“Charterhouse Can Swerve Me Again: I Don’t Trust them” - Shatta Wale Confesses

Information reaching flexghana.com from Shatta Wale the current hottest dancehall sensation in Ghana, as posted on his Facebook wall, is that his fans should not be surprised if the organizers of Vodafone Ghana Music Awards swerve him the ultimate Artiste of the Year at this year’s ceremony slated for 3rd May, 2014 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

“I don’t trust Charterhouse at all but I am urging all Shatta Movement loyal fans to keep calm. If they think we did well in the year under review and they want to awards us then I believe the right thing must be done at the right time,” he said.

One question that most people are asking after reading the message from his facebook timeline is whether Shata Wale is scared because of what happened to OJ at the industry awards. Most music fans have said that Shatta Wale winning the artiste of the year at this year’s 15th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards is clear to the extent that if Charter house makes the Artiste of the Year award elude him, they might not like its ramifications.

According to Shatta Wale some fans specifically those from the Northern part of the country, all they want to see is that Shatta wins the ultimate award at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. “Any musician who takes an award that he or she does not deserve is only killing his or her carrier because no evil shall go free and charter house wants to win more soul for devil so they won't go down alone because they know their time of evil act is getting over now. This is Shatta’s time. No two ways about it,” said a Shatta fan.

By Elvis R Baidoo

Efya Displays Her Boobs All In The Name Of Fashion

It is expected that at a major event like the Industry Awards of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Festival, both men and women present would want to dress well and feel good and that was exactly the case in general.

 The likes of KOD, Andy Dosty, OJ, Sammy Flex, Joyce Blessing, Kwasi Ernest, George Quaye, Nii Ayitey Hammond, Hon. Dzifa Gomashie   and some others all dressed up very appropriately for the event. The Industry Awards was also a celebration of fashion.

However, one artiste whose fashion sense was a bit on the low side was Efya. She was in a blue dress and even though she looked so beautiful and sexy, unfortunately Efya had her breasts totally exposed for free viewing. What made the issue worse was the fact that, with the dress in question, there was no way she could wear a brassiere. As should be expected, many people got the attention of Efya’s breasts which got her a bit uncomfortable.

Throughout proceedings, Efya was always trying to cover her breasts even though it wasn’t successful. There were some times that I thought her breasts would pop out of her dress and cause her embarrassment.  I was sitting very close to her table so I was carefully monitoring her. In some instances when photographers or media men had to take a picture of her, she had to try and cover her boobs.

Written By: Elvis R Baidoo

Musicians D2 Mad AT Charterhouse And DJ Armani Of Citi Fm

Hiplife music duo D2 are full of anger this evening to the extent that if close people, do not calm them down, they might do the unexpected especially on social media.

What is the problem with the “Fever” hit makers? Read this: Right after watching the diaries of this year`s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards hosted by Amanda on GhOne, they have realized that Charterhouse and their cohorts want to sabotage them in this year`s award.

“Can you imagine that during the diaries of the VGMA on GhONE not long ago, whilst showing all the videos of the nominees, GhONE failed to show the song that they nominated us for that is “Fever” but rather played the video of our old song “wonko”. We feel this is a clear sign of sabotage by the posse of Charterhouse and especially DJ Armani who was also in the studio as a panel member” they angrily told flexghana.com.

“How can DJ Armani say on tv that Charterhouse added D2 to the nominations because they wanted to increase the number of nominees in that category? Is this a calculated attempt to sabotage us or what? How come they never played our Fever video which featured Shatta Wale. In fact we are disappointed in Charterhouse and DJ Armani. Dj Armani`s music chart which is publish in the Graphic Showbiz newspaper had D2 in there at number 8 and none of the nominees in the best group category appeared on that chart and now he is saying we did not do any work. What kind of hypocrisy is this? This is a clear sign of sabotage but we wait to see” they added whilst talking to this flexghana.com reporter.

D2 has been nominated in the best group category in this year`s Ghana music awards alongside R2BEES, 4X4 and RUFF & SMOOTH. Who stands the chance of winning that category is our only question.

David Offei Lartey

Entertainment Capital On Capital TV Premieres On Friday May 2ND!!!

There are many television stations in the country having different entertainment shows and that is a fact that cannot be denied. It is however sad to note that, not all of these shows are of a good content, quality and handled by top-notch entertainment journalists. In as much as some of these shows may be doing quite well, others are nothing to write home about.

In a bid to raise the standards of our entertainment shows on television, newly established but competitive Capital TV is set to premiere the best entertainment show on television. The show is dubbed Entertainment Capital and as the name implies, it would be the best television entertainment show to watch out for as it tackles almost every aspect of the entertainment industry.

Entertainment Capital would have the News Review Segment where viewers would have the chance to get details of the major entertainment news items making waves all over the country. In recent times, we have many of our artistes investing so much cash into their music videos and so Entertainment Capital would also have the Music Video Review segment. In this segment, experienced entertainment players would watch specific music videos and point out the positive and negative sides in a bid to serve as a guide for other artistes.

There would be other segments of the show but to ensure Entertainment Capital is complete and the best entertainment show on TV, the discussion segment will not be let out. On Entertainment Capital, the best of entertainment pundits will inform and educate viewers on various aspects of the entertainment industry. I wouldn’t mention some of the pundits that would be appearing on the show, but trust me, the best pundits in the country will be on the show.

