VIPA feature-length documentary that explores the history of hip-life music in Ghana with emphasis on the story of the one-time KORA Music award winners, Vision in Progress (V.I.P), has been launched in Accra.

Titled: “Home Grown Hip-Life” the 110-minute long documentary follows V.I.P. from their early days in one of the country’s largest muslim communities, Nima, where the trio joined the then growing hip-life genre to their rise to fame.

The film opens with life in Nima and follows the group — Emmanuel “Promzy” Abibio, Abdul Hamid “Lazzy” Ibrahim, and Joseph Nana “Prodigal” Ofori — telling the story of how they started hip-life, the challenges through to their rise to fame both locally and internationally.

It also takes a look at how V.I.P. have managed to use their music as a platform to raise the youth’s awareness on issues such as HIV/AIDS in society and educational opportunites to especially Nima youth.

It is directed and produced by Boogie Down Nima Productions. There are interviews with the group, their families and other hip life stars, highlights the relationship between hip-life music and hip-hop, which the former is said to have been borne out of.

Lazzy recounts how the group began and notes that they faced lots of challenges in the initial stage but persistence has seen them through to reach this far.

He therefore urges all aspiring musicians to always be focused and determined to be able to make it.

The documentary is expected to be shown in Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, after which it will be produced on DVD and VCD for sale.

Nii Futah, Chief of Nima, who launched the documentary, urged Ghanaian musicians to unite to fight for their common caused to be able to realise their goals and make meaningful impact expected of them by their audience.

He observed that governments over the years have either not paid much attention or given enough support to the arts, especially the music industry.

Nii Futah stated that music have the possibility of earning millions of cedis for the country as is the case in Senegal, Mali and other countries if musicians remain focused and show professionalism supported by investment.

He noted that musicians have become role models in the society, hence urged them to set good examples for the younger generation to emulate.

Nii Futah commended V.I.P. and all those who made the documentary possible for the good work which he noted would market Ghana and Nima in particular, both locally and internationally, adding, “Because of you, the name of Nima has gone far.”

Those present at the launch included Reggie Rockstone, originator of Ghanaian hip-life music, Tinny, Sydney, Mzbel, Tic Tac and a host of other musicians from West Africa.

V.I.P’s stagecraft and style of performance has won the hearts of many lovers both locally and internationally and have managed to carve a niche for themselves over the years.

The trio, who are currently in the studio working on their sixth album, have over the years released hit tracks like “Ahomka womu, Obaa Sweetie, Rana Sallah,Money Lover, Mano Nko” among others.

Their works have won them many awards globally and in 2004 they swept five awards at the Ghana Music Awards and the same year, won an award at the Channel ‘O’ Africa Video Music Awards as the Best Group in Africa.

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