The lack of proper systems to recognise and compensate seasoned musicians is a serious problem facing the nation’s music industry, as noted singer Wendy Shay of Ghana has brought attention to.
The Afrobeat phenomenon highlighted the need for a system that acknowledges the priceless contributions of seasoned musicians who have cleared the path for the expansion of the industry.
According to the hitmaker of “African Money,” Ghana’s music industry lacks mechanisms to recognise and honour artists who have made significant contributions to the expansion and advancement of the music landscape.
In response to a question regarding her visit with K.K. Kabobo, who is currently suffering from liver disease, the well-known singer made these remarks. She said that K.K. Kabobo would have been okay if he had benefited from the advantages and opportunities that the musicians of today have.
“There was a little bit of a heartbreak to see our legends go through these kinds of states because I feel there is no structure in the industry that is paying musicians who have paid their dues.
“Imagine if at that time they had what we are enjoying today, I think they would have been fine because he had monster hit songs. And it’s just sad that we are now catching up,” she said in an interview on TV3’s New Day, March 8.
Wendy, who gave money to K.K. Kabobo a few days ago, expressed her displeasure with the state of affairs and demanded a practical solution.
Meanwhile, Wendy Shay has released a single titled ‘Holy Father’ featuring Reggae dancehall musician, Ras Kuuku. Check it out and enjoy! The song is currently available for streaming on all digital music platforms.
Former leader of the defunct Hiplife/Hip Hop musical group 4X4 Captain Planet is urging Ghanaians to leave the country if they have the opportunity.
He feels that Ghanaians would be better off looking for opportunities elsewhere and that the nation’s leaders are not putting the needs of the people first.
Captain Planet claims that while Ghanaians face financial hardships, Ghanaian leaders purchase properties overseas.
Seeing as their futures are not secure in Ghana, he advised Ghanaians who could leave to not come back.
“If you’re fortunate enough to leave this country please don’t come back. These leaders are only acquiring properties for their families & they don’t give a shit about you. Don’t die for this country in the name of being patriotic. Your future is not secured here. BE WISE”.
In a post shared on X, Captain Planet, whose real name is Sylvanus Dodji Jeoffrey, revealed these revelations.
Check the post below
If you’re fortunate enough to leave this country please don’t come back. These leaders are only acquiring properties for their families & they don’t give a shit about you. Don’t die for this country in the name of being patriotic. Your future is not secured here . BE WISE
— CAPTAIN PLANET 4X4 (@CAPTAINPLANETGH) March 8, 2024
Viscella Richards, a retired British actress, was discovered dead at her home in the Caribbean.
Richards, who performed under the stage name Vikki Richards, was discovered on Wednesday inside her North Valsyn, north of Trinidad, bedroom, her hands bound.
After discovering her property had been looted, police believe that the 79-year-old was killed by robbers.
According to the authorities, her body bore no further signs of violence. Following her onstage debut, Vikki starred in television shows including Howard’s Way, Return of the Saint, and The Onedin Line.
Vikki began her career onstage, later appearing in TV’s The Onedin Line, Return of the Saint and Howard’s Way.
Actress Viscella Vikki Richards
Richards gained notoriety for her supporting performance in the grimy 1973 British blaxploitation movie Black Snake, which was filmed on the island of Barbados.
In 1974, she posed with Wolves star striker John Richards for the very first picture ever taken by renowned Sun photographer Arthur Edwards.
Edwards was able to convince Richards to take a picture with the actress, which would mark the start of Richards’ illustrious career on Fleet Street.
Vikki, who was childless and single, was a citizen of both Trinidad and Britain. Her family had migrated to the UK when she was six years old in the early 1950s.
She retired from stage and television acting and relocated back to Trinidad.
Her body was discovered this week by a carer on the bedroom floor of her house close to Port of Spain; local police are now conducting an investigation.
A friend, who had not been able to get in touch with her since Tuesday night, went to check and found her body.
When the woman got to the house, the front gate was locked. The front door was ajar, so she called out to Richards multiple times. It was while looking for the elderly woman that she discovered the body.
Her friend, barrister Sir Timothy Cassel KC, said: “The gate was open when she was found and the door was open.
“So whoever was there was let in by her.”Whether she knew them or not, or whether they manipulated her vulnerability, who knows? It’s sad.”
The hard drive from the security cameras was also stolen. “Yes, we were concerned about her safety because we were getting things in place to get somebody to stay with her as her illness progressed,” the cousin said.
Although Richards could still take care of herself, she could not be left alone for very long, according to her.
Edward Arthur & Viscella Vikki Richards
“We have lots of memories to talk about, but too much to mention,” she said. “She was a very friendly person, very outgoing and outspoken.”
Shocked friends struggled to take in the news as they recalled the type of person Richards was.
One neighbour said, “She was a beautiful lady, a warm person, engaging, thorough.”
