Friday, 19 July 2013

Gallaxy to thrill fans at Miss Supranational grand finale



After opening Sarkodie’s  Kwahu  Rapperholic  X’perience few months  ago, the  duo are back  to thrill their  fans and audiences  with their  stylish performances.

Gallaxy has been billed by the organizers of the maiden edition of Miss Supranational  Ghana to rock at the grand finale on the 20th of July,2013.Miss Supranational finals will be held at Nungua Royal Majesty Hotel formerly known as Ravico hotel.Other stars like AJ Nelson,Miz Porsche,One Fame has also confirm their participation respectively.

The event organizers confirmed the information on their  facebook and twitter fan page with  a  post which reads   “Gallaxy GH has promised to surprise their fans and audience who will be in attendance tomorrow evening at 6pm|Royal Majesty Hotel The duo from Harbour City Recordz has a lot to deliver back to back. Check their tunes out __ Iwww.reverbnation.com/gallaxygh  Its Supranational Ghana 2013 grand finale”


In responds, Gallaxy has admitted   they will be performing and has also added that, their fans should expect a lot from them .

Monday, 15 July 2013

Miss Teen Ghana 2013 scheduled for September 13



In less than 7 weeks,one out of twenty elegant,beautiful young  girls will be crowned Miss Teen 2013.The 3rd edition of Miss Teen Ghana grand finale has been slated for 13th September 2013 at the National theatre in Accra.

In a statement,the organizers stated clearly this year's contest will be a unique one with an outstanding improvement upon their credibility of ensuring fairness and honesty.

They continue to outline some task and processes that the contestants will be taking through  to ensure that, the young girls will learn something new as a result of the contest.Field trips,interactions with some of Ghana's finest celebrities and entrepreneurs  are  few out of the many opportunities  for them.

However on the night of the event,audience will be thrilled with performances from Nino(Gospel musician),Gallaxy,One Fame,Vivianne,Hecta  and comedy by Chewing Stick Awilo and many more.

.Miss Teen Ghana is an annual teen pageant which is designed for students between ages of 15-19 to help select a  national representative for teen girls  across the country.The winner will also get the privilege to represent Ghana at the Miss Teen Universe contest.

This year's official partners are Tv3,Showbiz GH,StepoutGhana.com,Diva forever Beauty Spa,Effect Media,Philipo Collection,Abbeam University College,Teen Exclusive Magazine,Sky Digital,Emmkak and Ghana Youth Television

Credit: Afia English

Friday, 5 July 2013

I rock better than Blakk Rasta - Joni Blaze


Joni Blaze   chichinchin says  he is better than Blakk Rasta. The young reggae and Dancehall presenter and the host of the “Crazi   X Show” on XFM95.1 weekday’s from 12pm to 5pm explains  further
Joni Blaze is a professional Architecture draftsman from Kwame Nkrumah University of science and technology and a former co-host with Radio Focus in Kumasi has been on radio since 2008 till he joined XFM95.1 in 2012.
 Joni blaze said this in an exclusive interview with Showbiz GH.  According to the presenter he is better than Blakk Rasta because;
 ‘i am the only one who blends  Ghanaian  and Jamaican dancehall/reggae tunes with introduction in   ‘patois’  to teach the Ghetto youth and educate them on issues confronting the society and the dancehall industry’.
 ‘I also receive a lot of calls on my show which indicates that my listeners are very passionate about the   show.
He   also continue to add that  he has hosted  the crème de la crème  of Ghanaian  musicians  including the  likes of  Sarkodie , Mugeez, Yaa Pono ,Stay J,D-cryme and many more on his show .
Commenting on the upcoming Bass Awards he added that "I love all Ghanaian dancehall and reggae musicians and may the best of them win the first edition of the awards"  
Credit:Pep Kojo Amoah                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Friday, 28 June 2013

Soorebia To Represent Upper East Region At The MTN HitMaker II Show



After weeks of auditioning and screening by Judges of A1 Radio to select the final five (5) finalists, competition among these  five (5):  Akamorige Thomas (Tommy), Martin Soore Mbabil (Skairy Soorebia), Fatima, Hot.k and Solomon Angme (Natty Vybzs) became tired. The general public had to vote so as to get who represents the Upper East Region at the ‘’MTN HITS MAKER SEASON II’’. Martin Soore Mbabil (Skairy Soorebia) emerged the winner and Upper East’s regional representative in this year’s ‘’MTN HITS MAKER SEASON II’’.

