Kwabena Kwabena: Game Changer for African Music

Bronx, New York February 26, 2010 Kwabena, Kwabena will be making his first appearance in America in New York City, on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Park Central Ballroom courtesy of Boogie Down Nima Productions.

If there is a face to African indigenous soul music movement, it is probably Kwabena, Kwabena. The respect he receives from other artists has been driven by his uncompromising success as well as from the unselfishness he has shown in support of other up-and-coming singers and musicians. A tirelessly touring artist, Kwabena, Kwabena vocals can be heard on countless albums by other artists such as Daddy Lumba, Okyeame Kwame , Tinny , Kontihene , Castro, and Obrafour. That peer love appears to only be exceeded by the near fanatical following he has among a surprisingly large fan base, both old and young, making him a sort of Highlife soul royalty. Kwabena, Kwabena has dominated African radio and he is quickly changing the game and the sound of African Highlife music. Read more

Thank You Nkrumah concert for 5 March

The committee handling the Nkrumah centenary anniversary celebration is organizing a huge concert to celebrate the legacy of the founder of our motherland.

The “Thank You Nkrumah” concert is expected to attract the country’s finest array of artistes who will thrill fans with special renditions of their most popular tracks.

Artistes performing include Ohemaa Mercy, No Tribe, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Jewel Ackah, Kwabena Kwabena, R2Bees, Mzbel, Kubolor and many more.

The event comes off on Independence Day eve, 5 March 2010, and will be live on the Osu Oxford Street.

Media partners include Hitz FM, Joy FM, Adom FM, Asempa FM, Multi TV and Myjoyonline.com.

The Kwame Nkrumah Centenary Committee has planned a number of events to roll out this year in marking the centenary anniversary of the founder of Ghana’s independence.

Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Ghana Music Awards nominees out, Sarkodie leads the pack

Charter House, organisers of the annual Ghana Music Awards has released a list of nominees for this year’s awards. Sarkodie, Ghana’s fastest rapper has the highest nominations of eight followed by Ayigbe Edem at six nominations. Music duo Bradez, and the trio 4×4 both have five nominations each.

The organisers last Friday launched this year’s awards which occasion was also used to reveal the nominees at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra. The event saw exciting performances from Celestine Donkor, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Ohemaa Mercy, Kwabena Kwabena and Wutah.

The grand event which is the awards night will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre on April 10. Other industry awards on the night would include: Best Music Video, Traditional Artist of the year, Instrumentalist of the year, MUSIGA Merit Award, Producer of the year and the World Bank Best Music for Development. Read more

U2 rock all the way to the bank

U2 raked in more money than any other music act in the US in 2009, according to Billboard magazine.

The music journal said U2 made $109m (£71m) from touring, record sales and other royalties – almost twice as much as the second best, Bruce Springsteen.

Springsteen took home $58m (£38m), followed by Madonna with $47m (£31m) and rockers AC/DC with $44m (£29m).

U2 are in the middle of a mammoth world tour and touring is the most lucrative activity for artists, Billboard said.

The 360 Degree tour is the most expensive ever staged, but is also playing to larger crowds because they are performing in the round.

A string of younger pop stars – Britney Spears, Pink and the Jonas Brothers – came next on the list.

Coldplay were the most successful British group, at number eight, with takings of $27m (£18m).

Michael Jackson was the top earner from CD and ringtone royalties in 2009, but only made it to number 20 on the overall list, highlighting the importance of touring to a star’s pay packet.

Source: BBC

Silverbird launches Watch and Fly promotion

Silverbird Entertainment Ghana Limited and Kenya Airways are giving a lucky Silverbird Cinema patron a unique opportunity to fly to Nairobi for a memorable Easter experience with their partner.

The Watch & Fly promotion will take the lucky winner and a partner to Nairobi on a pleasure trip with Kenya Airways. They will have the unique opportunity to experience Silverbird in Kenya and also go on a Safari at the Nairobi National Park which is home to beautiful African animals.

