Justice Nhyira Owen won season II with his predecessor, Irene Logan, winning season I. Season III is here with judge Bibie, Zapp Mallet and Doreen Andoh. Watch Anita take the stage of National Theatre.

Watch video: Anita’s 1st performance at Stars of the Future (Season III)

Hiplife is a genre in our current music “dispensation” that is forever springing surprises. When it started some 11 years also ago many were those Doubting Thomas’s who said it wasn’t going to succeed as a genre but today thanks to the stakeholders and steadfastness of aficionado who have vowed to make it succeed.

So when today we continue to hear new “hit” songs from debutants we say the sky is the only limit to such talented stars.

IGWE has become synonymous with Nigerians especially in their movies and typical of Hiplife artiste has become one of their claims to fame. A Hiplife musician, Nana Oduro Acheampong, better known as Yaw Igwe has released his maiden album- entitled BONDEWA meaning “a beautiful woman with a beautiful body” with a class of touch.

The 8 track CD which he described as love brewed in African pot, is full of educative messages and how dear Ghanaians take matters concerning love.

The album therefore inculcates a delicate appropriation of some elements of Ghanaian and African rhythm thereby providing a unique feeling with different rhythms; Hip Pop, Yaa Amponsah and Hiplife flavour. Already some of the songs are receiving lots of airtime on the radio stations in a relative short time of its release.

Born some 21 years ago to Mr. Michael Kwabena Boahen and Mrs. Christian Acheapong, Igwe had his education at Faith Preparatory school through its JSS before proceeding to ATTC where he completed in 2001. In 2005 he successfully completed Top Accountancy.

His singing career though dates back in his school days where he sings in the church choir he was more of entertaining side more than anything else. “Because I like music and my mum was singing in the local Presbyterian church so my rudiment commenced in those days until he was hooked up by Hammer of Last 2 fame with influential brothers like Boli, Okra Samuel, Kwaw Kese among others.

He was later discovered by the CEO of Samlit Studio, Mr. Samuel Adjie Sarpong during his Talent Hunt programme. It is no wonder, therefore that his songs are so rich with  voices of Kofi Nti whose silky voice melodiously blend beautifully to make the whole thing just look wonderfully that also brought the best raps you can think of in recent times especially when one come to think of it as this is the debut of such talented chap.

In an interview the manager, Apa Jnr, told Weekly Fylla that his boy together with Kofi Nti lets out this captivating voice in addition to good raps by Igwe to tell the world that there are good artiste in the system and if they are well motivated would go places.

The album opens with Anoman which featured Kofi Nti on the lead vocals, Jestoo and Ashang. In the song Igwe speaks about his experience and excitement when his dear one decided to look for him after waiting for several hours without his presence and wants him back. In his reply through a massage he sent through imaginary bird to tell her that he is on his way coming so “when ever you find yourself get telephone to rich me”.

Throughout the song the sweet voice and delivery of Kofi Nti, Jestoo and that of Ashang was seriously heard until Yaw Igwe executes a rap in support of it to generate a taste for contemporary highlife and Hiplife lovers. The song has some South Africa feel that can wet your appetite.

This is followed by Meho Nti (For your sake) is rendered in a mid-tempo beat with a strong bass line which carries with it a prospects of being a hit. Here Igwe as usual introduced himself in own style with his own intro and he took off, straight to the rolling beat that would take you straight to the floor.

The song portrays a lover who is dying of love as a result she is broken hearted because her lover is pretending and later when he realized that his lover is upset he decided to come back but it is too late. After listening to the raps I was taken a back with the successive flow by the youngster.

It is good that it leaves one wondering what is going to happen next and why listeners accept any thing less but then such is the work of art.

ODESHIE is another great and lovely song on the album which features Sweatman.
If you love me hold my hands, is done is rendered in Hip Hop mixed with Ghanaian rhythms.  It is self appellations which have some classics with Igwe in a full flight in his delivery as a rapper.

MEHLI is a Moslem name and trust Kofi to always use such names to the admiration of all. It is a mid-tempo with a good programming and instrumentation with a beautiful bassline. I thing this could have passed as the title track.

This song has a way of soothing due to the melodious nature of the rhythm and singing line.  In the song the singer said if he had not gone to relationship he would not have known that there is different type of love, so he has resolved to marry his Mehli because she is killing him with his love especially her backsides.

The track has a slight balance as far as rap is concerned, and one is inclined to accept it as the work of an artist whose future look bright the way he has started.

ROMEO AND JULIET as the title suggest is about romance and love message.  The instrumentation is sound great and danceable. The song is well arranged and once again displays the viability of the ace contemporary singer as he executed his line with perfection. In this song the singer promised his lover that even if  the world and her family forsake her, he is there for her until death separate them and make her his  Romeo and Juliet, and you will make me your Prince and you become my Princess.

The raga line was well fused to take song to another level.

BONDEWA is the title track of the album and it is rendered in a typical Yaa Amponsah rhythm.  It is subtle invitation to the dance floor initially may be skeptical but midway through it would certainly holds you spellbound to move to the center stage for mimicking. It also holds the prospect in areas of listening.

Other equally good tracks on the album is Broken Heart, Odo Shirley and instrumentals of Anoman to be distributed vigorously by Big Ben, Pat Thomas and Lucky Sounds and the songs were recorded at the Samlit Studios Circle by old folk Beshop Mantey.

Album: Unveiled
Label: Charterhouse
Director: Ogee/Phamous People
Distribution:

Watch video: Unveiled by Irene & Jane

Feed brought to you by: Ghana Music Watch Latest Ghanaian music videos.

Not many people know diva Dela of TV3 Mentor fame is out with a precursor to her long awaited ‘girl talk’ album. Recorded on Okyeame Quophi’s Emklan Entertainment records label, Dela’s debut promises to be a groundbreaking one. The promo copy of the singles released contains six powerful songs. Watch Odo by Dela

The first song is a funky one with a reggaeton titled ‘fever’. Fever vava veva, let me see your dancing shoes around me; fever vav veva, baby let me feel your hands around me; Dela sings. Definitely one for the clubs and streets; ‘fever’ brings in a dance fever vibe in a way peculiar to Dela.

Odo is that slow song that has gained some airplay on radio and TV. The music video leaves fans with indelible visuals of its subject matter. Dela sang about the ups and downs of love. If light could turn to darkness and new turn to old, then know that love could also go sour. Sometimes you’re up sometimes you’re down, that’s the way love goes; that’s the way the song goes.

Being a sweet girl from the Volta region of Ghana, Dela did a sweet song for her sweet dada (mother in ewe). The tune talks about how mothers work hard to see their kids through life. Dela wants to do everything she can in return to support her sweet mother who has cared so much for her. Your love means so much to me, I’ll never cease loving you; Dela sang.

‘Mate aka noso’ is your typical contemporary Highlife song. Back-up vocalists who listen to it will love the harmonies in the song. Dela sings fantastic lead vocals and the producer does well with his skill on the keyboard. It’s a song that helps define the title of the album, ‘girl talk’. She sings about being hooked to a lover who makes her feel her best, the king of her heart.

Other songs on the promo CD are ‘last bread’ and ‘show bribi’. Look out for Dela.

Album: Ewurade Bohye
Label:
Director: GYO/Phamous People
Distribution:

Watch video: Ewurade Bohye by Martin Hayford feat. Mama Cynthia (Daughters of Glorious Jesus) 

Hiplife star Obour has admitted Reggie Rockstone is deserving of a national award. While he couldn’t tell why the Hiplife grandpapa was denied the honour, he didn’t fall short of giving the Hiplife grandpapa all the credit due. Obour was conferred a grand medal for excellence in music and distinguishing himself among his contemporaries.