Are you now asking who would host the show? Is it not quite obvious that Sammy Flex is the best entertainment personality to steer affairs on Entertainment Capital? Sammy Flex is the Managing editor of the best entertainment newspaper in Ghana (Flex Newspaper), a seasoned entertainment pundit on most entertainment shows on TV and Radio as well as the host of an entertainment show on Radio(Flex on Pluzz). With his deep experience and exposure on the entertainment scene, you can be assured of the best entertainment package.

Entertainment Capital premieres on Capital TV (on Multi TV) on May 2, 2014 and would air every Friday from 4 to 6 pm. There will also be a repeat telecast every Saturday as well from 6 to 8 am. You can’t afford to miss the maiden live edition of the show and subsequent editions. Don’t be surprised if Entertainment Capital and Sammy Flex get nominated in the next RTP Awards. Definitely Entertainment Capital is the best entertainment show to hit the screens.

Capital TV is the newest television station in the country and even before it begins full transmission; it has already been endorsed by most people all over the country. This was evident on the Easter Live Show that was aired on Monday April 21, 2014; which was Easter Monday. The television station is owned and managed by Ricky Anokye who has been instrumental in the success story of Capital TV even before it begins full transmission. Once again, tune in to Capital TV every Friday from 6 to 8pm as Sammy Flex hosts Entertainment Capital and don’t forget to watch the repeat telecast every Saturday from 6 to 8am. Remember, for Entertainment Capital with Sammy Flex, we say ‘’This Is It’’.

Written By: Ebenezer Narh Affum

Reggie Rockstone Is Not A Member Of VIP

The originator of hiplife, Reggie Rockstone, officially announced his membership of the VIP group over the weekend with the release of their single 'Selfie.' Reggie Rockstone it has been said has decided to join the VIP group, after one of their members, Promzy, now Promzy Afrika went solo.

Many had expected that being the hiplife grandpapa, he would have tried amicable means of making Promzy stay with the VIP group but contrarily, he said he had always wanted to be part of the group and that Promzy's exit was an open sesame for he joining VIP. Personally, I had not believed he was joining VIP and still don't believe he has joined the group. This was somebody who sometime ago said he was retiring from music and even did a song he called 'Last Show' but latter on came out with other tracks.
  

Is the whole hiplife grandpapa trying to tell the whole world that he cannot do any good music on his own except by filling the shoes of Promzy? If he thinks he can make a comeback onto the music scene by being with VIP, then he's a big question to answer. Most people saw Reggie Rockstone as bigger than the VIP group so expected that even if he wanted to re-launch his music career, he could have done that on his own but not by joining VIP to form VVIP.
   

Reggie and VIP (Zeal and Prodigal) are pulling a fast one on Ghanaians. With HIS addition to the group, they are now called VVIP. This means Reggie has rather formed a new group with the VIP duo but not that he is a part of the group VIP. VIP is different from VVIP. Reggie is a member of VVIP, not VIP! I have the inkling that the group VVIP is just for a project. I have the feeling that this group is not gonna last. If it lasts, it means the VIP group is dead and gone because then, the new group VVIP will be what will be alive.
  

Prior to the release of the 'Selfie' remix and even after its release, there has been so much hype for the song. But I listened to it and the questions I asked myself was “is that all about the noise they made and will people accept it?” That song does not feel like it belongs to great musicians like Reggie Rockstone and VIP. It sounds ordinary and isn't a song that will make someone listen to it for the second time.
  

At the moment, there is no music group in Ghana called VIP. Rather we have a new group called VVIP which comprises Reggie Rockstone, Zeal and Prodigal. The quality of the new single, “Selfie” is an indication that they have a lot to do if they truly wanna stay as group.

Kwame Dadzie

Sarkodie Tipped To Win Hiplife/hip Hop Artiste Of The Yearla

 As per Vodafone Ghana Music Awards criteria, the Hiplife /Hip Hop Artiste (s) is the artiste(s) adjudged by the Academy, Board and the General Public as having the highest audience appeal and popularity in the Hiplife/Hip Hop Genre. He must have released a hit single/album during the year under review.

For this year's Hiplife/HIP Hop artiste of the Year category, the nominees are Sarkodie, Eazzy, R2Bees, Guru, Manifest, E.L and Joey B. My analysis was based on the nominees for Hiplife Song of the Year and the Hip Hop Song of the Year categories. For the Hiplife/HIP Hop artiste of the Year category, I expect the winner to be an artiste who may have the highest audience appeal and popularity in the Hiplife/Hip Hop Genre released a single or an album and had gotten nominated for either the Hiplife Song of the Year or Hip Hop Song of the Year category. All things being equal and in the absence of any surprise, I don't see Eazzy or R2Bees winning the Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of the Year award.

I say this because neither Eazzy nor R2Bees had any song nominated in the Hiplife Song of the Year or Hip Hop Song of the Year category. Eazzy and R2Bees are the weakest nominees for the Hiplife/HIP Hop artiste of the Year category and I don't see any of them winning.
   

Guru and Joey B both got nominated in the Hiplife Song of the Year category. Manifest and EL also got nominated in the Hip Hop Song of the Year category. As mentioned earlier, I expect the winner of the Hiplife/HIP Hop artiste of the Year category to be an artiste who may have the highest audience appeal and popularity in the Hiplife/Hip Hop Genre, released a single or an album and had gotten nominated for either the Hiplife Song of the Year or Hip Hop Song of the Year category.
 

