Sunday 26 May 2013

VGMA: I Went, I Saw, I Recorded!!! - Kwame Dadzie




It was 18th May, 2013, the same day that per the Gregorian calendar I was born some 28 years ago. So, it was my birthday and the day that the 14th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards was held at the Accra International Conference Centre. I looked forward to having a programme that would well climax my activities for the special day in my life.

As usual, the show started with red carpet interviews with Benny Blanco of Live FM and former Big Brother Africa representative, Confidence Haugen as comperes. I don’t know if there is something wrong with me or with Confidence because I have the feeling that she doesn’t fit into that job. After performing abysmally last year, the organizers had her on again with her disorganized presentation and questioning. Everything she did on the red carpet looked phony and funny.

Typical of the Ghana Man Time (GMT), the red carpet interviews started after eight and that pushed the main show to start at 10:30pm contrary to the 8:00pm that was advertized. It was not surprising though because I knew the 8:00pm on the ticket meant 10:00pm.
So after the red carpet interviews, I was waiting for the show to start in earnest as I got myself ensconced on a seat somewhere in the audience. My pen was ready to do Azonto dance on my note pad.


I love poetry to bits that is why the opening act that had poet Chieff Moomen and saxophonist Steve Bedi weave their works, made me so happy that I was itching to know what was up next. The creatively stringed act introduced the main opening act for the night, Efya, whose performance was awesome. The truth is that this lady has the gusto and voice to dazzle her audience any time anywhere.

Just as I thought Chieff Moomen had finished with his spoken words, he came in again to spew few lines than introduced some Azonto dancers and later Fuse ODG, who did perfectly well. In fact, that chap has proven to the world that he is a real entertainer. He does well with his dance prowess and Afropop tunes. His name will forever be in the annals as one of those who contributed to making the Azonto dance to be known worldwide.

Whoever’s idea was it to bring Lilwin Nkansa on stage had it right. I heard people seated by me rejoicing when he was mentioned as the host for the show. But I was surprised though because his name never cropped up in the conjectures that had been done by entertainment critics as one who was likely to host the awards ceremony.

Then he says he had not what it took to handle the show so made way for Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD) who entered with a short play on the drums and was clad in military apparel. When KOD dramatized the invitation of musician Eazzy to help him emcee the programme, I was much convinced that this year’s event was going to be extremely unique. I had the intuition that things would be better than previously.



No one should think I hate Herty Borngreat; she is a beautiful woman who is bent on doing something unique in the gospel music arena and that is plus for her. I have no problem with her by doing what she does. However, I am not very sure she is a good singer. Neither is she a rapper; she did not do her rap well. At least she tried to do the rap verses of Trigmatic by herself but the oomph she attached to her rapping was too much that one hardly heard a word in her rap delivery. And the most interesting part is that, it appeared as though she was in to prove to her ‘detractors’ what she was ‘worth.’ But honestly, that performance gave me headache. And she won Gospel Artiste of the Year. So supposing we need one to represent Ghana in gospel festival on an international level, is that how she is going to perform? Would Ghana have had a good representation in her?



After 4X4’s performance, the first batch of the awards was presented. I was just praying that the organizers didn’t commit a mistake by giving the Gospel Song of the Year to none other than Nicholas Omane Acheampong for his ‘Zaphanat Paneah’ song, and they thought right by giving him that award. Kaaki won Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year with ‘Toffee Pon Tongue’ and R2Bees’ ‘Odo’ was Highlife Song of the Year.


To me, M.anifest and Amandzeba’s performance was the best on the night. M.anifest came on stage in a palanquin and started doing his thing. Even though his songs were not very popular, he was able to capture the attention of patrons as he tactfully spat his words on rhythms from a live band. When Amandzeba came in, one thing that sprang to mind was, “so are our young artistes watching this act?” That performance was just spot on. He had the energy, voice and stage presence.


Just as I was enjoying the performances and the good music, I was also hoping the show ran faster so I see who the Artiste of the Year would be. Then, they came to do the next presentations. Fuse ODG won Afropop Song of the Year with ‘Antenna’, M.anifest managed to clinch Hiphop Song of the Year with his song ‘Maka a Maka’.R2bees’ ‘Walai’ was adjudged Hiplife Song of the Year.

If anyone told me they had expected ace hiplife duo Akatakyie to have put up any good performance, I would have hooted at them but the guys came on stage to do what some of the current artistes could not do. They sang their old songs including the one that has the best rap ever in Ghanaian music, ‘Odo Asisi Me.’ While they performed it was as if they were new artistes. The songs sounded evergreen and communicated well with the audience. Immediately they left the stage, another ‘creatively talented’ act whose song ‘Akatasia’ recorded unprecedentedly high sales when he came out in the early 2000s, Kontihene, mounted the stage to prove to Ghanaians he still had fire in him. He also came on stage with tradition chiefly paraphernalia of a seat with an umbrella carried by his subordinates.


