Dancehall Africa

Category: Latest News

Samini to meet Sean Paul at SXSW 2015 Concert

Samini has been listed in a 243-list along with Sean Paul, Awolnation, Kawehi and others.
International artists are well represented in this band drop with several artists coming in from Africa. Samini is the only Ghanaian act listed for the concert alongside Ice Prince and Iyanya from Nigeria – the 3 are the only African Artistes in the tall list to showcase their during the concert.
Meanwhile, there’s been a lot of buzz around Saminifest, an annual celebration by Samini and his HighGradeFamily – scheduled date for the celebration starts from December 3 to December 6 with over 25 Ghana music heavyweights on bill to share the same stage.
November 21, 2014
[News] Episode must stop doing Dancehall – Blakk Rasta
Our regular controversial Ghanaian Radio Presenter and Roots Reggae singer, Blakk Rasta, has jumped on Episode’s case today.
He sounded very lively on air today (Tuesday, November 4, 2014) shuffling Ghana reggae songs back to back until he got to Episode’s – Blakk Rasta was playing “Mandela” by Episode and all of a sudden he opened the microphone and says….”I personally think Episode should stop doing Dancehall. He is wasting time on that genre. He is a very good artiste whom I think if he switches to strictly Reggae he will do better.”
From Blakk Rasta’s comments one could easily tell he likes Episode and wish he could do more ONE DROP songs than the regular (Dancehall) for which he’s more identified with.
Episode has enjoyed a good patronage this year on countless stages including his “Black Urban Tour”.
According to reports, Ignace, CEO of 4Syte TV Ghana, says, Episode the best performer at the recently held MTN 4Syte TV Music Video Awards Nominees’ Jam held in Kumasi over the weekend.
Episode holds double nominations in this year’s 4syte TV Awards due for November 18, 2014 in Accra.
November 4, 2014
[News] Zimbabwe: The Soldier Does It Again
South Africa-based dancehall star Buffalo Soldier has scored big with his 12th nomination at the upcoming Channel O Music Video awards scheduled for November 29.
Again the only Zimbabwean in the regional music awards, he is vying for the Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall award for the song “Basawine Orezi” against Jesse Jaggz featuring Wizkid (Nigeria), Patoranking (Nigeria) and Shatta Wale (Ghana).
While he is excited about raising the Zimbabwean flag, he pleaded with locals to participate in their numbers and vote for him on the Channel O website.
“I would love to have my people to take charge like they do on the Big Brother Africa. I look at the awards as the music version of the African Cup of Nations. I have been waving the Zim flag out here since 2007 with videos airing on Mtv, Channel O, Trace Tv, Nigeria Sound City and Afrobeat Music Channel,” he said.
He said it was now up to the Zimbabwean media and those in different parts of the globe to support him as it was motivating to have his people back him.
Big Buff, as he is also known, said such support was the strong force behind the growth of other regional artistes who were enjoying massive airplay and success in other countries.
“There is always this stigma and hatred from my fellow artistes that are not OK with how I’m the only Zim artist who gets nominated.
But this is because I am consistent with my content. Each year we produce high quality budget music,” he said.
In that respect, the “Ezandla Phezulu” singer applauded locals for taking positive steps in producing good music.
He, however, said the secret to breaking onto the regional platform was to invest in quality videos also.
“I’ve said this before to our artistes. Our music production is sounding good but missing quality music videos that can stand against Nigerian artistes like Davido and P-Square,” he said.
He said it was the collective efforts from different sectors that would lead to the growth of the music industry, the essential stakeholder being the corporates that need to extend financial support.
“It takes money to pay for international collaborations and it is unfortunate that Zimbabwean corporates do not believe in sponsoring the local artist. This has led to the slow progress in our success in making a mark on the regional scene like what the Nigerians and South Africans have done,” he said
Of his 12 Channel O nominations, Buffalo Soldier has won five times. He also has the Nigerian Soundcity Viewers Choice Award under his belt
In terms of his visibility on the local entertainment scene he said he was disheartened by how local promoters were not booking him for local shows.
He has also not had any award nominations in the country.
“My team and I are planning to come home for a launch tour for my album this December. I want to thank some Zim radio stations that have been playing my music,” he said.
October 30, 2014
Zimbabwe: Several Artistes for Slice International Bash
A number of Zim dancehall acts are set to feature at a gig to mark the reunion of Slice International scheduled for November 28 at Dandaro Inn, Exhibition Park.
The show which also coincides with a birthday bash for one of the Slice International founding members Tinos “Slicey T” Viriri based in Canada will see the likes of Tocky Vibes, Soul Jah Love and the Conquering Family taking part.
Also on the same bill are musicians Roki and Jah Prayzah as well as DJ Candyman and Spinalong.
