Ghana Music.com is back with another interview from a highlife celebrity. After creating a massive buzz with Amakye Dede’s band as a drummer in the late 90s but now settled in the states we are proud to present an in-depth interview with Ghana Boy.

Ghana Boy is wonderful person.  His verbal wordplay, clever love lyrics, dancing moves, and wicked delivery on the drums have always set him apart as one of Ghana’s most talented musicians.

The sixteen tracks deep, album features cameo from only Daasebre  Dwamena and his own blood children.

Ghana Boy’s work is been managed by Banibest Music Production and they could be reached on 001 773 837 6523 or  001 773 615 7798 for more business deals or concerts.

In this exclusive and long interview we discuss his latest album “Baa Ko Pe,” his reggae band, his association with Amakye Dede and his music brother, Daasebre Dwamena and much more in this detailed, exclusive interview.

Ghana Music.com: Who is Ghana Boy?
Ghana Boy: I played with Amakye Dede’s band ten years ago and came to the states in 1997. I started in Ghana as a drummer. I’m a dancer too so I tutor in Ahenfie Kete. I have improved musically and have been able to form my own reggae band.

Ghana Music.com: There is no way you can go free without telling us the story behind the name Ghana Boy?
Ghana Boy: My dad was called Ghana Boy. He owned the best provision store in the last 1950s in Koforidua. Anytime people looked for me, they said Ghana Boy’s son, Ataa. But my real name is Daniel K. Yeboah and my twin brother is Daniel Kofi Yeboah.

Ghana Music.com: Who are some of your music influences?
Ghana Boy: Daasebre Dwamena and the old school musicians are C. K. Mann, Lumba and Amakye Dede.

Ghana Music.com: Title of the album?
Ghana Boy: It’s simply “Baa Ko Pe”. I have not really decided on the title of the album yet but it will surely draw people’s attention.

Ghana Music.com: Define the album?
Ghana Boy: It’s got a highlife style but am into live music.

Ghana Music.com: How many songs did you put on the album?
Ghana Boy: I have sixteen songs.

Ghana Music.com: Which engineers laid beats for the album?
Ghana Boy: Appietus, Jay Q and Moro.

Ghana Music.com: And which artistes added their voices to the album?
Ghana Boy: Jumpy, Validy and amazingly I included my children on the album known as Akua Ghana, Sam Ghana and Dan Ghanaboy.

Ghana Music.com: What’s the content of the album?
Ghana Boy: Messages, advices and more surprises that you have to buy the album to have a feel of.

Ghana Music.com: You earlier on mentioned that you have a reggae band. Fill us in?
Ghana Boy: It’s called Hydro Reggae Band and it’s a side business. But we mainly rock universities and any time we play we have a huge appearance by people.

Ghana Music.com: What’s it about Ghana Boy and Daasebre Dwamena and Amakye Dede?
Ghana Boy: Daasebre Dwamena is my brother and Amakye Dede is like my senior brother. They have all been instrumental in my music journey and will never forget about them.

Ghana Music.com: Any major shows yet?
Ghana Boy: I have played for a couple of universities and performed at a Kente Show organized by the Ghanaian community here.

Ghana Music.com: Please round up the interview?
Ghana Boy: Ghanaian music lovers should out for Ghana Boy because am coming out big and I won’t disappoint any of them.

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The Saturday Statesman is not trying to take on the unenviable tag of prophet of doom, but the reality is that some top musicians are seriously disenchanted and have therefore decided to quit the association and form their own - that will really have the welfare of any artiste who joins it at heart.

Among them is Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, a musician of international repute, who has clearly stated that he and some other musicians were going to form their own union if the current MUSIGA executives did not change the way and manner in which they operate the association.

In an exclusive interview with The Saturday Statesman, he said he and his disenchanted colleagues were fed up with all the misconduct, discrepancies and underhand dealings of the executives. Again, he accused them of not being transparent in the running of the Union, adding that there were no structures in place to enhance the ability of musicians.

One other misgiving that the ace rap musician expressed was that they (musicians) do not meet to discuss issues and problems pertaining to their profession. “We only meet when there is an urgent need, like when a colleague passes away”, he bemoaned.

Ambolley, who was the Vice President of MUSIGA in the 80s lamented, “I’m very sad to see a building which I, together with some musicians fought so hard to acquire for the union, now turned into a ‘chop bar”".

He disclosed that the place where the musicians used to meet and have workshops, rehearsals and also perform, had been filled with tables, chairs and dining sets where people come to buy food and eat. He was not aware who operates the ’spot’ and where the proceeds from the sale of the food go.

“In Nigeria, when some musicians were facing similar problems they formed their own professional union, and is now the biggest union so far; so there is no big deal in forming ours because it’s going to be the biggest union ever in the history of the music industry”, he noted.

“It is as a result these problems and many others that the young artistes in the industry mess up with their work. They don’t go through any form of workshops and training, things the Union is supposed to be organising. That is why they choose anybody at all who expresses willingness to assist them as their producers and managers”, he emphasized.

Gyedu Blay Ambolley, who is said to have introduced rap music in the industry with ‘Simigwa-do’, further lamented, “The Union is in total sham and I really pity these young ones who are coming into the system because if they are not strong and hard working like me and some few others, they will go hungry.”

As the interaction kept on gathering momentum, he disclosed certain things about his personal life and what he intended to do in future.

