art.

He explained that perhaps the viewers expected him to do comedy which he is more noted for instead of the drama/thriller genre. He feels that he went against his brand but promised Ghanaians that he will give them just what they want on his new project coming soon.

Source: Ameyawdebrah.com

I did not bonk Akosua Puni

Okomfuo Kwadee, one of Ghana’s hip-life gems, has debunked speculations making the rounds that he had had sexual relations with Akosua Puni, his one-time manager.

He disclosed that though he had had a couple of girlfriends he engaged in some sexual bouts with, Akosua Puni was never one of such ladies, and expressed dismay at the rumours, especially those in the showbiz circles.

According to Kwadee, Akosua was his manageress but his fortunes took a nosedive when she left for further studies in the United Kingdom.

This, he said, kept him out of the music scene for close to four years. Kwadee made the revelation last week on Deloris Frimpong-Manso’s programme, ‘Delay,’ on TV Africa.

He again denied rumours in the media that he has been out of the music industry because he had gone mad for taking excessive marijuana.

“I have smoked marijuana before, but it was not my food, I did not go mad because of marijuana as people speculated, I did not have any mental problem,” Kwadee disclosed.

On marriage, he disclosed that he would settle down and marry at the age of thirty.

Okomfuo Kwadee, born Jerry Anaba, started his musical career at the age of 21 from the Ashanti Regional capital. He is noted for using proverbs, as well as his unique story-telling lyrics.

He hails from Navrongo in the Upper East Region. He attended Martyrs of Uganda Preparatory School in Kumasi before moving to Navrongo Senior Secondary School.

Kwadee has hit tracks such as ‘Kwadee,’ ‘Metoaso,’ ‘Nsem Pi’ and ‘Okomfuo Se Koo’ to his credit, and is on the verge of launching his fifth album ‘Me Nie’, that has the popular hit track ‘Afie Koraa Na Mabodam’ and 7 other tracks, in December.

The album was produced by Abraham Ohene-Djan’s OM Studios.

Source: NewsOne

Majid Michel: Genevieve Nnaji is the best kisser

Ghanaian Silver screen star Majid Michel, has openly declared that Nollywood screen diva, Genevieve Nnaji, definitely knows how to use her lips on him to make him feel like he is really kissing a lady.

The “Agony of Christ” actor said this during an interview with Kwaku Sintim Misa (KSM) on his Friday night variety show “Thank God It’s Friday” (TGIF.

KSM asked Majid to tell the world about which actress he has ever enjoyed kissing in a movie.

Majid had a good laugh, gave it a thought for some few seconds and said; “I know my wife is watching, she will kill me but I will say it. Well, I will say, it is Genevieve Nnaji. God! She kissed me really well. She kissed me for me to feel that I was really kissing a sweet lip, and I enjoyed every bit of it!!”

Majid has played numerous romantic roles in several movies where he had to kiss different actresses including, Jackie Appiah, Nadia Buari, Yvonne Nelson, Martha Ankomah, Juliet Ibrahim, Omotola Jelade Ekeinde, Mercy Johnson, and many others, but among all these lovely actresses, sexy and pretty face Genevieve Nnaji is the best kisser, and he emphasized that he will do it again with her at any given opportunity.

The two Ghallywood and Nollywood superstars seem like a perfect match made in the movie industry. In the movie, “Silent Scandal” which was released in 2009, the simmering on-screen chemistry, was so clear. They have together starred in quite a number of movies including “Silent Scandal”, “Bursting Out”, among others. Their chemistry on the big screen is as though they have been together for so many years as couples, like a perfect twosome.

Nollywood veteran actress Geneveive Nnaji, who was reported dating “Coco master” Dbanj, is still not married. Meanwhile screen bad boy Majid Michel is happily married.

After the shooting of “Silence Scandal,” “an undisclosed Genevieve assistant told africanstars.com “I do not know if it is juju or what but she cannot forget about this Ghanaboy”.

On the set of ‘Silent Scandal “, Genevieve could not wait for breaks during the shooting to lavish kisses on the lips of Majid. A camera man who was at the scene, told an African Star reporter in Nigeria: “It does not bother Genevieve at all”, a source added.

On the same programme, Ghanaian actor John Dumelo, answered the same question, disclosing that the actress who has been able to kiss him really good on set, is Yvonne Nelson.

Source: Peacefmonline.com

AWAL HOPES TO SHINE TO THE TOP

Ghana’s budding and rising hiplife sensation, Mohammed Awal, expects to take his burgeoning and smashing talent to explode in the next few years in the West African country.