The same line-up will tour alongside Slice International in Bulawayo and Mutare .
Slice International last performed some nine years ago and the tour in November is likely to bring a lot of fond memories for the boy band that emerged from the streets of Chitungwiza to become one of the sought-after groups in urban music.
Slicey T who is now a DJ with a top Canadian radio station called Africa Radio Show has promoted local artistes among them Nox Guni, Winky D and Oliver Mtukudzi in Canada.
He said there was a lot to catch up on following the release of the new album titled “2014 Return of Slice”.
“The theme of the tour is ‘Fly Zim Flag High’ and a percentage of the profit will be donated to one of the orphanages in Zimbabwe as part of the African Canadian Arts society, a charity foundation of which I am a member. Other members are Munyaradzi Madzinga, the co-ordinator and Tecla Imbayarwo who is the projects director,” Slicey T said.
Dj Slicey T recently launched the first African Radio Show in Canada that broadcasts every Sunday 12-1pm mountain time 8pm Zimbabwean time on: http://cjsr.streamon.fm also accessed online or tune in App or 88,5FM for those in Canada.
The show is aimed at giving African artists the much needed exposure as well as updates to Zimbabweans and the African community living in Canada on the trends across the African continent ranging from entertainment, sports, social and politics.
October 24, 2014
[Kenya] : Wyre appointed Mziiki brand partner
R&B and reggae-dancehall artiste Wyre has been appointed the Kenyan brand ambassador for Africa’s largest music-streaming app, Mziiki.
The Nakupenda Pia hit-singer joins Tanzania’s bongo sensation Diamond Platnumz whose association was announced recently. Wyre was unveiled on Wednesday at the Southern Sun Hotel, Nairobi.
He said: “Mziiki is a cool place for people to find new music and enjoy music from their favorite artistes. It’s very exciting to be a part of the this movement.”
Mziiki offers music-lovers an easy way to access new music anytime, anywhere and its available on Blackberry, iOS and Android mobile devices.
“Because Mziiki is easy to use, and boasts a large array of African and international music, artistes get the opportunity to expand their fan base and get their music out there while minimizing piracy.
Mziiki allows users to explore new genres and artistes that they haven’t heard before,” said Spice VAS Digital CEO, Arun Nagar.
He added: “We’re happy to have Wyre join Mziiki as a brand partner. We know his fan-base appreciates the partnership because we have just brought him closer to them.”
October 18, 2014
Samini begs Charter House to forgive Shatta Wale
Ghanaian Mobo award winner Samini is urging his colleagues in the music industry and industry players at large to join fellow musician Shatta Wale in apologizing to events organization, Chatter House.
The event organizers have brought a 10 million Ghana cedis defamation suit against Shatta Wale.
But Samini believes his arch-rival must be helped to untangle himself from the web he weaved by making defamatory videos about Charter House and uploading same on facebook.
He said this on the “Let’s Talk Entertainment Show,” a weekly entertainment show on Joy News on MultiTV.
“It’s become a highly sensitive issue to deal with, that we can’t laugh about. So as it stands it’s just a matter of doing damage control in order for us all to move on, so everybody can equally entertain their fans in the right frame of mind.
“Because if you have a lawsuit on your head and you are not cleared of it, it can even affect how you compose so we need to see how we will handle this issue as a nation and look out for a brother,” Samini stated.
Samini said all industry players must come together and apologize to Charter House on behalf of self-styled dancehall King, Shatta Wale.
Samini and Shatta Wale are arguably the bitterest rivals in the music industry.
It comes as a shock that Samini, who has been the recipient of vicious attacks from Shatta Wale and his fans, is pleading on behalf of the loud dancehall artiste.
“Be remorseful and apologize so that things can be brought to an end,” Samini advised.
Meanwhile, Samini is on set shooting a video for his song ISKOKI which is set to be released in the middle of next month.
October 17, 2014
[Ghana] Stonebwoy (@Stonebwoyb) to release ‘Baafira’ ft Sarkodie (@Sarkodie) on October 17
Produced by BeatzDakay, ‘Baafira’, is an Hausa word which simply means ‘no noise or don’t talk and Dancehall ace, Stonebwoy in collaboration with Ghana’s fastest rapper, Sarkodie will be releasing a song to the term in 8 days time.
Like ‘Adonai’ by Sarkodie featuring Castro, ‘Baafira’ is an inspirational song yet a party worthy danceable tune recorded on a 105 beat per minute (bpm) will be released on Friday, October 17.
According to the #BhimNation leader, “Baafira’ is a song which advises our fans likewise all music lovers to do less talking and rather do more practically with their competences hence, must not allow challenges or people who doubt them hinder them from what they have set their minds to do.”