“I wasn’t aware I was going to receive the award until I received a letter two weeks before the event,” he told Radio Gold’s Solid Gold Countdown. Obour is thought to have won the honour due to his road safety campaign and a project for youth empowerment. Watch video: President Obour by Obour

There have been gripes about his national honour in showbiz circles mainly because the founder of the genre of music that made Obour big wasn’t honoured. Obour claims he has tried calling the Hiplife grandpapa but his phone has been off. Reggie Rockstone is yet to make a statement on the controversy.

“I think the media is just trying to create something cos the Reggie Rockstone I know will be proud that I got the award,” he said.

When asked whether he wants to be president of Ghana, Obour said he is a musician and intends to remain so. His next album is to be released early next year after the 2008 elections.

‘Gang Starz’ a proposed Reality Show, is soon coming to hit television screens in the country with the aim of entertaining Ghanaians.

‘Gang Starz’, which simply means group stars, is going to be organized by TV3 which presents talented young ladies and gentlemen between the ages of 18-25 years to help them unearth, explore and improve upon their hidden talents to become a musician group starz in the near future.

The programme would be a search for the next super star group, as it would be exploring talents in the entertainment field.

Participants are expected to be Africans who must be in a group with a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 people; must be energetic with attitude for stage craft and vocal capability.

The auditioning for the Show will kick off on 14 July, 2008. Unlike Mentor and the other Reality shows that had staged auditioning across various regions, this particular auditioning would be centered in Accra. Contestants who would be able to pass through the auditioning criteria would then compete for the ultimate prize. They would be 12 in number.

To show that they really want to become  super star groups, they will be made to go through a series of performances for 13 weeks with live band and theme songs like Reggae, Highlife, Hiplife, R&B, Gospel, Oldies and many others, which have been already recorded. This would motivate them to improve on their performances.

Contestants would also have the opportunity to choose their own songs as well as a compulsory one in order to make it a little flexible for them.

The Show would also host two permanent judges and a guest judge who would comment on all the performances. These judges would look out for the best vocal dynamics, stage attitude, and appearance and presentation style. However, the eviction segment would commence immediately on the third week of the competition.

This time round, the eviction would be done in a different style - with lots of lovely prizes and a huge sum of money.

Feed brought to you by: Ghana Music Watch Latest Ghanaian music videos.

2 Ga continues to hover like a bird, cleverly moving through a series of sharp, boastful rhymes. But 2 Ga remains the man, weaving the album together with his distinctive deep voice and always giving out good music on pay days.

While he is, in his words “110% of his life is focused on the music but will still continue to make movies, he happily said about his new album.

A video for the single produced by K Wah, “Da Boss,” featuring Black Prophet, is also in the making. His album release project also includes a worldwide tour. Watch Tuga album launch performance

About the new album, 2 Ga say “that people from all walks of life, ages, sexes and clans have got their choices on this album.”

Having already tackled film and television, 2 Ga is also venturing into fashion with the launch of his signature collections - Tuga wear.

2 Ga welcomed Diojo, Chemphe, Mugiss, Kwabena Kwabena, Praye, 4×4, Black Prophet, Tinny, Samini, Wutah and more making Ghana Music.com declare it a blockbuster album.

I can personally quote that this album will be a whole level of dedication, commitment, creativity — this isn’t the independent albums we hear these days, it’s a big worldwide blockbuster.”

The street single “Da Boss,” a hiphop/crunk song with a hook by Black Prophet is getting spins at radio. 2 Ga promises that the rest of the album will make a big impact in the game.

And with more than 20 years of rap seniority under his belt, he says always refuse to be broke. Read on or give his management team a buzz on 233 24 423 5453.

Ghana Music.com: What are you up to lately?
2 Ga: I’ve been extremely busy making “the boss’s dreams a reality, i.e. putting together a team, new record label, movie roles and most of the time in the studios making new and remaking old songs… just repackaging!

Ghana Music.com: This particular album you keep telling me there is more collaborations?
2 Ga: Yeah, collaborations are a huge and an integral part of the Afra dream unifying the music and musicians from all walks of life. Working with all these acts from different backgrounds shows my versatility and in a way pleases my fans.

Ghana Music.com: Any particular reason why you took have taken a new direction from hiplife and why you call your music - Afra music?
2 Ga: Hiplife has been a blessing but Afra is the truth! Afra is freedom for music. Afra is a fusion of all worlds of music.

Ghana Music.com: What music did you listen to when you were younger?
2 Ga: My dad owned an army of LPs from the Temptations to the Marvin Gayes to Wulomei and Koo-bi-aware and from the Jackson-5’s, the Whodini’s and James Brown’s to Harry Belafonte’s, Nnwom-koro groups, Nana Ampadu, and the Charles Amoahs etc. This is what I grew up with. [Music is me].

Ghana Music.com: Where do you see yourself positioned between your music and movies?
2 Ga: I’m handling the two quite easily thanks to God, my team and my-self for being organized and focused. I can only excel in the two with time and hard-work.

Ghana Music.com: What’s up with your music right now?
2 Ga: Readier than ever! Better than ever. Sweeter and stronger, it will be in stores any-time from now! Watch out for the boss’s single!

Ghana Music.com: What’s the concept behind the album?
2 Ga: To free and unite music and musicians using Afra as the mouth-piece for all.

Ghana Music.com: What excites you the most about this album?
2 Ga: The fact that people from all walks of life, ages, sexes and clans have got their choices on this album.

Ghana Music.com: Who do you think has done the best work in rap, eleven years from now?
2 Ga: Internationally 2pac and Jay-Z with Reggie and Tinny locally.

Ghana Music.com: You are sort of a perfectionist, but don’t people take your music serious?
2 Ga: I can only do my best all times but it’s up to the people to choose who to love and who to be taken serious.

Ghana Music.com: What are some of the craziest things women have done or offered to do?
2 Ga: I’d rather go there not because then the interview will never be over!

Ghana Music.com: What are your favorite works?
2 Ga: This is the most difficult question so far but your favourite is my favourite is the only answer I have for this question.

Ghana Music.com: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
2 Ga: A legend, the greatest African entertainer and the owner of the biggest most professional movie/music studios in Africa plus many cabinets full of awards.

Ghana Music.com: I know what 2 Ga stands for, but why and how did you come up with it?
2 Ga: I worked out a name that could best represent me especially in my absence, one that sounds African, easy to go name and most of all a name that glorifies the name of God. Incidentally, I grew up with the name 2 Ga as was referred to many Sam especially my hay soccer days! 2 Ga means a big deal!

Ghana Music.com:  Who would you love to do a duet with internationally?
2 Ga: Timberland

Ghana Music.com: Any advice on money matters for musicians?
2 Ga: Spending all their monies on clothing is not smart; they should save and invest their moneys wisely.

Ghana Music.com: I am sure no one can or will force you to choose, but if you had to pick between film and music, which one would you pick?
2 Ga: I’d rather not answer this but it’s always going to be music though!

Ghana Music.com: Rappers in the states are building business empires with clothing lines, sports teams, drinks and publishing companies. It seems like you’re starting this process with your own label, clothing line and movie career. Do you see yourself expanding and developing your business in a similar way to these examples?
2 Ga: For some few buts’, I’m not doing any different from their beginning. I’m grateful to God.

Ghana Music.com: Because of the rise of the internet and downloading, it seems like the focus in the rap industry these days is not so much on creating complete albums but on releasing singles and selling ringtones. When you’re working on a track, are these things that go through your head? Do you feel pressure to do things differently?
2 Ga: Yeah of course. I do think of them a lot. You pack an album well loaded, but two of them will be liked. So I tell myself why not release a single.

Ghana Music.com: You’ve had a lot of struggles in the music industry, but you’ve always managed to make something beautiful out of that. How do you keep yourself motivated to go on and keep turning it into something better?
2 Ga: Glory be to the name of Jah through my personal savior Jesus!

