Sunday, 12 January 2014

Ghanaian Music Group Gallaxy explains why they went local

Ghana’s budding Afrobeat and Highlife duo Gallaxy
has finally explain why they switched to wearing of
African fabric as part of their branding. The ‘Wodo
Nti’ hit makers finally uncovered the secret when
they made an appearance on Etv Ghana’s ‘The Late
Nite Celebrity Show’ on Wednesday 1st January
2014 hosted by Giovani who was then sitting in for
the regular host Leila.
According to Gallaxy their sudden switch was
influenced by the kind of music they do. “Highlife
and Afrobeat” ,which are indigenously Ghanaian
and African at large? However, there is the need
to portray the origin of the genre and style of
their music.
Commenting on their brand name, Gallaxy debunk
the public sentiment that; they are taking
advantage of the Samsung brand ‘Galaxy’ to get
the popularity they want. In response they said;
“our name Gallaxy was coined from the scientific
word ‘Galaxy’ meaning a group of stars
representing the unique talent we both brought
together as a group” . They continue to add that,
they came together as a group during their days in
senior high school somewhere 2005 and Samsung
commercially released their Galaxy brand in 2009
which is not long ago.
Gallaxy is undoubtedly one of the fastest rising
music groups currently.They officially came into
the music industry in 2012 and they are doing
marvelously well with major radio and television
appearances and have good songs to their credit
under the management of Tema based Harbour
City recordz. Their latest Afrobeat release
BokoBoko(Slowly) is currently enjoying massive
airplay both in Ghana,Nigeria and other parts of
the continent.
Gallaxy on the social media
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Gallaxygh
Instagram: www.instagram.com/Gallaxygh
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GallaxyGH1
Music: www.reverbnation.com/Gallaxygh
Videos: www.youtube.com/GallaxyOfficial

Source: Afia English

Juliet Asante believes in Ghana film school and African movies


Juliet Asante; a Harvard University graduate, an
entrepreneur, a women's rights advocate, a
contributor to the Huffington Post and a lover of
film making believes the African film industry has
the potential to surpass itself and surprise many a
sceptic.
The actress, producer director and writer said this
in a conversation we had about her firm Eagle
Productions Limited and its latest brand; Mobile
Fliks, with which she is embarking on the production
of 5-10 minutes long film for adaptation to mobile
phones.
During our chat we talked about the African film
making industry with reference to Nollywood; the
Nigerian movie industry, which is the second largest
in the world today. She also shed some light on
Ghana's National Film and Television Institute
(NAFTI).
As an entrepreneur, Juliet still has hopes for NAFTI
and believes it could reach higher and churn more
quality productions and students if the public and
private sectors step in to help improve its
infrastructure quickly to enable it relive its glory
days.
NAFTI could be saved if the fact that its standards
needs improving is recognized quickly and
appropriately remedied to enable it become one of
the best film schools in Africa again she believes.
Even though governments in Africa are not equipped
with the expertise to help develop the movie making
industry, Juliet believes they can still play a major
role in its growth by providing an enabling
environment within which the industry can thrive.
This can be done by showing some level of interest
and also making it less tedious and cumbersome for
players in the sector to access resources like loans
and other things needed to take the industry to
where it really belongs--the top.
A lot of Africa's stories have not been told,
especially by Africans and in reference to a personal
example, Juliet mentions her attempts to make a
biopic on the life and legacy of Yaa Asantewaa, an
Ashanti female warrior who lived through 1840 to
1921. She was appointed Queen Mother of Ejisu in
then Ashanti Empire of now Ghana.
Recalling her experience, Juliet explained how she
simply could not find enough materials to build the
story in the way she really wanted it to be and how
the mere lack of information was enough to kill her
desire to tell the story of Yaa Asantewaa. Juliet was
named after the Queen Mother who in the 1900's led
the Ashanti rebellion against the British in the fight
to protect the legendary Golden Stool.
In praise of Nollywood, the Harvard graduate
acknowledged it has done such a great job of
disseminating a lot of African contents into the
international movie world. Juliet believes Africa can
do further by investing in telling a lot more of the
stories about the positives and greats of the
continent that the West is oblivious about.
With the right people in place and the desire for
change, the movie industry in Africa has the
potential to even surprise its expectations because
these are exciting times for the continent and we
must seize the moment and opportunity to shine in
all aspects she said.
Source: Oral Ofori

