Fighting 50 Cent was worth it

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | May 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Well Lil Wayne may have attributed his recent Billboard success to 50 Cent dissing him but he isn’t alone on the 50 Cent phenomenon. Eedris Abdulkareem, the Nigerian rapper who sought for relevance some years ago by feuding with 50 Cent over a plane seat, claims that his actions have liberated Nigerian artists. From who or what, I don’t really know. » Read more…

Tags: , 50 cent, Eedris Abdulrakeem, Li Wayne, The King is Back

Students Get Loose at Grown & Sexy Pool Party

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | May 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Radio Univers, the campus radio station of the University of Ghana organised a barbeque pool party in Accra for students and listeners of the Grown & Sexy radio show. Grown & Sexy is an adult themed radio programme that talks about issues concerning the sexuality of students, relationships as well as provide a platform for students to hook up. » Read more…

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50 Cent in Ghana?

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | May 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment

There is a lot of talk about 50 Cent visiting the Gold Coast very soon. Several of his Ghanaian fans have been dying to see him perform live in Ghana ever since his runaway success with ‘Get Rich or Die Trying’. It seems their dreams will soon come true as a major concert featuring the G-Unit hip-hop superstar is on the cards. Perhaps this was catalyzed by the recent visit of 50 Cent’s rival, Ja Rule, to Ghana. Whatever be the case, Ghanaians are excited about seeing 50 Cent soon. » Read more…

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“Run Baby Run” Shines at the African Movie Academy (AMA)Awards

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | May 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment

In spite of Nigeria’s prodigious influence on the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), at least I can say that the academy is a bit fair when it comes to the selection of winners. After seeing the premiere of Run Baby Run in Accra early last year, I fell in love with the story, cinematography and the acting so I wasn’t surprised when the movie won the award for Best Picture, Best Directing and Best Screen Play at the 2008 AMAA. Run Baby Run is a humorous movie about the emerging menace of drug trade in Ghana and its influence on family and society. It tells the story about a young boy who decided to sell several kilos of cocaine that he found in his younger sister’s bag which was accidentally switched at a British airport. The twists that unfolded after he returned to Ghana were simply thrilling and often very amusing. It certainly deserved every one of the awards. » Read more…

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Let’s Talk About it and Change the World

Interview by Ameyaw Debrah | May 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Kumasi Simmons is one of those rare artists who believe and changing the world and making it a better place. Idealistic perhaps, but he sees music as a way to praise God, and to help God’s creation with the money and fame that comes from it. For a young black American who grew up in Compton, this may be a very uncommon path. While his close buddies like Kanye West and The Game do their own thing, Kumasi combines rap with soul and R&B to portray the teachings of Islam. He first came into the limelight at a young age when he punched a white referee for making racist remarks about him, during a high school football game. Most people would have fallen on such a publicity to pursue a career in football but not Kumasi. Instead, he followed the call to perform music, a gift he discovered during a high school talent show.

Kumasi’s current album, ‘Let’s Talk about It and Change the World’ is doing very well on ITunes particularly for his brand of positive music. According to him, “Some people cry and some people reflect on God’s greatness when they listen to my music.” He talked to Jamati about life, music, Islam, racism and violence in America, the future for black youths among many other topical issues. » Read more…

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Ja Rule Who?

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | May 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Kwaw Kesse, Ghana’s self proclaimed King of the Streets has described Ja Rule as a spent force with no relevance in today’s hip-hop world. “Ja Rule isn’t hot any more”, Kwaw Kesse said recently in a TV interview when he was asked about performing with Ja Rule. The two recently shared the stage at the Ghana Music Award beach party and even though Kwaw admitted that Ja Rule was able to excite the crowd, he still maintained that Ja Rule wasn’t hot. “Ghanaians are tired of Ja Rule”, he added.

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Tags: , 50 cent, Ghana Music Awards, Idris Abdulkareem, Ja Rule, Kwaw Kesse, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Tinny

Mounira Mitchala, a Gentle Panther

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | May 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Mitchala may mean ‘panther’ in Bidio, her native language but the 28 year-old singer/songwriter is certainly a gentle one. Her wild side only comes alive through her stage act which is usually fed by her sheer will to get her message across. Mounira is a huge talent with an exceptional voice. » Read more…

Tags: , african divas, bidio, chad, Fréderic Galliano, mitchala, Mounira, n'djamena, RFI’s "Découvertes", talou lena

Naija Music Babies

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | April 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment

It seems that Nigeria’s crop of young artist have invested in baby making factories as stories about musicians impregnating ladies make the runs in the media. Of course the man that became a household name by singing about African women, 2Face Idibia tops the list. According to reports, 2Face recently accepted paternity for an unborn child from Bimbo, a 24-year old lady. And who says there is nothing in a name? LOL! Anyway according to sources, Bimbo is about four months pregnant and 2face has been visiting on the quiet. » Read more…

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Olu Maintain Fathers 3 Ghanaian Kids

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | April 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment

In a bid to establish a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that would focus on helping less privileged kids particularly those who are interested in music, the Nigerian Hip Hop sensation has adopted three Ghanaian kids. Olu believes that adopting Esther, Samuel and Joseph Owusu, is his wasy of helping the needy and that his charity organization will be doing more of such deeds in the near future. » Read more…

Tags: , Ester Owusu, Joseph Owusu, Olu Maintain, Samuel Owusu, Yahooze

‘Madman’ Sweeps Ghana Music Awards

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | April 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Even tough Ghana’s young hip-hop genre popularly known as hip-life suffered a tumble in the past year, Kwaw Kesse was able to steal the big prize at the Ghana Music Awards by winning the award for Artist of the Year. Kwaw Kesse had been the most outstanding artist of the past year. His unique showmanship as a madman who can turn up on stage dressed as anything or anyone had fans screaming ‘Abodam’ (craziness) all over the country. Kwaw Kesse won four awards on the night but gospel music was the biggest winner with Album of the year going to Ohemaa Mercy and Song of the Year going to Lenny Apkadie.

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Tags: , , 2008 Ghana Music Awards, 4x4, 5Five, Becca, Chemphe, Doreen Andoh, Irene & Jane, Ja Rule, Keisha White, Kwaw Kesse, Lenny Apkadie, Nameless, Ohemaa Mercy, P-Square, Samini, Sasha Marley, Wanluv

New Yorker Wins Miss Universe Ghana in Accra

Written by Ameyaw Debrah | April 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The refined and elegant 5′ 7″ beauty is a third year Africana Studies undergrad at the University of Albany, New York. Yvette was crowned Miss Universe Ghana after a rigorous selection process at the La Palm Hotel in Accra. The delegates were judged on their communication skills, intelligence, beauty, elegance and poise in three keenly contested rounds. » Read more…

Tags: , Angela Asare, Dennis Nii Dodoo Smith, Emma Moisan, Gerad Boakye, Joyce Akagbo, Menaye Donkor, Miss Universe 2008, Miss Universe Ghana, Pearl Amoah, Precious Agyare Awuah, Ronke Nedd, Stephanie Walkins-Fia, Yvette Nsiah