“Living alone in this place, we felt she needed somebody in the house with her, but in a situation like this with people realising she lived alone…she may have been a soft target,” he added.
Another relative who asked to remain anonymous said that she only returned to Trinidad in January after spending time in England and mainland Europe following a trip in December last year.
“She loved to travel and shop. She loved being out and travelled throughout Europe. She loved Italy,” said Richards’ cousin.
Asked if she saw her cousin’s films, she said that she had seen a few, “but I never really kept up with the films she was in”.
Richards’ relative did not want to talk about how she died but noted that pieces of jewellery from her house were missing.
A guard employed by SWAT Estate Police said officers had carried out two daily patrols at 9 am and 11 am and would have swiped their security pass at Richards’ house during those patrols but were only notified around 12.30 pm of the discovery of her body.
Hiplife icon Okyeame Kwame and his spouse Annica have accomplished a significant academic milestone by jointly earning a professional Master’s in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Institute of Paralegal Training & Leadership Studies [IPSL].
On his social media accounts, Okyeame Kwame announced the news of their second Masters:
“We graduated together from IPLS with a professional master’s in Alternative Dispute Resolution…The course was informative and practical, and all the instructors were friendly, helpful, and respectful. We’re truly excited about the possibilities this new knowledge opens up for us.” He wrote
Okyeame Kwame & beautiful wife, Annica
The couple thanked God, their friends, family, and supporters for their unwavering support. They also expressed gratitude to IPSL for their expertise.
After 15 years of marriage, Okyeame Kwame and Annica welcomed Sir Kwame Bota and Sante Nsia-Apau into their family.
It was quite the spectacle to see Shatta Wale perform at the All African Games 2023 opening ceremony. Fans were taken aback by the Dancehall King’s outfit, which defied expectations with a colourful kente cloth ensemble that resembled the regalia of a traditional Ghanaian king.
His celebrated talent as the “African Dancehall King” was brought to life as he walked the stage with riveting renditions of his hit songs.
Shatta Wale enthralled the audience at the Legon Stadium with his commanding presence and contagious energy, despite the fact that his set was shorter than his typical intense concerts. The Ghanaian superstar’s performance on such a prominent continental platform thrilled the audience.
A source of pride for the country, Shatta Wale’s performance cemented his position as a cultural icon and a global representative of Ghanaian music. His performance at the All African Games 2023 proved why he is rightfully known as the “African Dancehall King,” as both fans and onlookers were in awe of his talent and charisma.
Also, the legendary Highlife performers Pat Thomas and Ebo Taylor, along with Afrobeats musician King Promise, put on amazing performances in the interim. The guest performer to grace the occasion was Kamo Mphela, a South African.
It was an evening that showcased the exquisite African culture via artistic and musical performances.
Multiple award-winning Rapper Michael Owusu Addo, better known by his stage name Sarkodie, from Ghana, has spoken out about issues with the nation’s music royalties system.
In his opinion, the establishment of a well-structured system is essential to guaranteeing that artists receive their just compensation.
At the 3i Africa Summit Partners and Stakeholders Mixer, which took place in Accra on March 7, Sarkodie made these remarks during a panel discussion.
“The royalty system has been a major issue here in Ghana…But fixing it wouldn’t be that difficult. We just need to set up a proper system and collect the money that’s owed,” he said.
The discussion on the panel was centred on how policy, fintech, and the creative industry are interacting.
Sarkodie was joined on the panel by other prominent figures from the creative industries, such as filmmaker Juliet Asante, Chief Moomen, and KOD.
The 3i Africa Summit is a ground-breaking international gathering with the goal of transforming Africa’s economic environment via the prudent and sustainable distribution of capital.
The summit provides a forum for thought-provoking debates, creative problem-solving, and teamwork to promote long-term growth and development throughout the continent’s financial ecosystem.
Safo Newman unexpectedly burst onto the music scene late last year with his song “Akokoa.” He quickly became viral on social media and amassed a sizable number of plays on a variety of platforms.
While some online commenters, such as rap legend Sarkodie, are showered with compliments about “Ghana’s new kid on the block” for his skill and lovely song, others just keep hurling flaming darts at him. Newman, yelling obscenities at him. However, the early-30s singer claims he is not concerned about the online trolls.
Speaking with the Daily Graphic, Newman said that while he had read the offensive remarks, which included, among other things, descriptions of him as underweight and dishevelled, he was not at all concerned about them because his music was what really mattered to him.
He declared his intention to focus all of his energy on creating timeless music instead of obsessing over the criticism he received.
“When it comes to my appearance and the comments people make about it, I’m not particularly bothered. In fact, I see it as part of why I stand out. Those negative remarks about my appearance don’t faze me at all. What truly matters to me are the songs I create and the messages they convey, as well as the positive impact I can have on society,” he said.
Life in the limelight
Ghanaian rap icon Sarkodie is largely responsible for Safo Newman’s recent rise to prominence, which he is currently enjoying thanks to his song Akokoa.
