Suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamist group, which
kidnapped 276 schoolgirls last month, gunned down a traditional
Muslim emir in an attack on a convoy in northeastern Nigeria on
Friday, the Borno state government said.

The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, was travelling with the
emirs of Uba and Askira to a attend a funeral when the suspected
Islamist gunmen opened fire on their car in Zhur, a remote
community in Borno state.

Since April 14, when the girls were taken, at least 500 civilians
have been killed by the militants, according to a Reuters count.
Timta died from gunshot wounds and two policemen were killed
while the other two emirs managed to escape, a source at the Emir
of Uba’s palace told Reuters, requesting anonymity.

“The Emir of Gwoza was killed around 9 a.m. today following a
bloody attack by some gunmen believed to be members of the
Boko Haram,” Borno state government said in a statement.

Sources had earlier told Reuters two of the traditional leaders had
been kidnapped, but the palace source said the emirs of Uba and
Askira had simply hidden for some time in the bush, leading to
fears they had been abducted.

Most of the vehicles in the convoy were destroyed, the source said.
Friday’s attack came as leaders from the 15-member Economic
Community of West African States [ECOWAS] met in Ghana to
discuss worsening insecurity in northern Nigeria and in Mali,
where Tuareg separatists routed government troops last week.

“We must act, and we must put in place measures that make clear
that we will not allow any of our countries to be used to
destabilize other nations,” Ghana’s President, John Dramani
Mahama, who holds the rotating presidency of the bloc, said at the
opening of the summit.

“ECOWAS must play a leading role in the effort to fully restore
peace and security to the subregion and by so doing safeguard our
future,” he said.

Nigeria’s head of counter-terrorism on Friday accused
neighbouring Cameroon, which is not an ECOWAS member, of
failing to make a serious effort to drive Boko Haram insurgents
from its territory.

Despite a year-long military offensive against it, Boko Haram,
which is fighting to reinstate an ancient Islamic caliphate in
northern Nigeria, has been able to run riot in the north east and
bomb cities across the country.

On Thursday, in the northeastern village of Gurmushi, near
Nigeria’s border with Cameroon, suspected Islamist gunmen riding
motor bikes killed 32 people.

Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan said on Thursday he had
ordered a full-scale operation against Boko Haram and sought to
reassure parents of the 219 schoolgirls still being held by the
group that their children would be freed.

Boko Haram has been kidnapping schoolgirls and forcing them to
become “brides” for commanders for more than a year, but the
attack on Chibok last month shocked the world and prompted an
international effort to free them.

Six months after the death of his buddy-buddy, Ronnie Coaches, Prince Bright, the other half of the hip life duo, Buk Bak, says he is yet to pick up the pieces let alone record a new song.

Speaking in a telephone interview from his US base last Saturday,
Bright sounded completely down and shaken, almost as if Ronnie had
just died. “I wake up in the morning and the next thing I ask myself
is, where is Ronnie? I am not feeling cool at all,” he said.

Ronnie Coaches died on November 21, 2013 at the Korle Bu
Teaching Hospital after a short illness. The hit songs he and Bright
have been popular for include Komi Ke Kena, Gonja Barracks, U 4
Know, Chingilingi, Klu Blofo, Oburoni, Tankase and Kolom.
“All we did and talked about was music” Bright told Showbiz. “ He
would often call and ask me, ‘what are you doing in America? Come
and let’s make music’. We have done so much on all platforms, but
there was still a lot to be done.

“Ronnie used to push everything, he was the motivator. Let’s do this,
and he gets it done. He was my eyes and ears. I was the baby in Buk
Bak, he was always pampering me. I am still in shock,” he said.
“Ronnie respected himself, and we both stayed out of trouble, our
office was music, music was his everything. We never smoked or
drank alcohol, and we always believed in ourselves and never had a
beef with anyone. We used to have our little fights, just the two of us.
We fought to achieve good results,” he said.

Considering how peaceful Ronnie was, Bright said he was very sad
that all sorts of things were said about Ronnie after he passed on.
“We are all human beings, and it hurts so badly some of the things I
heard being said about my brother,” he said.

Bright said that they had lots of songs ready to go and Ronnie was
working so hard and waiting for him to come down so they could
shoot the music videos.

“As you know we don’t go by the trend, we sing from our hearts.”
Their last hit song before the death of Ronnie, Kolom, according to
Bright, was doing very well in Ireland and the US.

