Antwi of 'Antwi ne Antwi' fame returns to secular music; says gospel music doesn't sell

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe ,02 June 2016
When Antwi Korkor of Antwi ne Antwi fame decided to turn his back on a lucrative secular music career to become an evangelist, he had, perhaps, not anticipated a tough, rough ride.    

 As a member of a vibrant hiplife duo in the early 2000s that made waves with songs like Sekina and Maware and enjoyed all the fame that came with making hits, Antwi Korkor had not anticipated a “turbulent” career when he chose the path of doing gospel music.

Antwi Korkor

From being the favourite in most homes and among teeming fans, the once vibrant Antwi Korkor said he  had to deal with financial difficulties when he turned to doing gospel music in 2008.

“Doing gospel music couldn’t feed my family so I’m back to my secular music. That is what fed me and I know going back to it is the right decision,” he told Graphic Showbiz in an interview on Monday.

Giving reasons for the decision, Antwi Korkor, who released three gospel  albums, said the Church hadn’t been supportive of the mission he embarked on and that had contributed to his family and himself going hungry for years.

‘I have been in the gospel terrain since 2008 and I’ve come to realise that it is very difficult for Christians to accept those of us with secular music background.  They don’t support us with anything but always tell us that God will bless us. Meanwhile, I have a wife and children and I must feed them. My three gospel albums also did not do well so I’ m coming back to do what will put food on my table,” he stated.

Interestingly, he was bold to confirm to Graphic Showbiz that the secular music sector gives more “goodies” than the gospel music arena.

‘‘I have a lot of connections in the secular music industry. I know many presenters who will help me bounce back. That isn’t all; I have also developed the art to pray to support my career and I believe my comeback is a good decision because I will be better off doing what I’m good at.

“Whoever tells you that there is more money in gospel music than secular is a liar. I am serving God and the same God says I should do secular music. God is with me and I’m confident I will make it,’’ he stated.

According to him, the decision to go back is a “divine one” since he had a prophecy. He queried, “why will a prophecy come for me to do secular music if it’s evil?”

His understanding of secular music  is that the “song is everywhere” and not ungodly as has been perceived by many people.

The Sekina artiste said he won’t be discouraged by public criticisms but has set out on the journey to motivate young musicians not to switch camp to the gospel arena when they face difficulties.
“When I repented, I was ignorant and made some negative utterances about the industry. I’m not trying to justify my decision to come back but one of the biggest mistakes people are making is leaving their music careers immediately to do God’s work. I want those who will come after us, the secular musicians who want to serve God, not to commit the same mistakes. They can worship God and still do their secular songs. After all, secular music is not satanic.

“I am an evangelist, not a pastor so I can do my evangelism anywhere and any time. I don’t have my own church now, but I will do both at the same time to encourage people that Christianity is not poverty,’’ he concluded.

Niipapoe on peace tour

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe 
30 May 2016

 It’s an election year and as such, many citizens are advocating for peace and our celebrities are not left out of the campaign. One such artiste who is ready to preach the relevance of peace is Niipapoe.

His tour, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 8, will include radio and television interviews across the nation about how to promote peace in Ghana during the elections.  There will also be a street walk, a concert and the free distribution of copies of his songs in the regions.

Niipapoe

In an interview with Showbiz last week Thursday, Nii states his reasons for the tour. “We are in an election year and Ghana has been hailed as a very peaceful country. However, if we do not treasure what we have and protect it, we would lose it. Though we have the peace, we need knowledge, tolerance and love for one another to be able to preserve it.

“I’m a gospel artiste and I’m using Jesus to preach peace to all Ghanaians. Jesus is the prince of peace and if we lean on Him, we will never see war or violence in our country. No politician or government can give us peace. Only Jesus can, so let’s depend on God to elect a president without us fighting ourselves or killing ourselves,’’ he said.

Born Leonard Kpakpo Allotey, Niipapoe started singing since childhood but had his break through with his first album, Woye Kronkron (You are holy) in 2012. The six-track album had songs such as Gye nu di (believe Him), Ayeyi, Woye Kronkron, Me Yonku pa (my good friend), Aseda and a worship medley.  All the songs talk about the greatness of God seen through his creation and His holiness.

The former student of Tema Technical Institute, Niipapoe, is currently working on his second album, Aseda, a 14 -track album to be released in December.