“Because they only can scare you with their words but cannot in any way block or prevent you from excelling besides, there nothing is ever new under the scorching sun, so ‘Baafira’ is an inspirational song to keep our fans dancing and at the same time not giving up on what people may say than acting,” the ‘Pull Up’ singer said.
Meanwhile, Stonebwoy has been nominated in the 2014 Bass Awards in categories including Dancehall Artiste(S) of the year and Dancehall Song of the year with ‘Give it to them’; Artiste of the year (Kwame Nkrumah Award); Best Collaboration of the year (Dancehall) with ‘Go harder’ (Edem featuring Stonebwoy) and ‘Wind Up’ (Method Ranking featuring); Best Performer Of The Year.
Vote via http://bassawards.bassafrica.com in the ‘Dancehall song of the year’ and ‘Best Collaboration of the year’ (Edem/ Stonebwoy with ‘Go harder’) and (Method Ranking/ Stonebwoy with ‘Wind Up’)
Sarkodie, on the other hand, has been nominated in the Best Male Artiste in West Africa with ‘Adonai’ for 2014 AFRIMA and ‘Best African Artiste’ for 2014 Headies Awards.
October 9, 2014
[GHANA] Voting is now open for the 2014 Ghana Bass Awards (@RACKUSpro)
Voting is now open for the 2014 Ghana Bass Awards. The only Reggae and Dancehall Awards in Ghana which seeks to reward African Reggae and Dancehall music. Click on the link to vote for your favorite Artist/song, click on the name of the artist you want to vote for.. CLICK HERE TO VOTE
October 5, 2014
GHANA : AK Songstress (@AKSongstress) has announced the official release dates of her new singles
AK Songstress has announced the official release dates of her new singles, ‘Bully Boy’ and ‘Ghetto Cry’-ft Sizzla Kalonji, which will arrive on radio and the streets in the coming days, precisely 1^st of October and 1^st of November respectively.
Management hinted that the songs will be a mid-tempo tune that is quite different from her recent hit ‘Rock Ur Body’-ft Patoranking, and it will surely be the hottest dancehall singles in the history of African dancehall music especially working with ace reggae, ragga and dancehall artiste Sizzla Kalonji.
The dominant dancehall queen’s coming record will entail good music; material that she always strives to create every time she enters the studio.
September 25, 2014
Zimbabwe: Dancehall Thugs Haunt Freeman
Is he a bad musician or unlucky performer? Zimdancehall chanter Freeman – real name Emegy Sylvester Chizanga – has become a prime target of hooliganism at big dancehall shows.
Usually, when he goes on stage during the big shows, missiles rain on Freeman.
It happened at Gwanzura Stadium, Harare Gardens and even in his backyard at Dzivaresekwa Stadium.
It happened again last weekend at Old Hararians Sports Club where Freeman was part of a contingent of local musicians sharing the stage with Jamaican chanter Kalado.
Although most of the missiles of the night were thrown at Kalado, Freeman got his share of cans and bottles when he was on stage.
In Kalado’s case fans were utterly dismayed by his poor performance and registered their displeasure through unacceptable dancehall hooliganism.
But Freeman’s performance was not bad and the missiles apparently came from his usual haters.
Freeman said the main reason for the violence was the hostility between various “clans” in Zimdancehall.
“Zimdancehall is infested with bad-minded people. There are always people who come to shows to cause violence simply because an artiste performing is not from their clan,” said Freeman.
“Just like what happened last weekend, there are people that come to the shows to cause commotion and they have targeted me at various shows.”
However, Freeman says he will not be deterred by the haters because he has become used to the culture of violence at dancehall shows.
“I will never leave the stage when haters start throwing cans because it is a sign of weakness on their part,” he said.
The Dangerzone leader said he is now taking the attack as part of his performances and he would not try to identify his haters because he is not alone in the predicament of dancehall hooliganism.
“The attack was not a problem for me because artistes get ‘caned’ these days. I actually expected it because that has become a part of Zim dancehall. If you go to a dance hall show and that does not happen then you are not in Zimbababwe. Winky D gets attacked and so does Soul Jah Love and many others.
Even visiting Jamaican Kalado got the cans so it is now part of dancehall culture.”
The incidents of violence persist mainly because show organisers and responsible security personnel at the events are not taking action against the perpetrators of violence.
When contacted for a comment on the latest incident, Kalado show promoter and Digital One boss Luther Pazvakavambwa seemed to be in denial over the issue.
At first he professed ignorance over the missile-throwing incidents despite being at the venue on the night.
When pressed further he said only a ‘reasonable’ number of cans and bottles had been thrown on stage.
“Well, cans were thrown but they were not that many. After all, Kalado himself thought people were throwing cans at him because they liked his performance,” he said before hanging up and then ignoring this reporter’s calls for the rest of the day.
September 20, 2014