Ghana Music.com: Who have you really enjoyed collaborating with, and is there anyone out there you haven’t worked with yet that you would really like to?
2 Ga: All the musicians, especially all of them as I look forward to one day work with Panji, Wanlov the Kubolor and Kweku T.

Ghana Music.com: What are two things that people would be surprised to learn about you?
2 Ga: Extremely funny and sweet indoors and being one of the finest footballers this blessed country ever produced!

Ghana Music.com: what else are you listening to these days?
2 Ga: Almost everything good.

Ghana Music.com: You have done some movie work, tell us about it?
2 Ga: Yeah, I signed a deal to make three big budget movies with the No Limit Entertainment and I have done two so far [Dangerous Missions 1, 2 & 3 and Faithful Liar 1 & 2. I got the opportunity to play lead roles with big stars like Nadia Buari, Kofi Adjorlolo, Empress Brenda, Omar Sheriff Captain, Pauline Oduro, Kwame Owusu Ansah of blessed memory and many more. They are all in stores now.

Ghana Music.com: What’s right about hip-hop lately, and what’s wrong?
2 Ga: Hip-hop fusion with dancehall’s been good these days upping the cash inflows but loads of piss’s been taken by some mc’s lately.

Ghana Music.com: And what’s been the high point of your career, your life, anything?
2 Ga: Countless but I did enjoy ma’self performing live at the Ocean Hall East London UK in 2005.

Ghana Music.com: Any words of wisdom for the Ghana music.com readers?
2 Ga: Ball till ‘ya fall! Give thanks the least chance for we’re here just for now! Guys make visits to this site a daily routine and tell bored friends to kill boredom here. Every-one must refuse to be broke!

Album: Oye Onyankopon
Label:
Director: Mankind Mankind
Distribution: Pat Thomas & Big Ben

Watch video: Oye Onyankopon by Jerusalem Singers

Album: Agye Nyame (Only Jah)
Label: Luk Shaap Entertainment
Director: Okyeame Quophi
Distribution:

Video: Adoma by Reggy Zippy feat. K. K. Fosu

Feed brought to you by: Ghana Music Watch Latest Ghanaian music videos.

Album: Destiny
Label:
Director: Soni
Distribution:

Watch video: Please Forgive Me by Veeda 

If you were asked the question, ‘what do you think Ghana and Hungary has in common?’, you probably wouldn’t think to answer ‘music’ immediately. Well, the truth is that there is a connection between the two countries, manifesting itself beautifully in the person of SENA, one of the most talented female MCs out there.

The Ghanaian-Hungarian chanteuse is at home in a variety of different genres of music ranging from hip-hop, spoken word, reggae, to broken beat, and has worked with names like DJ Vadim (Talk to Me), Dzihan and Kamien, Gimmeshot Crew, Dizko Stu, Marcel, Colorblind Allstars (Ordinary Culture Bind), Papastomp, Ras Mac Bean.

I first saw SENA perform while vacationing back in the old country at this venue called Kultiplex (used to be the old Blue Box movie theatre back in the days). I was taking a visiting friend out to check out the Budapest nightlife, and as we were sitting in the Kultiplex courtyard, we noticed the interesting looking characters coming in and out of the theatre room almost hidden inside the place. As we found out, it was the weekly open-mike session of the Gimmeshot crew, where rotating local MCs could jump on the mike and shine for 20-30 minutes. I was completely blown away by SENA’s soulful, Lauryn Hill-esque rhyming style that had a seamless flow, almost as if she was streaming a prerecorded set from her mind. I immediately tracked down her album, entitled First One, and eventually SENA herself.

L: You have roots in Ghana and in Hungary, right? I heard you grew up in Ghana…when did you move to Hungary?
S: Yes I have roots in both Ghana and Hungary, my father being Ghanaian and my mother being Hungarian. I was born and raised in Ghana and moved to Hungary in 2001 to study in university. I turned 18 the day after arriving in Hungary.

L: What is your first musical memory? Have you started singing as a child or planned to become a musician?
S: My first musical memory? Probably singing Hungarian folk songs with my mother and grandmother. I suppose there has always been music surrounding me, even as a child, in my fathers family my grandmother sang beautifully as did my mother’s mother, there was always traditional drumming and dancing, as well as the radio and my parents eclectic music collection. My dad’s blues and funk, my mom’s classical and world music, my brother with reggae, my sister with hip hop and dancehall.

Since the days of kindergarten, I was involved in something to do with the stage, be it poetry recital, dancing, acting or singing. I always enjoyed being on stage. But I don’t think I planned on becoming a musician, per say. I just enjoyed playing.

L: How did your roots shape your musical development? Could you tell me about the underground music scene in Ghana and in Hungary?
S: I would have to write a whole dissertation on how my roots shaped my musicality or what the underground scene looks like, but I will try in a few odd ended sentences.

I came into contact with Ghanaian underground somewhere around 1998/1999. I met a Ghanaian rap artist called Reggie Rockstone, and though at the time I did not partake in any serious music making, I was introduced to local rap and hip-hop and a few artists who were at the time making what is the Ghana music scene today. That is to say mostly hip hop beats, and rap in Ghanaian local languages.

Needless to say at the time this was not at all common and had just started to cause some serious heat waves due to all the reasons we know hip-hop has always been a bit controversial. It wasn’t common in Ghana at the time and this very much appealed to my teenage ears and eyes.

Right now as I’d go back to Ghana with some musical experience and as a mc and performer myself, I came into contact with much more than even back then. There are countless groups, producers, mc’s, poets and performers who are making their mark in small but very significant ways as compared to the mainstream activity there.

People who organize their own gigs and albums and whatnot in order to get publicity and who work with limited resources, diligently putting together new sounds and new combinations of words with brand new meanings that tell tales of a new era in Ghanaian music. I think the best is yet to come and its hot I tell ya.

As for Hungary, I was lucky enough to drop in on the underground when it had sprung up already and was just starting to pool a whole generation of avid listeners and learners. I jumped right in with one of the best hip-hop crews, the Gimmeshot crew, who at the time ran a weekly hip-hop/dancehall night alongside love alliance sound system. This turned out to be the hottest night to be out in town and the baddest party to be in. There, we had open mic sessions and serious clubbing up until last year.(the clubs kept changing but the music kept flowing.

Apart from dj sets, there is also a lot of movement with regards to live music. Lots of talented musicians live and work here, among them the bands Kamu and Skeg, which for me were and are the underground of underground bands, mixing all forms of music, improvising and just allowing instruments to speak for themselves a new language which I don’t think any of us understood but all loved for it was always so fresh. That for me defines underground anyway, fresh, never hear nor understood, but done nonetheless.

L: I noticed that African hip-hop is very outspoken about political and social issues. Is their a difference between these two scenes in terms of emphasis about what issues will end up in the lyrics, for instance?
S: Well, hip-hop in general, especially underground hip-hop always tends to be more daring and outspoken, whatever the theme or issue is. In Africa, where people are very much in tune to their social standing, I guess it is only to be expected that they voice their opinions and their feelings about these things, I’m not sure whether they have more cause because of more social unrest or political instability (Ghana for instance is a rather peaceful country) but they definitely feel very deeply and are probably more emotional in general and that’s why it seems their topics are centered around politics and social issues.

But even in Hungary, I hear a lot of underground rap and other music that address these same issues, but often with more humor and with more casings around the words, if you know what I mean. We talk about the same things, in different ways.

L: Are you involved with the music scene in both countries?
S: Well as of beginning of this year I made some advances toward the Ghanaian music scene, I started making music here in Hungary and didn’t really have much time, or inside knowledge to hit the Ghana scene before. I finally met up with some very talented producers, djs and mcs in Ghana and did some performing and recording there; I’m planning on making much more though.

I always wanted to have my hands in some proper Ghana underground and now it is finally happening. I mean I haven’t really done much but the wheels are finally in motion.

