Sarkodie Being Illuminati Is A Stunt

Michael Owusu, better known as Sarkodie has and will always continue to marvel Ghanaians in more ways than one. His demeanor in the Ghana Music industry is one that continues to baffle his critics.

In his video, “Devio” in which he featured Kemenya, Sarkodie raised even more issues as he continuously flipped the “Horns” sign and wore a black shirt under a sleeveless jacket that had similarities to the many symbols associated with the Illuminati whiles icing the cake with “The All Seeing Eye” sign which is much popular with Jay-z and Kanye West. Critics lunged on this opportunity to accuse the Tema rapper of being sold-out to the Illuminati.

Sarkodie initially planned to release a song titled “Illuminati” exactly midnight into the 28^th of November which a few out-spoken ones pointed out as mysterious, he however altered this idea after fans bombarded him impatiently by releasing it on the internet 11pm on 27th November. The track that hammered on the impossibility of him being a Freemason and aimed his audacious lyrics and punch-lines at his haters who conspicuously wanted to bring him down due to his success achieved through hardwork has spun heads all around.

Accusation of his affiliation to a secret occult society known as Freemasons or the Illuminati is no “last night news”. However, he has proved more than experienced in handling this controversy as a true showbiz icon. Instead of coiling into his shell as an embittered and betrayed artiste, he has channeled this publicity and hype into music which makes him more appealing as an artiste.

It all seems a bit mapped out since the same artiste who speaks of being for God (as stated in his illuminati song) would continue to demonstrate popular symbols of the secret cult in his videos. As they say any publicity is good publicity as the most successful artistes have usually always had a sense of mystery about them.

Is it a strategy?? Your guess is as good as mine.

Lexis Bill Reacts To RTP Awards

Louis Sakyiamah also known in the radio and entertainment industry as Lexis Bill was nominated for the Radio Morning Show Host of the Year at the Radio and Television Personality Awards (RTP) alongside Suhuyini Alhasan of Radio Gold, Kwame Sefa Kayi of Peace FM, Adakabre Frimpong Manso of Adom FM, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah of Joy FM, Kwame Adinkra of Angel FM and Captain Smart of Fox FM, which the latter won.



This is what the host of Daybreak Hitz had to say...

LQM - How did you feel when you were nominated?

LB - To be shortlisted in the category of Best Morning Show Host is really good, or if you were nominated to be the best Morning Show Host, of course it is something good and shows your quality, so yeah, it is good.

LQM - How did you feel also when the verdict came out?

LB – I still feel good honestly because all those I was competing with have been doing this for a long time, some for over 10years, others for 7years and are equally worth the award and of course it only goes for one person so for me, hey, I’m alright about it its cool... I’m good about it.

LQM– Do you have any complains or reservations about the awards, concerning who wins and who doesn’t?

LB – No, I don’t, I’m not the organizer. If you organize this then of course you have certain objectives you want to achieve or meet. So if an organizer decides to put an award’s (show) together and wants to achieve something, I sitting on the fence can’t say I have any complains. A lot people do say that sometimes it’s not objective and all of that but even objectivity is subjective. So at the end of the day, it is the organizers, and you can’t always expect a hundred percent credible something. You know, its not easy to organize an awards show, you can't please everybody, we should rather congratulate the organizer for being able to put this together, so for me, I'm OK with it.

LQM– Don’t you feel it’s high time you were recognized for what you do?

LB - I’m not in radio to win an award, I'm in radio to affect people’s lives; I'm on radio to learn for myself, to add something extra, I'm doing this for me, I don’t know anybody who says they are working because they want an award, no, I know of people who are working because of us... For me, that’s it.

LQM– Did your nomination and subsequent inability to win put any pressure on you?

LB– Being nominated for me was more of a caution that people are appreciating what you are doing so it’s time to give back. And since it’s a competition as well and your colleagues are gaining a lot of listenership, you also have to do more stuff to gain more listenership too, so yeah it’s a competition.

LQM– Where does Lexis Bill see himself in five years??

LB – In five years, I believe I would be a household name in Ghana Showbiz.

LQM – Thank you very much Lexis Bill.

LB – Thanks bruv.

See also at See also - Totalshowbiz.com

Come Lets Celebrate!!

