Dancehall Africa

Tag: Entertainment News

Ghana: Stonebwoy Outdoors Masaany As Next ‘Dancehall Owner’

After rising to prominence on Samini’s record label, the humble Livingston Etse, has become one of Ghana’s most decorated musicians, under the name Stonebwoy. Stonebwoy’s rise to prominence, is hugely characterised by hardwork, persistence and consistency. In just a few years, the Ashiaman bred artiste, already seeks to make life better for the youth; this wish is backed by his “Burniton Music Group” label, which has new dancehall act, Eye Judah, as its first signee.
Stonebwoy has taken Dancehall in Ghana, to the world, with international collaborations with the likes of Kranium, Burna Boy, Patoranking and Gappy Ranks. There is also news of an impending deal with VP records. Dancehall is arguably the most competitive genre in Ghana, this competition, is only a fraction of the strife and wars dancehall artistes in Jamaica have to stand.
However, our industry is characterized by most artistes trying to adopt a title; most famous of which is the “Dancehall king” title. Stonebwoy in a recent Facebook post, predicted, who the next break out dancehall artiste in Ghana would be.
In a post dated 27th August, Stonebwoy wrote, “believe as time goes on, this brother would be the owner of Dance-hall”, referring to Masaany who is known as the Dancehall Messiah, for his unique style and quest to bring sanity to the Dancehall scene.