Based on this premise, Guru, Joey B, Manifest and EL all stand the chance of winning the Hiplife/HIP Hop artiste of the Year category. However, in my opinion, the strongest contender for the category is Sarkodie and I believe he would win that category all things being equal and in the absence of any surprise.
  

I say this because; Sarkodie is the only nominee of the Hiplife/HIP Hop artiste of the Year category with nominations in both the Hiplife Song of the Year and Hip Hop Song of the Year categories. His ''Down on One'' was nominated in the Hiplife Song of the Year category and his ''Lies'' got nomination in the Hip Hop Song of the Year category.
   

By far, Sarkodie is the strongest contender for the Hiplife/HIP Hop artiste of the Year category and I have no doubts he will win. I would however not be surprised if he doesn't win. Vodafone Ghana Music Awards is full of surprises and this year's edition wouldn't be an exception. By the way, what would be the logic in an artiste winning the Hiplife/HIP Hop artiste of the Year category if that artiste does not have any hit track nominated in either the Hiplife Song of the Year or Hip Hop Song of the Year categories? I rest my case.

Ebenezer Narh Affum

Bull Dog Explains What VVIP Stands For!!!

After the exit of Promzy from the award-winning VIP group, many were those who felt and thought VIP would die off gradually. However, it doesn’t seem like VIP is about to exit the music scene anytime soon as Zeal formally referred to as Lazzy and Prodigal have had some energy injected into VIP with the inclusion of hiplife legend, Reggie Rockstone.

Initially when Reggie Rockstone expressed his interest of joining VIP, I thought he only wanted to attract some attention. Many people also saw Reggie’s pronouncements as mere publicity stunt and never thought Reggie Rockstone teaming up with VIP would ever become a reality.

With the inclusion of Reggie Rockstone, the Bullhaus Entertainment-managed VIP now becomes VVIP. The first single coming from VVIP titled ‘’selfie’’ was released on Friday April 11, 2014 and as revealed by Reggie Rockstone, the song is already being played all over the world. In as much as the song is being played all over the country, the issue as to whether the song would become a hit or not is not too certain. Perhaps, with the passage of time, the song would blow up and become a hit.

However, with the release of the new single and the name-change from VIP to VVIP, many entertainment lovers are now asking what VVIP stands for.   When the CEO of Bullhaus Entertainment, Bulldog was asked what VVIP stands for on Flex on Pluzz (on Pluzz 89.9fm) over the weekend, he noted that it stands for Very Very Important People as well as Double Vision in Progress. He also mentioned that Bullhaus Entertainment as a record label is opened and prepared for any suggestion for what VVIP should stand for.

Written by Elvis R Baidoo

  

Can Shatta Wale Grab The African Dancehall King Crown?

It is on record that currently the hottest dance hall chap in Africa is a south African dancehall artiste called Buffalo Souljah but it is envisaged that sooner than later the latest dancehall sensation in Ghana, Shatta Wale will take over from him.

“I think, at the moment, it is only Shatta Wale who wields the magic wand to take Ghana that far. This is because when all hope was lost for Ghanaian dancehall music, it took him alone to use whichever means he thought would give the genre attention to actually make its presence felt” a rep who played a show in Canada with them recently has told Flex newspaper.
   

The world and for that matter Africa is waiting for something unique and that is exactly what Shatta has in his repertoire and artistry. After having gained several nominations in the forthcoming Ghana Music awards, including the ultimate artiste of the year category, it is expected that he would be the first person in the history of dancehall music to have won Artiste of the Year, should he really emerge winner in that category.
    

Shatta Wale's Dancehall King song is now the official song for this year's paragliding festival at the 2014 Kwahu Easter Celebration. His collaborations with Jah Vinci and Davido are just the dawn of greater things to happen in his career. Ghana is blessed to have this dancehall gem in the country and it will be good news to the Ghanaian music industry should he spread his tentacles to Africa and the world over.

Elvis R Baidoo

SHATTA WALE IS A GOOD BUSINESSMAN – ANITA ERSKINE

ON TODAY'S BUZZ;

SHATTA WALE IS A GOOD BUSINESSMAN – ANITA ERSKINE

Ace TV personality, Anita Erskine has expressed her awe at how dancehall musician, Shatta Wale has positively turned his career around with the many controversies he surrounds himself with.
The tv presenter and producer described the dancehall king hit maker as a great businessman, basing her admiration on how he has used his downfall to revive his music career. Shatta Wale’s music career rose to a new height when he threw tantrums at the 2013 VGMA after losing out on the Dancehall artiste of the year award to Kakie. Since then, he has become a household name across the country and beyond, releasing one hitsong after the other, and increasing his fan base drastically. Anita who was the guest on GHOne Tv’s Hanging out with KOD last Sunday and revealed her admiration for hardworking and zealous individuals, praised the self-proclaimed dancehall king for his feat and added that even though there is a negative side to his personality, people still admire his works and secretly respect his hustle. She urged him to keep fighting harder in order to achieve greater heights. Anita Erskine is not the only celebrity whose heart has been conquered by Shatta Wale. Broadcast journalist, Kojo oppong Nkrumah recently expressed his admiration for the musician and advised him to focus on honing his career instead of beefing with Samini.

Ex Doe Turns Beer Bar Manager

What Ghanaian celebrities should put at the back of their head is that, one cannot reign forever in the music or movie industry. There is time for everyone on this planet so he or she should make use of the period he becomes the ‘oga’ at the top. Rapper Ex-Doe who was once one of the best rappers in this country is now operating beer bar, Razz Newspaper reports.