One of the most amazing sights in the world is to witness a baby take his very first steps. The child has no idea how painful it will be to fall but he rises anyway. Do you notice that cute smile when he realises he can actually take steps. For this baby, taking steps become a hobby; it becomes a source of fun and excitement. He falls, but still gets up with a smile showing his toothless mouth...

It is with such enthusiasm and energy that Jean Nelson Aka Hall has slated the 7^th to the 13^th of October, 2012 as the week for its maiden Hall Week Celebration. The hall therefore invites all and sundry to join the most vibrant hall on campus make it big!!

Personally, I believe it is a “Social Inauguration” for the new hall to join the University of Ghana experience.

For those who are not on campus, this is an opportunity to celebrate and have first-hand experience, what it means to have fun on Legon campus.

I will be sure to keep you posted on the program line-up in my next post.

Anyways, I missed you guys...

Let me know if you did too.

-Yesssirr-

Clinton Arrives In Ghana, Balotelli To Follow

As part of the funeral ceremony of Ghana's late president, His Excellency John Evans Atta Mills, a lot of foreign dignitaries have trooped into the country to partake in this unprecedented event. 
It is for this reason that Hilary Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States of America, former first lady and wife of Bill William Clinton touched down at the Kotoka International Airport last night(Thursday).Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry and Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, were assigned to meet her. Others present include Heads Of State of Namibia, Sierra Leone, Niger and the Vice President of Kenya. Other countries have sent delegations to make sure they are represented.



In other developments, 
Mario Barwuah Balotteli is scheduled to join Robbie Fowler, Andy Cole and Steve McManaman for peace match in Ghana on the 15th of September to promote peace during the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
I believe and hope Ghana stays strong during these times.








Rest In Peace "Asomdwoe Hene"

x

Month Of Spoken Word & Poetry

Mutombo The Poet

Ghana is much criticized for having a limited focus when it comes to its major interests in Sports and Entertainment. For decades, Ghanaians and foreigners alike have wondered if football, music and movies are all Ghanaians care about. Our sources of entertainment have somehow limited itself to bars and clubs where music and alcoholic beverages seem to be very good friends.

If ‘’rap’’ is an acronym for “African Rhythmic Poetry”, then let me introduce you to the new river of entertainment flowing into the country. Poetry has existed for centuries owing to the brilliance of Aristotle, Shakespeare, to mention a few, but has failed to survive the craze of modernity. It is through this ancient form of art that a more contemporary art has emerged along with it.

Spoken Word is a form of poetry that introduces the fluency and lyrical potency of poetry with a more interactivity and exciting twist sometimes accompanied with music. This form of art exists very much in some European countries at Jazz Clubs and Comedy Clubs. This is nothing new to Africans or Ghanaians; it is just one of our forgotten cultural works.

Vincent The Revolutionary Poet

 There are a couple of societies working towards this, and that is really commendable. In Kumasi, Ebenezer Donkoh also known as NY DJ of Kapital Radio 97.1 FM has dubbed this month of August, “Poetry and Spoken Word Month” and will seek to promote this art in the Garden City on his drive time show “Homestretch Bumper To Bumper”.

Let us come together to promote a worthy course and broaden our entertainment industry. If you do not believe me, listen to Motumbo the Poet, who already has an album out called “Photosentences”, Chief Abdul Mumeen is a nationwide recognised poet, Vincent Krah the Revolutionary Poet who displayed his abilities on the “Sunrise Show” on TV3 quite recently concerning the President’s demise, and Quajo Manuel (myself), a student of the University of Ghana and you might just understand.

Black Tuesday (Tribute To President Mills)

Black Tuesday

Last Tuesday there was something strange in the sky

An unprecedented black rainbow enchanted the enraged sky

The sun hid like a sumptuous rabbit from a roaring lion

The ‘ap3tupr3’ refused to fly

The trees whined, the bells chimed, the silence screamed

 Hades touched the land... Right on the spine of Africa

My feet were cold from grief since there is no torch-bearer on the hill of Africa

I feel the chill but there is no thrill for Ghana’s milk has spilled

Grinding our emotions down the mill.... Oh Mills

This is a black maze we are sucked into... for we are amazed

Never knew sadness could be a craze

Our ancestors await a warrior with grace

I speak of the Emperor of Peace,

A new age Nkrumah, the father’s father

His demise has legendary refined, re-inclined... redefined.

