Yvonne Nelson sizzles on Y!Africa Magazine cover

Last week, it unveiled its first cover with Africa’s youngest billionaire, Ashish J. Thakkar sharing his inspiring story of surviving his environment and building a global business.

The 32-year-old from Uganda is founder of the Mara Group and the Mara Foundation.

This week, it has issued the second cover – actor, producer and serial entrepreneur; Yvonne Nelson.

The Ghanaian superstar talks about her work, her businesses, her vision for the creative industry, and where she sees Africa’s future.

“Y! Africa is focused governance, enterprise and technology, but it also has an eye firm eye on the culture,” says its associate editor, Tunde Kara.

“The culture weaves the underlying thread that advances the aspirations of any people, and those like Nelson who are its glittering stars, make it possible.”

Y! is available in stores and from vendors across Nigeria, and is also distributed in Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa.

Credits…
Photography: C. Asare Photography in Ghana
Creativity, art direction and profile: Tunde Kara
Styling: House of Cramera
Make Up: Contours by Valerie
Source: A-Deebie

Trigmatic, Killbeatz, Joyce Blessing and Others Win at VGMA Industry Nite

The industry awards for the 2014 Ghana Music Awards was held on Saturday April 26 2014 at Alisa Hotel in Accra, Ghana.

The strictly by invitation event was attended by Ghanaian music industry folks, including producers, musicians as well as actors andhighly placed people from the Ghanaian community.

Patrons were thrilled with performances from Gospel musician O.J, Akwaboah,M.anifest.

Below is the full list of winners.

Gospel Album of the Year – Nyame Eguama – Joyce Blessing

Record of the year – Wo Sika Enti –
Trigmatic

Songwriter of the year – Baba by Bisa KDei

Producer of the year – Killbeatz Addison

Sound Engineer of the year – Kaywa

Instrumentalist of the year – Victor Dey

Traditional Artiste of the year – Densi

Music for Development – Kwabena
Kwabena’s Save a heart. For einning that award, the Adult Music singer gets GHC 3,000.00 from the World Bank Ghana.

Unsung artiste to rock the VGMA – MzVee from Lynx Entertainment and would therefore have the chance to perform at he main awards event on May 3.

MUSIGA Merit Award – Korkor Amarteifio

Lifetime Achievement Award – Ebo Taylor

GH¢2million was for GMW and Research - MUSIGA

Bice Osei Kuffour, president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), has disclosed that the sole purpose of the GH¢2million which was allocated by government in 2013, was to fund research into the music industry and the Ghana Music Week celebrations.

The research themed “A Comprehensive Study of the
Music Sector in Ghana” was to ascertain an overview of the creative industry, its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and to make recommendations about the findings.

Although Obour had declined to reveal how much was spent on the research, checks by the paper showed that the entire project cost the Union a little over GH¢2,000.

“The final report on the GH¢2million has been given to the Ministry of Finance and how much money was used to conduct the research will be available in it.

The main aim of the GH¢2million was for the research and the Ghana Music Week celebrations.

“The information is contractual and has to come out from the proper channel. Once the project is also through, we will issue a report on the entire GH ¢2million and how it was spent.

Just last Friday, there was a validation workshop and once it has been validated, then we will be in the final report stage.

As of the work, it has been completed,” he told NEWS-ONE.

However, unconfirmed reports suggested the union has started purporting that they spent GH¢60,000 to fund the supposed research which was also supported by World Bank in terms of logistics.

The search was conducted by renowned auditing, research and statistical firm KPMG – the company responsible for auditing the election results during the famous election petition in 2013.

Source: News-One

Saul Williams to Star in Tupac Musical

The Tupac musical coming to Broadway has found its (non-holographic) leading man.

The main role in the non-biographical Holler If Ya Hear Me will be taken by musician/slam poet/actor Saul Williams , according to The Hollywood Reporter .

The musical, produced by the late rapper’s mother Afeni Shakur , does not feature Tupac as a character, but does include the West Coast legend’s music prominently.

A New York native, Williams rose to fame as the lead in the 1998 film Slam, which follows a poet and aspiring rapper attempting to leave behind his gruff surroundings.

He’s also released four studio albums; however, Holler If Ya Hear Me will be his first major Broadway role.

Tony Award-winner Tonya Pinkins will join Williams at the head of the cast for the production, which has been described as a fictional story that provides a glimpse into the streets of modern-day America and their tenants.

The musical is set to begin preview performances May 29 at the Palace Theatre, followed by a June 19 opening night.

Trigmatic emphasizes the need for change in Ghanaian music

Ghanaian music star, Trigmatic says he seeks to propel change in the Ghanaian society through his
music.

To this end, he is consciously shifting from the very youthful music he is known for towards more mature lyrics.

The award winning musician told solid FM’s Kwame Poku who is also known as Kwame Scientific he feels the need for change.

He believes his lyrical orientation has changed because he is growing and naturally thinking a lot about making his songs stand the test of time.

He says “It has gotten to a point where you are unable to wear the things you used to wear or visit the places you hitherto frequented. I feel everything must change.

It means a change in lyrics; more live performances…every part of the art must
grow.

The whole Ghana needs to change.” He thanked his fans for remaining loyal despite the changes he is exhibiting.

Trigmatic’s song “wo sika nti” has received three (3) nominations at the forthcoming Ghana Music Awards and the young musician says the nominations excite him and makes him feel appreciated.

He has been nominated for the Song writer of the year, Record of the year and Collaboration of the year.

He also expressed surprise his song ‘Miss Julie’ featuring Shatta Wale is now catching on with fans. He says the song has been around for quite some time.

Source: Bernard Buachi, Kumasi

Forget Artiste Of The Year – Sarkodie Tells Shatta Wale

Around this time last year, Shatta Wale was with high hopes that, he was going to take home the Reggae Dance Hall Song Of The Year.

Kaakie surprised him. Since then it’s been a build up of dis songs, fowl languages, apologies and re-nominations.

This year, Shatta Wale has made the nominee list for the artiste of the year.

His competition is tight, but he has downplayed all of them.

This has not gone down well with Award winning artiste Sarkodie.

In a statement released April 1st, Sarkodie has asked that, Shatta Wale should forget about winning artiste of the year.

He added that, the decision is solely in the hands of the voting public.

He has also advised other artist to concentrate on encouraging their fans to VOTE.

To Vote for artiste of the year, Text A to short code 1767

Sarkodie and Shatta Wale are however working on two new songs to be released after the Ghana Music Awards.