I have faith in the Police-Obour

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

 MUSIGA prez, Obour, says his outfit believes the security forces are able and can solve the murder of Fennec Okyere, the slained former manager of rapper Kwaw Kesse.

Obour

In an interview with Showbiz on Monday, the Konkontibaa hitmaker said ‘ ‘The police have been telling us that they are not relenting in their efforts and are still on track. We believe they will find the offenders and close this issue. Periodically, we contact them to get updates and we are confident that they would nail the accomplices. We all agree it’s a serious issue, and we can only hope that as the police do their jobs, the accomplices are brought to book as soon as possible. That’s why we keep going to them for updates ’’ he said.

  

Recently, Ghanaian hip-life artiste Kwaw Kesse challenged the police via an exclusive interview with TV3network.com to attach the same urgency in finding the murderer of his manager just as they have done for the late MP for Abuakwa North constituency J.B Danquah-Adu.

Fennec Otchere was brutally murdered in his home at Spintex on March 13, 2014 by unknown assailants. “I think my manager’s case has not been dealt with the way the late MP's case has been dealt with. “I want to ask the police if it's because my manger was not an MP. This is a man who was doing great with what he was doing in his field of work and as a matter of fact a loyal Ghanaian.

 “If a Ghanaian is being murdered and up till date there hasn't been any clue, then I would say the security system is being biased. Recently there was news on somebody saying another person threatened to kill him like he killed the other person and I think that was a big clue the police should have jumped on to thoroughly investigate that person and found out why he said that but nothing came,” the artiste pointed out.

 

Kwaw Kesse

The late Fennec

 Obour, reacting to whether he believed the police were being biased with handling Fennec’s issue as with the issue of the murdered member of parliament as Kwaw Kesse is speculating, said “I don’t think anyone is being biased here. Fine, we have been to the police not less than four times on the same issue since 2014. However, just as in the case of this MP, I am aware that some arrests were made in Fennec’s issue, just that there was no prosecution and the criminals have not been found till date.

 ‘ ‘ We all know there are cases, especially those in the courts that take time to resolve, so we know this issue of Fennec’s murder will end soon and the perpetrators brought to book ’’he concluded.

Dancehall existed in Ghana before Iwan- Kaakie

Bulldog

Kaakie

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

   Dancehall queen, Kaakie, says before dancehall artist, Iwan, ever ventured into the genre, there were others already in the business and he is therefore not the one who  made it popular or attractive as was been stated by Bulldog.
   Recently, former manager of dancehall king, Shatta Wale, Bulldog, stated on his Facebook wall that  “5FIVE was the first group that made dancehall music popular in GH, Africa and the rest of the world with their monster and award winning hit track?#?AFRICANGURLZ released in 2006.

 "Iwan A Razak was the first dancehall act to break through as a true dancehall artist with his monster dancehall hit track ?#?STILLLOVEME ft. NaturalFaCe in 2009.5FIVE & IWAN ?#?DANCEHALLPACESETTERS?#?grateful ?#?thywillbedone ?#?killdemwithlove ?#?sikanhyira”.

 The Too much songstress however shares a different opinion.          
 “ Bulldog’s comment is a very biased opinion, not a fact. Otherwise, if he wants to make it a fact, he should provide evidence. I feel that he’s just narrowing it down to artistes he has managed before, for people to say he has managed good artistes. Of course, 5five and  Iwan are good artistes, but  where dancehall is concerned, 5five are out of the question totally because I will not classify them(5five) as a dancehall group, they are not  doing dancehall,only Iwan is ’’ she stated.

Iwan

 TheToffee Pon Tang hit maker said that though Iwan was a big name in the genre sometime ago, he only contributed to lift the genre.
 ‘‘The genre is big and is like a tree with branches. Therefore, I will not say he made the genre attractive because by the time he came there were several others like Samini, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale then called Bandana. So, I will not say he made it attractive or popular, but rather contributed to make it attractive.

