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