With the presentation of each award, I was counting how many R2bees had won and wondering if the overall Artiste of the Year people had tipped them to win would elude them or not. I feared they would not win because I had seen a couple of ‘irregularities’ on the night. So they had their third award, which was Hiphop/Hiplife Artiste of the Year, Afriyie had the Highlife Song of the Year award and Herty Borngreat who didn’t impress me with her performance early on, snatched the Gospel Artiste of the Year.

Then gradually, the show started losing its glimmer because most of the performances that followed lacked luster. EL, Cris Waddle, Keche and Asem performed in that order. Asem and Kwabena Kwabena’s act was great but I noticed Asem was rapping offbeat. In fact I can’t really tell what his problem was; whether he was short of breath or just found it difficult to flow with the band, because it not easy at all to rap with live band. Performing with the live band, tempos are likely to go a bit higher than what is in the original recording so one is expected to sing or rap faster to the beat.

They call it ‘African Artiste of the Year’ award but I call it ‘Nigerian Artiste of the Year’. Almost every year, it is either that category is inundated with Nigerian musicians or has all nominees being Nigerians. Maybe Nigerians are the only Africans who do music apart from Ghana, or they are those whose songs are loud in Ghana, kind courtesy Charterhouse. The question is, “what informed the creation of that category?” Is it to promote African artistes and friendship or to project Nigerian music in Ghana? Well, whatever it is, Nigeria’s Wizkid won that slot.
 Efya pulled a hat-trick by winning for three consecutive years the Female Vocal Performance category. Knii Lante took home the Male Vocal Performance and Manifest again beat the rap colossi in contention to win best rapper of the year.

Then I was getting blinded by the disco lights so I kept squinting and rubbing my eyes to see things well. That has actually given me red eyes. Kwaw Kesse’s entry was good but he failed to perform unlike he has always done. In my opinion, his work on stage was ordinary. Nigeria’s Banky W also did a yo man’s job.

It wasn’t surprising that Herty Borngreat won the Best Collaboration of the Year. Honestly, that was the only award that I think she deserved to win. R2Bees came on stage again for their ‘Best Group of the Year’ award right after which Chase was awarded Best Music Video for ‘Lonely’.

It is about time VIP changed their stage act because it appears people are getting fed up with their prosaic style of stage work. They didn’t do well on the night!
Sarkodie too couldn’t move the crowd but I think it was because he did rap which his audience was unfamiliar with. Other than that, I will be tempted to believe the assertion by some people that the fastest rapper is soon fading out.
 Kaaki won Discovery of the Year, EL’s ‘Something Else’ won Album of the Year and R2Bees took home Song of the Year with ‘Walai’, and also won the topmost Artiste of the Year. But seriously, the guys need to work on their stage performance. You can’t be lazing away on stage like that. The need to employ and choreographer to teach them how to do few dance moves on stage. They needn’t dance extraordinarily but a bit of the movement will help.
But for few of the hiccups mentioned above, I would say the show went well. KOD was in his element but I found that he employed much of the karaoke emceeing which to me is not apposite for a formal occasion like this but all the same, it worked. Eazzy did marvelously well- she did what Nana Aba Anamoah would not have been able to do. And I wish she is given more platforms because I know she can do better.
 I would however suggest than something is done about the recalcitrant people who would always follow winners on stage in throngs. When are we going to learn to behave like civilized people. And I beg can’t they minimize the disco lights next time? 
 I am looking forward to an improved edition of the awards next year and I pray the organizers take criticisms in good faith but not mistake them for hate. Yes, you got to the next level but there still are issues to address. I will be back some other time!

Eazzy and Keitta: We are serious about our relationship





Last week Saturday when Eazzy, as co-host of the last Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, introduced  Keitta who was scheduled to present an award to a winner as “my man”, there must have been many among the audience who must have exclaimed under their breath, “these two again!” 

Since their relationship went public two years ago as housemates in  Big Brother Africa, a lot of people have doubted the sustainability of Eazzy and Keitta’s relationship: But following the talk about their age difference the “Go Go Wind” singer says they are very serious and she is looking forward to walk down the aisle with Keitta soon.

Talking to Showbiz last Tuesday, Eazzy who is a year and half older than Keitta said that even though a lot of people have questioned the rationale for being an “item” with Keitta who many regard as too young for her, she doesn’t have a problem with the age difference.

“For me, I don’t think that love is about age but finding that person who will treat you right, you well and make you happy and I have found that in Keitta. Despite his age, he is proven to be a mature person who is also calm, confident  and collected and for me, he has shown beyond all doubts through his actions that he possesses the qualities I want in a man and I am looking forward to that day where we will be called husband and wife” she added.

“Most people would go in for a relationship for financial comfort, support and with an aim to benefit materially from that union but I do not have such mindset and maybe, that accounted for my decision to choose Keitta from among the potential competitors and I must say that I have not regretted making that decision.

“When most people got to know that we were going out, they thought it was just going to be a nine day wonder considering what happened after my eviction from the Big Brother House but that never happened and I must admit that, we are proud of what we have achieved in the relationship. We want to be a role model to our fans and let people know that celebrities can also maintain their relationship.