Come and listen to your ‘’azonto’’ dirges

This man deserves no elegies but eulogies

The earth’s crust shall re-sound these words in harmonies

Like a linguist prepares the atmosphere for royalty

The Atumpan cries on its own like a child perplexed over paternity

Frames and frames of red and black in solidarity

Red and black – Africa is mourning

Red and black – The murderer is laughing

Red and black – I see a blood stain
Red and black – Politrics carries a dagger

The Unseen Factor

It is a weird phenomenon 
We take it for granted but it is like a precious unicorn 
Do not be perplexed before you even assimilate what I am jumping on 
Save your breath for it is the reason you are reading on 
Imagine the universe without the rapport to support our existence 
Imagine your relationships without words 
Think of no letters in your text pages 
Think of lectures without speeches 
Like the sea without beaches 
No network on your cellular 
No great man can be popular 
No criminal can be sinister; 
No preacher can minister 
No love to register; 
No career dreams to whisper 
No touches, No hitches, No kisses… 
Resembles a nightmare unseen, 
More disturbing than a paupers dreams on a rainy dawn 
Relate to respire and reject to procure an impossible desire 
Bigger than what we require to inspire our soul figure… 
It runs from your wink to your screams as you sink… 
I am campaigning for a gesture 
Life is not than a business venture 
Nor a Silverbird Movie premier 
Its a box of all that you can hold dear 
Jehovah gives freely like fur to a bear 
So lay down your fears 
And love everyone out there 
For thats how love infects and inspires. 

Black History - Poetry

Lets celebrate the Month of Poetry and Spoken Word...

This one is called Black History

**************************************************

They call us the mother race but they doubt we'll figure out the maze,

Yes, they call us the king of spades but they are the ace,

They say they rever our age but laugh in our face,

They call our prestige and knowledge a mirage,

With a cross they barged in;

Our dignity and valour they caved in.

Calling us uncivilized whiles they rid us of our civilization,

With liquor and a mirror they came,

Along with our gold and African vigour they went,

Dragging us over the strange tides;

Stinging us with weakness and taking our "strong",

For the ancient beauty and richness we long.

How then can we put our noses in the air?

Chest out and sing of our swords and stools?

Our palm wine and soups,

Our ahenemma and taboos,

Now we swing around like naked baboons;

With no shame.

We strip down our image from the flag pole,

And act cool like a slut wid no name,

Africa is now a hunter with no game,

Africa is a student with no aim,

A rapper with no fame.

Africa.

Lil' Wayne Linked With Death Of 12people at Aurora Shooting

Rapper, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, popularly known as Lil' Wayne or Lil' Tunechi has been linked in a fascinating conspiracy with the Aurora Shooting which occurred on Friday the 20th of July, 2012 at the Century Cinema, Aurora, Colorado.
Lil Wayne's video for his new track with Big Sean, "My Homies Still" is said to have been released a few hours before the said shooting. One would wonder, what is the relationship between a Lil'Wayne video and a shooting incident at a cinema in Colorado??

Listen up!! If you have watched the new "My Homies Still" video clip, you would realise that close to the end of the clip, there is a scene where Lil'Wayne is at a cinema with some of his Young Money Crew alongside his daughter, Reginae Carter as well as about a dozen skeletons that had being put in separate seats in the theatre which happens to coincide with the exact number of people killed at the Aurora shootings at the premier of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" at the cinema. Lil' Wayne was also quoted to have said in the song,
 "Man, fuck ya'll with a sick dick, Semi automatic no click click"
However, a closer look at the video also shows there was more than twelve skeletons in other frames. 
Lil' Wayne has in recent times been linked with the Illuminati which is described as a vicious secret cult. Well, enough said... Is it just a coincidence or is there truly a link between the two?? Was it some sort of design or was the shooting inspired by the video?? Your guess may probably be as good as mine. Below is the video for proper assessment. 

Love Brews Between Sarkodie & Lousika!!

Known in Hiphop circles as the ''Boss Chick", Lousika has captured the headlines again with numerous speculations about her and the BET Award Winner, Sarkodie.