 ‘‘I feel they all contributed to make the genre what it is today, because it is not a one day or one man journey. Iwan had his time where he was all over the place, but I won’t give it to him as the one who made the genre popular or that the foundation began with, or relied solely on, him. He and the others joined forces to make the genre the strong one it is today’’ she concluded.

I’m too humble to shut up — Reggie Rockstone

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

 Monday, 21 September 2015 13:50

Rapper, Reggie Rockstone, says it is only arrogant folks who refuse to talk back when people address them  and since he is a humble guy, he would not shut up to comments that challenge his ‘‘hiplife grandpapa’’ title.

The man who  recorded five studio albums under his name between 1994 and 2014 and  is now a member of the VVIP trio, is currently the centre of controversy on who originated hiplife.

Reggie Rockstone

Famous worldwide for decades as the ‘ Godfather of Hiplife,’   Rockstone has come under severe criticism  in recent times with  artistes such as Barima Sidney, Quophi Okyeame and Ex-Doe being the most vocal in the challenge about Rockstone’s hiplife originator status.

He has been quick to respond to the numerous comments, especially on social media,  about  the issue.

In an interview with Showbiz,  Rockstone said because he is alive and has to address  issues as they come, he would continue talking.

“Refusal to speak could mean acceptance. People would think you have accepted what is being said against you. I am alive, so when you speak about me, I have to address it,” he told Showbiz.

Reggie said the target of his comments are  his fans and not his detractors.

 “A lie will travel if I do not speak. Asem did not address the rape story against him and today he has a tarnished image. I speak to the thinking people, not the haters. It comes with the job,’’ he said.

According to the highly-regarded rapper, it is arrogance to keep mute  when spoken to you but he is not arrogant.

“It is a debate about me and I have to speak. A good trait of a humble king is to address issues when they come at him. I know how Ghanaians think. They would assume I have accepted all the allegations against me but my music and records speak for themselves,’’ Reggie said.

Gospel music easier than secular; Ofori Amponsah’s claims debunked

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

Saturday, 13 February 2016 10:13

The lines between gospel and secular music have been blurred over the years with a number of secular artistes venturing into the gospel scene.

A notable name is Daddy Lumba (DL), who has released at least one gospel album and recently joined forces with Isaiah Ampong to release another gospel album.

 

Ofori Amponsah

Some secular artistes also make sure to include at least one gospel track on their albums and musicians like Kojo Antwi, Sarkodie and Kwabena Kwabena (who has also written songs for gospel artistes such as Ohemaa Mercy), easily come to mind. Hiphop artiste, EL has recently added to the list with his hit track Koko.

There are also the collaborations between gospel and secular musicians like Gifty Osei and Dadie Opanka, Herty Borngreat with Sarkodie and Trigmatic, Lady Prempeh with Asem and Richie while some secular artistes like Lord Kenya who have also become born again have also taken up gospel music and all these have succeeded in bringing both worlds much closer together.

However, recent comments by highlife artiste Ofori Amponsah, who tried his hands at gospel music after he revealed he was born again and even had a church, that creating secular music was way easier than gospel music, has stirred up some debate.

Ofori Amponsah, who has returned to the highlife circuit with his single Alewa, said in terms of making music, highlife, came easier to him than gospel music.

Kwabena Kwabena

Some of the most popular names in secular music however disagree. Highlife musician, Bisa Kdei, in an interview with Showbiz, said it was a false assertion to say writing a secular song was easier than writing a gospel song.

According to the Mansa hitmaker, “Everything about a gospel song is readily available, found and taken from the Bible. The words are all found in the Bible.

“However, for the secular song, the artiste has to sit and carve out everything from scratch. The words are non-existent, and the artiste has to put them together out of nothing to suit the exact message he wants to put out there and also sell himself.

“Anyone who says writing a secular song comes easier than a gospel song does not know what he or she is talking about.”

Highlife artiste, Kwabena Kwabena, who has a hit gospel song, Bue Kwan, also seems to agree with Bisa Kdei. The Tuamuda singer told Showbiz “We cannot compare, though music is music. However, these are two different genres. One is inspired by God to glorify Him, those are spiritual songs. And because it praises God, he inspires people to write it, and he gives it to anyone freely.