Hiplife musician, Richard Kwasi Siaw Afrofi, known in the showbiz world as Ex-Doe, has refuted news circulating that he is poor.

According to Ex-Doe, he is not a poor guy.

Many music fans have been pointing fingers at him claiming he does not carry himself in the public domain as a celebrity. The concerns of these music fans are that, Ex-Doe made lots of money when he was very popular in the late 90s but squandered all.

In an interview with Razz Entertainment Newspaper, Ex- Doe rebutted all those allegations, saying he disagrees with anyone who thinks he made a lot of money and misused it.

“Anyone who says that I have made money before, but end up mismanaging it is not being fair to me. The fact is during our time, there was no much money in the music game. Some of the things we gained during our time was opportunity,” he declared.

He added that, although there was no much money in the music business during their era, he made good use of various opportunities that came his way.

“I disagree with anyone who thinks I’m currently suffering. God being so good, I am able to take care of my family and myself through some additional work I do aside music,” Ex-Doe further stated.

According to him, the only rumour about him that he can confirm in the affirmative is the fact that he manages a beer bar, which is situated at Santa Maria, and also boards commercial vehicle (Trotro) Sometimes.

As narrated by Ex-Doe, the fact that he board trotro or operates a beer bar does not mean he is poor. He boards trotro only when his car is not in a good condition.

“People don’t understand stardom. There is a difference between a flashy guy and a star. I am a street guy and the people who have known me for long know I’m not a flashy guy. People who don’t have the talent are the ones who want to look flashy and buy flashy cars,” he further told Razz. He encouraged his fans to stay calm and watch out for his great comeback.

Tuutulapato In Search Of A New Manager

Kid Rapper Cosmos Boako aka Tuutulapato, who has been living with his parents in Bremang Asikuma in the Central Region for the past three months, is seriously in need of a new manager.

Tuutulapato, who was formerly managed by Buffalo, had his relationship with the man who had for three years managed and cared for him, severed by his mother. It would be recalled that few months ago, the mother had told Flex newspaper that until she had a relative in Accra who would cater for Tuutulapato, she was not going to let him stay with any stranger.
  

Information reaching Flex newspaper from Nana Kwame Mpere of Green FM, who has visited Tuutulapato at his hometown several times, has it that the boy was about moving to stay with an uncle in Tema.
  

Speaking to his uncle Abass, he said that it was true that plans were underway for Tuutulapato to move to stay with an uncle at Tema but the uncle had traveled and that they were waiting for him to return before finally deciding on what to do.
   

In the meantime, he said Tuutulapato is not attending school at Bremang Asikuma because they don't want the children in the town to have any ill perceptions about the boy. He added that one thing they need for Tuutulapato at present is a new manager who would be doing business with him.
   

One big question on the lips of most people is whether or not Tuutulapato would have a manager who will be ready to handle him like Buffalo and Pope Skinny did. Could this possibly be the end of Tuutu's music career? We live to see to press. Meanwhile, information we gathered as at the time of going to press was that Pope Skinny is playing shows with Tutulapato in Accra but this time, he does not want media people especially to see him and Tutu together at these events.

Elvis R Baidoo

Joy FM`s Nathaniel Attoh To Host This Year`s Ghana Music Awards?

Ever since the nomination list of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards was released about a month ago, the awards have always been in the news for the wrong reasons.

 There has been controversy about some nominations,  the inclusion of Mark Okraku Mantey on the VGMA Board, the venue  and later, change of the venue of the  Nominees Jam, artistes getting stranded at the airport , maltreatment of an artiste at the nominees jams, the rained-off nominees jam and the re-staging of the nominees jam among other things.

As a result of these controversies, no one seems curious about who would be the MC for the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. In the past editions of the awards, we have had the likes of Samini, Doreen Andoh, Mikki Osei Berko, KOD,Chris Attoh,Sefa Kayi  among others taking charge of the awards and so for this year’s edition ,I would  want to pose the question ‘’ Who will MC Vodafone Ghana Music Awards’’?

In an exclusive interview with the P.R.O of Charterhouse, George Quaye, I posed the same question to him but he wasn’t able to mention any names. Perhaps, it’s too early and Charterhouse may not have decided on who should MC this year’s awards.  I spotted K.K.D at the Golden Tulip when the nomination list was unveiled but I pray he does not turn out to be the MC .The same applies to Chris Attoh, Benny Blanco, K.O.D and some other people who have emceed the awards before.

Without mincing words, I pray that Confidence Haughen does not find her way to the red carpet to mess up again. I would call on Charterhouse to inject a new face to the awards as MC.

There are so many people out there who would be able to host the awards if given the chance but one name that keeps coming to me is Nathaniel Attoh of Joyfm. He is simply incredible and having him as the MC of the awards wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.

Elvis R Baidoo

FOKN BOIS Mess Up In Music ‘’Porn’’ Video (Coz Ov Money Part 2)

Just by reading the caption of this article, I am sure you would be wondering what the FOKN Bois have done again.  The FOKN Bois have done the unimaginable again! If you ever thought Wanlov’s  exposure of his penis on Delay’s show and the naked picture of Wanlov and Mensah  that went viral on social media was an end to the FOKN Bois’ ‘’madness’’ then you made a mistake. That exposure was probably just the tip of the iceberg.

I just got possession of a music video by FOKN Bois. In as much as I don’t know the title of the song, Fokn Bois talks about how they crave for food, the fact that they need to eat as their appetite has been whetted and a whole lot of insinuating stuff. In as much as they speak about food and their appetite for it, the video does not represent that at all.