And for Hungary as I mentioned earlier I have the honor and the pleasure to be a part of the underground scene amid much support from almost everybody here. Five years under my belt and some good shows, parties and gigs for the good people of Hungar.

L: I first saw you during one of the Gimmeshot open-mike sessions at the Kultiplex in Budapest. How did you start mc-ing in Budapest?

S: I started mc-ing with the Gimmeshot crew at the G spot club in Budapest. (By chance really.) I didn’t have a clue as to what was happening and how to blend in or stand out, or what to say or how to say it…haha. I had already been writing words together that suspiciously sounded like songs, but I had never held on to a microphone in that way before. I had to get a bit drunk actually, I was quite scared. But I had some good friends around and my sister too who more or less pushed me toward the mic and I suppose I did something right because it hasn’t stopped since. This was a year or so before the crew split from love alliance and moved over to Kultiplex.

L: I see that you’ve worked with a number of badass producers and musicians, such as Vadim, Dzihan Kamien, Ras Mac Bean, Dizko Stu…how did you guys connect? Do you have future collaborative projects?
L: I guess I am just lucky or something, I never really go looking for people to work with, we kind of find each other one way or another, our paths cross and take a liking to each other’s work, style, character?

I dunno. Considering my lack of knowledge and experience, I regard most musicians and producers I work with as teachers, and if you have a good teacher, you’re bound to learn one or two things in the end. Dizko Stu alias Peter Sabak met me outside Kultiplex one day and asked if I would be interested in hearing his band Kamu at one of their rehearsals, I said yes, and we’ve been working together ever since. (Kamu broke up but we continue with a duo project: Forward Ever), Dj Vadim I met when we played with Gimmeshot before one of his gigs in a local spot and we ended up making tunes on the tables and benches with bottles, glasses, hands, feet, ears and eyes till the dawn. He later invited me to record in his London flat where the track TALK TO ME was born among others.

Dj Spider of Colourblind Allstars I met in a small pub where we played with Skeg, and sitting at the neighbouring barstool he asked if I would like to do some recording to some of his music and I ended up in Lyon playing a few gigs with his band.

Dzihan and Kamien of Couch records had previously worked with Dj Mango (Gimmeshot) and they needed an mc for their Euro tour. Another male mc (Flame) was supposed to go but he didn’t have his visas sorted so I ended up jumping in for him.

Ras Mac Bean I only just met briefly at the Sziget festival this summer where he played with the Irie Ites crew from France. We had played there earlier at the Afro-Latin stage and they asked if I would jump in for a short featuring. I did. I am yet to record with him in October this year and am looking forward to it.
I could add some more names especially in order not to piss anyone off, but as I said in the beginning, these things happen almost by mistake, we have a good time and sometimes it continues and new collaborations are born, sometimes not.

L: You seem to be very busy these days…I see you are heading out to a Europe tour?
S: Right now I have my hands and feet in a few projects the newest of which is Forward Ever. I sing in the Band Irie Maffia (an 11 man reggae band from Hungary), also in the Barabas Lorinc Ecclectrik Jazz Band, as well as mc-ing to the sets of Djs in Hungary, Ozone, Cadik, Mango,……. And basically anyone willing to take a chance, hahahaha.

Of course I have plans, I want to do some more live shows in Ghana with the likes of Reggie Rockstone, Chorkor Heights and Evil Twin and many more. I want to put out another album in Hungary and in Ghana. I guess these plans will take time to materialize and the way all things around and within me constantly change, it might take along time, but I just take each day as it comes, and sometimes put in extra effort to make one thing really happen. One at a time or two at a time…hehehehe.

Yeah the Europe tour is dubbed “Budapest underground” and the line-up includes some of the wickedest djs and mcs. (Djs Dr. Dermot, Ozone, Future, Polskie, Mcs Busa, Columbo, freestyle trumpeter Barabas Lorinc and others). It should be fun and interesting to see people’s reaction to our style.

L: Some of your tracks deeply personal, while some are very political…do you write your own songs? What issues are the most important to you?
S: I am very stubborn and mostly sing only tracks that I have written myself. I write about a lot of things. Sometimes even I don’t know what the hell I’m trying to say but I say it nonetheless. Most of my lyrics are personal because I write them, and I can only write about things that have to do with my life or something affecting my life. I not sure what is most important to me, I don’t have a scale to weigh the depth of the topics. At the time am writing one particular thing, it is the most important. I guess I just write to get it off my chest, to ease my load.

L: What are your deepest inspirations?
S: My deepest inspirations? Oh wow, the thought that there is tomorrow, the feeling that I am loved and that I love back, the fact that everyone has hardships and so mine are almost insignificant but real. The fact that it has all been thought or done before but never by me.

L: If you had a choice of performing anywhere in the world, where would you take your music?
S: If I had a choice I would go everywhere, one by one. And I’m not sure if it is I who takes my music anywhere, so far it seems to be moving with a life of its own. Even if I don’t reach where my music reaches, if it gets there, the job has been done.

If you were asked the question, ‘what do you think Ghana and Hungary has in common?’, you probably wouldn’t think to answer ‘music’ immediately. Well, the truth is that there is a connection between the two countries, manifesting itself beautifully in the person of SENA, one of the most talented female MCs out there.

The Ghanaian-Hungarian chanteuse is at home in a variety of different genres of music ranging from hip-hop, spoken word, reggae, to broken beat, and has worked with names like DJ Vadim (Talk to Me), Dzihan and Kamien, Gimmeshot Crew, Dizko Stu, Marcel, Colorblind Allstars (Ordinary Culture Bind), Papastomp, Ras Mac Bean. I first saw SENA perform while vacationing back in the old country at this venue called Kultiplex (used to be the old Blue Box movie theatre back in the days). I was taking a visiting friend out to check out the Budapest nightlife, and as we were sitting in the Kultiplex courtyard, we noticed the interesting looking characters coming in and out of the theatre room almost hidden inside the place. As we found out, it was the weekly open-mike session of the Gimmeshot crew, where rotating local MCs could jump on the mike and shine for 20-30 minutes. I was completely blown away by SENA’s soulful, Lauryn Hill-esque rhyming style that had a seamless flow, almost as if she was streaming a prerecorded set from her mind. I immediately tracked down her album, entitled First One, and eventually SENA herself.

L: You have roots in Ghana and in Hungary, right? I heard you grew up in Ghana…when did you move to Hungary?

S: Yes I have roots in both Ghana and Hungary, my father being Ghanaian and my mother being Hungarian. I was born and raised in Ghana and moved to Hungary in 2001 to study in university. I turned 18 the day after arriving in Hungary.

L: What is your first musical memory? Have you started singing as a child or planned to become a musician?

S: My first musical memory? Probably singing Hungarian folk songs with my mother and grandmother. I suppose there has always been music surrounding me, even as a child, in my fathers family my grandmother sang beautifully as did my mother’s mother, there was always traditional drumming and dancing, as well as the radio and my parents eclectic music collection. My dad’s blues and funk, my mom’s classical and world music, my brother with reggae, my sister with hip hop and dancehall.
Since the days of kindergarten, I was involved in something to do with the stage, be it poetry recital, dancing, acting or singing. I always enjoyed being on stage. But I don’t think I planned on becoming a musician, per say. I just enjoyed playing.

L: How did your roots shape your musical development? Could you tell me about the underground music scene in Ghana and in Hungary?