Rumours of a relationship far beyond friendship is reportedly what exists between the two, the genesis of these rumours are yet to be made official but there is an iota of truth in every story that hits the newsstands.
I however, know what I'm talking of. Being the ''hottest'' and ''newest girl'' on the Hiphop block, Lousika's appellations definately matches her music and appearance. Sarkodie, on the otherhand, is Ghana's face when it comes to GH Rap, therefore I wasn't surprised when it happened!!

Many wanted it to happen but few excepted it to happen so soon. However, the news of their union was like music to the ears of many who heard it.
The love bells ring from the start, it has an RnB groove to it, Lousika's voice is touching and sensual calling for her man with a touch of French to complete it.
Sarkodie comes in to confirm and affirm their union and how inseparable they are.
Their new track "Need Your Love''  (Produced By KluMOnsta) is already climbing up the ranks...


I got it here for you. Just click the link below.

Lousika - Need Your love ft Sarkodie (Prod. by KluMonsta)

If you have any comments, feel free.

Ghallywood Or Fictitious-Wood??

Since my childhood the most hailed Ghanaian movie ever is "I told you so", a real epic film that has been hailed for many years. A very intriguing story line fused with pure Ghanaian comedy.

Till date it is unbeatably the most praised movie in the history of Ghana films but that leaves me with question of whether Ghana is leaving on past glories or just reminiscing the good old days.
Before you get ahead of me, Ghana has grown a lot in terms of film-making. Through the era of Nigerian influx of movies where our own were virtually non-existent to the arousal of local comedy from the likes of the prolific Mr Alexander Adu (Agya Koo), Rose Akua Attaa Mensah (Kyeiwaa), Joseph Osei (Wayoosi), Ebenezer Donkor (Katawire) and many others who brought back the delight in Ghanaians movies. In a short period the English side of Ghanaian movies was also revitalized with the presence of Majid Michel, Jackie Appiah, John Dumelo, Nadia Buari and the likes to keep Ghallywood on firmer grounds.
One would ask, what am I driving at??

Like an infuriated carpenter, I'm driving this nail into the skull of this issue with a huge mallet!! Why do we have so many fictitious movies in this industry to a point that it becomes so boring?? I point to a trend that has become characteristic of Ghanaian and Nigerian movies alike. Till today, "Troy" starred by Brad Pitt is one of my most favourite movies not because of its effects or fighting skills but because it brings to a closer realisation, the story of Achilles in Greek mythology. Troy is just one amongst many like "Robinhood", "Clash Of The Titans", "Romeo and Juliet" etc.

We have so much potential when it comes to true cultural and African stories that can be depicted in movies that would make us fond of our own culture. Instead, we waste so much on concepts that are so cliche. I'm not talking of an African myth or cultural story made based on comedy, but a real movie that seeks to bring folklore to life. Has any Ghanaian producer or director tried to make a movie out of the life of the nation's father, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah?? Or Yaa Asantewaa?? How about our struggle from colonialism?? Okomfo Anokye?? Or the Ancient Ghana Empire?? The least said, the better. 

I would take this opportunity to applaud the makers of the movie, "Somewhere in Africa" starring Majid Michel,Kofi
 Adjorlolo, Martha Ankomah, Eddie Nartey, David Dontoh and Roselyn Ngissah. I believe it is a very good attempt at the point I'm driving at.


Also the few film-makers who have tried this have been relegated to the background and are stuck with staging plays. We need this originality in our movies. We are tired of sex scenes being the main attraction when it comes to the sale of movies. We are growing, let us let our mistakes be eradicated before we become too old to change.





Your thoughts are welcomed.

Cue challenges Skillions??

Ghana music is seemingly drifting into the arms of a particular region. They seem to have asserted their dominance over Hiplife, HipHop, Azonto and virtually every song on our airwaves or clubs today are theirs. I speak of none but the Greater Accra region.


It seems from 5Five of Adabraka and Tinny to the rap prowess of Sarkodie, J-Town, Jayso, notable musicians like Castro, Kwaw Kese and several uncountable artistes have claimed to have originated from Tema or Accra. 


Most interestingly is the emergence of a group by name "Skillions" who hail from Adenta in Accra. This group of musicians, mostly rappers and singers headed by Jayso who has already carved a name for himself in GH Rap and HipHop. Flanked by Paapa, Rumour, Edi-Young, Lil Shaker, Adina and Sandra are fast making Adenta a music capital like the "Tema Boys" brand did, though not a music group.