Stonebwoy seems to have recognized Masaany’s international abilities, as he has repeatedly toured with him, recently freestying together in the volta region. If you’ve been going for Stonebwoy’s concerts, you’d realize that Masaany is usually the guy to open for stonebwoy, with his impressive and energy efficient stage craft.
Stonebwoy, full of admiration, took to Facebook again to declare the Masaany a champion. It is beautiful to see an artiste such as Stonebwoy, invest so much belief in another artiste. What is even more beautiful is the amount of growth Masaany has achieved through hard work.
November 4, 2015
Zimbabwe: Student in Court for Modelling Without Underwear
A Harare Polytechnic College student, who made headlines last week after images were leaked of her flashing her privates at adjudicators during a beauty pageant, appeared in court Monday.
A Zimbabwean college student who allegedly took part in a modelling contest without any underwear has appeared in court in the capital Harare, state media reported on Tuesday.
Panashe Zhaware, 21, is alleged to have walked the ramp in a full-length fuchsia pink dress with a revealing split all the way up the front. Photos surfaced this week of the Harare Polytechnic student at the event, which was apparently held at the end of last term in July.
The official Herald newspaper said that Zhaware “intentionally wore her evening gown without her undergarments”.
“It is the state’s case that the incident was captured on camera,” the Herald said.
The student has been charged with public indecency and was granted $100 bail at a court appearance on Monday.
She denied the allegations.
Local tabloid H-Metro said in a report at the weekend that the principal of the polytechnic, Tafadzwa Mundondo, and nine other models had also been taken in for questioning, as had the organisers of the pageant.
Mundondo said he was not involved in any way, according to H-Metro.
“That was a function in July and we have not been aware [of the indecent exposure]. It was a students’ function and we had nothing to do with it. They inform us of what they will be doing. This is one of the isolated cases that happened at the college,” he told the paper.
There were unconfirmed reports that the other nine models also wore no underwear after being told to take off their pants “to catwalk properly on the ramp”. There were also claims that photos of other students were deleted.
Zhaware has been told not to interfere with state witnesses and to stay at the address given to police, the Herald said
October 14, 2015
Kenya: Street Kids Bag Kalasha Nominations
Two former street children have bagged nominations in this year’s Kalasha Film and TV Awards.
Patrick Macharia and Elizabeth Sande, both aged 12, have been nominated as Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress in a film, respectively. The two budding thespians starred in the made for TV mini-series, Child4Hire, produced by the Amref Dagoretti Film School in 2014.
Peter Ofware, programme manager, Reproductive Maternal Adolescent and Child Health at Amref Health Africa in Kenya, commended the young actors and called on the public to vote for them online.
“This nomination goes to show that the mini-series has created awareness of plight of children who end up in the streets. Child4Hire means just that, our children are being hired into criminal acts and a life of crime by quite innocently trying to survive these mean streets of Nairobi. In addition to being exposed to hunger, cold and disease,” said Ofware.
Directed and produced by Peter Gitau, also a former project beneficiary, Child4Hire tells the story of a 12-year-old orphan, Samantha (Elizabeth Sande), who ends up in the streets of Nairobi and has to survive a harsh world of crime, hunger and fear. Buju (Patrick Macharia) acts as her friend and a ring leader of young street survivalists in a cast made up entirely of children from the Amref Dagoretti Children Centre. It was shot on location in the streets of Nairobi and at the Amref Dagoretti Children Centre.
October 14, 2015
Kenya: TV Producer ‘Humbled’ By Lupita’s Big Up
Yesterday, award-winning actress Lupita Ny’ong’o gave a big thumbs up to a Kenyan sitcom on her Instagram account.
The Oscar winner wrote, “Day off from#EclipsedPlay. Catching up on my guilty pleasure, The Real Househelps of Kawangware. #cantgetenough #swahilihilarity #sheng #ifonlyicouldtranslate #GodblessNjuguna #TRHK.”
The show that is on its eighth season is produced by comedian Abel Mutua, who commented on the post saying, “@lupitanyongo you have no idea how humbled we are as the #TRHK family. Keep up the support. God knows we need it.”
Speaking to Word Is, Abel said, “It hasn’t been easy making people laugh for eight seasons. Most people (TV producers) have been running away from sitcoms because it is not easy maintaining the momentum. Every year we work hard and every time there is an announcement of the Kalasha Award nominees, we miss it. We get disheartened.”
He added, “So, when someone like Lupita watches us and endorses the show and calls it hilarious, she gives us a reason not to quit but rather to soldier on.”
Abel said he found out about Lupita’s post when a member of the cast posted the screen-shot in one of the Whatsapp groups he is in. “At first I thought it was a parody account, but I went to the account and found it is her verified account. We are all so humbled by her big up.”
At the time of going to press, the post had more than 13,000 likes and over 400 comments.
October 14, 2015
[News] Channel O Awards: Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Kcee Win Big
Africa’s biggest night in music, the 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, was once more a massive celebration of the crème de la crème of the music industry even as our own Eminado crooner, Tiwa Savage, won the Most Gifted Female Artiste of the Year even as Olamide and Kcee were the other Nigerians that scooped an award each.
It was Tanzania’s Diamond and South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest who scooped the most awards on the night. In their 11th year running and hosted by Eku Edewor of Africa Magic’s Jara and Vuzu’s Siyabonga Ngwekazi the 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards were broadcast LIVE from the sold out mammoth Expo Centre
Bongo Flava recording artist Diamond Platnumz proved that he too is a force to be reckoned with when he took home the Most Gifted Newcomer, Most Gifted Afro Pop as well as Most Gifted East awards for his breakout hit “Number One”. Cassper – who has been on a winning streak this year and most recently celebrated his debut album Tsholofelo going Gold – his catchy club banger “Doc Shebeleza” earned him a win in the Most Gifted Male, Most Gifted Southern and the biggest award of the night the Jameson Most Gifted Video of the Year categories. Beating the likes of DJ Clock, Tiwa Savage, K.O, Riky Rick, Burna Boy, Emmy Gee including the Prince of Hip Hop himself A.K.A who were also nominated in the latter category.
Up against Nigeria’s Seyi Shay. Mozambique’s Liza james, SA’s Thembi Seete and Bucie, “Eminado” featuring one of the continent’s well-respected producers Don Jazzy garnered a win for Tiwa Savage in the Most Gifted Female category. KCEE won the Most Gifted Duo, Group or featuring award for his song “Pull Over” which features one of Nigeria’s best selling artists Wizkid, beating K.O, who undoubtedly has had one of the biggest songs of the year. The awards for the equally competitive categories Most Gifted Kwaito and Most Gifted Hip Hop went to Uhuru featuring Oskido and Professor for “Y-Tjukutja” and A.KA for “Congratulate” beating Khuli Chana and Cassper Nyovest respectively. Other winners included Busiswa (Most Gifted Dance – “Ngoku”), Buffalo Souljah (Most Gifted Ragga/Dancehall– “Turn Up”), Donald (Most Gifted R&B – “Crazy But Amazing”) and Olamide (Most Gifted West – “Turn Up”).
In true Channel O Africa Music Video Awards style, the night was dominated by never-seen-before collaborations and mash-ups. K.O and A.K.A had the crowd in a frenzy when they opened the show with their hit songs “Caracara” and “Run Jozi”. Other mind blowing performances included “Tsekede” and “Yaya” by Dreamteam and DJ Dimplez featuring Anatii respectively; Patoranking featuring Tiwa Savage (“Girlie ‘O” remix); Bucie (“Easy to Love”); Donald (“Unpredictable”); Davido (“Aye”); Lil Kesh (“Shoki” remix); Riky Rick (“Amantombazane” remix); Cassper Nyovest (“Doc Shebeleza”) and Emmy’s Gee’s Rands and Nairas remix.
Check out the full winners list below…
Most gifted male
Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza – Winner
Davido – Aye
Riky Rick Ft Okmalumkoolkat – Amantombazane
K.O. Ft Kid X – Caracara
Sarkodie – Illuminati