S: I would have to write a whole dissertation on how my roots shaped my musicality or what the underground scene looks like, but I will try in a few odd ended sentences.
I came into contact with Ghanaian underground somewhere around 1998/1999. I met a Ghanaian rap artist called Reggie Rockstone, and though at the time I did not partake in any serious music making, I was introduced to local rap and hip-hop and a few artists who were at the time making what is the Ghana music scene today. That is to say mostly hip hop beats, and rap in Ghanaian local languages. Needless to say at the time this was not at all common and had just started to cause some serious heat waves due to all the reasons we know hip-hop has always been a bit controversial. It wasn’t common in Ghana at the time and this very much appealed to my teenage ears and eyes. Right now as I’d go back to Ghana with some musical experience and as a mc and performer myself, I came into contact with much more than even back then. There are countless groups, producers, mc’s, poets and performers who are making their mark in small but very significant ways as compared to the mainstream activity there. People who organize their own gigs and albums and whatnot in order to get publicity and who work with limited resources, diligently putting together new sounds and new combinations of words with brand new meanings that tell tales of a new era in Ghanaian music. I think the best is yet to come and its hot I tell ya.
As for Hungary, I was lucky enough to drop in on the underground when it had sprung up already and was just starting to pool a whole generation of avid listeners and learners. I jumped right in with one of the best hip-hop crews, the Gimmeshot crew, who at the time ran a weekly hip-hop/dancehall night alongside love alliance sound system. This turned out to be the hottest night to be out in town and the baddest party to be in. There, we had open mic sessions and serious clubbing up until last year.(the clubs kept changing but the music kept flowing. Apart from dj sets, there is also a lot of movement with regards to live music. Lots of talented musicians live and work here, among them the bands Kamu and Skeg, which for me were and are the underground of underground bands, mixing all forms of music, improvising and just allowing instruments to speak for themselves a new language which I don’t think any of us understood but all loved for it was always so fresh. That for me defines underground anyway, fresh, never hear nor understood, but done nonetheless.

L: I noticed that African hip-hop is very outspoken about political and social issues. Is their a difference between these two scenes in terms of emphasis about what issues will end up in the lyrics, for instance?

S: Well, hip-hop in general, especially underground hip-hop always tends to be more daring and outspoken, whatever the theme or issue is. In Africa, where people are very much in tune to their social standing, I guess it is only to be expected that they voice their opinions and their feelings about these things, I’m not sure whether they have more cause because of more social unrest or political instability (Ghana for instance is a rather peaceful country) but they definitely feel very deeply and are probably more emotional in general and that’s why it seems their topics are centered around politics and social issues. But even in Hungary, I hear a lot of underground rap and other music that address these same issues, but often with more humor and with more casings around the words, if you know what I mean. We talk about the same things, in different ways.

L: Are you involved with the music scene in both countries?

S: Well as of beginning of this year I made some advances toward the Ghanaian music scene, I started making music here in Hungary and didn’t really have much time, or inside knowledge to hit the Ghana scene before. I finally met up with some very talented producers, djs and mcs in Ghana and did some performing and recording there; I’m planning on making much more though. I always wanted to have my hands in some proper Ghana underground and now it is finally happening. I mean I haven’t really done much but the wheels are finally in motion.
And for Hungary as I mentioned earlier I have the honor and the pleasure to be a part of the underground scene amid much support from almost everybody here. Five years under my belt and some good shows, parties and gigs for the good people of Hungary
[photo: Gimmeshot Crew]

L: I first saw you during one of the Gimmeshot open-mike sessions at the Kultiplex in Budapest. How did you start mc-ing in Budapest?

S: I started mc-ing with the Gimmeshot crew at the G spot club in Budapest. (By chance really.) I didn’t have a clue as to what was happening and how to blend in or stand out, or what to say or how to say it…haha. I had already been writing words together that suspiciously sounded like songs, but I had never held on to a microphone in that way before. I had to get a bit drunk actually, I was quite scared. But I had some good friends around and my sister too who more or less pushed me toward the mic and I suppose I did something right because it hasn’t stopped since. This was a year or so before the crew split from love alliance and moved over to Kultiplex.

L: I see that you’ve worked with a number of badass producers and musicians, such as Vadim, Dzihan Kamien, Ras Mac Bean, Dizko Stu…how did you guys connect? Do you have future collaborative projects?

S: I guess I am just lucky or something, I never really go looking for people to work with, we kind of find each other one way or another, our paths cross and take a liking to each other’s work, style, character? I dunno. Considering my lack of knowledge and experience, I regard most musicians and producers I work with as teachers, and if you have a good teacher, you’re bound to learn one or two things in the end. Dizko Stu alias Peter Sabak met me outside Kultiplex one day and asked if I would be interested in hearing his band Kamu at one of their rehearsals, I said yes, and we’ve been working together ever since. (Kamu broke up but we continue with a duo project: Forward Ever),
Dj Vadim I met when we played with Gimmeshot before one of his gigs in a local spot and we ended up making tunes on the tables and benches with bottles, glasses, hands, feet, ears and eyes till the dawn. He later invited me to record in his London flat where the track TALK TO ME was born among others.
Dj Spider of Colourblind Allstars I met in a small pub where we played with Skeg, and sitting at the neighbouring barstool he asked if I would like to do some recording to some of his music and I ended up in Lyon playing a few gigs with his band.
Dzihan and Kamien of Couch records had previously worked with Dj Mango (Gimmeshot) and they needed an mc for their Euro tour. Another male mc (Flame) was supposed to go but he didn’t have his visas sorted so I ended up jumping in for him.
Ras Mac Bean I only just met briefly at the Sziget festival this summer where he played with the Irie Ites crew from France. We had played there earlier at the Afro-Latin stage and they asked if I would jump in for a short featuring. I did. I am yet to record with him in October this year and am looking forward to it.
I could add some more names especially in order not to piss anyone off, but as I said in the beginning, these things happen almost by mistake, we have a good time and sometimes it continues and new collaborations are born, sometimes not.

L: You seem to be very busy these days…I see you are heading out to a Europe tour…

S: Right now I have my hands and feet in a few projects the newest of which is Forward Ever. I sing in the Band Irie Maffia (an 11 man reggae band from Hungary), also in the Barabas Lorinc Ecclectrik Jazz Band, as well as mc-ing to the sets of Djs in Hungary, Ozone, Cadik, Mango,……. And basically anyone willing to take a chance, hahahaha.
Of course I have plans, I want to do some more live shows in Ghana with the likes of Reggie Rockstone, Chorkor Heights and Evil Twin and many more. I want to put out another album in Hungary and in Ghana. I guess these plans will take time to materialize and the way all things around and within me constantly change, it might take along time, but I just take each day as it comes, and sometimes put in extra effort to make one thing really happen. One at a time or two at a time…hehehehe.

Yeah the Europe tour is dubbed “Budapest underground” and the line-up includes some of the wickedest djs and mcs. (Djs Dr. Dermot, Ozone, Future, Polskie, Mcs Busa, Columbo, freestyle trumpeter Barabas Lorinc and others). It should be fun and interesting to see people’s reaction to our style.

L: Some of your tracks deeply personal, while some are very political…do you write your own songs? What issues are the most important to you?

S: I am very stubborn and mostly sing only tracks that I have written myself. I write about a lot of things. Sometimes even I don’t know what the hell I’m trying to say but I say it nonetheless. Most of my lyrics are personal because I write them, and I can only write about things that have to do with my life or something affecting my life. I not sure what is most important to me, I don’t have a scale to weigh the depth of the topics. At the time am writing one particular thing, it is the most important. I guess I just write to get it off my chest, to ease my load.

L: What are your deepest inspirations?

S: My deepest inspirations? Oh wow, the thought that there is tomorrow, the feeling that I am loved and that I love back, the fact that everyone has hardships and so mine are almost insignificant but real. The fact that it has all been thought or done before but never by me.

L: If you had a choice of performing anywhere in the world, where would you take your music?

S: If I had a choice I would go everywhere, one by one. And I’m not sure if it is I who takes my music anywhere, so far it seems to be moving with a life of its own. Even if I don’t reach where my music reaches, if it gets there, the job has been done.
POSTED BY LICHIBAN AT 12:43 PM
LABELS: INTERVIEW, MUSIC
1 COMMENTS:

Anonymous said…
I love sena, but in germany they dont sell her stuff. Me and my friend want her to prduce a new album and we want her to sell it in germany!