Launching the promotion, Country Manager of Kenya Airways, Mr. Austin Nyawara said the Airline derives great satisfaction in partnering with other industry leaders such as Silverbird to promote key national development pillars while also offering people life-changing opportunities and experiences. Read more

Twens set to launch the ‘Evolution’

After making some waves with their smashing debut single, ‘Playas Want’, hiplife duo Twens is finally set to release their album titled ‘Evolution’ on March 12. Watch Playas Want by Twens feat. Anthonio /music/video/hiplife/462-video-babe-by-sarkodie-feat-mugeez

The 8-cut CD features songs like ‘Put Me on Six’, ‘Playas Want’ and other; and has guest appearances from Kwabena Kwabena and Romeo Anthonio. Evolution will be released under a new record label, Cowa Music, founded by the duo and their ’senior’ brother Cowa. The album launch will take place at the Pool Bar Night Club off the Spintex road. Supporting artists on the night would include Kwaku T & D-Black, 5five, Echo, Ball J and Rickaby Production. Read more

Shirley Frimpong Manso’s ‘A Sting in a Tale’ wins award

Shirley is a multi-talented writer/producer and director who has single handedly written, produced and directed excellent Ghanaian movies like ‘Scorned’, ‘Life and Living It’, ‘Perfect Picture’ and ‘A Sting in a Tale’.

Miss Shirley Frimpong Manso’s latest movie “A Sting In A Tale” has received an award at the 18th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival in the category ‘Audience Favorite-Narrative Feature’.

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival is America’s largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival that takes place annually in Los Angeles during the month of February. Read more

Vagina Monologue thrills

The Vagina Monologue starring the likes of Lydia Forson, Naa Ashorkor and others thrilled audiences last weekend.

The internationally acclaimed piece of literature was staged at the National Theatre to signal the writer’s aim to fight abuse against women.

According to actress, Lydia Forson, it was her dream to join this campaign as a star to fight against violence against women and girls in the country and Africa as a whole.

“The name Vagina monologue was brought up to draw the public’s attention to this campaign since it is our collective responsibilities as Ghanaian’s to treat this issues with the urgency we do with other social economic problems” she stated.

Many were those who were wondering what this V-Day was all about and what it has to educate the general public as a whole since the name “vagina monologues” alone brought into the minds of the public many questions that they hardly concluded with answers especially when a story about this V-Day first came up in the Daily Guide. Read more

Ghana Music Awards 2010 launch on February 26

It is getting more exciting as the official launch of the 11th edition of the prestigious Ghana Music Awards (called MTN Ghana Music Awards because of sponsorship) has been slated on Friday February 26th 2010 at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

Cross section of the Ghana music industry, organisers and sponsors are expected at the launch of the music festival. The categories have been divided into two: they are categories for the general public and categories for the industry professionals.

The category for the general public to be unveiled at the launch to the media are: ‘Most Popular Song of the Year’, ‘Artiste(s) of the Year’, ‘Discovery of the Year’, ‘HipLife/Hip Hop Artiste(s) of the Year’, ‘Gospel Artiste(s) of the Year’, ‘Gospel Song of the Year’.

The rest are ‘Hip Hop Song of the Year’, ‘HipLife Song of the Year’, ‘Afro-Pop Song of the Year’, ‘Reggae Song of the Year’, ‘Highlife Song of the Year’, ‘Highlife Artiste(s) of the Year’, ‘Best Collaboration of the Year’, ‘African Artiste(s) of the Year’. Read more

AMAA nominations party set for 6th March

The African Movie Academy Awards Nominations Night, earlier scheduled for February 26 has been postponed to Independence Day, March 6, at the Mensvic Grand Hotel, East Legon.

The event has had to be pushed a week forward to enable the jurors complete its screening before the night. About 280 movies were submitted from across Africa with Ghana presenting 18 entries including feature films and a short documentary.

Aside of the array of movie stars and musicians from across Africa and beyond, the best of Nigerian and Ghanaian musicians in the persons of J Martins and Kwabena Kwabena are expected to entertain dignitaries on the night. Read more

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