Thursday, 2 August 2012

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

Wednesday, 1 August 2012

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.

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

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. 



Wednesday, 18 July 2012

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.

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

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.

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