Sunday, 8 September 2013

Musician fights GAPI over stolen album


Veteran Ghanaian Musician Paa Willie Ackun has accused the Ghana Association of Phonogram Industries (GAPI) for selling his creative works on the internet without his permission or knowledge.
Paa Willie, who is the copyright owner of the ‘Set It Up Again’ album says the work had been up for sale on electronic marketplace Amazon.com and other websites for some time now though he has never signed any contract with those online agencies.
The aged musician said through investigations, he realized that GAPI, together with an organization called Bach Technology had granted these online agencies distribution rights to his musical works.
“When I contacted Amazon, they referred me to the distributors- Phonofile, which has offices in Europe and other parts of the world. I then contacted, Phonofile where I was informed that GAPI, together with an organisation called Bach Technology had granted them distribution rights for my copyrighted musical works.
“They then asked me to contact GAPI representatives, Mr. Francis Twum and Mr. Jonathan Cudjoe for further information on the matter. Upon further investigations on the internet, I realized GAPI had been named as the copyright owner of my album on the Amazon site,” Paa Willie told BEATWAVES in an interview.
According Mr Akun, GAPI had received huge sums of money for several works albums from various Ghanaian musicians without their consent they had assigned to Phonofile.
“This is a very serious matter and all the organizations involved in this violation of my copyrights have caused severe financial loss to me and must be brought to book, especially GAPI the Ghanaian body that illegally assigned my rights without my permission, and the main cause of the problem. I am totally dissatisfied with the explanation given me by Mr. Francis Twum.
The actions of GAPI amount to a blatant infringement of my legal rights, done without my express permission and consent. I have all the documents to prove that I am the sole copyright owner of the musical album ‘Set It Up Again’ by Paa Willie and the Scroll,” he said.
The musician, who felt cheated, has since reported the issue to the Veteran Musicians Association of Ghana (VEMAG), the Professional Musicians Association of Ghana (PROMAG) and Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) as he waits for the next line of action from his lawyers.


Tuesday, 3 September 2013

Ebo Whyte's classic Men Run, Women Cry back again




What will make a man run and a woman cry? Don't take a guess because thanks to Uncle Ebo Whyte, your guess may be too far from the truth.

In Men Run; Women Cry, Ghana's renowned playwright, Uncle Ebo Whyte, wove another riveting lesson-laced story on marriage, love, lust and gossip.

The play was housed at the Venus Salon; a house of hope, gossip, beauty and endless drama.

Yohan was possessed; in his enchantment, he chased his new found girl friend he calls a goddess into the Venus Salon on the day of his wedding. 

His bride to be was in the Salon preparing for her dream wedding. Yohan run out cursing and threatening to call off the wedding. Did he?

And what about the faithful 'village' wife who wants to remain aglow for God and ugly for her husband when she could easily have been aglow for God and cute for her husband?

Watch a repeat of Men Run; Women Cry at the National Theatre this Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm each day. 



R2bees,Kaakie others nominated for Channel O Awards

R2bees



Nominations for the 10th Annual Channel O Africa Music Awards have been announced, revealing an open field in the race to claim Africa’s most prestigious music awards.

Nominees in the 14 categories included multiple double nods for over 10 artists, from East, West and Southern African, reflecting the outpouring of world-class music videos on the continent over the past year. It’s now up to fans to vote for their favourites in this public-voted event, with more than two months for the continent’s music fans to have their say.

This year’s nominees list features many longstanding members of the African music scene, among them South Africa’s Oskido (“Tsa Mandebele” for Most Gifted African Southern), Zimbabwe’s Buffalo Souljah (“Basawine” for Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall Video), and Mozambique’s Lizha James (“Vais Rochar” with Anselmo Ralph for Most Gifted Female).

The list of nominees is also bursting with new faces, including the five contenders in the Most Gifted Newcomer category – South Africans Moneoa (“Is’Bhanxa”) and Idols Season 8 winner Khaya Mthethwa (“Move”), Nigeria’s Lola Rae (“Watch My Ting Go”) and Burna Boy (“Tonight”) and Kenya’s Victoria Kimani (“Mtoto”). And the multiplicity of genres emerging in this highlight category of the 10th Annual Channel O Africa Music Video Awards – from Dance Pop to contemporary Afrobeat and Afro-fusion – provides a brilliant glimpse into the diversity of sounds that currently define Africa’s music scene.

To celebrate a decade of recognizing the best African contemporary music talent, the 10th Annual Channel O Africa Music Awards has expanded the prestigious Most Gifted Video of the Year category to 12 nominees, increasing the pressure on nominees in the most fiercely fought category at the awards.