Can you tell us who Ambolley really is?
Ambolley was born and raised in Secondi in the Western Region of Ghana, schooled there and started his music career there,

So how did you get into the music industry?
It all began in 1969 when I started playing with a band called the ‘Uhuru Dance Band’ which later became my source of income. So one day the producer, who normally recorded for my leader, heard the song I was playing, so he recorded both and sent it to the studio. Afterwards my song became a hit and eventually it led to my first album.

What was the title?
The title was ‘Simigwa-do’ in 1973, which took Ghana by storm because it came in a different style altogether with quality dancing skills and language. It was through this album that I became the originator of rap in Ghana since majority of the tracks were raps.

Has any of the hip-life artistes so far emulated your rap skills?
I can say no because some of them don’t know music; what they know is to rhyme. When it comes to rap, they can’t touch me, but I can touch them.

What are some of the challenges that you faced?
For challenges, I can’t place my finger on any, but what I will say is I didn’t make enough money out of this album, though it was a hit.

So far how many albums have you come out with?
Twenty-two.

And did you write them on your own?
Yes. I wrote them, arranged them, composed them and performed them on my own.

How would you compare the state of the industry in the past to the present?
In the 70s and 80s, it was in the process of becoming better until Sidiku Buari and his team came in to mess things up till date. Though we saw the benefits we never received them.

Has the industry in any way affected your life?
Though it has its negative side, I will not deny the fact that it has helped me. I can now sing on my own. I’ve also traveled to many places, written more songs, sang and projected them myself.

How many awards have you received?
A lot; but the current one I can remember is the ACRAG Award, one from the United States Congress, another one from the Governor of California - Major and the Hall of Fame at Charles Drew University, Los Angeles.

What do you do aside this career?
I’m a full time musician. I believe in focusing on one thing, doing it well in order to get huge outcomes out of it. I do my works well and so I always receive royalties from America, Europe and other countries.

How are you managing your family?
By His grace I have a son in London who has given me three grandchildren; and I also have two children with my American wife, Esi Malika.

What are you working on now?
At the moment, I’m preparing to come out with an album the title of which I don’t want to disclose. All I can say is Ghanaians should expect something from me either at the end of this year or early next year. I’m also planning to go to the States and bring my studio equipment and everything here so that I can settle down because many hip-life artistes like Tiny, Reggie, Obrafoo, Lord Kenya, Castro and others, are dying to collaborate with me.

What do you do in your leisure hours?
I always use my leisure hours to read books concerning our history and culture because it seems majority of us have left our culture behind. I normally read them in order to acquire more knowledge and to get more involved in our culture.

Anything else you would want to add?
I just want to advise the up-and-coming musicians to study the market well, choose the right producers and managers so that what they have worked hard for will not be in vain.

Related:

Tension mounts in music industry…as top musicians support Ambolley

Court dismisses motion against MUSIGA

Police invites Gyedu Blay Ambolley

Sidiku Buari speaks

Musiga unfair treatment to Ambolley (II)

MUSIGA’s unfair treatment to Ambolley (I)

Shock at Ambolley vetting

Ambolley fights back

MUSIGA presidency: Confusion over Ambolley’s eligibility

Diana Hopeson eyes MUSIGA presidency

Fondly described as the lady with a powerful voice by her admirers, Phillipa, who sings to up-lift the souls of the crest-fallen, last week embarked on a nationwide tour to sensitize Ghanaians on the need to uphold the relative peace and stability they are enjoying now, during and after the polls.

She disclosed the trouble that she had plunged herself into as she chatted with The Saturday Statesman, “This peace awareness tour has been the shock of my life; I am so surprised at the turn-out.

Both young and old crowd on me to hear what I have to say. At Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, it was massive, not to talk of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.The whole community was so crowded that I couldn’t even get a place to stand. It was extremely difficult for me to move my car anywhere I went. I find myself in trouble, but I think the message is really getting into people’s heads, and I thank God for that”.

The tour began in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions and will proceed to Ho in the Volta Region on 23 August, 2008. She was accompanied by gospel artistes like Gifty Osie, Ernest Opoku, Moses Ok, Celestine Donkor, the popular group called, Daughters of Glorious Jesus among others.

Phillipa Baafi said the performances she and her colleague gospel singers put up at public gatherings were simply splendid.

She was fully convinced that this year’s elections are going to be peaceful, viewed from the responses they the peace emissaries had been receiving. “I believe that by the time I’m done with all the regions, every Ghanaian might have been well sensitized on the need for peace to prevail in this year’s elections”, she underscored.

Asked how she felt about the NPP using her song for its campaign, she replied, “I’m not surprised at all because that track ‘Go High’ is very inspirational. I just want to make it clear to those who think I’m singing for them because I support them that, I don’t belong to any political party; but if any party, being it the NDC, CPP and so on, calls me to sing for it, I will do so.”

Phillipa further touched on some pertinent issues facing the music industry in Ghana, details of these and other issues are captured below.

Can you brief us a little about your life?
I was born in Kumasi and I schooled at Kings International Primary and J.S.S, I then went to St Monica’s. I studied Physiology Anatomy at FC Skin and Beauty Institute, Accra. From there I traveled to Germany -Wayernheganh - to study beauty therapy further.

How did you get into the music industry?
It’s a talent from God. I was also very brilliant in school and my family wanted me to be a Medical Doctor but things couldn’t turn out the way they wanted because God in His own wisdom, knows what’s best for me.