Awal who placed at the maiden edition of TV3’s talented kids is expected to be the star attraction on Saturday September 25 at his school – New Town Experimental Junior High School where he will perform alongside some household names in the industry to thank his fans for the support he enjoyed during the competition.

The 13-year-old mesmerized audience and viewers alike with his dazzling quick style of rapping which is likened to the current reigning artiste of the year and the fastest rapper in Ghana, Sarkodie.

In a chit-chat with the King of entertainment talk in Ghana, Awal told Yaw Sakyi on the Rundown on Wednesday night how hard work and perseverance has made him what he is today.

“I started rapping at the age of seven, and I write my own songs. I started with the Obrafour style of rapping, but along the line I changed it to Sarkodie because his style suits me a lot” Awal said.

‘Sarkodie is my role model and master. Even though Iwan is my brother, I prefer the style of Sarkodie and that’s why I from Obrafour’s style to that of Sarkodie. We’ve done two songs and when he’s finished with an album he’s working on, we will release our track’.

If one should get close to Awal Mohammed, the moment he starts speaking one may doubt his age because of his precocious nature. He speaks with such dexterity and fluency that most 13- year olds don’t even dream of. Asked if he was disappointed that he didn’t win the competition, he responded:

“Not at all because the viewers voted and I came third. I’m content with what I got and looking forward to more opportunities to broaden my horizon”

Osibisa to receive lifetime achievement award

Legendary afro-pop group Osibisa is to receive a lifetime achievement award at the inaugural Ghana UK Based Achievement (GUBA) awards ceremony to be held in London on Sunday, October 24.

Osibisa’s award will commemorate founding members Spartacus R and Mac Tontoh who both sadly passed away recently.

Paul Brett, bassist for London band Yaaba Funk, who will perform a tribute to Osibisa at the ceremony, said, “It’s sad that Spartacus and Mac Tontoh will not be around to receive the award – together with the other founding members; they paved the way.”

Lead vocalist and percussionist Richmond Kessie added, “When I was 16, I wrote to [Osibisa founder] Teddy Osei as I really wanted to be a musician.

“They invited me to their office and told me to keep trying and that one day our paths will cross again. That time is now.”

The GUBA awards honour 16 individuals and businesses that serve the Ghanaian community and have excelled through hard work and diligence in Britain.

Nominees include chart-topping rapper, Tinchy Stryder; shipping company, Cargo Vision; Sunderland FC defender, John Mensah; Eastenders actor, Devon Anderson; Choice FM DJ, Abrantee; Eclat Hair Salon; Ghana Union and Voice of Africa Radio (VOAR).

World Cup and Premier League footballer John Paintsil is the patron of the GUBA event, which is the brainchild of TV presenter Dentaa Afriyie-Sumpa.

Dentaa says, “We want to recognise Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian individuals and businesses that are excelling while promoting, or providing a service to Ghana.

“I want young people in our community to know there are many unsung heroes who are excellent role models.”

She adds, “The GUBA awards will be a night to remember; not only will we celebrate thriving businesses in the UK, we will also provide assistance to local businesses, deliver advice seminars and host networking events.”

The GUBA Awards ceremony will take place at the renowned Porchester Hall in Bayswater, London W2 5HS

Adom Praiz plays on November 17 with CeCe Winans

The management teams of Adom FM and American gospel singer, CeCe Winans, have rescheduled the international gospel show, Adom Praiz 2010, to Wednesday, November 17, 2010, after two weeks of negotiations.

Adom Praiz 2010, which was originally scheduled for Saturday August 7, 2010, was cancelled barely 24 hours for the curtains to go up, following the inability of the headline artiste, CeCe Winans and her 14-member band to fly down to Accra for the show due to challenges in flight schedules from the US.

Since then, the two teams have kept faith in executing the show before the end of the year. Adom FM and PureSprings Gospel, which is representing CeCe Winans, have ironed out all the grey patches in the new contract to ensure a successful show on November 17, 2010.

Some of the guarantees in the new contract, according to the Events and Promotions Manager of Adom FM, Mr. Ricky Anokye, include CeCe Winans arriving in Ghana on Tuesday November 16, 2010, to promote the show through live radio and television interviews.

This new arrangement, Mr. Anokye said, will forestall the recurrence of the challenges that forced the cancellation of the August 7 date.