The final results were collated by A1 Radio’s entertainment crew on Sunday 23rd June, 2013 and announced at around 14:00 GMT by the host of the programme Deejay Lexis after all the five (5) finalists were introduced and asked to perform their own songs to instrumentals produced by the DJ. Fans were also given the opportunity to call in and wish their favorite artiste the best of luck.

In an exclusive interview with the Programmes Head of A1 Radio and a member of the entertainment crew Mr. Emmanuel Aboagye as to how the collation was done, he said they put together the votes from both the phone-ins and text via the short code 1406 for each of the artistes which was crossed check by the MTN team before it was released.

According to the results collated, Fatima came 5th with 118 votes, Solomon Angme came 4th with 136 votes, Hot.k 3rd with 421 votes, Akamorige Thomas (Tommy) 2nd with 499 votes and Martin Soore Mbabil (Skairy Soorebia) 1st with 559 votes. The artistes all accepted the outcome and gave their final messages and also promised to support the winner when the whole competition begins in the MTN house which will be live on television.

A1 Radio entertainment crew will be following on every step bringing updates on the competition as and when it happens.


By: A1 Radio Entertainment Desk | A1radioonline.com

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

R2Bees pick up their brand new car for the VGMA Artist of the Year Award

The 2013 Ghana Music Awards ‘Artist of The Year’ winners, R2bees have picked up a brand new MG saloon car as part of their prize package. The excited duo of Mugeez and Paedae  were presented with their car at a short ceremony at the Spintex Road showroom of Fairlop Ltd, distributors of MG Motors in Ghana.
The presentation of a car to the Ghana Music Awards ‘Artist of The Year’ is a new initiative of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and according to the President of the union, Bice Osei Kuffuour (Obour), is a little contribution from MUSIGA to compliment the efforts of the Ghana Music Awards organizers, and encourage the musicians to do good music while, showing the rest of the public that musicians need to be rewarded for their creativity.

Mrs. Dzifa Abla Gomashie-Ahiaglo, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts who was a special guest at the function congratulated R2bees for their award and prize, and urged them to represent Ghana well to the world with their music. The car was aquired from Fairllop International Limited and financed with support from Midland Savings and Loan.


Source:Ameyawdebrah

Monday, 24 June 2013

The President’s Friends In Showbiz (Nigeria)


Until the democratic era of President Goodluck Jonathan, the showbiz industry has never had the kind of attention they now enjoy. SAMUEL ABULUDE writes on the personalities in the industry that can be regarded as the President’s Showbiz men

The showbiz industry has experienced a kind of sparkle in recent times. This is not unconnected with the global recognition that our music and movies have gathered over the years. This indeed has made it easy for the government of the day to appreciate the efforts of the industry in giving the nation a positive image.

President Goodluck Jonathan in its 2010/2011 campaign sought the support of musicians and actors and it worked for him. With the likes of D’Banj, Onyeka Onwenu at the fore front of his campaign drive, artistes in Nigeria realised that the president would listen to their cries for a proper structuring of the motion picture industry as well as the music industry, which is beginning to yield positive result with the $200million intervention fund and N3 billion grants.

Personalities like Richard Mofe Damijo, former AGN boss, Ejike Asiegbu, Ini Edo, Klint Da Drunk, Gordons, D’Banj among several others have been seen with the President on different occasions. One of the President’s close aides, Dr Oronto Douglas, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, has been the interface between Nollywood and the presidency.



Onyeka Onwenu

Popularly referred to as the elegant stallion, Onyeka Onwenu, the music diva has tried her hands on politics at different times but yet to occupy any elective position. The chairperson of the Imo State Council of Arts has used her music fame to campaign for different political figures.  Her Jonathan Run, Run, Run campaign song in 2011 was a major one and with that she warmed herself into the presidency. Onyeka has performed at different times and recently at the Democracy day Dinner.



Aki and Pawpaw (Chinedu Ihedieze and Osita Iheme)

These Nollywood icons are among visible faces of not just the President’s men but the governors as well. Chinedu Ihedieze known as Aki along with his partner have always globed trotted with the presidency and enjoyed patronage of different governors at different events. These diminutive figures are celebrities in their own right. As Aki celebrates the burial of his father this weekend, most governors particularly, in the South east are expected to grace the occasion.



Kanayo O. Kanayo

The intellectual actor and movie maker has been a recurring decimal at the corridors of power. Having spent 33 years of his life in acting, Kanayo O. Kanayo has never hidden his desire to dive into the murky waters of politics.  

He is a major player in the love relationship between the presidency and Nollywood.   He was one of the six Nollywood stars that the Nigerian government honoured with National Award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) last year.