Bisa Kdei

“Then, there are the ones crafted by the artiste on his own. There are also some secular songs which are inspirational, also given by God to touch others; those are neither gospel nor the ones you could call useless.”

“Perhaps, the part that you have to wait on God for the inspiration to write a gospel song is the reason why someone will say it is difficult to write gospel songs,’’ he added.

Veteran highlife musician, Bessa Simons, who has worked with gospel musicians, including the Tagoe Sisters, said writing gospel music is the easiest.

According to the first vice president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), almost all musicians worldwide have a background from church where most started out as either choristers or song leaders. However, it is most of those who continue with singing in church who become the gospel musicians.

“Gospel music is easier as the musicians get their songs from being in church where the Bible is preached all the time. They become familiar with the words they hear and it is easier for them to write their songs.

“The secular artiste on the other hand, finds him or herself in a new world altogether and has to find his own words,’’ added.

This debate is one that is certain to go on for a while as there will definitely be those who will disagree, especially the gospel musicians.

Bernard gives to Osu Children’s Home

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

Monday, 11 January 2016 00:17

Gospel musician, Bernard Amankwah, on Saturday, January 9 donated items worth GHC15, 000 to the Osu Children’s Home in support of the Home’s school music project.

The items included three keyboards, speakers, a powered mixer, cordless microphones and a set of drums.

He also gave the children boxes of mineral water, detergents, sanitary pads, Bibles and evangelism tracts.

Making the donation, the Presence singer said ‘’most people make donations to orphanages with just the basic needs of the children in terms of food in mind, neglecting their spiritual needs.

Bernard Amankwah

“And just as every church sees it fit to get sound equipment and instruments to enhance their service, these little ones also deserve to praise God with instruments and sounds’”, he added.

Bernard Amankwah explained that he also brought Bibles for the children because he believes that just as his reliance on the word of God transformed his life, their lives will also be transformed and will be full of hope if they relied on it.

‘‘I could have easily ended up on the streets if not for God because I was raised by a single parent, my mum. She could have also run and left me behind. So if I did not end up that way, why not give to society and put smiles on the faces of others’’, he said.

Receiving the items, Ms Christiana Addo, Manageress of the Osu Children’s Home, thanked Bernard Amankwah for his benevolence and promised the items will be used for the intended purpose.

Nii Okai, Ebi Bright, others for peace concert

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

 Thursday, 21 January 2016 08:50 

As the country gears up for this year’s elections, some organisations and institutions have lined up events to call for peace during the November polls.

One of such events is the Tema All White Peace Concert which comes off tomorrow, Friday, January 22, at the Star Basic School Park, Community 5, Tema.

Ebi Bright

The concert will bring together some politicians and artistes. Artistes who will treat patrons with music performances include Nii Okai, Pastor Perry Lokko, Solomon Quagraine, Andrew Nii Okine among others.

And the politicians expected to grace the show are Kempis Ofosuware (NDC Tema East), Carlos Ahenkorah( NPP Tema West), Ebi Bright(NDC Tema Central), Daniel Titus Glover( NPP Tema East), Mrs Susana Adu- Amankwah ( Vice Chair, CPP), Kofi Brako (Tema Central), among others.

The 6pm concert being organised by the Junior Knights and Ladies of Marshall, promises to be fun- packed as there would not only be music to thrill but also activities like spoken word, dance and a candle lighting session.

There will also be a sermon by Rev Father Adjaho, intercessory prayers for the nation and peace messages from the various politicians.

Speaking to Showbiz on Monday, the president of the Junior Knights and Ladies of Marshall, Felix De-Roy Otoo said “the concert is aimed at bringing together the youth, Tema residents, aspiring Members of Parliament in the area and other dignitaries to one place for thanksgiving and to pray as one community for peace, unity and protection from any civil unrests or disasters before, during and after the elections this year’’, he concluded.

The Tema All White Peace Concert is sponsored by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Knights of Marshall Council 37, Ladies of Marshall Court 26, and supported by the National Peace Council.