Did your parents finally agree to your becoming a musician?
No, they didn’t take it easy at all. They were very furious especially my mum. In fact, all my family members virtually neglected me. They rose up against me and so I had no support from them. There was even a time that I was thrown out of the house and for that matter, I had to battle things out on my own; but is very unfortunate that my parents are not here to see what I’ve become today.

What was your first album?
My first album was ‘Nyame Hohom Sane’, That was in 1999. I then came up with the second ‘Mogya Na Akasa’ – in 2002; Okyeso Nyame – in 2003; and what brought me into the lime light was ‘Yesu Ye Me Last Top’ – 2004. I became more popular with ‘Ago Dance’ in 2006 and the last one, ‘Go High’ - 2008.

Did the first album sell much?
No, it didn’t sell because the production wasn’t all that good and people didn’t know me as a musician then. The song was very popular only in churches.

What were some of the challenges that you faced?
As for challenges, they’re a whole lot but the main challenge in coming out with a first album is how to get a producer.

Have you done any collaboration?
A lot; I can mention them all. A few of them are, ‘Ago Dance’, with Elder Agyare and ‘Go High’, with Celestine Donkor. One thing about me is that I believe in uniqueness so if there is a part I think this person can sing better than I do, I will just go for that person rather than do it alone and mess things up. I’m also planning to collaborate with Rebecca Malopy from South Africa.

Have you received any awards for these albums?
I’ve been nominated on several occasions for the Ghana Music Awards but I haven’t received any yet. All the same, I’m proud to state that I’ve received one from Summer Awards thus, Female Consistent Artist 2007.

What do you think are some of the challenges facing the music industry today?
For me the problem I’m much concerned about is the One on One producer business in this country. In other countries, they have a big company that sits down and decides on which song to come out but here, the producers manipulate us and use us anyhow they want because they always want to choose the songs for us and if you don’t agree, then that is the end of you, which I think is very bad. Another problem is that we don’t have a strong copyright law and so unscrupulous people pirate our works.

Do you agree that pastors are killing gospel music’?
That is someone’s opinion. For me, I’ve never experienced it before because I have a management team which is headed by my beloved husband. Their work is to sort things out with those who want me to perform for them; so mine is to just go there and sing. It is all about having a good management team and nothing else.

Are all gospel songs God-inspired?
I can’t really tell, but I know mine is from God. It is all about having the favour, the grace and the charisma and also doing a market survey before coming out with a song so that the songs can sell well.

What do you do apart from singing?
I’m a beauty therapist. I treat skins. I have a beauty clinic in Kumasi called ‘Phillibells Beauty Clinic’.

Any project you’ve embarked on so far?
Yes, I do it privately because I don’t want everybody to see that I’m helping the needy.

How long have you been married?
Two years now.

How do you manage your work with your triplets?
It is not easy at all but with support from my aunts Kate, Felicia and Hannah, they are doing perfectly well and I’m very grateful to these helpful relatives. I also thank God for the lives of these kids because they - Nana Kojo Nhyira Kakari, Nana Kojo Nhyiraba Kakari and Nana Nhyira Kakari - will be a year old on September 24.

What do you do in your leisure hours?
When I’m free I just stand in front of a mirror and praise God and whiles I do that ideas will be coming in. There are a lot of people who get their songs through dreams but mine is through the mirror.

Anything else you want to add?
What I have to say is that I thank every one who has helped in making me what I am today especially, George Forest, Agya Adom, Danny Bassi and my husband.

Related:

High and in good form

NPP buys ‘Go High’? - Philipa Baafi

Is Philipa Baafi an NPP member?

Creating and releasing good music comes with its own set of responsibilities of which Scobo is fully aware. Scobo himself is a producer of beats so music fans will be getting down with their songs.

Blak Star Entertainment consist of Scobo, Jordon, Shasha (1st Lady) and Cartoon (an up and coming artiste). Hopefully by next year, they will be done with their album which comes with an exclusive DVD featuring Blakstar Entertainment footage and artiste documentaries.

Ghana Music.com was privileged to have Scobo and Jordon previewing tracks from the new album and taking us on a tour about Blak Star Entertainment.

Ghana Music.com: First off, why don’t you introduce Blak Star Entertainment to those who are not familiar with your music or what you do?
SCOBO: I’m Derrick Ekow Affram popularly known as Scobo, CEO of Blak Star Entertainment who was born and raised in Ghana. I currently reside in the United States. Music is my passion, I eat; sleep with it thus me being a producer/artiste. I do all kind of music (hip-hop, hip-life, dance hall, reggae, R&B, you name it.
JORDAN: I’m Jordan, co founder of Blak Star Entertainment . I was born in Accra, Ghana and raised in USA.

Ghana Music.com: Let’s talk about you and your beats?
SCOBO: I’ve been making beats ever since I came to the states about nine years ago. Creating something with melody is nothing, but a blessing that God has given to me - his child, and also to be able to work with another talented brother named Jordan, I feel we are the generation of hip-hop and many more great things to come. We are here to stay and nothing will stop us.

Ghana Music.com: I hear you have made a huge name for yourself through beats and many call you by far the greatest. Do you feel you are the best?
SCOBO: Yeah, a real artiste recognizes a real beat, so all artists out there who have spit on my beats know what the deal is.

Ghana Music.com: Who is Cartoon?
SCOBO: CARTOON is one of the most talented hip life rapper ever, his flow are unpredictable. I mean this guy is sick and ill when he spits.

Ghana Music.com: Define the album in your words?
SCOBO: Expect the full length album next year. Album title is THE DIFINITION OF SCOBO.
Ghana Music.com: When can we expect your full-length debut album?
JORDAN: Yeap, u all ready know next year.