Given my inability to accept that only Tema and Accra are the supposed households of GH music, I was very much pleased at the knowledge of unbelievable talent breaking tides in GH. 


Kumasi has had its fair share of criticisms on the presumed unavailability or inadequate measure of talent in the city and the region as a whole. Critics have on many occasions blamed artistes, Djs, and producers alike for this supposed calamity since Okyeame Kwame and the Bradez are the only artistes who carry Kumasi's flag.  


A group has risen to the occasion and have more or less blown music lovers away, I speak of the "Cue Music Group". This exceptional group have with time carved a niche for themselves in the Ashanti capital. 


Who better to question the dominance of the Skillions?? With their outrageous capabilities, I believe Kumasi can now rest knowing that she has potent representation apart from the Rap Doctor and the Bradez.


Making up the group are... 


KanKam - A wonderful Afro pop/soul artist known for "Desire" by Andy Dosty which features Trigmatic and the all popular song "No bi Alo" with Lousika. He also has a single called "Mekondo ade3 bi" which has a very cultural ring to it, using very typical Ghanaian strings and rythms. Its popularity is only an inch away from from National recognition if it hasn't already achieved it.

Blurr - A very talented rapper widely known for his exceptional skill and coming up with a mixtape, "The Blurricane" that virtually sends shivers down the spine of co-MC's.


Ko-jo - Another household name in rap who had a famous feature with Stone of the Bradez on a very popular freestyle on Kwaw Kese's "Popping"


Others include MzFu,K- Danso,Eazi Nakamura,Ella...


And the already famous LOUSIKA. Whose presence in GH music circles cannot be played down to say the least, with hit songs like "No bi Alo" with Kankam (above-mentioned) as well as "Boss Chick" which has become her title.


I dare say that this group of very young and talented artistes will define GH music in the coming weeks, months and years to come.


Before I make this lengthier than it already is, "GH, you wanted talent?? Here you go!!" 


I salute Oseikrom, but it is for us also to embrace our own talent and help it grow. Enough of tracks that have no Ghanaian interest, we help foreigners, how much more our own talent. Big Ups to NYDJ of Kapital Radio, Host of the Drive Time Show, Homestretch, as well as DJ Andydosty of Angel FM who have taken laudable steps to make music made in Oseikrom heard in GH.

Sarkodie Bashed!!

Since 1st July, the story of an ordinary Ghanaian boy turning his fortune and that of Ghana music around has hypnotized the airwaves. Michael Owusu, also known in music circles as Sarkodie jointly won the BET International Act Award (Africa) with Ayodeji Balogun, a.k.a. Wizkid of Nigeria.


Following the outrageously successful event which took place last Sunday, music-lovers from all walks of life have rained praises on the artiste non-stop. He is hailed as the best Ghana has ever had due to the feat he has achieved and one cannot blame anybody.


He has set a standard paralleled by none other in his field. Undoubtedly, he is Ghana's face when it comes to music. However, it is already all over the internet and the streets of Ghana about the rappers alliance with a worldwide occult group called the "Freemasons" or the "Illuminati". Also the rapper who has since leaving the country for the BET Awards not returned to Ghana, is being described as "proud as Lucifer". Can anyone actually put their fingers to any evidence to this claim??


Has democracy become so cheap that people speak out of feeling and without evidence??


I believe in the existence of the Illuminati but I refuse to accuse anyone of being part of such a cult without plausible proof.
Is this the attitude Ghanaians plan to meet hard-work with?? Would up and coming artistes want to be at the receiving end of such attacks?? If we seek to promote Ghana music, we really shouldn't cripple it before it tries to stand up.


Let us encourage artistes who do well and not bash them because of their success. Big ups to Sarkodie and his team as well as all his true fans.

Ghana - The Torch-Bearer

"These are not dark days: these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived." 


-Winston Churchill

The African spirit has always been reflected in the remarkable history and heritage of Ghana.
Ghana has been described as "The Gateway To Africa", "The Torch-Bearer" and so many more that really makes me blush as a Ghanaian.

The First of July, was, is and will always be an unforgettable day in the lives of Ghanaians in and outside Ghana. But what does it really mean to be revered as a leader in African democracy?? Does 57years of independence and 52years of being a Republic actually set Ghana head others?? I think the best way to prove this is in our attitude as a people. Let us all avoid violence and acts that can trigger violence this Election year.