Most gifted female
Thembi Seete – Thuntsha Lerole
Bucie Ft Heavy K – Easy To Love
Lizha James Ft Uhuru – Quem Ti Mandou
Tiwa Savage Ft Don Jazzy – Eminado – Winner
Seyi Shay – Irawo

Most gifted newcomer
Dream Team Ft Tamarsha, Aka & Big Nuz – Tsekede
Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza
Emmy Gee Ft Ab Crazy & Dj Dimplez – Rands And Nairas
Diamond – Number One – Winner
Patoranking – Girlie O (Remix)

Most gifted duo, group or featuring
Uhuru Ft Oskido & Professor – Y-Tjukutja
Dj Clock Ft Beatenberg – Pluto (I Remember)
R2bees Ft Wizkid – Slow Down
K.O. Ft Kid X – Caracara
Kcee Ft Wizkid – Pull Over – Winner

Most gifted dance
Uhuru Ft Oskido & Professor – Y-Tjukutja
Davido – Skelewu
Dj Clock Ft Beatenberg – Pluto (I Remember)
Psquare – Personally
Busiswa Ft Various – Ngoku – Winner

Most gifted ragga dancehall
Buffalo Souljah – Basawine – Winner
Orezi – Rihanna
Jesse Jagz Feat Wizkid – Bad Girl
Patoranking – Girlie O (Remix)
Shatta Wale – Everydoby Likes My Ting

Most gifted Afro Pop
Davido – Aye
Mafikizolo Ft May D – Happiness
Diamond – Number One – Winner
Flavour Ada Ada
Iyanya – Jombolo

Most gifted kwaito
Uhuru Ft Oskido & Professor – Y-Tjukutja – Winner
Character Ft Mono T & Oskido – Inxeba Lendoda
Big Nuz Ft Khaya Mthethwa – Incwadi Yothando
Dj Vetkuk Vs Mahoota – Khaba Lenja
Dj Cndo – Yamnandi Into

Most gifted R&B
2face Ft T Pain – Rainbow
Jimmy Nevis Ft Kwesta – Balloon
Gb Collective Ft Brian Temba & Reason – Chocolate Vanilla
Donald – Crazy But Amazing – Winner
Niyola – Toh Bad

Most gifted Hip Hop
Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza
Khuli Chana Ft Da L.E.S & Magesh – Hape Le Hape 2.1
Phyno – Alobam
K.O. Ft Kid X – Caracara
Aka – Congratulate – Winner