Ghana Music.com: Any guest appearances on the album, whose gonna produces some tracks? Any names you wanna let out?
SCOBO: We have KILLANOVA, XRAY, AK47 and more on it.

Ghana Music.com: What do you want to accomplish?
SCOBO: The mind set is the make quality music, music that everybody can relate to.
JORDAN: Staying focused and working hard.

Ghana Music.om: Hip hop has changed so much over the years. What are your thoughts on the direction of hip hop/hip life? Where is it going?
SCOBO: Right now hip hop is  big so as hip life, the more years passes by the greater it gets.

Ghana Music.com: How does this impact your group?
SCOBO: In my group we all thugs of hip hop, I think that explains everything.

Ghana Music.com: Where do you see the group in five years as a result?
SCOBO: We going to the top by God’s grace.
JORDAN: On top of the charts.

Ghana Music.com: What do you feel is the biggest mis-conception people have about people who do hip life music?
SCOBO: Maybe the realness and confidence because I know every hip life artist speaks out of confidence and not afraid of what comes out.

Ghana Music.com: What are your thoughts on [Barack] Obama as a Ghanaian in US?
SCOBO: Right now it’s time for a change so Barack is going all the way to the top and I feel very good about it.

Ghana Music.com: What’s in store for the future?
SCOBO: A lot of hits and good music.
JORDAN: Working with all artistes from A to Z.

Ghana Music.com: Any last comments or thoughts?
SCOBO: Blak Star Entertainment, all day, every day, watch out for the whole crew. We coming out strong don’t get me wrong. SHASHA, ABIGAIL, IRIS, BIG PHIL, DJ NAY AND EUNICE what’s up.
JORDAN: Jah guide us all, friends and family, EUNICE, NINO, IBRAHIM, SAME, GARIBA, ABORA, CAPTAIN COBO, FRED, ERA, OBAA, MAAME, HILDA,DJ NAY, AROON, MADNESS, OLDDOG R.I.P AND KIOFIE ETC

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What happened between the time you uploaded your first track to African hip hop radio (’Africa represent’) and the time you released your album abroad?
I had a lot of life situations to deal with, including sorting out my visa. I went back home to Ghana for a couple of months and came back to Minneapolis, focused and ready to move on with my debut. I got fortunate and did a radio jingle for Pepsi which was their main song on their website for about a year. The royalties helped me move on with the project independently and later partner with a European distribution label.

Now it seems people often describe or perceive you as an African emcee; and unlike some other emcees you have never hidden your background or upbringing. Do you find a label as ‘Ghanaian artist’ or ‘African hip hop artist’ obstructing your development as an artist, or are you happy in presenting yourself as different from emcees that were born in the States?
I was born and raised in Ghana, came to the US in 2001, before the chaos of nine eleven, and been here for about 8 years now. I was a Ghanaian before the artist in me manifested, so I’m very comfortable being associated with my origins. I understand the concerns with being labeled and boxed in, but my story, my history, plays an enormous role in the skill, energy and narratives I express in the music. A big part of hip-hop is representing for you and yours. If Biggie did it for NYC, KRS put the South Bronx on the tip of the tongue of kids who hadn’t even even stepped foot at JFK airport, then I barely find a reason to hide my origins. It’s not just hollow pride in Africa or Ghana, its a real feeling of telling our stories to the world. Representing.

Who have been your influences on both lyrical/vocal and musical sides?
On the lyrical side, I’m influenced a lot by life as seen from the Ghanaian and African point of view. I’m quite indulgent in current events and I muse over everything from Obama mania to Mugabe. On the musical side, I have a plethora of influences. A lot of old music especially since me and my producers go diggin, from Jimmy Cliff to Nas to Fela, to Hugh Masekela, and even as current as K’naan.

Talking about digging, we have seen some compilations uncovering obscure 1970s Ghanaian funk and Afrobeat and soul, yet it’s been mostly western producers sampling them, like Madlib used a track from Ghana Soundz pt2. Have you been inspired to dig in ghana and sample from there?
Also I remember Reggie Rockstone’s producer used to sample local stuff but hiplife seems less on the sampling grooves tip. Havent really heard any other Ghanaian artists sampling local records. Man, I’ve been up on a lot of those compilations. Reggie (who I’ve recorded with for his upcoming record) started diggin into the old Ghanaian music early. I have done some songs, unreleased, which had samples from old Ghanaian records, but I don’t know if I should be giving up any names.

Rab the International used to write for our site but last I heard he had moved back to Brooklyn.
Yeah, Rab is that dude. I met up with him in New York, he was very complimentary about the album and has put a lot of people up on it. A true pioneer.

Can you explain a bit about the way this album came together?
The album was a two year process, even though it didn’t take me much time to record songs. In the first year I had over 80 songs recorded. I recorded two songs in Ghana, “Swing low” and “E.Z does it” which were produced by two of my producer friends in Ghana. I have a production team called 4shades - thats equivalent to my band. That’s Willie Mitchell for Al Green or the Funk Brothers for Marvin, or Egypt 80 for Fela. All the work I engage in with other producers filled in the gaps for the most part.

I see you have released your album on different labels right? Germany/USA/Ghana? Is it out yet in Ghana?
It’s out in Ghana, but I don’t have official business partnerships moving it right now there… I’m about to make it happen this year. The music is for the people. If it’s good, I’m flattered by any way folks wanna get it, steal it, whatever. It shows how much they want it.