“Yes, we have our differences which is natural in every relationship and even marriages but we have jumped all hurdles that have come our way and despite the circumstances, we will still make it” she added.

She admitted that Keitta has been a force behind her brand as an artiste and has been an inspiration to her music career because he motivates her when the going gets tough sometimes.
Aside her romantic life which is going on well, Eazzy said in relation to her music career, she is set for the release of the video of her new single Scream  which is expected to premiere this weekend on Channel O before being aired on local televisions across the country.

Credit: Gifty Owusu Aoah

John Dumelo speaks on Anas' threat to expose him





Having come under heavy criticisms recently over his alleged marriage to US based actress and model, Harrina Alexander Dembele, handsome actor, John Dumelo is bracing himself for another expose´ about another woman and her three-months-old baby.

 John Dumelo would have some explanation to do to convince the public against the generally credible word of  ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas who has threatened to expose the versatile actor.

In a post on his Facebook wall which is making rounds on various social media platforms, Anas has indicated that he has completed his investigations and reached the conclusion that John Dumelo’s conduct was unfair.

Anas said he was considering releasing some “tapes” to back his claim, adding: “It is not fair to reap where you have not sown” and threatened to release every information he has in two weeks if the matter is not settled.

The post reads “Somebody should be whispering into John Dumelo’s ears that whereas it is fantastic idea to own a clothing line, it is not ideal to do that at the expense of a three month old baby and the mum. I may be forced to release some audio tapes on him on the saga. It is not fair to reap where you have not sown. If the matter is not put to rest in two weeks, I would release them for people to make their own judgment on the Australian issue”

But in an interview with Showbiz last Friday, John Dumelo who seemed not much perturbed by  Anas’ claims questioned why people would want to dig into his private life and bring it to the public for discussion.
According to him, he has read the story and was at a loss why people would deliberately want to tarnish his reputation that he has built over the years.

He told Showbiz that  he will officially comment on the matter next week for people to hear his side of the story and know the truth.
For John, he believes it is a ploy by some people to bring him down considering the success and fame he has chalked as an actor since his inception in the movie industry adding that “ this is just a pull him down attitude”.

“We all have our private lives as individuals so I don’t see why people would want to dig into mine. I can’t dismiss that some people are behind it but I will officially comment on it next week for everybody to know the truth. I am sure that even if I went to a shop and bought bottled water and forgot to pay, I will hit the headlines the next day and be branded a thief.  All those who want the truth should wait patiently for next week”.

Source: Graphic Showbiz

Up close with Ghana's rep at the Big Brother Africa (Season 8) - Selly



Selly is an actress from Tema in Accra. She entered Big Brother because of “the mouth-watering prize package” that she says would change her life, and also because she wants more drama in her life to “spice it up more”.

She enjoys watching Fashion Police, SpongeBob Squarepants and Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Selly says her boyfriend has influenced her life because he is extremely optimistic about life and has taught her to believe in herself.

Describing herself as “spontaneous, kind, sensitive, no-nonsense and adventurous”, Selly dislikes back-biting, fake people and sycophants. She says viewers can expect dancing, cooking and entertainment from her. If she wins the grand prize, she’ll further her education, buy her mom a car, throw a huge party, start her dream business, renovate her mother’s house and buy herself a car

Upclose with Ghana's rep at the Big Brother Africa (Saeson 8) -Elikem



Elikem


Tailor and actor Elikem is single and hails from Accra. Denzel Washington and Samuel L Jackson are his favourite actors – the former because he’s bold, confident and a natural and the latter because “he has made the black man proud”.

Elikem entered Big Brother for three things: the money, the exposure and the game play. He says it’s great that Africa will be watching him 24/7 because he’ll get a chance to show the continent who he is and what he can do and promote himself as a tailor and actor.

He has grand plans for the big prize. He says he’ll host a fashion fundraiser, open 3 retail stores in Accra – and 3 more abroad – as well as shoot a star studded movie before putting what’s left into investments and bonds.

John Dumelo’s Three Months Baby and Mom Surfaces? Anas To Expose More



So what is really the news? Will the real John Dumelo stand up and be counted? The Ghanaian actor has been in the news for some very controversial stories lately.
The news of a ‘non-existent’ marriage with a US based Harrina Alexander made the news amidst lots of denial not so long ago. As it stands now, the story has been a ‘he said she said’ one and no one knows what the ‘real’ story is.
Also, there was an attack from a supposed pastor in the UK who sent an angry letter to John Dumelo, which went viral on social media, talking of alleged fraudulent schemes by the actor to take monies from some ladies.
On Thursday, ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, posted this on his Facebook page…
“I am arriving from Mozambique soon, work has been concluded, you would see the thrills.
Somebody should be whispering into John Dumelo’s ears that whereas it is a fantastic idea to own a clothing line, it is not ideal to do that at the expense of a three month old baby and the mum. I may be forced to release some audio tapes on him on the saga. It is not fair to reap where you have not sown. If the matter is not put to rest in two weeks, i would release them for people to make their own judgement on the Australian issue.”
Readers will remember John was in Australia to collect an award recently but was or is there any issue?

Source:MonteOZ