Most gifted southern
Dj Clock Ft Beatenberg – Pluto (I Remember)
Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza – Winner
Aka – Congratulate
Zeus – Psych
K.O. Ft Kid X – Caracara

Most gifted west
R2bees Ft Wizkid – Slow Down
Davido – Aye
Burna Boy Ft D’banj – Won Da Mo
Olamide – Turn Up – Winner
Dr Sid Ft Don Jazzy – Surulere

Most gifted east
Sauti Sol – Nshike
Diamond – Number One – Winner
Navio – No Holding Back
Eddy Kenzo – Sitya Loss
Elani – Kookoo

Most gifted video of the year
Emmy Gee Ft Ab Crazy & Dj Dimplez – Rands And Nairas
Davido – Aye
K.O. Ft Kid X – Caracara
Burna Boy – Run My Race
Tiwa Savage Ft Don Jazzy – Eminado
Dr Sid Ft Don Jazzy – Surulere
Riky Rick Ft Okmalumkoolkat – Amantombazane
Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza – Winner
Sarkodie – Illuminati
Dj Clock Ft Beatenberg – Pluto (I Remember)
Aka – Congratulate
Diamond – Number One
December 3, 2014
Selly : “I want Praye to propose again”

Former Big Brother Africa housemate, Selly, can be a rather funny young woman sometimes, people who are close to her say.
The actress and television show host is asking her boyfriend of four years-plus to do an unusual thing, propose to her all again.
Selly’s boyfriend, Praye Tietia, a member of the once popular Praye Hiplife trio, curiously was the one who set Selly’s mind to the unusual request.
Last month, when Selly’s mother was marking her birthday, Praye sent her a message on Facebook referring to her as ‘mother-in-law’.
He wrote, “Happy Birthday to the most amazing mother-in-law. I love you.” But it seems the harmless gesture was taken quite seriously by some people. Their case?
Praye Tietia also known as Big J should not refer to Selly’s mother as an in-law since there had not been formal rites to tie their union.
The argument had gone back and forth in social media circles until last Tuesday when Selly came to the defence of her heartthrob. “We have both noted the concerns of many of our fans and followers but we don’t want to be pressured at all.
Why the pressure? There shouldn’t be anything of that sort because we are two mature adults and know what we are about,” she said.
According to Selly, who is in her twenties, as the only child, she has been receiving similar concerns from her mother but has convinced her into understanding that the “real deal will come on when the time is due.”
The exposure from her Big Brother participation no doubt opened many opportunities for Selly afterwards and she admitted that, she is poised to make a success out of such endeavours, the reason she said have put their legalising their relationship on hold for now.
“It is not that I appreciate being with a man who has not formally married me. I know my worth as a woman. It hurts to read some demeaning comments about my person, but I want people to know that, I don’t want my children to go hungry, so I’m building a strong future for them.
“Thankfully, after Big Brother, I have had big deals and opportunities and I want to build my career. That is what I’m doing now. Marriage would come afterwards. But for now, I say ‘we don’t need this pressure,” she stated.
Even though Selly has been defending Big J, she took a romantic swipe at her sweetheart when she issued an “ultimatum” to him to officially propose to her again.
“He gave me a promissory ring two years ago just to drive away the men but I want a special proposal this time around. That proposal has expired. I want a new one,” she jokingly said.
Currently, the host of Cine Afrik Premieres on Multi TV, Selly who lost out on the award for the Most Promising Actress at the City People’s Awards earlier this year said she has plans on hitting it big on the screens next year.
“I thank God that my show on Multi TV is doing well, and my acting career is also getting better each day. I’m just grateful people appreciate the talent that I have. But the public should expect something big from Big J and I soon,” she hinted.
When asked to give details of the “hidden” project, she remarked, “It is a surprise so would lose its secrecy when I disclose what we have in store. What I can say for now is that, there is a new branded Praye Tietia in the making.”
As a way of giving back to the society, Selly noted that she plans on spending her birthday which falls on September 26, with some orphanages in the country.
She said that her fans should watch out for the launch of her new cosmetic range of products this year.
Source: Graphic Online
September 12, 2014
Edem Rebrands Africa In New Video