You have been working with Wanlov. How did that link-up come about?
I’ve done tracks with both Wanlov and Krukid (Rawkus). Wanlov and I have a lot of mutual friends. We made a song before we ever met in person… the energy and vibes we were projecting were well in sync. I have a big project with Krukid called A.R.M (African Rebel Movement) coming out this year - it’s the first time I’m speaking publicly about it.

Ok! is that a theme album?
Yes chale. We’ve recorded some great songs for it so far. It’s looking like a monumental piece. We’ll definitely be featuring other people, especially some major African emcees. We’ll definitely be reaching out to the likes of K’naan.

And your second album “Coming to America” - any idea when that should become available?
Man, heaven only knows. It’s shaping up well. But there’s no said date. There are a lot of possibilities on the business tip I have to explore first. But lots of music will be coming out before that. A.R.M is a separate project, dropping before Coming to America. That one will definitely be in by the fall.

You, Reggie and Wanlov kinda stand out in that many young Ghanaian artists have taken the hiplife route. Is that really a different world for you, since your music is much closer to the esthetics of hip hop?
It’s funny, but hip-life begun as just a label for Ghanaian hip-hop. It’s evolved as it should. But I think we have more to offer, so I respect being a part or product of the 90’s hip-life movement. Once its good music I’m all for it.

Does hip hop have a place in Ghana as a popular genre or do you feel that the music industry and the media force it underground?
I think its a fatal strategy to rely on the media or business folk to support a movement like hip hop anywhere in Ghana, I think. Artists that are dope and can make hip hop that is relevant culturally, can band together and make moves independently. People will jump on it once they see it being successful. That’s the way of business and media.

Do you think artists should be more self supportive in distributing, marketing etc?
Well, they say bosses talk to bosses and monkeys play by their sizes. If one can’t stand on their own, it becomes a very imbalanced power relations with artists and distributors, etc. So it’s a good thing to do shows, build an audience, and committed following with little resources. The time will always come where partnerships with big distributors is essential… but the world won’t wait, and we shouldn’t either.

Has the internet played an important role in your recent achievements?
Definitely. Thats a yes with exclamation. New avenues, more ways of connecting directly with many people worldwide.

And do you think online sales can become a good part of an artist income? Or should music be freely downloadable with concert income & airplay royalties being the bulk of an artists income?
Well, thats a complex question. I think we oughta be able to adapt to the times. if a 100 million people download my music for free and a 100.000 buy it, I’d be good. Unless of course I’m on a label that needs me to sell a million before breaking even. So then there is the portion of cutting out the middle men. Radiohead and Prince have done that, but that’s cause they have name recognition. One has to overstand every individual artists situation before making a good judgement call on that.

What else do you want to share with the Africanhiphop.com community?
I’ll just say hope folks tune in to www.myspace.com/manifestations. Buy, download, or whatever you can afford to “Manifestations” and look out for my “Coming to America” sophomore opus. Sincerely yours, m dot - always representing Africa with a spectacular street vernacular. Blessings.

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In an interaction with The Saturday Statesman to react to the assertion, he replied, “No it is never true. There is no way a musician can bribe a DJ; they rather stipulate an amount for us to pay.”

Readers will recall that this paper published in last week Saturday’s edition that ‘Merqury’, a presenter on Sound City, a video channel on GTV, had said in an interview that musicians bribe DJs to play their poor works.

Samini (known in the showbiz industry as ‘Batman’) rebuffed, “Any DJ who makes that statement is an irresponsible one. Tell them that I, Samini, said any DJ who will make such a statement is irresponsible. It may be that the DJ himself enjoys the ‘Payola’ very well and that is why he made such a statement”.

Batman further pointed out that kind-hearted people like Bola Ray, KOD, B.B Menson, Abeku Santana and some others, would refuse to collect money, “even when you put it right in front of them”.

He observed, “But for some of them, not only will they take money, but they will stipulate an amount they want, and if you fail to offer it then it means your music won’t go on air.

“I remember some few years back when I came out with a song entitled ‘Linda’, a DJ in one of the radio stations in Accra rejected my CD just because I couldn’t raise the amount he wanted me to pay; so I had to carry it elsewhere”, he recalled.

According to worried Batman, finances and record labels are not the only problems facing the industry. “More often than not, TV stations which invite artistes to perform in their musical shows, often put off the microphones for the musicians to mime without any logistics to make it livelier on stage. It is also a very big shame and a disgrace to the industry”, he queried.

Talking about his new album, he disclosed that it is his third and is entitled Dagaati. The 21-track album is a medley of hip-life and pop tunes, “because artists like Etana-Jamaica, Nameless-Kenya and Sway from the UK are featured on it”. Details of these and some issues about his personal life were disclosed.

How did you manage to get into the music industry?
After completing Senior Secondary School (now Senior High School), I was only in the house doing nothing because there was nothing worthwhile to do. So I decided to work on my talent, hence my first album Dankwansre, in 2004.

So what were some of the challenges you faced?
It wasn’t easy at all. For one to be able to execute one’s first album is a great challenge, but after everything I managed to get two Awards out of it. It also took me to UK, Canada, Holland, Germany and Italy.

How many albums have you come out with so far?
Three: Dankwansre in 2004, Samini in 2006 and Dagaati, which is coming out next month.

Did you write them on your own?
Yes, I can say 98% are from me and the other 2% are ideas from other people.