Nazareth opens ‘New Chapter’

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

 Thursday, 19 May 2016 14:09 

Gospel artiste, Nazareth, is set to launch his new album titled New Chapter at the Destiny Empowerment Chapel International on Sunday, May 29.

The title of the album is a reflection of his new lifestyle from the old ways and to thank God for saving him from a terrible sickness.

The launch is expected to be graced by some of the “senior” colleagues in the industry including Gifty Osei, Bernice Ansah, Nicholas Omane Acheampong, John Winner, Alpha Jerry and Jay Smoke. 

Nazareth-opening a 'new chapter'

Hiplife artiste turned evangelist, Lord Kenya, will also be present to share in the “glorious story” of Nazareth.

New Chapter is a 12-track album made up of songs such as Zachariah, Conquer Dem, Back to the Sender, Let’s Pray, Destiny Killer, Heaven or Hell, I receive it and Lord You Reign. The rest are Dream Big, Anwanwador, I refuse it and Spiritual Energy.

On Zachariah (remember me in Hebrew language) which features Yaw Stone of Mentor fame, Nazareth  calls on God not to forsake him because of his sins  but to remember him and forgive him. 

On I receive it which features Choirmaster of Praye fame, they both sing about the “wayward” messages of pastors without preaching about righteousness but resort to false prophecies.

Christians are urged to withstand temptations and put in practice the word of God on Back To Sender and entreats a habit of prayer on Conquer Dem which features Joe Sei. 

Nazareth praises the unconditional love of God for everyone on Anwanwador.

A pastor at the Destiny Empowerment Chapel International, Nazareth recalls how he used to “rock big time” as a hiplife artiste back then as Kwadwo Denkyem where he “rolled” with the likes of Sarkodie, D-cryme, and Yaa Pono, on Adom FM’s Kasahere Level with Dr Duncan.

“Currently, I’m doing a genre of music called ‘gospop’, a fusion of pop music and the gospel music we are used to. I can say I’m the first and only ordained prophet doing this genre,” he stated.

In honour of our mothers

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

Thursday, 12 May 2016 15:19 

Last Sunday was Mother’s day and many events were organised to honour our mothers for their contribution to the society. 

Even though the celebration has ended, many still believe our mothers deserve more for their enormous role and to show appreciation, the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) Royal Temple in Ash Town, Kumasi, is organising Jazz Night for mothers.

Barima- one of the saxophonists for the night

The 4pm event will feature artistes such as Minister Bibi, Chief Kwame of Kumasi Cultural Centre, Barima and the UP Crew, Agya Yaw, Eddy, Emma, Minister Ike Osei among others.

In its third edition, Jazz Night is aimed at celebrating mothers and putting smiles on the faces of the selfless women who work hard to provide comfort for the family.

In an interview with Showbiz, Baffour Darko, the president of Jayco Incorporated, organisers of the event said, “Jazz is music which brings out good qualities such as swing, improvising and group interaction which is quite soothing”.

According to him, qualities of Jazz Music     which he said, “is one of its kind” could be compared to ­that of mothers.

“For three years, we have celebrated our mothers on Jazz Night and this year, it is our expectation that everything will go well with the organisation to bring out the pride in motherhood,” he stated.

Jayco Incorporated is a group made up of instrumentalists of the ICGC Royal Temple in Kumasi.  “Our aim is to make mothers feel only the instrumental versions of the songs we have composed. That is why it’s strictly a Jazz affair on the night,” he stated.

Other activities on the night will include a photo shoot and special dance competition for the guests and mothers. 

This year’s Jazz Night is sponsored by Berlucci Grafix and supported by Rag Fashions, Palmbook Studios, Henry Bridals, Mabrany Kitchen and New Age Drink.

My Wife-In-Law on social media

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

Thursday, 05 May 2016 14:56 

After successfully producing stage play series, This Family Is Not For Sale Season 1 & 2  and recently, I Want To Sue God!,  one of Ghana’s young playwrights, Kobina Ansah,  is back again with another play set to sweep theatre lovers off their feet once again.

Kobina Ansah is set to launch his latest three-cast play, My Wife-In-Law!, on the various social media platforms, beginning with Facebook  with the hashtag #MyWifeInLaw on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 7pm. 

Kobina Ansah

Updates will be running on Instagram and Twitter at the same time.

The social media event will feature a discussion segment where theatre lovers will talk about how open a relationship/marriage should be and how far one can discuss issues therein with others. 