“I miss music but I miss Ronnie more. I don’t know where to start
from and where to end. I am looking up to God to make a way for
me.”

Bright used the opportunity to thank all who mourned with him
before, during and after the burial of Ronnie Coaches.

Source: graphic.com.gh

Rap music in Ghana has gone through major evolution and has come with its own pool of talented rap stars.

Kosi Bone is just one of a kind you can never push back when counting budding rap acts of our time.

Another talented rapper from the Volta Region of Ghana where many stars like Chicago,Yaa Pono, EL, and the Koene hit maker Edem also hails from.
Kosi Bone is gradually making an official entry into Ghana’s industry with a dope rap skills couple with an outstanding stage craft that always will keep the crowd going gay.

After several years behind the scene preparing for a time like this time to blow up, Kosi Bone is officially releasing his debut ‘Menya’ produced by Dugudbeatz under the management of HDMedia Ghana.

.‘Menya’ is translated in ‘Ewe’ as ‘don’t you know’?  In other words ‘You need to know’.

The fusion of both the English and the local ‘Ewe’ language gives the song and different taste and class as hip-hop banger that will never fade away anytime soon.

According to Kosi Bone’s talent manager, Mr Justice Klutse ‘Menya’ is just one of the numerous street bangers that will be released by Kosi Bone before the year ends.

Not long thing MENYA is available via www.hulkshare.com/ShowbizGH

A funeral was held Friday at the forecourt of the State House for the
late fashion designer Kofi Ansah who died on Saturday, May 3 at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
The funeral was attended by several personalities including Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), Becca, Efya, and Akorfa
Ejeani.

The funeral also witnessed some performances from Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and Akosua Agyapong. Some
models also modelled at the funeral in his honour.
The body of Kofi Ansah, who died at age 56, will be cremated.
The Man Kofi Ansah: Winner of the prestigious Ghana Quality Awards Diamond Division October 2003, for clothing and textile with
ARTDRESS LTD.

Kofi Ansah through his company was the winner of the prestigious Millennium 2000 African Fashion Awards. He
also designed the Anniversary fabric for the Ghana @ 50 Golden Jubilee Celebration.
Kofi Ansah also designed the costumes for the opening and closing ceremony of the CAN 2008 African Cup of
Nations which was staged in Ghana to an international acclaim.

Kofi Ansah was a renowned innovative and creative fashion designer. He was credited with the changing face of
the Ghanaian fashion landscape and a leader in the field of African Fashion Design. He was a founding member,
as well as a past president of the Federation of African Designers.

Kofi Ansah until his sudden death run Artdress, a design and creative concept company through which he
developed the art of clothing design, concept collections, and consultancy to develop products and company
promotions, and the marketing of their products through fashion shows.
His company has been the fashion consultant to G.T.P. now the leading textile company in the country since
1995.

Kofi Ansah believed he inherited his creative talents from his parents. His father who was a creator,
photographer, classical musician, encouraged him to pursue his interest in art and design.
He studied fashion design at the Chelsea School of Art in London and graduated with 1st class honours in
fashion design and distinction in design technology.

His distinct eye for detail and individuality with fabrics and color afforded him recognition as a couture
designer. The unique use of quilting, embroidery and appliqués are the design signature of Kofi Ansah.
His fashion designs were soon seen in the retail shops and boutiques of London. His fashions also appeared in
many retail stores and boutiques in the U.S. including Saks Fifth Avenue.
Kofi’s distinct elegant designs, though western styled, were never without the emphasis of his native homeland
of Ghana.

He returned to Ghana inspired to blend the richly textured and boldly colored fabrics into fashion collections that
have met a strong customer following in both Ghana and abroad.
Source: Myjoyonline.com

One of Africa’s finest DJ brands and
household name in the Ghanaian musc
industry, Kwadwo Ampofo also known as DJ Black has been nominated (Best DJ Africa category) in maiden THE AFRICAN MUZIK MAGAZINE AWARDS (AFRIMMA).

The award ceremony that caters for all musical genres including including
Afrobeats, Assiko, Bongo, Decale, Funana, Genge, Highlife, Hiplife, Kwaito, Lingala and Soukous will be held at the plush Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations in
Richardson, Texas on July 26th, 2014.