Kanayo declared his intentions to contest for a House of Representatives slot in his Imo state constituency but unfortunately the ambition of The Political Science Masters degree holder was not immediately realised as he lost at the primaries.

 Not giving up, he joined the Jonathan/Sambo 2011 bandwagon and became a visible member of the campaign – touring the world to sell the message of the campaign. He capped his role as an emerging political force when at the Grand Finale of the campaign in Eagles Square-Abuja in April; he gave a stirring speech that received a standing ovation from the cream of Nigerian political, military, industry and pop culture personalities.



Ibinabo Fiberesima

She is the first female president of the largest guild of actors, AGN. Ibinabo Fiberesima, former beauty queen and actress has come of age and saddled with the responsibility of steering the ship of Actors Guild of Nigeria to the next level. Definitely, this has afforded her the opportunity of being a constant visitor to the presidency.



Bob Manuel-Udokwu

Bob Manuel-Udokwu, an A-list actor can also be referred to as the President’s showbiz man. The actor has always landed a couple of juicy deals including being the host of the popular Guilder Ultimate Search at different times.  

He was made a Special Adviser on Creative Media to the Anambra State Governor early this year. With his connection to personalities at the corridors of power, it would have been a surprise if the handsome actor was not one of those in showbiz whom the presidency has chosen. The native of Idemili local government area of Anambra State landed a 2-year ambassadorial contract with Don Morris brand of wines as well.



Emeka Ike

Emeka Ike is one of the big actors in Nollywood; he has been in the industry for a while now. The president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan recently made him an ambassador of the Rhythm and Play program of the National Academicals Sports Committee NASCOM. It was for the recognition of his selfless service to humanity.  Other artistes notably, rapper MI and Victor Moses were also made ambassadors for the program set to revive school sports in the country.

The actor has taken a leave from the make believe industry in recent times after losing the AGN position to Ibinabo Fiberesima. The dude who won the Gulder Ultimate Search Celebrity edition invested his energy in managing his school, St Nicholas College at Magodo Estate in Lagos even as he is working on establishing another one in Accra, Ghana. Recently Emeka Ike was appointed into the Board of Director for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development.

       

Sani Danja

He is one of the leading lights of Kannywood movie industry in Northern Nigeria. Sani Danja is an actor of repute and loved by many, so it was not a surprise when he was spotted at the dinner celebration hosted by the president to celebrate Nollywood at 20.  

He was among the entertainers that were decorated as Rhythm and Play   ambassadors by the president. Sani Danja, a movie producer is also a musician.

M.anifest Shuts Down Minnesota



At first I was wondering if M.anifest’s June 15 performance was going to be cancelled as only about a dozen people were there at the beginning of the show, the second in The Cedar’s African Summer series.

Then the opening act, Minneapolis local, Ashley Dubose, came on stage and was so personable and sweet that it didn’t matter how many people stood around as she did a fantastic job to create a feel good atmosphere for the main act.

Ashley especially connected with the group with her song “Life Goes On.” Her style is neo-soul and reminded me a bit of Nelly Furtado when she sang “Like a Bird.” It was touching to see her mom out in support of her. As she continued to sing her repertoire for the night, the crowd began to build and by the end of her set, everyone was glad to be there.

About ten minutes after Ashley left the stage, M.anifest came out, and there were applause and shouts of joy from the crowd of fans. Not knowing what to expect as the last time I listened to rap music was way back to the Sugarhill Gang, I was more than pleasantly surprised with the songs and sounds of M.anifest. The band was superb, with trumpet and trombone flashing off the lights, and excellent electric bass and guitar, drummer and keyboard rounding out the group.

M.anifest rocked the house, with his charismatic stage presence, and got the crowd in the groove with waving arms, jumping down into their midst and singing personally to a trio of kids up by the front of the stage.

It became a group sing a long for a bit as the crowd sang along with him. He performed hit songs such as Makaa Maka, Chale What Dey Happen and Suffer. It was a happy crowd at the Cedar this Saturday night.

M.anifest is from Ghana, but has Twin City roots, having come here in 2001 to attend Macalester College, where he earned a degree in economics. He is known as being a socially conscious rapper, having produced the album “Birds and Bees” to make people aware of the non-profit group, Young Entrepreneurs Africa.

He has collaborated with music artists like with Damon Albarn (Gorillaz), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Erykah Badu and others.

This concert is the second in the series African Summer 2013 at the Cedar in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis music lovers will enjoy this series immensely as they hear music and styles performed in fresh new ways. I am glad I went and came away with a new appreciation for Ghana rap music.