Which of these albums is your favourite?
I think Samini.

Why?
Because it portrays who I really am and where I come from. It also adds value to my image.

Does this imply that you’ve thrown away ‘Batman’?
Oh no. The fact is, I really feel alive as Samani and I become happier when small children call it. But Batman is just a nickname.

How many collaborations have you done?
A lot. I can’t even count them.

How different are the collaborations as compared to your own album?
To me, it is very flexible. It demands less work. I can say that for about 95% of it, I spend no more than 15 minutes in the studio to record it. But for the personal albums, it takes time and energy.

Do the collaborated albums sell better than personal ones?
Yes they do. They sell very well because all the collaborations I’ve done so far have made it to the top.

Do you buy the claim that the Nigerian music industry is on top of our…?
No, I won’t let you even land. It is absolutely no. Musically, by all standards, we stand out. In terms of investment, population and development, they are on top. But when it comes to talents we are far better than they. One thing we should note is that we are not competing. Rather, we should use our African music as a medium for  positive change to unite Africa.

How are you doing in terms of finances?
Very well. By His grace I don’t have to hide it, I’m doing very, very well.

How many awards have you received so far?
Eight: 2 for the first album, 4 for the second from Ghana Music Awards, 1 MOBO Award, and 1on Hip-pop World 2006 (Best African Act 2006).

What do you do outside music?
I’m a farmer; I’m more into food. I grow maize and cassava in the Western and Ashanti regions. You know, it is not always about singing and dancing. One must also think about the nation too, so I urge all the youth to start tilling the soil and grow more food when the need arises. I also have a transportation company called Samini CAPs.

Have you embarked on any projects so far?
Yes, a lot, I’ve established a foundation call the Right of a Child. I go to the rural areas to educate children on their responsibilities, encourage them to read and harness their talents. I tried to assist in raising funds for those with sickle cell problems. It didn’t go well, but I will continue with the drive when I launch my album. I’m also working with the British Council-Debate to Action, which aims at training young entrepreneurs.

Can you tell us about your family background?
I’m a 100% Ghanaian from the Upper West Region, a Dagaati, born on 22 December, 1981 in Dansoman., Accra

What about your love life?
Ha-ha-haaa, my love life! Hmmmm! For now I’m a reserved person; I just want to concentrate on my albums. I just don’t want to enter anyone’s life for now.

Anything else you would like to add?
I just want to tell my fans out there that I love them and I appreciate the support they’ve been giving me. I also want to tell them that I will be doing a nation-wide tour in December so they should expect to see me.

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What is Platform 2?
Platform 2 is a project which enables 18-25 year olds to go to a developing country for 10 weeks. The young people go in order to help the community, and learn about themselves, another culture, and way of life.

What’s good about the project?
People usually go on holiday to various places like Brazil. But people wouldn’t necessarily spend their money to go to these kinds of places. What’s good about this project is it allows people to go to places they wouldn’t normally go to, or maybe they can’t afford to go to. It builds a bridge between us and different communities. It teaches the young people from the UK a lot, and shows places like Africa that we do care because often they feel like westernized courtiers don’t care. So for the young people from the UK to go out and interact with the different communities is definitely beneficial to the communities out there, and the young people taking part.

Can participants expect to see you out there?
Yeah, I’m going to be going over there to meet them. My schedule is so hectic I can’t take 10 weeks out to be there. But I will go meet up with them, see what they’re up to, how they are. And also I want to alert my fan base about what’s going on. So I might shoot a little clip and put it on my Myspace so my fan base can see what’s going on. And maybe they’ll want to apply as well.

Why do you think it’s taken along time for such a project to get off the ground?
Everything has it’s time. There are similar projects about, but I’ve never heard of a project that offers all of this. So in that sense it’s going to be hard. I think it’s also to do with time and money. Luckily the project was funded by the government.

Why did you decide to get involved with this type of project?
Because I support the idea. I think it’s a really good idea for people in the UK to get out this environment and learn about a different culture. It’s an opportunity to go to Ghana which is one of the main things that drew me to this project; as I’m from Ghana. Alongside that, they get the opportunity to got South America, India, and Peru. I’m sure in the 3 years that the project is running; people will be able to go to other places around the world.

How important is it that young people see you taking part in a scheme like this?
I think it’s very important. I don’t think people in my environment, and some people who listen and make my kind of music have any aspiration to come out of their areas, let alone a country. So to see me, and know that I go to Ghana every 5/6 months, and travel you know, I think it’s inspirational for them to know there’s something a lot bigger than Lambeth, a lot bigger than Hackney, and all these areas. It’s inspirational for others to see the different cultures within me and how I use that to push forward. So I had to take part!

What other projects are you working on?
The main project is my 2nd album it’s entitled the signature LP. It’s some of the best work I’ve ever made.

Who will you be collaborating with on the album?
Akon. Lemar and Leo the Lion from The Streets are on the album. 2Face Idibia is on the album on a track called My Kind Of Girl. That track talks about someone not wanting their daughter to talk to me because of the music I do.

Is that track from personal experience?
Yeah (laughs). To find out what that’s all about you’ll have to buy the album.

How did the collaboration come about with you and Akon?
I met Akon in a club in Ghana. But prior to that someone had given him a CD, of crunk and grime. So someone introduced us in a club and said Akon this is Sway. And he was like; UK Sway? He was like I think I can break you over here in the USA. So we’re working on a little campaign to get me over there.