Some say Ghana is a difficult place to live based on their own reasons but I believe those reasons would count for nothing if Ghana loses her peace.
Let us be fair and firm.
Treat your brother right because there is no place better than home.




Happy Republic Day, Ghana!!  

Part Two: The Achilles Heel Of Ghana Music

"The border between music and noise is always culturally defined" -Wikipedia.com

In our cultural setup, what then is defined as good "music"?? What is defined as "crap"?
And most importantly who defines what "good" or "crap" music is??

The appetite of Ghanaians towards music is undeniably phenomenal but is it fair to abuse this "gift"? Aside the menace of copy-cat artistes taking Ghanaian musical culture for granted, choosing Nigerian and American terminologies over that of Ghana, other factors cannot be ignored.

I refuse to mince words as my opinion of some Ghanaian artistes simply lacks innovation and is "lazy". Ghana has for long suffered from the low levels of commitment from singers and rappers alike. Also, Ghanaians must know that there is a distinction between Nigerian "Broken English" and Ghanaian "Pidgin English".
As much as I may chastize Ghanaians for copying Nigerians, they will face competent or even better opposition from Ghanaians if we find ourselves as Ghanaians. Instead of creativity, some artistes plagiarize from different artistes and make it theirs.

A very good example is Lil Wayne a.k.a Tunechi who started his career as a member of the Cash Money group Hot Boys. Lil Wayne was a good rapper but became even better when he realised what he was good at and stuck to it. Although his two albums Lights Out (2000) and 500 Degreez (2002) were not as successful (only reaching Gold status) as his first with the Hot boys, The Block Is Hot(1999, reaching Platinum), Dwayne Carter went back to do his homework and came out with a better rap style that moved him all the way to winning three Grammy Awards.

In Ghana, we've had artistes like Okyeame Kwame evolve to a more than laudable level in music. We've had artistes like Edem and Tinny breaking language boundaries in Ghanaian music. Kwaw Kese(who I'm particular proud of) made a statement about sticking to Hip Hop when "everybody ran" to Azonto music, which in my opinion is marvelous. As a public service announcement, I would like to state that, people particularly dancing to a tune doesn't make one a complete artiste. Real artistes who makes real songs always have a timeless imprint on the music charts.

I do not intend to condemn the Azonto craze in the country, but artistes have on many occassions settled for mediocrity since our music can be heard on the radio. It seems there is no desire to do the extraordinary since the ordinary seems to be making the waves. It is no wonder therefore not surprising that some Ghanaians choose foreign music over Ghanaian music.
Since we are on that topic, I would ike to ask if it is an intentional attempt to tag Ghanaian songs as cheap, as presenters and DJ's alike don't help matters. My earlier statements do not in any way mean that we do not have quality artistes in the country but I'm sure I'm not the only person who has noticed a funny trend. What am I rattling about?? In recent times whenever any international song is being premiered on radio or TV, you'll hear presenters giving appellations like "crazy, banger, hit-song, awesome, mind-blowing"etc to the song before its even played and would continue to play the song over and over again, no matter how ordinary the song may actually be. Unfortunately however, when it comes to Ghanaian songs, the best they can do is to say, "new song, new single" or at their best,"its a nice song or good song". It shows the low levels of enthusiasm in GH music which is very disheartening. This even happens in event commercials, where the international acts are "The Undisputed, The Sexy, The Ladies Man,The Unstoppable", for Ghanaian acts, there's not even much to be said. I'm however not surprised by this because thats the same way foreigners are prioritised in almost every endeavour.

Do I need to speak about "payola" which most claim is no more??
To Be Continued....

End Of Part Two.


Please leave your comment below...

Your opinion is cherished.

The Achilles Heel Of Ghana Music...

The Ghanaian music industry has for numerous years been trying to find itself and what it stands for. For decades, the Sub-Saharan nation has shuffled through various genres which are seemly defined by unknown strings in the industry, that is if there is a mechanism to regulate the music art that Ghanaians are exposed to.
Ghana has transitioned through High-Life,Hip-Life, Afrobeats, RNB,Rap/Hip Hop, Reggae, DanceHall and honestly, at certain points, unknown music styles crept into the Ghanaian music scene. Francophone music is not an exception and not a surprise due to the fact that Ghana is flanked on all sides except the south by African countries; where lies the Atlantic ocean.