The Chief Operating Officer of the Adom Division of the Multimedia Group Limited, Mr. Klaus Vonbackustein, insists the business unit has the capacity to organize the biggest international gospel show ever witnessed in Ghana.
Mr. Vonbackustein is upbeat about a successful show on a Wednesday, arguing that Adom FM is keen on filling a yawning vacuum in the Ghanaian entertainment calendar.

“Ghanaians love and appreciate quality show; and they are ready to patronize a well-organized show, irrespective of when it is organized”, says Mr. Vonbackustein. “As a business unit, Adom FM is ready to package a thrilling gospel show on a working day like Wednesday to demonstrate that you cannot put entertainment programs in a strait jacket”.

The optimism of the Adom FM team in pulling off a successful show on November 17 is also informed by the goodwill exhibited by CeCe Winans during the re-negotiation for the concert. Throughout the two-week trans-Atlantic negotiations, the American gospel singer demonstrated her extreme desire to minister to Ghanaians by all means possible.

Her management team is currently packaging an endorsement video to back the Adom FM promotion campaign, which will be unleashed on the airwaves within the next few days for the Adom Praiz 2010 gospel show on Wednesday, November 17.

Credit: Adom FM

“Stop creating useless rumours” – Sarkodie

Reigning best rapper in Ghana, Sarkodie (obidiponbidi) who is having his fair share of celebrity rumour mongering in recent times, has sent an unqualified warning to all his haters and backbiters to stop creating rumours that do not exist about him.

The “Borga” rapper has reacted to rumours that he has parted ways with his boss and God-father Dr. Duncan who is also his manager, because he is now signed on to Senegalese-American singer, Akon’s Konvict Music.

According to the rumours sparked by Ghanacelebrities.com, Sarkodie went ahead to record an album without his manager’s consent, and also went behind his manager who discovered and groomed him, to speak to Akon about some financial issues in the Konvict Music deal, and also asked for some money from Akon to complete his second album.

The Tema based rapper said, there is no truth in it and he describes it as just “USELESS RUMOURS”. Sarkodie, known for reacting to issues about him with songs, has released an unedited single titled “Rumor”, on his face book wall to address the issue.

The four minutes one, second rap song, starts with Sarkodie saying “They say I have slapped Dr. Duncan.” He laughs sarcastically and says it’s a funny thing (in pidgin)”.

He wonders why someone can just say something like that. He used the ‘F**k’ word for his enemies whom he referred to in the song as “Haters” and accused them of trying to bring him down.

“From day one you want to bring me down but f**k you all. I am the best MC I swear to God, unless you share my blood. This is a strategy they use to kill the best rappers. I will not mention names; it is some good-for-nothing guys from the gutters.

They are trying to bring me down enforcing all these evil powers. But I am too big for that because I am sitting paid. Come to my house for employment because I need a maidservant. STOP CREATING USELESS RUMOURS”. For me I think it is lame, I am still the same, please!! I don’t get swallowed by fame…” these are some of the rap lines from Sarkodie to the ‘haters’.

Somewhere in the song, at the beginning of the second verse; he mentions Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show host Kwame Sefa Kayi and Joy FM’s “Drive Time” presenter Bolaray’s name and thanked them for being real and supporting him. He thanks his fans for supporting him and tells them not to believe any rumour they hear about him because they are all false.

He apologizes to his fans for using unprintable words in the song “sorry, my fan, I am just a little bit angry”.

However, after listening to the song peacefmonline.com spoke to Sarkodie. He explained that he recorded the song to explain the issue to his fans and tell them his side of the story. He said he didn’t mean to use the “f**k” word in the song but because it was freestyle, he became angry while recording, and he decided to leave it unedited for his fans to know how he feels because he is human.

He added that the song is not meant for radio or TV. “It is just for the internet”. He told peacefmonline.com that he is still under Duncwills Entertainment, headed by his manager Dr. Duncan, and presently signed to Konvict Music together with his manager.

When peacefmonline.com contacted radio presenter and manager Dr. Duncan currently with X-FM, he said there was no truth in the story. He said people say a lot of things and write a lot of things but they are all not true. Sarkodie is currently recoding his second album titled “Rapaholic”, to be released very soon.

Sarkodie was the biggest winner at the 2010 MTN/Ghana Music Awards. He swept five competitive awards, including the coveted Artiste of the Year, the hip-hop/hiplife Artiste of the Year, Best Rapper of the Year, Album of the Year and The Discovery of the Year awards.

His debut album “Ma Kye” which has hit songs like: “Lay Away” (featuring UK based Ghanaian rapper Sway DaSafo), “Borga” and “Baby” featuring Mugees of R2Bees fame, is still making waves.