Any movie roles in the pipeline?
Just shot my first film. It’s called The Grind. There are a lot of people in this film that were in Layer Cake. It’s kind of a gangster film shot in East London. That will be in cinemas towards the end of the year.

Are you on the soundtrack?
Not this one. I’m on the Adulthood soundtrack with my track F Ur Ex.

What is the next 5 years looking like for Sway?
I’ve done a collaboration with Chamillionaire, Lupe Fiasco and Mark Ronson who are Grammy winners. Further down the line that something I want to accomplish. Plus all these people around me winning it’s not good for my ego (laughs).

Any final words?
Go check the website out www.myplatform2.com . There’s a video on Youtube so check that out and see if it’s something you want to be a part of. If I had the time I would get involved myself. And buy my album twice; Signature LP.

How can young people get involved with Platform 2?
What you have to do is go to the website: www.myplatform2.com, and apply. If your eligible I think the process takes about 3 months before you get there.

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Trig’s brave creativity and unique experiences he brings to the mic has kept him going for the past years. Simply put, Trig’s got skills. If you don’t believe it, you should have witnessed him eating emcees up at every battle freestyle show organized in Ghana. But more about that later…

In my high school days, Trig was making noise, but he was still searching for his big break and has cooked up his maiden album – “Stain on Cloth”.

He is no respecter of person when it comes to rap and says “Sway as an artist  wouldn’t  have made it if he was  still  living in Ghana because Ghanaians wouldn’t have appreciated  his music and that’s  a real fact. I don’t blame him bringing the UK flag for bet awards”.

Trig had a lot to say in this interview so why you don’t relax whiles Ghana Music.com takes you into ‘Matic’ world.

Ghana Music.com: Is there a deeper meaning behind the title?
Trig: Yeah,’Stain on a cloth’ actually describes how disappointed and down hearted one becomes, after identifying a particular stain on his shirt, skirt, cloth etc. and how it becomes impossible for him/her to attend whatever event he/she has planned. It tells you how the album, has become a threat or barrier for most emcees especially with my display of versatility, hence most of them taking a pause on their projects/albums.

Ghana Music.com: So I was listening to the new album. I don’t understand some of the tracks. Fill me on it?
Trig: The album itself is made up of 12 tracks, all of which have stories behind them. Let me take you through a few of the tracks. Track one - which is BOOT CAMP serve as an introduction and a welcome note into the Matic world. The 2nd one, ONE talks about togetherness and how unity can lead us to the hidden minds of success. I GO (feat. p-dice), which is track 3 on the album, talks about how me and my ‘goons’ go hard on the streets where we come from. After the struggle on the streets, comes NO MAN which is legendary having REGGIE ROCKSTONE put a verse on it. It warns u against snitches and backbiters who hail you after you make it, BEWARE!!! Then comes BADBOY which describes a school scene, and the life of one naughty boy who causes trouble everywhere he goes but the remix with tinny tells the audience how successful he became after school. It goes on and on like that.

Ghana Music.com: I was surprised because your flow on your album sounds pretty different because you used to rap like Eminem?
Trig: I can say that 90% of GH artiste that I know mastered the hip hop art trying being like someone, eventually they let it go and pick up their own styles. That’s exactly what happened with me. I selected Eminem because at the time when he stepped out, he was the artiste that that had the greatest of challenges considering his race and style. I decided therefore that to get all eyes on me, I’d pick up the Eminem style since I had his voice pitch. Trust me it worked, and then it was time to switch to me  - Trigmatic.

Ghana Music.com: You know we can’t forget your free styling past?
Trig: I can’t forget it myself because it still lives in me. Gone are the days where ciphers use to be the tool. Nowadays peeps don’t freestyle anymore, everybody wanna do crunk or something commercial. It was free styling that actually brought me to the surface.

Ghana Music.com: You’ve got Reggie Rockstone, Tinny, and Mobile Boys on the album. These are guys I would not have expected to hear on a Trig album. Why?
Trig: Why not Reggie, Tinny, M. O.B, or the Mobile Boyz, these are hip hop cats who rap in their mother tongues. The days of SOURCE, WRECKOGNISE, FUNWORLD etc it was all about rapping on hip hop beats, these cats were the bomb. They had to switch just to make that gwap, though most who followed were just wack.  Just wanna say that it is a plus to have all these gurus on ma first project. They have more than hiplife. One needs cats like these to sell in GH. Tinny has a complete hip hop album which he released in Nigeria. Until Ghanaians understand hip hop and hip life, our problems can’t be solved.

Ghana Music.com: There’s one track even though I couldn’t understand what you were saying, I could really feel it. It’s titled “Kwaashe Girls”?
Trig: “Kwaashe Girls,” simply talks about gold diggers whom we come across everyday. They want your d***k, money, fame and everything you’ve worked for. Kwaashe which runs through the song is a street jargon which is used to describe phone snatchers and car jackers.  This song is different becomes the flow was in pigin and beat is crunk, “would you call it hip hop”?

Ghana Music.com: Youth worldwide have initiated projects to tackle issues to promote social justice and to effect change within their own or global communities. What are you tackling?
Trig: Hmm, if there’s anything I would tackle, it should be on the attitudes and the frame of mind of our generation. I’d probably use music as a platform to inject positive thoughts and ideas into the minds of my fans because majority of them lack a lot. They are lazy, refuse to think for themselves, copy blindly, don’t wanna hustle legally and I think rich kids should be trained to understand LIFE.