The category again reveals the mix of newcomers and established artists at this year’s event – a signal of the growing maturity of Africa’s music scene.

Whether it’s in the heavy hitting categories, or the genre and regional categories, there’s no doubting that the 10th Annual Channel O Africa Music Video Awards have all the makings of a thrilling affair when the LIVE event takes place on Saturday, 30 November at Walter Sisulu Square, in Kliptown Soweto.

Just who will win Africa’s biggest awards on the night is now in the hands of fans! Voting opens Tuesday night at 00:00am and closes on Thursday, 21 November at midnight and can be done on three different platforms – via sms: artist voting code to the number +2783142100415. Standard SMS rates apply on the web and WAP at www.channelo.tv

Nominees list below

RnB -Banky W,Victoria Kimani, A.Ralph, Danny K,Chase

East Africa – PUnit/Collo, Sauti Sol, Radio&Weasel, Ay/MarcoChali,Navio

Newcomer – Moneoa-Is’bhanxa,Lola Rae-Watch My Ting Go,Khaya Mthethwa-Move,Victoria Kimani-Mtoto, Burna Boy-Tonight

West Africa -D’prince-Goody Bag Ice Prince-Aboki,R2bees-Life(Walaahi), DBlack/Joey B- Vera, Chidinma-Emi ni Baller, P Square- Alingo

Southern Africa – Dama Do Bling-My Eish Oskido-Tsa Mandebele, Black Coffee Ft Zakes Bantwin-Take it all off, Paul G ft Fabulous- Get Control

Kwaito - Dj Dimplez Ft L- We ain’t Leaving, Khuli Chana- Haddadazmove, L’vovo Derrango ft Professor- Palesa, Professor ft Oskido-Fingerprints,Ees-Woza December, Kabelo-Impilo DJ Tira ft Big Nuz,Joocy-Summertime

Reggae/Dancehall – BuffaloSouljah-Basawine,Kaakie-Too Much,Jesse Jagz-Murder Dem,PUnit ft Collo- You Guy,Radio&Weasel-Can’t Let You Go.

Pop – The Soil-Inkomo,Sauti Sol-Moneylover2Face-Iheneme,The Muffinz-Umsebenzi Wendoda, Davido-Gobe

Dance- Kcee-Limpopo,Khona-Mafikizolo,Antenna-Fuse ODG,Jamaica-DJ Malvado, Xigubu- DJ Ganyani

Male - Donald- Over the Moon, Zeus ft AKA-#DatsWasup,Wizkid-Azonto,Ay/Marco Chali-Party Zone, Iyanya-Flavour

Female – Zonke-Feelings,L.James -Vais Rochar,Stl-Stella,Tiwa Savage-Without My Heart, Toya Delazy-Heart.

Duo or Group – Teargas-Wake Up,Xtatic/Aka&PriddyUgly-HitEmUp,Micasa-Can‘t get Enough,EME-Baddest Boy,NaetoC Ft D’banj- Tony Montana Remix, Zonefam-Contolola.

Video of the Year – Jealousy-AKA Khona-Mafikizolo,Stella-STL,Alingo-PSquare,Antenna-Fuse ODG,HitEmUp-Xtatic/AKA&Priddy Ugly,#DatsWasup-Zeus ft AKA&Tumi, Azonto-Wizkid, Get

Control - Paul G ft Fabulous, Do it Like I can- Reason, Life(Walaahi)-R2Bees.


Sunday, 1 September 2013

Sixth issue of Glitz Africa magazine launched

Click on the link to read more:
http://entertainment.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201308/112372.php

Friday, 30 August 2013

RICHIE MENSAH POSTPONES MUSIC VIDEO FOR “EVERY MORNING” TO 5TH SEPTEMBER



Richie Mensah has postponed the release of the music video for his fast rising club banger “Every Morning” to next week Thursday due to the Supreme Court verdict.
Last week, it was announced that the release would be done today on Amanda Jissih’s E-TALK Show on GHOne.

The video premier will however come on next week Thursday exclusively on E-TALK at 9pm and will be followed by video premier event at Hollywood Boulevard inside the A&C Mall.  