DJ Black was recently in Austin, Texas to present a paper on Digital Media/Music in Africa during 2013 SXSW Music Festival.

SXSW Music is the largest music festival of its kind in the world, with more than 2,200 official performers and bands playing in more than 100 venues.

Ghanaian singer Efya, who has been confirmed to perform on this year’s World Music Award(WMA) is set to share the stage with international music superstars from around the world.

Efya will perform alongside Nigerian music superstar D’banj, Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Jason Derulo and Fall Out Boy.

Efya’s smash hit song “Best in me” has received nominations in 5 different categories: World's Best Song, Best Female Artiste, World Best Live Act, World Best Entertainer of the Year and World Best Video.

Rapper Sarkodie and UK-based Fuse ODG have also received nominations for the same awards.

The reigning VGMA best female vocalist has also been nominated for the Best Female award in Africa’s most respected music awards event – the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2014.

This brings to seven, the award nominations so far this year.

A clearly overwhelmed Efya has taken to her official Facebook page to thank her fans and team, asking for further support to win all the awards she’s been nominated for.

The international award show is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 27th May 2014 in Monte Carlo,Monaco, France.

Source: peacefmonline

The stage of Africa Movie Academy Awards will be lightened up on Saturday 25th May, 2014 when
Afro-hip-hop super star Fally Ipupa from the Democratic Republic of Congo alongside Nigerian contemporary high-life act, Flavour , Ghanaian Keche musical group and Nigeria’s J-Martins will perform at the continental showbiz fiesta.

Announcing the musical stars that will be on parade, Mr. Tony Anih, Director of Administration of AMAA said that Nigerians and international
guests that will be in Yenagoa for the awards should be prepared for a great time with the musical artistes drawn from West and Central
Africa.

‘’As an African brand AMAA always parade the best of our musical stars and celebrities to perform and host the awards.

We are continuing in that tradition again and for our 10th anniversary
we went for the best available within the continent.’’

The awards that is being sponsored by Glo, MRS oil, Sterling Bank as platinum sponsors will also have
Nigeria’s Segun Arinze, Nigerian-British born Lloyd Nathaniel, Ghana’s Naa Ashorkor and a yet to be
announced South African hosts of the event.

Red carpet of the show will be anchored by Kenya’s Mariam Kaptuiya, Ghana’s Igantius Annor and
Mamavi Owusu. The Nigerians who will be part of the red carpet anchors include John Mike Nwadibie,
Chike Osigwe Emamuzo and Ogbeta Huldah.

AMAA is hosted by Bayelsa State government under the leadership of Governor Seriake Dickson
who has promised that the state is well secured for the comfort and enjoyment of residents and
visitors who will come from all parts of the world to the oil-rich state.

Other corporate organisations that are sponsoring AMAA this year include FCMB, Skye Bank, CCECC,
Atlas Oranto Petroleum International, Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation, Dan Etete Foundation, Skymit Autos, BUA Group while the media partners
are Bella Naija, ONTV, Ebony TV and Cool FM.

Here comes another glowing star from the Volta region of Ghana. Hecta is the real definition of versatility and dynamism. A sparkling star that combines matured lyrics with rhythms to create music.

Since infancy Hecta has always dream of becoming one of Ghana’s industry big music names.
Hecta started pursuing his musical career at a tender age when he used to rap and sing at the same time to entertain people he hangs around with.
Since then, he has gone through major evolution to ensure that he produce more commercial songs that will be accepted by the market.

Hecta is undoubtedly one of the rising stars from southern Ghana who is enjoying massive airplay and also performed on major stages in the country and beyond. Hecta through his hard work and creativity has been able to share the same stage with big names like Kwaw Kese, Edem, 4X4, R2bees, D-Black, Castro, and Guru etc.

Hecta is a signed artiste under ‘KabaKaba Music’ where he co-owns the record label with his long time clique Abraham Fiza. He has added more value to his music brand by involving other online promo portals like Showbiz GH and Noexit Ghana that co-promote his songs and effect his media relations but still working industriously and looking forward to sign deals with record labels who believes in his musical proficiency. A dedicated number of fans and friends called TEAMHECTA are also behind pushing his career, since the moon is the target.

Hecta has a good number of songs to his credit and still producing countless number of them that will be released subsequently .His first hit single features Dobble 'Woni ma wo' and followed by a couple of others.