Source: Henry Kendrick

Thursday, 20 June 2013

Russia: MP calls for law allowing gays to be whipped in public squares



A Russian MP has reportedly called for the right of marines to whip gay people in public.

Alexander Mikhailov is deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Trans-Baikal Parliament and said he plans to put forward the violent proposal as a new regional law.

Speaking to the Chita news agency on Thursday, Mr Mikhailov linked gay people to paedophiles and suggested they should be whipped in public squares by “marines”.

He described homosexuality as a “common shame”.

Referencing a doctor, who criticised the decision of several European countries to legalise marriage rights for same-sex couples, Mr Mikhailov praised the doctor and reportedly said: “We have to deal with such things”. He added that his province should adopt a law in which the marines have the right to flog the “asses” of gay people.

“In Russia for many centuries the ass was used for educational purposes and not for love entertainment. So we should use it according to its intended purpose,” the MP said.

Last week, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Russian MPs for passing a draconian homophobic censorship law.

Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said he would back a ban on foreign same-sex couples from adopting Russian children, but denied it amounts to homophobic discrimination.

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Is Akaida here to upstage Azonto?



In case you are not aware of the new dance move making waves across several parts of the country, then you need to sit up and stop missing the latest trend on the music scene.

The new trend, according to the Lapaz Toyota hit -maker, Guru, is furiously taking over from Azonto and it is called Akaida.

The dance is fairly well known in senior high schools and tertiary institutions in the country. In Accra, one can often see people gleefully moving to the beat in places like New Town, Alajo, La and other places.

The artiste that has a song titled Akaida at the moment is Guru. He claims to be champion of the beat and is excited about how fast the dance is catching on.

Guru is even convinced that the Akaida dance is more popular than Azonto now and will soon cross our borders to other lands.

He said though Akaida sounds like Al Qaeda, people should not attach any notion of terrorism to the new dance craze.

“It is just a fun thing. It is a dance that has some swag to it though not as communicative as Azonto. Akaida has a future,” Guru says.

Describing how to do the Akaida, Guru said: “You lean back and go sideways and flaunt your arms with some kind of swag to the rhythm of the song. ”

In an interview with Rebecca Agbolosu Mensah, a drama teacher at the Ghana International School and a freelance dancer, she agreed that the dance is for fun but felt the name which sounds like Al Qaeda must be changed.

“We all know that Al Qaeda is associated with terrorism and if we want this dance to go international, then we have to change its name. For Ghana to boast of such a thing, the name must go so we are not seen as people supporting a wrong thing,” she said.

She was emphatic that the Akaida moves originated from some of the moves associated with Azonto.

“There is no way Akaida can overtake Azonto because Akaida is basically a move taken from Azonto and renamed. Akaida is a subset of Azonto so it cannot be bigger than Azonto,” Rebecca said in response to whether she thought Akaida could upstage Azonto.

Source:Graphic Showbiz

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Blakk Rasta grateful for his 7 BASS Awards nominations


The maiden edition of Reggae/Dancehall awards has Ghana’s controversially out-spoken Obama hit maker eloping with seven (7) whooping nominations including the coveted Artiste of The Year nomination. Other nominations for the conscious Rastaman include Reggae song of the year, Video of the year, collaboration of the year, album of the year, reggae performer of the year and best reggae artiste of the year. This means that Blakk Rasta has received more nominations than any of the nominees.

Blakk Rasta commented: ‘We do Jah works from down the heart. If awards come, it’s just an icing on the cake and to Jah be the glory. We will not break our necks over awards but we still must feel appreciated,’.

It could be recalled that the controversial artiste released two albums VOICE OF THE AFREEKAN REBEL and BORN DREAD in the period the awards covered and is no surprise he scooped several nominations. He also visited the Nsawam prisons twice for charity concerts last year and this year as ‘part of his social responsibilities’, he intimated.

Blakk Rasta is one reggae artiste who is so upbeat about reggae music you would at times think reggae is almost a religion to him.His live performances with his Herbalist Band are energetically electrifying. When so many artistes in Ghana now release only singles,Blakk Rasta still releases albums.His new album, ANCESTRAL MOONSPLASH comes out on 20th July.

‘yahman, we throw wi corn, we nuh call no fowl..we just fulfill Jah works through reggae. Big up reggae. It is the heartbeat of conscious music’,he replied when he was asked about why he so believes in no-so-popular reggae in Ghana. ‘I’ll do reggae till I fly away home…Rastafari’.

The awards is slated for July 6 in Accra preceded by a concerted featuring Elephant man from Jamaica alongside some other artistes including Blakk Rasta.