Edem paints a new Africa under 4 minutes in his video “The One” (Remix), featuring Sway, Ghanaian rapper based in the UK.
“I didn’t not do this video to open the scars on the gory stories on African slavery which happened centuries ago; but I am trying to present a more urbane Africa to the world. I believe the growth of the African continent requires a devoted approach – we need to combine the positive energy and resources of both the African and Western Community to build our motherland.
There are a lot of untapped opportunities in Africa we can benefit from. I am just using this video to awaken all of us to know that there is a responsibility we all must fulfill. We say African is the best, so let’s act as the best just as I am also proving myself as the Best Rapper,” Edem explains.
Barely a fortnight ago, Edem dropped an earlier video “Only In Ghana” which has gone viral on the various African television networks as well as social media. Watch out for his “Books And Rhymes” album soon.
“The One” video was directed by Gyo Gyimah of Phamous Philms.
Watch:
September 11, 2014
Stonebwoy for Redbull Street Style on September 19
Ghana will once again experience another competitive freestyle competition for the third time amidst some fabulous music as Red Bull Street Style finally hits the Accra Mall Carpark come September 19, 2014.
This year’s edition comes with a special appearance by one of Ghana’s finest Dancehall acts, Stonebwoy.
Red Bull Street Style is an event of a kind as many street soccer pundits have described it and fun watching 2 players battle each other in a fierce freestyle soccer tricks in their unique way.
Most of the players are poised to unseat the two national champions, Bright Amoako Danquah and Joel Asare knowing what is at stake as the winner will represent Ghana in Brazil this time round.
The event will be hosted by Ghana’s finest hypeman, Merqury Quaye, with support DJ sets by a festival of skilful Ghanaian DJs.
The Red Bull Street Style competition is a world tournament which brings all the best soccer freestylers under one umbrella to compete for the best.
The competition first took place in Brazil 2008 and Ghana’s first participation was in 2012 in Italy.
September 11, 2014
Jupitar snubs Episode over lyrical battle

When Episode released ‘avatar’, many believed the song is a diss song targeted at Jupitar, but inasmuch as his management wants dancehall lovers to believe that there is no tension brewing between their artiste and Jupitar; some indications prove otherwise.
About a week ago, without the mention of Episode’s name, Jupitar updated his Facebook Timeline asking his fans to disregard the news making rounds about the seeming beef and tension between Episode and himself.
The post read:
”Dear fans, please……This beef is not real. As soon as we talk about it or think about, we give them what they want! Let us remain silent and wait for the storm to pass………Stay blessed”
Episode also has in a facebook update, made some comments on the issue;
“To whoever feels my #Avatar song concerns them, they can feel free to reply or join me on stage, so we battle it out. It is not about fight or violence. NO WAY. Violence is not my thing and everybody who knows me can testify.
With Dancehall, we call something SOUND CLASH or STING where various artistes take LYRICAL battles against paired opponents to see who is who. But it is very evident the person and his Management who claims my song is about them is just afraid to face me on stage, so we prove it to the audience, just as the fans are requesting.
If they claim, my song wasn’t about them why are they busy tweeting to me or tweeting about it on social media? They should stop hiding and boldly come out and face me with the microphone. This is Dancehall, and sound clashes are like Olympic Games between artistes so whoever feels intimidated by my song can step out and defend themselves.
Dancehall is not like RnB to be acting dull or like a church choir, Dancehall is culture so let`s treat it as such. I’ve done that and was even crowned for it before, so it’s no new thing to me at all.”
Based on this updates, Jupitar is expected to join Episode anytime soon for a lyrical battle but Jupitar’s update appear that the possibility of ‘requested’ lyrical battle may never materialize.
According to the management team of Jupitar, Jupitar can never be in a lyrical battle with anyone.
September 11, 2014