In the video, you have Wanlov and Mensa having their clothes taken off by two ladies. One of the ladies has only a towel wrapped around her body. Quite surprisingly, these two ladies strip Wanlov and Mensa totally naked. Yes….I mean naked and you could see the penises of Wanlov and Mensa clearly. Right after the stripping, the two ladies usher the FOKN Bois into the washroom. In the 69 seconds video, these two ladies after stripping the FOKN Bois naked, then bath them in the washroom.

It`s revealing to know that, not only were Wanlov and Mensa naked; the two ladies who stripped the two ‘’wise’’ men naked, were also naked as they bathed them (Wanlov and Mensa) in the washroom. Definitely, I know you would be yearning to have a look at the music video. Frankly speaking, the music video isn’t just any video but a pornographic material in my opinion. Are they trying to market their brand as musicians or they just want people to see their penises?  Perhaps, they are in the wrong profession. They could earn millions of dollars as porn stars.

I know by this time, you would be asking yourself how you could get to see the video. Just don’t worry; you would get the video without any difficulty anytime soon as people have started receiving it on their phones. 

Written By: Elvis R Baidoo

No Insurance For Ghanaian Actors: Van Vicker Weeps

If the issue of insurance for Ghanaian actors is not discussed and actions taken, we shall one day wake up to our shock and fears – we have a lesson to learn from a recent case in Nollywood.

A Nigerian actor by name, Emma Ehumadu, recently hit his head to the door of a bus and had his skull opened whilst shooting an action movie scene. Below was the fate of the poor actor known for gangsterism and bad boy roles in Nollywood (unedited):
 

“Nollywood actor, Emma Ehumadu, was involved in a ghastly accident while filming a robbery scene with Jim Iyke and other actors at a movie location in Asaba, Delta State on Wednesday March 12th. Jim was driving the vehicle during a 'high speed chase' while Emma was shooting a gun from a half open door from the vehicle.
  

Unfortunately there was an issue with the brake and the vehicle hit a location bus. Emma hit his head on the door of a bus and his skull opened. He was rushed to the hospital where he's responding to treatment.” (Source: LindaIkeji)
   

The latest information on the said actor has it that he has been flown to Dubai to undergo neurosurgical operation to patch up his scattered skull together. Fellow Ghanaian actor, Van Vicker, could not starve off his tears and grief as he took to social media – Facebook to share his solidarity (unedited):
   

“**TEARS IN MY EYES***. So Sad! Actor Emma Ehumadu {popularly known as ?#?LABISTA?}to Undergo Neurological Surgery in Dubai, Begs For Assistance! He had an accident while driving on set acting an action film. May God be with him & make the operation a successful one (AMEN). PLEASE TYPE AMEN NOW BECAUSE HE NEEDS OUR PRAYERS.”
  

I can't stop sobbing as I pen down this story, because, it could have happened to any of our Ghanaian movie stars! The plight of the Ghanaian actor (or workers general in Ghana) is one of a sad tale to tell. The lives of our actors are at stake. Let's open the discussion once again, for the way forward. 

By Elvis R Baidoo

“I Will Shock Ghana”- Joyce Blessing

Media Excel boss Mr Kwesi Ernest has proven to his critics that given the right resources and the right product, he can make a star and a multiple award winner in just one year.Media Excel boss Mr Kwesi Ernest has proven to his critics that given the right resources and the right product, he can make a star and a multiple award winner in just one year.

In 2013, when Media Excel introduced gospel songstress Joyce Blessing into the industry, many people did not give him a dog chance that he could make it until the lady and her album started making waves in Ghana and beyond. Currently in the gospel music industry, Joyce Blessing`s Heavy Price album is one of the few gospel albums recording higher sales and patronage on the music market.
   

Flex newspaper met the confident looking mother of a fresh baby boy and a conversation started. “One thing I want to do to shock all Ghanaians is to win all the categories that I have been nominated in for the first time. May be it has happened before but people have forgotten so I want to set a new record of winning all the categories I have been nominated in. In fact, I will shock Ghana in this year`s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. I want to say thank you to my boss and all artistes at Media Excel for their support and directions. I also want to urge my fans to support me in this awards scheme and I will never let them down. My fans should txt N4 to 1767, I5 to 1767, P7 to 1767 for me to win gospel artiste of the year, gospel song of the year and best collaboration of the year respectively and God will bless them abundantly” Joyce Blessing told Flex newspaper editor in a chat.

In 2013, when Media Excel introduced gospel songstress Joyce Blessing into the industry, many people did not give him a dog chance that he could make it until the lady and her album started making waves in Ghana and beyond. Currently in the gospel music industry, Joyce Blessing`s Heavy Price album is one of the few gospel albums recording higher sales and patronage on the music market.

Flex newspaper met the confident looking mother of a fresh baby boy and a conversation started. “One thing I want to do to shock all Ghanaians is to win all the categories that I have been nominated in for the first time. May be it has happened before but people have forgotten so I want to set a new record of winning all the categories I have been nominated in. In fact, I will shock Ghana in this year`s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. I want to say thank you to my boss and all artistes at Media Excel for their support and directions. I also want to urge my fans to support me in this awards scheme and I will never let them down. My fans should txt N4 to 1767, I5 to 1767, P7 to 1767 for me to win gospel artiste of the year, gospel song of the year and best collaboration of the year respectively and God will bless them abundantly” Joyce Blessing told Flex newspaper editor in a chat.
   