JULY 2, 2008 7:25 AM
Post a Comment

LINKS TO THIS POST

Create a Link

Newer Post Older Post Home
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

“LOVE RULES. CROWN YOUR HEART”

LICHIBAN
NYC/BUDAPEST, UNITED STATES
VIEW MY COMPLETE PROFILE
YOU’LL ALSO FIND ME

LICHIBAN on myspace
WRONG LIPS (my blog w/ Sarah White)
TRACE Magazine blog
“i live like an outlaw for the emancipation of love, for passion without oppression. this road is the only one i ever wish to know.” (Donna Ferrato)
LABELS

Art (47)
Artist of the Month (2)
Book (1)
Design (8)
Event (48)
Fashion (5)
Film (4)
FortheCAUSE (5)
getINVOLVED (1)
iheartbeats (3)
Interview (12)
LichibanPRESS (4)
music (54)
My Girlfriends Rule (2)
My Homies Rule Too (7)
Photography (6)
Random silliness (7)
TimeToAct (6)
Words (10)

view my portfolio:
coroflot.com/lichiban
FRIENDS

Sarah White
Cultura Shokku
Diamond Girl on myspace
Diamond Girl on Format
Sallome SalloMAZING
Eagle Nebula
Betty Bastidas
Jelsen Jargon
Dhundee’s World Wide podcast
Dhundee
Courtesy of (Bahareh & Jelsen)
Kon & Amir
DJ Kon’s blog
Phillip Martin (lifted veils)
Rodney White
Hello Human (Rodney’s blog)
iheartboris…Boris Chang
Creep Street blog
Dolphin
ninerevolutions
Bradford James (SEED Records)
Oveous Maximus
Caitlin Meissner
Caitlin Meissner’s blog
Kenji Nakayama
Kenji on AREVOLT
Enamel Kingdom (Ryan Lombardi)
Nappy G
Elevator Design (Nick Frame)
Zane Tate
Papastomp aka Teddy G
Cultural Cornerstones
Josh Falk
ykyk/tky
Marka27
Zeegisbreathing
Brian Burkhardt
Luke Powell
Wave Music (soulful house & deep space haven)
The Love Movement
Shayna Yashuhara
grammerface’s blog
Sho Murase’s blogs
Jamal Elias
Floorlords
FAVORITES

CLAM
DOPE SWAN
Eikoh Hosoe (photography)
Jamel Shabazz (oldskool photography)
James Nachtwey (trauma photography)
Sebastiåo Salgado’s photos
Salgado’s Unicef donations from ‘Children”
Sugarcuts Music (Dhundee’s label)
Elevations Radio (broken beat, future soul)
Industry Soul blog
BBE records (a label with real taste!)
Amplified (cool soul, neosoul, r&b site)
Leisure Lab (broken beat, nu jazz, etc)
YUME BKNY
Doze Green
Markus Kwame’s blog
MANIFEST DESTITUTE
Nicola Conte
Artist Runway
Cut&Paste Digital Design Tournament
David Choe
Banksy (chief of mischiiieef)
Justin Bua
WK Interact
Maxalot Gallery (Barcelona, Spain)
Heliumcowboy (Hamburg, Germany)
McCaig-Welles Gallery (NYC)
Jonathan Levine Gallery (NYC)
The Showroom Gallery (NYC)
Gallery 1988 (LA)
project: gallery (LA)
The New Pop (Video Magazine, NYC)
Liberator Magazine
ArtSeen SOHO (art events)
Swindle
Beautiful Decay
Juxtapoz
Legends of Style
Wooster Collective
BLOG ARCHIVE

▼ 2008 (91)
▼ June (13)
MY HOMIES RULE TOO: Dhundee
LIVE! Painting at LIBATION 6-19
iRECOMMEND: Interview with Mark de-Clive Lowe
MY HOMIES RULE TOO: Kiva
iRECOMMEND: Spinna @ Deep Space
iRECOMMEND: Waxpoetics w/Amir of Kon & Amir & DeJa…
MY HOMIES RULE TOO: Amir Ebrahimi
WU TANG Massive//// Bobby Digital
Rise to Freedom: SOWETO…360
WONDER-FULL: DJ Spinna & Bobbito’s Legendary Stevi…
MY HOMIES RULE TOO: Marka 27
DRUMMERS DELIGHT: “Pretty” Purdie & Kon
THE PRICE OF STARDOM: Tattoo Hall of Fame
► May (12)
► April (19)
► March (19)
► February (17)
► January (11)
► 2007 (47)
LISTEN TO MY FAVORITE PODCAST OF THE MONTH WHILE READING: DHUNDEE

“In your light I learn how to love.
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,
but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.” (Rumi)

VIDEO BAR

Loading…
VIDEO BAR

Loading…

Hiplife founder Reggie Rockstone has been denied national honours for the second time. The National Honours Awards, which took place in Accra on July 3, 2008 ended with fans of Hiplife wondering why the originator of the genre of music that gave means of livelihood to thousands of Ghanaians at home and abroad wasn’t honoured. Hiplife enthusiasts have regarded it as a big blow to youth empowerment in the country.

Reggie Rockstone started a movement that turned the pages of music history in Ghana. He is known as the Hiplife grandpapa because of the trend he set in the early 90s as the first to fuse Hip hop with Highlife music.

The product became what we now recognise as Hiplife music, arguably the dominant music form in Ghana today. The question being asked by many music lovers is; why hasn’t Reggie Rockstone been recognised for his contribution to Ghana.

The only Hiplife artist honoured during the ceremony was one of Reggie’s kids, Obour. Reggie Rockstone did not only start Hiplife but sold Ghana all over the world as a cultural ambassador. He declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Showghana.com.

Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, instituted the national honours on July 1, 1960.

Feed brought to you by: Ghana Music Watch Latest Ghanaian music videos.

While growing up as a child in the mid 80’s, I was doused with an array of different cultures. When I was a girl, I had a babysitter who was from Guyana, a South American country which has similar cultures like West Indians. Her name was Hazel and she nurtured me while my mother worked long hours. I loved her so much for caring for me around the clock until my mother would come and get me. There were many West Indians who were also my neighbors.

My mother and I moved quite a bit. I was born in Killeen, Texas, U.S.A. on an Army base where my mother, Jenette, was stationed. We then moved throughout the south until we landed in New Jersey, then to New York , and finally to a predominantly Ghanaian neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey. I became friends with the little Ghanaian girls in the neighborhood. They were so nice to me and their parents embraced me as their own daughter. That was when I learned to eat PEPPER! WOW! It was so hot, my eyes watered and my tongue burned. I drank so much water. But it excited me! I learned to swallow fufu and all that good stuff! Personally, I love to chew it a little bit before swallowing it (don’t laugh!). It tastes a bit like mashed potatoes.

I was impressed with the way my friends’ parents cared for me and took me as their own child. I loved their music and the garments they wore- they looked like Kings & Queens. They carried themselves with such presence, as though they were so wealthy in spirit! I admired that so much.

Years passed and I had the opportunity to go to Ghana!!!!!! I was so excited and nervous at the same time. I didn’t know what to expect. When I touched the soil of the motherland, I instantly felt healed!!!! It was as if angels were surrounding me! I couldn’t stop smiling… I was SOOOO happy! Wow ! I couldn’t wait to get out of the airport and see the sights.

After a week, I began to feel my body purifying!! My skin started to clear up! I didn’t have to wear any makeup to cover my skin. I lost weight! I felt so energetic. I said to myself , ‘What is happening to me? I am becoming like a young girl again!’ Being in Ghana changed my life. I suddenly knew that this is what God wanted for me and where he wanted me to be. If it weren’t the case, I wouldn’t have made it to Ghana. None of it would have been possible.