However the song that shot Hecta into the mainstream was his much talk about street anthem ‘Evuna’ which features one of Ghana’s top stars, Guru of Bola Ray’s empire entertainment. The song produced by Bushington DK crony Danny Beat forced it way beyond the borders of Ghana through to Togo, Swaziland, Nigeria and other African countries. A timeless music still reigning in other parts of the world.

Hecta’s songs are for the street. His latest release ‘Gbadu’ is a club banger which features Stay Jay and expected to become a major hit in the months ahead.

In his words Hecta said; ‘music is my thing, a lot is yet to come. This is just the tip of the iceberg. My fans have not yet had enough of me. More to come by God’s grace ‘ Mi nor cheky

Connect with Hecta on the social media today and get interactive
Facebook: Hecta GH
Twitter:@HectaGH
Instagram:@HectaGH
YouTube:HectaOnline:
Hash tag: #Hecta #TeamHecta
Alternative Links: www.reverbnation.com/hectadevolta1

From being touted as ‘The ladies’ to be being called ‘The man with many wives’, the self-acclaimed ‘King of African Dancehall’, Samini, seems to have shirked all those titles and wants the title, ‘Man with no wives’.

The dancehall artiste has revealed that, he is no longer married and has no wife presently, contrary to the known fact that he had two wives.

Making the revelation to Delay Frimpong Manso on the ‘Delay Show’ after some hesitation, Samini said that he had married two ladies at a young age with the perception that he was doing the honourable thing of marrying all the mothers of his children.

According to him, he felt he was doing the right thing but the ladies, after a while did not agree to the arrangement of being married to the same man and the circumstances of the marriages and decided to call it quit; so he is currently with no wife.

‘I don’t have a wife. Everybody has gone their separate ways.

Thanks to civilization, my former wives decided to stop the marriage,’ he disclosed.

Samini defended his action of marrying more than one woman by saying: “where I come from, it is acceptable to marry more than one woman and it was my wish to marry all the mothers of my kids and make them comfortable.

I thought I was doing the right thing but the women felt otherwise”

“Once you can take care of your wives and children, it is acceptable to marry the women as a responsible
man,” he continued.

The irony of Samini’s marriage life which hit the headlines years ago was not about his marriage to two different women but how he did it.

In February 2011, Samini got married to Mercy Geker, mother of his daughter, Yelisun Samini in London.

At the time, Samini was already engaged to Christian Aboagye Mensah, a Ghanaian-based in Canada and the mother of his daughters- Toyila Samini and Ayana Samini, unbeknownst to Mercy Geker.

Samini, on 10th May 2011, officially registered his marriage to Christiana Aboagye Mensah in a low profile ceremony which took place at the Registrar General’s Office in Accra in the presence of their children.

Samini currently has four kids, three girls and one boy from different women but he is not married to any of the women, per his account.

Samini is also gearing up to open a restaurant/night club called ‘Dance Sterdam’ at Dansoman.

According to him, the place will serve as a restaurant during the day and a nightclub in the evening; and will be opened very soon.

Source: Razz Newspaper

Bull Dog is doing a good job in prison where he has been staying since last Thursday, May 15 .
The manager of dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has been passing on his food to his colleague prisoners .

Who wont love such a person? He is now the toast of his environment due to his kind gestures.

It is said that sometimes one ’ s predicament serves as a blessing to others , and this was the case when CEO of Bull Hause Entertainment, Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson aka Bulldog made his cell mates enjoy food items that were sent to him by family and friends .

Bull Dog had been the toast of his cell
mates as he passes on almost all his food brought to him from family , friends and loved ones .

When Flex newspaper paid a visit to him at the Cantonment Police Station , he had turned the cells into a party ground as other cellmates enjoyed the food passed on to them by Bull Dog who had little attention for food but his friends who have come around.

Bull Dog who is the manager of
controversial dancehall artiste Shatta Wale was arrested at Kokomlemle on Thursday 15 th May , 2014 over the death of the late Fennec Okyere who was stabbed in his Manet Garden home not long ago by unknown
assailants.

The Criminal Investigative Department of the Ghana Police in pursuit of the murderers, came across Bull Dog’ s name as a suspect of the crime.

He was then invited by the police to aid in investigations regarding the gruesome murder.

Bull dog was remanded in police custody last Monday at the Accra Central Magistrate court till June 2 to enable the police carry out further investigations.