Joyce Blessing is also in contention for album of the year, gospel album of the year and best female vocalist of the year. She is the only gospel artiste billed to perform at Tamale sports stadium for the nominees jam scheduled for this weekend. His manager and executive producer Kwasi Ernest is also upbeat that all things being equal, they will sweep more awards on 3rd May. Media Excel houses great gospel musicians like Supt Kofi Sarpong, Bernice Offei, Amy Newman and Joe D. 

By Elvis R Baidoo

Will Sonnie Badu Win Gospel Artiste Of The Year?

For the Gospel artiste of the Year category, we have Sonnie Badu, Nicholas Omane Acheampong, OJ, Joyce Blessing and Patience Nyarko. Within the year under review, all these artistes deserve the nomination and come MAY 3RD, the winner will be declared.

Going through the Artiste of the Year category, we have Castro, Kwabena Kwabena, Sonnie Badu, Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Samini and Guru. Quite obviously, Sonnie Badu is the only gospel artiste who has been nominated in the Artiste of the Year category even though many people are of the belief that O.J deserves to be nominated in the Artiste of the Year category.
  

Without any doubt, I don't see the possibility of Sonnie Badu winning the Artiste of the Year against the likes of Castro, Kwabena Kwabena, Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Samini and Guru. In my opinion, Shatta Wale, Samini and Guru stand the greatest chance of winning that category.
  

Having in mind the nominees for both the Gospel artiste of the Year and Artiste of the Year categories, the general observation is that technically, Sonnie Badu stands the greatest  chance of winning Gospel Artiste of the Year all things being equal.  However, so far as the public votes will be considered, the possibility of Sonnie Badu winning is not so certain.
   

The Gospel Artiste of the Year category is one category that would be keenly contested for. Any of the nominees stands the chance of winning. Each nominee then needs to work hard by encouraging the public to vote in their favour.  With so much controversy already generated with the nomination of Sonny Badu in this year's VGMA, is it likely to affect his chances of winning the award as Gospel Artiste of the award? The VGMA Board is also yet to meet to decide on ''Wonder God''. Time will definitely tell.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         By  Elvis R Baidoo

Sex Demanding Radio Presenters To Be Made Public (Part 1)

It's an open secret that most up-and coming male artistes find it very difficult getting people to financially support them in their careers. The same thing applies to the ladies but theirs go a bit beyond that. It's almost impossible for any male financier to pump so much cash into the music career of any female artiste without asking for sex.

As a result of this, most female artistes who do not offer sex in exchange for help in the music industry, have their dreams of becoming music stars get shattered. It's easier to say that the request for sex from female artistes pertains to the secular music scene but I beg to differ.
  

Some female artistes who profess to love God so much and want to do his work, sometimes succumb to the sexual desires of their male executive producers just because they want to be heard on radio and seen on TV. As should be expected, those who refuse to offer bodies as living sacrifices end up without any help in the music industry.
  

My motivation for this article is the fact that a young lady who is musically talented and needs help has gotten herself in an awkward situation. Under the pretense of helping her, she is alleging that a well-known radio presenter has raped and impregnated her. The issue of whether she was indeed raped or not is not something I would  want to talk about, but one thing is clear; just because she needed help badly to announce her presence in the music industry, the radio presenter  has successful slept with her.
   

The radio presenter in question managed to get into the lady's pants after promising her so many things. Now realizing that the radio presenter may not be able to help her as promised, she now feels used and wants to teach the radio presenter a bitter lesson.  This same lady alleges that a well known radio presenter who also doubles as a producer at an Accra-based radio station wanted to have sex with her all because she wanted his help in the music industry. Just like the first radio presenter, the female artiste says this presenter also promised her so many things thinking that she would yield to his sexual advances. I must admit that there are some big-time female artistes who have received immense help just because they allowed their bodies to be used and abused but I believe that should not be the norm.
   

Quite unfortunately, there are so many male radio presenters out there who have refused to help some female artistes in the music industry just because they refused to open their legs wide for them to penetrate them. Why would you want to have sex with a female artiste if you genuinely want to help her? Is it not possible to help any female artiste without necessarily asking for sex? Such practices should end. After all, what is the guarantee that such female artistes would be helped if they grace the beds of their supposed helpers?
 

Our female artistes should also not be so desperate to be in the limelight. Most of the time, these radio presenters capitalize on their desperation and then have sex with them after promising to make them stars in record time.  I sincerely believe that radio presenters who are capable of helping up and coming female artistes should do so and desist from requesting for sex. I would also advise all up and coming female artistes to be wary of some radio presenters who promise to help them in their music industry.
   

The fact that a radio presenter is popular does not mean he can make a star out of an up and coming female artiste overnight. All radio presenters who having been requesting for sex before they help any female artiste should desist from doing so or else I would expose them without fear or favour. I have the names of some radio presenters who have been doing that and at the right time, I would expose them. I rest my case.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         By Elvis R Baidoo

Do Showbiz Persons Spend Time With Their Spouses?

It is believed that most celebrities here in Ghana fancy their stardom as compared to spending time with their spouses.

Following the media carefully, it is obvious that when an artiste becomes a hit within a season, the artiste in question is seen almost on all platforms especially on weekends. Aside that, studio sessions, interviews and other essential assignments consume most of their time. If such an artiste is a male, what will be the reaction of his wife who would need her hubby by her at night?
   