His song is still making waves in the charts and gaining a lot of attention, especially after Sarkodie declared it to be a huge hit. In Ghana, it is currently the ninth most streamed song on Audiomack.
He acknowledged that he was still adjusting to his new position, but he promised to use the platform to become one of the most sought-after musicians the nation had ever seen.
“I have finally had the opportunity to meet Sarkodie who opened doors for me with his endorsement of my song. It is just the beginning of greater things to come and I am looking forward to doing amazing stuff with him. Being in the limelight these past days has been quite overwhelming for me but I feel great about it and I will use this opportunity to make more impact,” he added.
Dual role
Along with being a popular musician, the new sensation is also a committed educator. Providing insight into how he balanced his love of music with his dedication to schooling, he said balancing the two roles had not presented any major obstacles.
For him, it all comes down to staying focused and creating a schedule that accommodates his two passions.
“It’s all about being focused and maintaining a balance. Both my music career and teaching profession are dear to my heart, so I strive to blend them harmoniously,” he said.
The singer stated that he was very optimistic about the future and that he would like a team to help manage him effectively. The singer has not yet secured a management team for his music career.
Nevertheless, he reaffirmed that he was committed to creating excellent music and carrying out his teaching responsibilities even in the absence of a formal management structure.
“Currently, I am doing everything by myself and I am praying that I get a management team that will help me to do things better,” he said.
Staying relevant
Safo Newman’s main goal in the music business is to stay relevant. He is confident in his ability to eventually connect with his audience despite his unorthodox style.
He believed that because he was working hard to write songs that would endure, his fame would not be fleeting.
“I don’t confine myself to a specific genre. I draw from various influences, particularly classical music, to create music that transcends boundaries and I also believe that crafting music that leaves a lasting impact, regardless of trends or genres will make you stand out, and that is what I intend doing to stay relevant in our industry,” he said.
He said he was grateful for everyone’s support so far and promised to use this energy to make even more powerful music in the future.
Renowned rapper Sarkodie recently discussed the difficulties of being an independent artist in Ghana.
The “Otan” hitmaker revealed that he is an independent musician who depends only on funding to create his music. Sarkodie has been financing his own projects without label assistance, frequently taking advance payments from projected sales to cover production costs.
He talked about how difficult it is to make independent investments in his craft and then get paid after the product is released.
“For me as an independent artiste I solely depend on getting funding to make my music because it is very tough I don’t have a label I’ve been funding myself since so sometimes I get a upfront on my sales that I’ll be making to be able to make the product and when I make it back and now I can get back to receiving my revenues.”
I solely depend on getting funding to make my music because it's very tough, I don’t have a label – @sarkodie reveals
Popular Ghanaian actor John Bredu Peasah, better known by his stage name Drogba, from the acclaimed YOLO series, has been diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease called demyelinating disease.
Drogba has reportedly been battling the illness for the previous 24 months.
News of his illness broke out on social media on March 8 after Ghanaian actor, Jeffrey Nortey shared a flyer calling for financial assistance for the actor’s medical treatment.
Drogba, also known as Blah Charles in the hit YOLO series, portrays a “lover boy” who will stop at nothing to win the woman of his dreams.
The 2016 season of the Ghanaian teen TV show YOLO debuted. This television show is a continuation of Things We Do for Love, a Ghanaian television series. Regarding the difficulties they encounter during their adolescent years, it counsels and guides the young people.
According to Ghanaian Highlife musician Amandzeba, he is aware of the impact he has made, so he is not concerned about the lack of recognition and celebration for his work.
The seasoned Highlife musician, renowned for his heartfelt songs and enduring contributions to the Ghanaian music scene, emphasised the significance of pursuing one’s passion and finding personal fulfilment.
The crooner’s viewpoint refutes the widely held belief that recognition from others or public festivities are the only ways to measure success.
Regarding the influence his music has had, the “Kpalogo Y3de” hitmaker claimed that he feels honoured when people tell him they enjoy his music.
“People don’t necessarily have to celebrate you to know that you are doing well. I have had this conviction that I am celebrated when people tell me they love my music. I know I have done great songs and if people praise me for it, it is enough celebration.
“This is a country where Dr Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown after all he did for Ghana. Anything good that comes from this country will not be celebrated well so I take consolation from the fact that I am not doing music to be celebrated,” he said in an interview with Daily Graphic.
“So don’t feel bad as a musician that Ghana does not celebrate you. When you believe in yourself and the product you have, people will love you for it,” he added.
Amandzeba utilises One Ghana, a location on Spintex Road, to provide young artists with a platform to showcase their live performances and Highlife music.
Some of his songs, including Toffee, Aso, Medo, Kotosa, and Deeba, have won him multiple accolades from various organisations.
He said that because he performs traditional songs with a contemporary feel, he sees himself as the bridge that connects the living and the dead as well as the ancient and modern.