Anticipation is very high for the video following the release of behind the scenes shots online last week. The song has also received heavy rotation on the nightlife scene since its release a few weeks ago and the video is certain to generate an even greater buzz.
Click on the link below to watch the making of the “Every Morning” music video

Monday, 26 August 2013

A letter to the politician


My dear politicians
As you know already, am very happy to write you this letter.
In fact, am sure you are doing well since you have our gargantuan tax at your disposal.
Anyway continue to enjoy them nyafu nyafu after all who will question you for embezzlement?
We love you so we want to tell you something that you don’t know about we Ghanaians. If you had known this, you will not be disturbing the police moving them from their favorite location all in the name of Pace peace.

Do you know how much they make standing by the roadside telling drivers to park their cars?.In fact the deployment  is killing business like ECG.

Now the fact that we follow you during your campaign season   does not mean we will die for you if the court verdict does not go in your favor.
We only follow you because the ecomini is very bad and that is the only way we can fool you to get at least one Ghana credit to buy credit to whataspp   and also  post our pictures on instagram.

If you have forgetting so soon, go and ask dada author kennedy. We followed him everywhere saa on the ‘D’day’ even his family did not vote for him.
So if you think we will follow and go and cause confusion then we go do you antenna. You want us to go jail or die for you??.... Masa you lie bad.


We are only waiting for the campaign season to make some good money from you.  Infact   this time around if you don’t give us 100gh and above we will not follow you. Now we want party lactose .We’re fed up us the Chinese T-shirts.  _____ Letter part two is coming soon!!

Thursday, 22 August 2013

Rocky Dawuni for the stage again!

Rocky Dawuni


Ghanaian Afro Roots star and renowned social activist, Rocky Dawuni, returns to Southern California with a full band appearance on Saturday, August 24 at 8pm. The free to all ages concert is part of KCRW Summer Nights and will be hosted by Afro Funke's Jeremy Sole with DJ Glenn Red spinning!

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts Los Angeles at MacArthur Park (LevittLA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 to restore the historic band shell in MacArthur Park and feature a diverse lineup of artists from acclaimed, emerging talent to seasoned, award-winning performers.  Programming is designed to appeal to all tastes, bringing people from all walks of life together to share an evening of great music.  As music fills the park, so do families, friends, and Angelinos from all over the city creating community through music.

Rocky has had an unbelievable year touring the world at many of the top music festivals including two European tours where he played the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, the massive Summerjam in Cologne, Afro Pfingsten in Switzerland alongside Alpha Blondy & Lee Scratch Perry and many more. He also was invited to the recent tribute to Bob Marley at the prestigious Kennedy Center for Performing Arts where he put on a stellar performance that had everyone on their feet and singing along!

As a UN Foundation Ambassador for the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, Rocky has visited Kenya, Ghana and Cambodia this year doing speaking engagements and performing.  He is also the co-founder of Afro Funke' at Zanzibar (along with Cary Sullivan & Jeremy Sole) in Santa Monica which is LA's most popular African inspired club night which just crossed over its 10th Anniversary in June with an unforgettable performance by home town heroes Ozomatli.


EA's new video game "The Sims 3 Island Paradise" features one of Rocky's brand new tracks "Reggae Soca Party" that was recorded in Ghana and the US and is his first foray in to Soca music! This song will appear on his upcoming 6th solo album due to be released early next year which he is currently recording.

Sunday, 18 August 2013

Miss Teen Ghana 2013 was successfully launched.



The Miss Teen Ghana 2013 was launched yesterday 17th  August, 2013 at University of Professional Studies in Accra. The launched officially outdoor   all the 19 young beautiful girls representing all the 10 regions of Ghana contesting in this year’s contest.

Miss Teen Ghana 2013 is the 3rd edition of the contestant put together by   Neas   Media Concept to select one competent young Ghanaian girl who can represent Ghana in the international Miss Teen Face of Beauty contestant in Thailand, Miss Teen Universe in Nicaragua and Miss Teen Earth International in Ecuador and Miss Teen Africa in South Africa respectively

The organizers used the occasion to also outline some of the programs and activities ahead of them before the grand finale on the 13th September 2013 at the Ghana National Theatre. They also urge parents and corporate bodies to show their support and interest in the parent, since this has become one of the national platforms for your girls to exhibit their hidden potentials.

Most of the people and fans who were in attendance last night expressed satisfaction about the event and also urge the organizers to find a befitting solution to the technical hitches that delayed the program for about 5 minute.

This year’s event is supported by   Showbiz GH,HD Media Ghana, Teen Exclusive Magazine,Jonilar,Ghana Youth Television,Glitz Ghana,Stepout Ghana and many more.