In Ghana, there are few examples of showbiz persons marrying each other. Examples are Eugene Baah (Praye Honeho) and Beverly Afaglo (actress), Daniel Amoateng aka Quophi Okyeame with Stacy (presenter), Dave Joy (sound Engineer) with Joyce Blessing (Gospel artiste).
  

There are other 'showbizers' like  Andy Dosty, Abeiku Santana, Bola Ray, OKyeame Kwame, Samini and many more whose wives are not in the showbiz industry .
  

The question at stake is, do people of such caliber get time for their spouses?  It has been found that most of these spouses to the showbiz personalities always have to contend with the nature of the jobs their husbands or wives do. Those who don't seem to understand each other do not have successful marriages. This may be a reason why most people fear to marry people in the entertainment industry.

Elvis R Baidoo

Ohemaa Mercy Celebrates 10 Years in Music Ministry

So soon, it's been 10 years since gospel diva Ohemaa Mercy stepped foot on the gospel music turf and by God's grace has held an anniversary celebration.

March 8, 2014 marked the10th anniversary of Ohemaa Mercy in her journey as a mainstream gospel musician. A program which was held at the Trinity Baptist Church opposite University of Professional Studies at Madina in celebration of this anniversary saw a huge audience that filled the auditorium to its capacity.
   

Ohemaa 'the Singing Mercy,' as called by many, put up a splendid performance in entertaining the audience at the programme. So were a lot of colleague musicians including secular ones who came to support Ohemaa Mercy to celebrate her 10th anniversary. The likes of Gifty Osei, Uncle Atto, Opiesie Esther, Ceccy Twum, Mama Afia Owusua, Trigmatic and a lot more graced the occasion.
  

Ohemaa Mercy came into limelight with her debut album titled 'Made Meho' and later came out with 'Fefeefe,' 'Wobeye Kese,' 'Ntwetwede' and now 'Wofiri Mu'. She has won a lot of awards to her credit. She's won Gospel Artiste of the Year and Album of the Year in Ghana Music Awards and some international awards as well.
  

Ohemaa Mercy is undoubtedly one of the very best gospel brands in Ghana. On a day like this, Ohemaa Mercy must be commended for her tremendous contribution to the Ghanaian gospel music industry. She has impacted greatly on so many gospel musicians and her songs have healed the sick and saved the oppressed.

Stephen K. Nakujah

Sack Some VGMA Board Members!

Ghana Music Awards, though instituted by an individual and ran by the individual's private company is not the sole property of the owners but the entire music fraternity. Because of this, every stakeholder and fans of music has the right to suggest to the organizers how they think things should go as far as getting together the awards is concerned.

Even though I would always commend the organizers for doing their best in organizing Ghana Music Awards, sometimes they take things for granted and that is affecting their work. In the first place, the process of nomination, especially that of this year's, is riddled with flaws. A critical analysis of most of the songs in the nomination shows that they don't qualify to have been nominated. If the descriptions of the various categories have been changed for this year, the organizers should have made it known to the public because the public also vote to decide (as we've been made to believe) who wins the public voting categories.
 

What is GMA's definition for 'song release'? They had said that the moment a song is released onto radio, TV or the internet it is OFFICIALLY released. But the question is that 'who monitors when a song is released'? There is no mechanism to show when a song was put out onto the music market. This is why every musician who wants their songs to gain nominations would lie about the time of release of their songs so they could gain nomination.
   

I am sure by now someone would say it would be too big a work for the organizers to have a system or software that will determine when a song is released, just as they responded when I said unregistered songs should not be nominated. The fact is that no one forced anyone to organize awards for a group of people but if it must be done, it must be done expertly well. You cannot create an awards scheme, devise category descriptions to it and not have any means of checking if the songs being nominated are either truly the property of the supposed owner or whether the said date of release is really true. And when one suggests that songs that have not been registered are not nominated, people start comparing GMA to some award schemes elsewhere, forgetting that this is Ghana and we solve Ghanaian problems with Ghanaian solutions. We have been overly indoctrinated to the extent that we cannot think on our feet to solve problems our own way.
  

Let to me alone, the Academy or the Board should seriously monitor songs and their time of release. They should take records of when songs are released so that if someone comes to lie about their release dates, they are able to cross check. Recently, I read that Mark Okraku had on Happy FM, defended the inclusion of Kumi Guitar who per the VGMA category descriptions don't qualify for the New Artiste of the Year that, the new artiste of the year description for the year 2014 had been reviewed.
 

On Rainbow Radio, I heard Nii Ayite Hammond of Charterhouse say that the category descriptions had not been changed. The contradictions in what these Board members say tell clearly that all is not well with the VGMAs. To me, some of the Board members need to be changed. There are some Board members who have gone rancid while others owing to their long service on the Board have arrogated activities of the awards to themselves as though it belongs to them. This is why some musicians have found themselves in categories they don't qualify for.
  

Having studied the nominations carefully, it is clear that the Board members had favoured some people for nomination because probably these musicians have representatives on the Board. I say it again that Joey B and Kumi Guitar are not new artistes and that their nominations for the new artiste category should be revoked. The lies must stop. The organizers of GMA should come out and tell the public the real truth and stop the machinations. The nominations have too many mistakes in them so should be re-worked on.
  

There are thousand and one wiser music buffs in music industry that can do the job better job for the Board. It is about time those who have gone stale on the Board are supplanted. With that, there will be new flavor to the whole awards scheme and the 'string pulling' by the Mugabes on the Board will stop.