As a young girl, I loved to sing! I did a lot of shows and competitions and such! Any time I had the opportunity to sing, I would do it. I was trained with classical music in school. After I left school, I felt there was no outlet where I could sing again and had not opened my mouth for a long time. I mean, I would play around but nothing serious, until now! I felt that I could use the talent God gave me to possibly help people or put a smile on someone’s face. That is what drove me to write and sing the songs. Nothing in the world would be more gratifying than to see my work/talents be embraced by the same people who helped to raise me, their AMERICAN SWEETIE! I want to give back and God willing, that is what I plan to do.

My first song, called “Allstar Pride Dance” is dedicated to my African brothers and sisters, first and foremost. What really inspired to do this song was when I came back from Ghana for the first time, I missed it so much, I was compelled to do a song about it. It is about daily life and people emanating their daily life through this song. Within the song, there is a dance called “Waive your flag” (just meaning being proud of your country and what it stands for). “Pound de FuFu” and “Stir de Soup” is about the traditional food eaten by my African people and how they make it. Fufu with Soup is one of the best dishes in the world! “Wash Ur Body” is about using the bucket of water and a bowl to take a bath! Very effective!!!

This dance emanates the movements of it all. There are other dances in the song as well, like the “Score de Goal” dance. It is about Soccer (football), which is a national sport. I thought why not make a dance out of all these traditions! It is an everyday way of life, you know. Hopefully, I would love for people to hear it all over the world and get an understanding of different cultures. This song was collaborated with Samini, formerly known as Batman. He knew exactly what I was thinking when he did his hook! He is a great guy and a man of integrity. He believes in culture and being proud of what we stand for as African brothers and sisters.

My Ghanaian idols are Reggie Rockstone, Samini, Tic Tac, Castro, Mzbel, VIP, and there are more that I love a lot. They have given me inspiration and drive as well. I really appreciate their music.

My second journey to Ghana was to do my video for the “Allstar Pride Dance”. I went through a rough road but God made everything possible to get it done. It was so important for me to do this song in Africa due to the fact that there is a great stigma in America about African people in general. I want people to understand that we are all the same.

I felt at home when I went to Ghana and to me, it is now my second home. It is just totally unbelievable how people treat one another like brothers and sisters in Ghana. We could learn a few things in the U.S. about brotherly/sisterly love. I think it is a wonderful thing.

I would like to give special thanks to Mr. CNN, my manager, for helping me through my whole journey. “You are truly a blessing to me and you made this all possible for me”.

Mom (Jenette Thomas)!!!!! You are the Bomb! Thanks for your love, support and finances (smile).

Portia Asare Boateng (my Sweet African Sister) - “You have helped me make the impossible happen. You are more than a Diva, you are absolutely incredible! “

Samini (My Brother), “Thank you sooooooooooo much for believing in me and thank you for being real. You helped to make this song HOT!!!!!!”

Nana (Club Groove Control) Thank you for extending your club to me and being such a Great Guy!

Kaywa Entertainment (David and Jazzie), “Hey guys, thanks for the Hot Beat!!!! I look forward to working with you soon.

2Ga, Pepsi, Filanzy Thanks for your support!

Hey, X-Jaquar! “You are the man. Thank you for making my video Hot! I look forward to working with you very soon.

DJ Sam Q (Chicago) Thank you for working with me on the song. You are a great guy.

Jenjer! Girl you know you are my sister til death! Thank you for coming all the way to Ghana with me and making it happen.

Phoenix, Big Sis, thank you for your love and support always. Thank you for always believing in me.

E&T Entertainment: Eric and Terry…Thanks for extending your support to me. Luv you guys. Most of all… Thank you Father God!! You Run Things!!!!

Feed brought to you by: Ghana Music Watch Latest Ghanaian music videos.

Philadelphia, PA African U.S based Gospel recording artist Steve Kelly received nominations for the 2008 U.S. Gospel Music Eagle Awards, which will be held during the upcoming Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) Convention. 

The awards program will take place on Sunday, July 6th at the Living God Performing Arts Center in Philadelphia, PA.  The International Gospel Recording icon Steve Kelly, known as the “Prince of Praise,” has received a nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year Contemporary, and New International artist of the year.

Steve will be a featured performer on the Eagle Awards and also on the GMWA Monday Night Youth Forum.”A generation of believers that are tired of keeping silent. Refusing to stand behind walls of religion, to seek after the truth that is only found in the mind of God and not the opinions of man.

Regardless of color, age, denomination or your past, if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and if that truth makes you want to shout, worship, clap, dance, or stomp, then welcome to the Steve Kelly Ministries!” – Steve KellySteve Kelly is a young minister with the contemporary flair of Kirk Franklin who had forever changed Christian Music through his combination of contemporary hip-hop and traditional gospel music. Kelly is a native of Ghana and Liberia. 

Steve Kelly’s groundbreaking style and sound has led a revolution among African Gospel artists, with “U Got Me Smillin” garnering a Eagle Award nomination for ” Male Vocalist of the Year Contemporary/International,” an unprecedented honor for a Gospel artist. He is currently preparing for the release of his new project ZERO2HERO with a strong promotion across the country, where he shares the stage with GRAMMY Gospel music luminaries Kirk Franklin and David Gains. 

Steve Kelly will be a special guest artist at the upcoming younger fest Gospel jam in New York, an event sponsor by the Apostolic International Church and the city of Bronx New York. 

The event is designed to bring together youth of various Ages, Sex and  Race in the African American Community, The Hispanic Community and the African community.

The International Gospel artist Steve Kelly will also tour together will Pastor Joe Beecham, Stella Addo, Suzzy & Matt Vivian Ofori and Getty & Friends, The first Concert will take place at the Christian Worship Center in Worcester Massachusetts.

Martin Hayford knew from the onset that he wanted to move hearts, souls and bodies with his maiden gospel album so apart from the uplifting vocals on the work, he also brought on board some very experienced instrumentalists to add more flavour to the songs.

The result is the well-produced 12-track debut collection called Awurade Bohye (God’s Promise).

Unlike some of us who would give up at the slightest obstacle, Martin never lost hope that God was capable of making his long wait to join the gospel train worthwhile.

“It was quite a struggle getting started and managing to move on to this stage,” Martin said. “Despite the challenges, I was filled with the assurance that God would fulfil his promises.”

The set time has definitely arrived for Martin and his album is filled with songs meant to encourage and give hope to anyone going through any form of crisis.

The title track is already generating some attention with a video already showing on television. “Even though the opportunity I had been looking for was yet to come, I knew it would definitely come. I was sustained with the words in Genesis: 28 verse 15 which says that God will not forsake us until he has fulfilled his promises.”

Awurade Bohye features Mama Cynthia of Daughters of Glorious Jesus fame. Her powerful voice combines effectively with Martin’s to make the song a must -listen- to.

Awurade Bohye tells us that when God’s appointed time comes, it does not matter who you are, what you have done or what you are going through, He will still fulfil his word.

The song boldly speaks to the lives of barren woman, the unemployed, the convict, the sick and anyone who may be losing hope with its encouraging references to other people in the Bible who went through similar situations.

Martin says that he is grateful to recording engineer, Nacy, who shared in parts of the vocals and also played keyboards on some songs, and all the other instrumentalists on the project.

Himself a trumpeter who has played with the then National Theatre-based Vision Band, Daughters of Glorious Jesus and No Tribe, Martin stayed away from his instrument throughout the recording of the album to enable him concentrate on vocals and the general shaping up of the project.

Musicians like Macky Flash on electric bass, trombonist Ayitey Appiah, guitarist Ackablay, trumpeter Osei Tutu, saxophonist Steve Mensah and keyboardist Ato Scott ‘Redcap’ Bennin, as well as backing singer Yvonne ‘Shee’ Ohene- Djan all bring their own styles of embellishment to the various songs on the album.

