BECCA ROCKS LAGOS

Ghana’s sensational afro-pop singer Rebecca Acheampong, aka Becca, at the weekend demonstrated her musical prowess during this year’s edition of Lagos Jazz Series held in Federal Palace Hotel in Ekoyi in Lagos and Mouri-Okunne Park in Victoria Island, both in Nigeria.

The Lagos Jazz Series which is one of the biggest jazz music festivals in Nigeria is organized annually by the Lagos Jazz Series Group founded by Oti Bazunu in 2010.

At two events, Becca, who was rated as one of the best performers treated music fans to an unforgettable performance.

Becca, who delighted music fans with her stagecraft, performed most of her popular songs, including ‘African Woman’, ‘Daa Ke Daa’, ‘You Lied To Me’ and ‘No Away’ in which she featured Nigerian hip hop star M.I. It was an entertaining event, as the prolific Ghanaian afro pop star treated the excited fans to some serious dance moves on stage.

Her performance then took an incredible turn when Nigerian rapper M.I, in a surprise appearance, joined her to perform their timeless love song, ‘No Away.’

The award-winning afro pop singer then gave her fans a feel of her Ghanaian heritage as she introduced them to the history and splendour of the Adowa dance, exiting to a standing ovation. At two events, Becca performed alongside other celebrated music icons such as Grammy Award winner Roy Hargrove, Fourplay, Omawunmi, 9ice and Waje.

She won the hearts of the entire music fans with her exquisite stagecraft and singing ability, to the extent that some were not happy when her time was up. She was indeed one of the best acts that night.

PUBLISHED BY NANA ADJEI ASIEDU

Daughters of Glorious Jesus on Tuesday launched “Back2Back 2013

For more than 20 years of dedicated life of inspiring gospel music lovers in Ghana and across the world, the sensational group Daughters of Glorious Jesus, have bounced back with a new concept to draw souls closer to God.

With ten albums and over 100 songs to their credit, the management of Daughters of Glorious Jesus on Tuesday launched “Back2Back 2013” aims at creating a platform for gospel music fans to enjoy thrilling soul-touching performances from the three sisters and many popular gospel artistes.

“The Back2Back concept, which we started from the beginning of this year with our first show on Sunday January 1st, has come to stay. Today we are launching the Back2Back 2013, which will be staged live on January 6, 2013,” Mr. Theophilus Yartey, a management member of the group told the media at the launch.

Beginning their individual music careers in the early 1980s, Mr. Yartey said, they became Daughters of Glorious Jesus in 1989, when one Reverend Akwasi Asare, saw the great talent and potential in them and gave them all the needed support.

Through the exceptional support of the Rev Asare, Daughters of Jesus recorded their first album in Europe in 1990. “Daughters of Glorious Jesus have sung in every major church programme and major churches in Ghana you can think of. We are proud and happy how God has used them to touch lives not only in Ghana but across the world,” Mr. Yartey said.

Launching the Back2Back concert, Mr. Samuel Attah-Mensah, Managing Director of Citi FM, a private local FM station, also traced the beginning of the gospel hit makers and urged them to tell their success story of staying together all these years by publishing a book.

Other gospel popular artistes on the bill for the Back2Back concert are Pastor Joe Beechem, Helen Yawson, the Tagoe Sisters and latest hit maker, Cwesi Oteng.

The concert, which will be staged a day before the swearing-in of Ghana’s next President on the January 7th, promises to thrill thousands of fans, including political party leaders and supporters.

The three daughters, Cynthia, Edna and Monica, who have promised to rock the Accra International Conference Centre once again, hinted at the launch that they would come out with another album next year.

 

PUBLISHED BY NANA ADJEI ASIEDU

ZAINAB SAYS BKB'S SLAP MADE HER POPULAR

Sierra Leonean’s representative at the recently held Big Brother Africa Stargame, Zainab O. Sheriff, has revealed that Ghanaian comedian Derrick Kobina Boney (DKB) is a professional slapper.

DKB was on Monday, June 4, 2012 disqualified from the reality show for slapping Zainab who peeped at him while he was taking a shower.

Speaking exclusively on Showbiz Today with Bola Ray on Hitz Fm, Zainab noted that if she had not taken part in this year’s Big Brother reality show and received that slap, she would not have been this famous.

She said, “I am the girl with the most famous slap in Africa, I tell you that slap was not easy ooo. I tell you one thing for sure, DKB can slap. DKB is a professional slapper.”

She also said if she had seen that slap coming, she would have run for her life. Zainab, who is also a model, however admitted that she had a big mouth and most contestants knew about it when they were in the Big Brother house but she said the slap was unexpected.

She revealed that DKB did not know that something like that could happen to them in the cause of their stay in the house.

Zainab disclosed that they had both gotten over it and were now good friends. “Well we are over it because I look at things in the positive side. I don’t dwell on negativity, DKB is sorry, I have forgiven him. I have moved on, I hope he has.”

Zainab also disclosed exclusively on the show that she was planning to change her nationality and become a Ghanaian.

She said, “Have you been to my country? I don’t like it at all, so when I arrived in Ghana, I just said to myself, I’m gonna change my nationality. I am going to be a Ghanaian and the most thing I like about Ghana is that, Former President Jerry John Rawlings is from Ghana.”