 Elvis R Baidoo

Respect The Young Ones In The Entertainment Industry

If you are an old or successful 'showbizer' who looks down on beginners, put a stop to that because it may affect you someday. We wonder why people become so arrogant and condescending when they accede higher level in the showbiz industry. When they climb to the top, they don't respect those who are of lower pedigree to them.

These old or successful showbizers don't respond well to the wannabes or up and coming ones when they approach them. Doing this will not add anything to their respect. People rather earn more respect from the younger ones when they give them good reception. Most old showbizers fear to be nice to the up and coming ones because they think if they allow them to be closer to them, they might take some of their fortunes and ride on their association with them to step on to stardom.
  

It is only a selfish person who wouldn't be happy to see someone below their standard, or someone they have mentored and advised soar higher. One needs to be happy if it happens this way. However 'abro ne beyie nti' they won't smile to them. It pertains to music, acting, radio, television and all the other sects of showbiz. When Obuor and his Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) leadership founded the Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund, most people lauded the initiative and the old musicians were beside themselves with joy. This was a young president, who under his tenure thought it wise to do something to cushion the lives of old musicians.
  

It tells that at a point in time somebody will definitely need someone else in this entertainment industry. The industry is too big but very small. It is cyclical. You loathe somebody today and tomorrow you regret it. If you are a radio presenter who treats wannabes badly, change for the better because, one day some of these wannabes could become your programmes managers. You may be at their beck and call. Such is the world.
  

There are some old musicians who were missing from the system but got their music careers rekindled when from no where they were featured on songs by the new artistes. Others would also be languishing in poverty and oblivion because there is no one to help them come out with albums again. For all you know while they were at their peak, they thought they were most important than any musician in the world, thus, despised the then younger ones who are today's leaders and musicians of the moment.
  

Let us learn to respect people and stop prejudicing them anytime they express opinions that may be scathing. For if you behave too bossy and you disregard the young ones, what do you gain? 

 Elvis R Baidoo

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Socrate ''Fights'' Okraku Mantey Over Kumi Guitar

Anytime Charterhouse unveils the nomination list of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, it comes with so much controversy and this year's nomination list is no exception. The award category that is creating the most controversy is the New Artiste of the Year which has Akwaboah, Joey B and Kumi Guitar vying for that award as well as a brand new car.

With respect to the New Artiste of the Year brouhaha, Movie Producer Socrate Safo has registered his displeasure and total disappointment at Mark Okraku Mantey with respect to his stance on the New Artiste of the Year category of the VGMA for which his (Mark Okraku Mantey) artiste, Kumi Guitar has been nominated.
 

Socrate Safo recounted that when the President of FIPAG, Mr. Hackman appointed him as his Spokesperson which generated so much controversy, it was Mark Okraku Mantey who advised him as a good friend would do to resign from the position. However he finds it very difficult to understand why Mark Okraku Mantey was not principled enough to stay off the VGMA Board entirely and advised against the nomination of Kumi Guitar.
  

According to Socrate, so far as Mark Okraku Mantey has been able to confirm that Kumi Guitar's song was featured on Sugartone's compilation about four years ago, that alone disqualifies Kumi Guitar as a new artiste. Socrate has also called for the deletion of Kumi Guitar from the nomination list adding that other artistes like Akwaboah and Joey B who have also been nominated for the New Artiste of the Year award do not qualify for that category.
  

As to whether the criteria for the New Artiste of the Year category had really been changed as Mark Okraku Mantey claims, he expressed shock as to why Charterhouse did not make the changes public knowledge especially during the unveiling of the VGMA nomination list.
   

It needs to be emphasized that the seeming confusion between Socrate Safo and Mark Okraku Mantey started on an entertainment discussion show on Adom TV hosted by the latter.

Ebenezer Narh Affum

Is Praye Still Together As A Group?

When news went viral that hip life music trio Praye made up of Praye Tenten, Praye Tiatia and Praye Honeho were suffering a break up, it was the hope of many Praye fans that it would end up to be a hoax but unfortunately, it was real.

Praye Tenten went away leaving behind Praye Tiatia and Praye Honeho to form the group Praye and the two did not rest despite the break up but released an album which had good songs like “feeling and the night is still young”. Though the songs on the album did not blow as we at Flex newspaper expected, they were enjoyed by true Praye fans who will follow their works despite every situation they find themselves in.
    

Now in an attempt to revive the career of Praye and to activate their brand, team Flex newspaper has been doing everything possible to make the group relevant as much as their image is concerned but as well as we tried, our efforts always went down the drain. We have tried pushing their songs to many DJ`s to support in the promotion including writing and publishing stories that will remind broadcasters especially that the group Praye is alive.
   

The recent one was to book them for an interview on our well listened to entertainment discussion programme on Pluzz 89.9fm called FLEX ON PLUZZ. The first time our producer David Offei Lartey called Praye Tiatia he told him (David) that they will be outside Accra for a gig so we should try the following week.
   

David called again the following week and this time he spoke to the two artistes yet they were not sure of each other`s whereabout. Whilst Praye Tiatia told us  Honeho was engaged on the Akuapem Mountains somewhere on his personal dealings, Honeho also responded that he was not sure if they could come together for the interview. Any suspicion on your side as we are also having here?
   

We only pray it does not really happen that way else, several meanings will be read into their break up including the emergence of Selly`s issues after the Big Brother show. It is our duty to find out what is really happening between them and we are promising readers of Flex newspaper that, it will happen soon.

Elvis R Baidoo