The album is full of inspiring songs which include Ebedu Woso on which Martin sings that whatever our problems are, God is able to overcome them so we should stop worrying, be patient and wait on Him.

On Nokonoko Be, which is done in Ga, he affirms that there is nothing that God cannot do, so we should bring our burdens before Him and He would give us rest.

It seems Martin’s strongest area as a gospel artiste, is in praise and worship. One can really feel the quality and range of his voice on some of the songs. One of them is Yesu Ayikoo, which is a remake of a popular praise song.

It is done in the slow vein and Martin passionately gives praise that the blood of Jesus has enabled him to be who he is.
Other songs on the album are Wonni Haw, Danaase, Onyame Fata, Ao Bra, M’egya and Ayeyi Nkoara. Some of them are, however, too long and Martin should check that issue on future albums.

He started singing around the age of 10 and like a lot of other gospel artistes, it was in church. He joined the school choir at St Augustine’s College and played the trumpet for various churches while he schooled at the Cape Coast Polytechnic where he studied Marketing.

Since then it’s been nothing but music for him, busy playing the trumpet for a lot of artistes. Martin says he is grateful to Messrs Michael Owusu Anderson, Benjamin Ato Simpson and James Scott Benin for all their encouragement and support.

To assure Ghanaians that he is definitely coming to jam with his fans at the “State of the Republic” concert on Saturday, July 19, American singer, Sean Kingston decided to do part of the show’s TV/radio commercial in Twi.

Twi is, arguably, the most widely spoken Ghanaian language and according to the organisers of the event, they suggested to Sean Kingston to do “a line or two” of the commercial in that language “to confirm to the people that he and Fat Joe are coming to Ghana for real”, Mr Eugene K. Chinebuah, Events Director of Exclusive Vista Entertainment (XVE), organisers of the show, told Showbiz.

“Ei Ghana, ete sen…?” — Sean opens the commercial with this line in Twi, which means in English, Ei Ghana, how are you doing…?

Chinebuah said XVE had planned to present the show as an icing on the various entertainment events marking Ghana’s 48th Republic Anniversary in the month of July.

He also hinted that as their first visit to Africa, Sean Kingston and Fat Joe may consider collaborating with some Ghanaian artistes on a few musical projects.

The Ghanaian singers expected to share the stage with Sean Kingston and Fat Joe include Wan Luv Kobolo, Asem, 5Five and 4×4.

“Sean’s mother, Janice Turner, may also come with the group to explore business opportunities in the country and Africa in general,” Chinebuah said.

He also said that the show will be covered by MTV Base and broadcast to the rest of the world in a bid to confirm Ghana as the best destination in Africa for popular international artistes.

He promised music lovers a good show, especially as the concert has attracted support from Coca Cola, the African Regent Hotel, Somovision, Accra Mall, Frankies, Hennesy, Bacchus and MKOGH.

Other sponsors are the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Sparkx, Atlantis Radio and TV3. There will be after-parties at the Aphrodisiac nightclub and the African Regent Hotel.

Sean Kingston was born on February 3, 1990 in Miami, Florida, but was brought up in Kingston, Jamaica, after moving there at the age of six. His stage name, Kingston, is in respect of Jamaica’s capital - Kingston.

He released the single “Beautiful Girls” in 2007 and has since enjoyed massive fame around the world.

Fat Joe, the man who will storm Accra with Kingston is also known as Joseph Antonio Cartagena, born August 19, 1970.

He is an American rapper of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, and is signed to Imperial Records. He is best known in Ghana for his hit song, “Lean Back”.

Ghanaian roots reggae artistes, based home and abroad, are stepping up their acts to get their ‘positive messages’ better heard here and the latest to step into the ring is Paapa Wastik.

Away from our shores over the last four years, the Cape-Coast-born and Mfantsipim School old student says he is back home for a few months from his Oregon base in the United States to promote his 13-track second album, Thanks and Praise and to make people aware of who Paapa Wastik is.

Paapa Wastik released his first album, Mama Afrika here a year before travelling outside. That was a blend of soca, hiplife and reggae which he called Roots Life music.

The new material is strictly roots reggae with different shades of the genre woven into a colourful tapestry of love and ‘conscious’ messages.

“I call the album Thanks and Praise because when I sit back and look at what the Most High has done for me, I cannot do anything but give thanks and praise to His mighty name.”

One of the reasons why Wastik feels so blessed was the opportunity to record four tracks on the Thanks and Praise album in the famous Tuff Gong studio in Jamaica. He was looking for a ‘live’ feel to some of the songs and was advised to go to Tuff Gong.

Wastik has no regrets that he heeded the advice because he got exceptional reggae instrumentalists, including percussionist Bongo Herman, regarded as the leading Nyabinghi drummer in Jamaica, to back him.

“I can say I was double lucky in Jamaica because I also had well-known reggae vocalists Lutan Fyah and Jah Marcus to feature on the album. They are artistes with the same mission as I and we enjoyed ourselves in the studio.”

Wastik affirms that all true roots reggae artistes have a mission not only to entertain but also to educate people with their music.
“We don’t sing music that will make people go astray. There’s no way we are going to sing profane songs. We do music that awaken people and lead them on an enlightening and righteous path.”

There are a couple of love-related songs but a big chunk of the material deal with serious social matters such as the need to teach children good ways, the search for justice and peace in the world, the evils of the Babylon system and being serious about life.

“It’s hard to say which is my favourite on the the album but I like Home Sweet Home a lot. I was taking a walk in the US one day and noticed how people, especially non- Americans, were hustling and suffering in a foreign land to make ends meets. The song was triggered by that realisation.”

Last year was a busy period for Wastik on the international reggae festival circuit. He featured in festivals in Jamaica, Canada and the US and he fondly remembers the 18th Annual Lafayette Reggae Cultural Festival in Louisiana on September 1 and 2.

“Lucky Dube was there with his whole band. We stayed in the same hotel and his room was next to mine. Apart from interaction backstage, we also talked a bit in the hotel.

I had not met him before but knew his music well and I was very glad to meet him.I couldn’t believe it when I heard about six weeks later that he had died.”

Other reggae festivals Wastik played last year included the Northwest Reggae Music Festival in Eugene, Oregon which also had Luciano, Ky-Mani Marley and Mutabaruka, the Reggae Rising Festival in Carlifornia and the Vermont International Reggae Festival.

“I have become familiar with reggae festivals and will hopefully organise one in Ghana next year. So many of the artistes want to come to Ghana and I know I’m the bridge now for them to do that.”

Though Wastik is fairly known in reggae circles in the US and Jamaica, his name does not ring a bell at all here. That’s why he plans to hold three shows in Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast before he returns to his base in Oregon.

He was a little boy in Cape Coast with little hope of rubbing shoulders with known international artistes. In giving thanks and praises to God for his circumstances, he has also decided to set up the Support the Needy Children Project and would present books and other educational material to school children in Cape Coast before he travels back to the US.

If it happens, those school children will be among the people to look forward to a Paapa Wastik-led international reggae festival in Ghana next year.

Feed brought to you by: Ghana Music Watch Latest Ghanaian music videos.

Former Black Queens’ captain and the current best goal keeper, Abiba Memunatu Sulemana maybe taking off her soccer gloves in exchange for the microphone, as she gets into the studio to work on her debut album.

And indications are that in the next few months, she will outdoor her maiden album, “Ogyam”.

Speaking to The Chronicle at the offices of Happy FM, an Accra-based radio station yesterday, she gave the assurance that she was working round the clock to come out with something worth listening to.

“I don’t want to do any shoddy work so I am in serious talks with artistes such as Tinny, Kwabena Kwabena, Obour and others to come on board my project”, she said.

For the agile goalkeeper, who also features prominently for Ghana Post Ladies soccer side, has thrown much into the project to make it a success.