Zainab was in Ghana over the weekend to party with her Ghanaian housemates DKB, Keitta and Eazzy and she also used the opportunity to be part of the 4Syte Music Video Awards.

The model is currently based in Istanbul, Turkey and has done extensive runway shows for several magazines including Elle magazine, Marie Claire and Vogue.

PUBLISHED BY NANA ADJEI ASIEDU

Jon Germain merges the Fashion Icon of the Year

 Allo TiGO TV host and pop musician, Jon Germain has been voted the most fashionable man of the year, beating off the stiff competition.

He beat off a host of KOD, Joselyn Dumas, Eazzy, Chris Attoh, Yvonne Nelson and Inna Patty to claim the accolade for 'Fashion Icon of the Year'.

An attendant at the show said: 'Undoubtedly Jon Germain is one of the most stylish men to grace Ghana”.

The 2nd Ghana Fashion Awards had performances from AJ Nelson and veteran US based Nii Obi Addo whiles eleven awards were given out to the deserving winners.

Jon Germain is currently wrapping up his 2nd album which will be released soon worldwide.

PUBLISHED BY NANA ADJEI ASIEDU

STEPHEN APPIAH TOPS

The 31-year-old who hanged up his international boots after the 2010 World Cup will receive the flagship award at a planned ceremony at the State Banquet Hall on December 24. It is during the grand event that the former Black Stars captain will receive cash prize of 20,000 Ghana cedis, a one-year office paid sponsorship for his foundation, an honorary plaque and an all paid weekend get away with his wife.

The flagship award is determined by a confidential committee (the college) for any individual within the entertainment circles for at least five years. Chief Executive of the awards organizers Emklan Group, Stacy Amoateng explained the choice of Stephen Appiah for the award at a press lunch on Friday indicating that the selection committee did a very good job in selecting Stephen Appiah due to his rich football record and his philanthropical nature towards depressed people.

The award scheme which was constituted in 2011 is aimed at recognizing the immense contributions of Ghanaian celebrities towards society, thus, aside from leading the Ghana national team to two consecutive World Cup finals, Appiah is also noted for his generosity. His foundation StepApp has brought several reliefs to deprived communities in Ghana.

The night was anchored by Nathaniel Attoh and notable celebrities that were present included, Yvonne Okoro, Kwaku Sintim Misa, Pascaline Edwards, ASEM, Nadia Buari, D’Cryme, Okyeame Kofi, Ekow Smith Asante, Laryea Kingston, among others.

POSTED BY NANA ADJEI ASIEDU

OFORI AMPONSAH JOINS EVANGELIST LORD KENYA

Hiplife musician gone gospel, Lord Kenya, says he is happy for fellow musician, Ofori Amponsah for turning a new leaf and joining the gospel train.

According to Evangelist Lord Kenya, no one should regret that Ofori Amponsah is now preaching the Word of God instead of singing secular songs.

“I don’t understand why anyone should berate him”, he said. “Ofori Amponsah is born again and Ghanaians should just understand that. God has time for everyone and if God has called him to do his work, we should rather rally behind him and not criticize him”.

Evang. Lord Kenya described Prophet Ofori Amponsah as a great testimony to have left his worldly life since he claimed it wasn’t easy for him leaving his past.

“I had to wake up early in the morning everyday to look for ‘wee’ to smoke which nearly destroyed my life but if by His grace, I’ve been saved from the hands of the devil, I should be happy for my brother as well.”

Lord Kenya (real name Abraham Philip Akpor) told Showbiz that people who knew him doubted him at first when they heard that he was born again but as time went on; they realized that he had actually been called by God.

Lord Kenya, however, revealed that he was not happy with radio presenters who expect him to paymoney to them before his gospel songs are played.

According to him, radio presenters should gladly play his gospel song as they did when he was doing secular music than asking for ‘Payola’.

“Radio presenters were chasing after my songs when I was doing secular music, but if today I am born again and now doing gospel song; I don’t understand why they should refuse to play my songs without asking for money”.

He said it was his wish that those who don’t know Christ would get to know his music and repent through his songs.

He said two songs from his current album, “Christ’s Life”, talks about how God changed him from a sinner to a born again.

Evang. Lord Kenya says he has no regrets about the past because he believes certain things have to be in place for new things to happen.

POSTED BY NANA ADJEI ASIEDU

BUKY CORE

 Ghanaian duo dubbed BUKY CORE who are also products of BUK BAK and famously known in Ghana for the production of only controversial tracks are about to unchain another fresh single titled TWA MU which translates: “CROSS INSIDE” in the local twi Ghanaian lingo featuring S.k Blinks. Buky Core is made up of PHANTACY – (Henry Owusu-Boakye jr.) and LL MADAY (Robert Addo). Their hit song PUSSY CAT attracted massive interest of the masses in Ghana when it was let loose for the reason that, the lyrics of the song carries heavy language along with an exclusive beat. But on Monday Morning, you can check out the brand new release “TWA MU” from BUKY CORE as it premieres on www.TheMonteOz.com exclusively.***

POSTED BY NANA ADJEI ASIEDU