However, a challenging and virtually disturbing trend I have noticed in Ghanaian music has to do with the insatiable need to copy any style that seems to make the charts. It has reached a point where I fear for the loss of Ghanaian musical ingenuity and originality. Most appalling is the shameful attempt of certain musicians to go to the extent of copying Nigerian lyrics in their Nigerian-coloured songs making it almost impossible to strike a distinction between certain Ghanaian songs and Nigerian music.
I believe it is imperative that Ghanaians do not lose their cultural musical content and style because we cannot copy the Nigerians and Americans more than ourselves. We are better as Ghanaians and more unique as such.
The tongue that criticizes should be capable of praise as well, so I would like to appreciate the likes of Obour, Okyeame Kwame, Kankam ((Cue) an upcoming artiste), and many more who still carry high the true flag of Ghanaian music. The likes of Kubolor, Lil Shaker, Sarkodie, Manifest and others, who use Ghanaian pidgin in their contemporary music.
The magnificent Kwabena Kwabena, Efya, Becca and others who make live band music a delight, with traditional African rythmes.


End Of Part One...

To Be Continued...

Vanity

Saturday, February 04, 2012

6:18 PM

Vanity, vanity, all is vanity

That which gives you an identity is but only a cloth of frivolity

For even the State cannot give immunity against this stupidity

Man is a creator of a false reality; always driven as the economic commodity

Sheepishly conjuring terms and catch-phrases

Busy officiating non-existent materialistic grand prix races

The so-called elite driving the sleek Formula One cars

So intelligent, they don’t realize there is no finish line

Speeding round like hungry hyenas; they circle the circus

But their noses point to the skies as though they are with no blemish

Pumping their chests out and calling it swag, a bit more like rag

Impersonating celebrities of unknown descent…

Intrigued by their never-ending flukes like attacked insects

They confuse pride with self-respect

They play down their failures and change not

But if you will still repeat the gesture of your defeat then where is your pride

Where is your pride when what people think about you makes your "pride"

Its like waiting for the sky to cease to be high and wide

No one builds your self-esteem but yourself and not the tide

The frantic chase for fame makes you lame

Hopping from people's lives like it’s a game

Its sheer daftness to think of life as the same lame game

Cuz what is a game when you have only one turn

You die or you learn,

Baby, you freeze or you burn

Lessons are learnt to cause change not to fake change for vanity

Or branded dignity but to promote maturity and integrity.

Lexis Quajo Manuel®

©  2012

What is true?? What is real??

What is true? What is real? Its all the same

Call it untrue, or a sinister deal.

Your emotions flew, or your wounds didn’t heal.

Its all the same.

A liar and an untrusted fellow wearing a halo.

Life is about conscience not virtue nor vice

Left or right, fall or rise

The mother of all this is conscience

It carries the weight of your pity and stupidity

It carries the story of your libido, chastity or promiscuity





What is true?? What is real?? Its all the same

Whether you are seeking favor or fame

Whether it is for you just a chess of loss and gain

I believe there exist not in this world the cast we put forth

There is no black and white; good and bad people

Life is no comic book to segregate between humans; a hero and a villain

Life relates to an "Abdul Salam" movie, depicting people of different sense of living

Unlike a Schwarzenegger blockbuster where we know who did the kidnapping

Its just a bunch of people raising their life standards to the ceiling

Life knows not the regular "Romeo" who meets the enchanting "Juliet"

It is much like the Greek prince "Paris" and the Spartan beauty "Helen"

A tale of love and betrayal, sacrifice and selfishness;  loyalty and war

A legendary tale due to its anti-climactic nature

I mean life is a Chelsea and Barcelona fixture

It is the day's climate that wins not the players, 'cause its still everyday football

So why not an everyday result??

This lesson was learnt in the hardest of ways,

So pause before you criticize the lesbians or gays,

For everyone has reasons and notions

So next time guide them rightfully

Express your reasons respectfully

That is called understanding sacrificially; Loving toughly

So what is true?? What is real?? Its all the same.

It is just a conflict of motives.


Lexis Quajo Manuel®

©2012