My Wife-In-Law tells the story of a couple who face marital issues like every other married persons. However, the wife, Baaba, discusses hers with everyone, even to the point of her issues being spoken about in sermons in church. 

She invites her divorcee mother who is “bitter than bitter leaves” and can “snatch husbands at the speed of light” to help solve these marital problems. Would the mother-in-law actually help? Would the marriage be the same again?

For answers to these questions and more, theatre lovers would have to watch My Wife-In-Law, a play produced by Scribe Productions which is tagged “Marriage is for two… not three!”, and teaches that whatever happens in a home should stay there.

On why the use of the social media to launch the play, Kobina Ansah said, “We want to leverage on the power of social media. We want to effectively use it as a tool to communicate our values and, more especially, expectations of our current piece,” he explained.

Awurama thanks God with 'Aseda'

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

Thursday, 21 April 2016 17:52 

God saved her husband from death some time ago and to show appreciation, gospel musician, Awurama, is thanking God with her debut single, Aseda.

Scheduled to be launched coming Sunday, April 24, at the Harvest Chapel, East Legon, near the American House, Aseda is one of the songs off Awurama’s eight-track album, Mempaba, which would be released in three months.

Awurama

 

The launch which will be emceed by Fiifi Folson of Sunny FM will feature artistes such as SP Sarpong, Bismark Takyi, Pastor David among others. It wil be preceded by a donation to the Nungua Orphanage today, Awurama’s birthday.

Produced by JMORG and recorded by JMORG Studios, Aseda which features William Morgan, an international gospel artiste and Awurama’s music director at her church, is a mid-tempo song rendered in Twi.

Awurama who is also an event planner and caterer tells the world that God deserves all the glory and praise because He delivered her from tragedies and misfortunes. She, therefore promises to give her all to glorify Him.

Morgan comes in after the chorus to thank God for delivering him from temptations and for the blessings of being alive; hence, his resolve to praise and thank God always.

Awurama’s silky voice, coupled with Morgan’s bass presence and the choral background of the song makes it an interesting piece in the listener’s ears. 

A degree holder in Network Engineering from NIIT, Awurama aka Awurama Yorklyn Bonsu, told Showbiz, ‘‘My husband got very ill and at a point, we lost hope. But he’s alive today, and because of that, my family and I want to thank God for how far He has brought us.” 

Awurama thinks that gospel music in Ghana needs to improve in the area of content and instrumentation.

‘‘Our lyrics must be scriptural and spirit filled so that the purpose of gospel music; healing the sick and giving hope to the hopeless, will be fulfilled. I think people should listen to me because I do live recordings and have very good sounds ’’, she said.

Obrafour for “Role Model Africa” programme

By Forgive Adjoa Forfoe

Saturday, 21 May 2016 13:25 

Award winning hiplife artiste, Micheal Okyere Darko, popularly known as Obrafour, will be one of the speakers at this year’s Role Model Africa, a mentoring programme, scheduled for the African Regent Hotel tomorrow.

 The 3p.m. show will also have the Director of News at Citi FM, Bernard Avle, impart knowledge to the young ones on how to grow their businesses.

 Themed, “Projecting New Frontiers in Media and Entertainment to sustain the Africa Business”, the two speakers would be engaged in a discussion to awaken new ideas and inspire the audience to work and contribute significantly to the growth of the country and the continent at large.

Obrafour

An initiative of INVENTS, a leadership and entrepreneurship organisation, the Role Model Africa mentor programme was last held in September last year, with the aim of  raising a generation of “critical thinkers”.

The choice of Obrafour and Bernard Avle as speakers for this edition, according to the organisers, stemmed from their significant success in their fields of endeavour.

Some of the notable personalities who have graced the platform as speakers are World Bank official, Dr Samuel Onwona, and C.E.O. of Rex Oil, Mr Caleb Ayiku. Participants in the mentorship programme have been privileged to be mentored by hiplife artiste, Reggie Rockstone.

Mentoring activist and co-creator of the project, Samuel Agyeman-Prempeh, told the Daily Graphic that the project was designed to provide, “one-on-one mentoring for individuals with specific need and group mentoring to individuals with a common area of study’’. 

He also noted that “the African youth can leverage the opportunities of mentoring that the platform offers to scale up their business and provide a global competition for their products and services’’.

That, he said, was one of the reasons Obrafour was selected to lend his experience as one of the successful artistes on the Ghanaian music scene to the younger talents who want “to explore in a similar field”.