Ghana Music.com: “Who’s the best MC?’ “Top 5 dead or alive?”
Trig: Biggie, Jay Z, Immortal Teknik, Eminem and Jadakiss.

Ghana Music.com: You got into Hip-Hop at a young age, who were some of the artists you used to listen to when you were first getting into rap?
Trig: Biggie, Jay Z, Canibus, Eminem, Bob Marley and a lot more, actually I listened to different genres of music, thanks to my dad.

Ghana Music.com: Who did the beats for “Stain on a Cloth”?
Trig: Skonti, El, Skaydee and Jay Foley.

Ghana Music.com: What’s the tone and feel of this new album, how is it different from other hip hop albums?
Trig: Stain on a cloth is a totally different album, which defines versatility and clearly defines the true magic in me. Just when you are tempted to, something about a track prompts you to listen. It has tracks that appeal to all classes of people in our society. I just refused to copy blindly, so I put on the album what I wanted. It’s about time we serve our people with a bit of our meals. There can never be another BADBOY track unless I decide to do a better one, which has already been cooked.

Ghana Music.com: What do you think about Hip-Hop in Ghana? Hip-Hop is really blossoming out in Ghana now, have you been out there to do any shows yet?
Trig: I’m  not trying to sound cocky, but I will say  that apart from Scientific, I am the only hip hop artist who have done  the most show both last year and this year and the only artist with the most publicity. I have been on the lyricists lounge and held it down to the final which I eventually became the winner. I was on the lyrical hype show organized at Aviation Social centre and I have  been on the number of shows organized for second cycle schools. I have hosted my audience and treated them to the best of hip hop  at the Bless The Mic hip hop show at hipnotic, Osu.

Ok, about hip hop in Ghana I think it’s still  at its immature state and people involved in it should study the art as well as the business aspect of it. Hip hop in Ghana lacks a unified force which is suppose to hold it down unlike the states or other countries, our hip hop cats are too egoistic and  full of themselves. I would prefer fusing with the hiplife cats to get into the main stream than been on the track with another hip hop cat who would either spit a  verse about guns, flossing or something unrealistic believe that hip hop is a culture and  rap is one element of it  used as a  tool to disseminate information to it audience. If we begin to understand and  identify other element hip hop such as disc jockeying, graffiting, break dancing etc people will do other  stuff and still be part of the  hip hop family. All I can say is without unity hip hop cannot grow like it should. Then again, there are too many empty headed radio presenter hosting hip hop shows and this is what is killing the game. These presenters will either not play good music or misinform their listeners as too what real hip hop is. Event organizers should begin the act of fixing underground hip hop cats on their shows. the reason being that, they do less research and refuse to the see  the good ones therefore always put in similar performances all the time. I will not be a crusader because I know  other people have fought the same war and have lost. I cannot just be me but all of us. I am only afraid, now that all the hiplife cats are beginning to do crunk, I hope it does not become another genre that people will blindly follow. I hope they don’t call it ‘crunk life.’

Ghana Music.com: Trig good luck to you and I’m going to keep picking up the albums. Where should the people that don’t know where pick your material get copies?
Trig: You can always find a Trigmatic album at cyber city, Dansoman, Illa’s barbers, Dansoman, A- town barbering shop, Madina, or call +233243167459 or +233244160611 or download samples of badboy from ghrap.com.

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In an interaction with The Saturday Statesman in Accra about the major problems facing the music industry - particularly gospel music - Ohemaa Mercy, one of Ghana’s most popular gospel artistes, replied, “Pastors and churches are not helping us the gospel artistes at all, as compared to other artistes who get paid after performing in discos and other entertainment spots. As for us the churches don’t support us and this is really making our work difficult.

She explained that because their songs are gospel, many pastors and their congregations are of the view that the songs should be done voluntarily, “which shouldn’t be so because we invested in the songs before they came out for people to buy and listen to; therefore we must also reap back some benefits to enable us give of our best”.

According to her, they always raised this issue whenever MUSICA met but there hadn’t been any positive changes.

Other sentiments she expressed were that due to pirating and financial constraints, the Ghanaian music industry is still ‘very poor’, and cannot compete in the international market as compared to other countries like Nigeria which are making it up there. She was also worried that “Ghanaians don’t value the work we are doing”.

She appealed to the government and other donor agencies to come to their aid and push the music industry forward “so that royalties will be well paid as well”,.

The beautiful singer with a powerful voice had some further chats with The Saturday Statesman about her background.

Who is Ohemaa Mercy?
Ohemaa Mercy is a 100% Fanti, raised in the Central Region and the third born of five children. I attended St. Peters Anglican Primary and JSS (now JHS), and then to Ghana Secondary School, Koforidua. From there I moved to SDA Training College where I graduated as a professional teacher; and I’m now teaching in my former school thus - St. Peter’s Anglican Primary. JHS, then some years later, I got married.

How long have you been into the teaching profession?
Seven years now.

Were you a teacher before you came into the music industry?
Yes.

So how did you get into the music industry?
When I was a kid, I used to sing in church. I was born into the Church of Pentecost so I always attended conventions and crusades. Elder Mireku, the renowned gospel singer, always advised me to pray very hard and work harder because there was something in me which would make me a big musician in future. I followed his advice and I later joined a band called Golden Bells, headed by Rev. Obed Owusu. After leading a song ‘Yesu Wo Ye Barima’, he took me to a studio, that was when it all began. Initially when I was going to the studio, I didn’t have enough songs in my mind but as I entered and started singing the songs started coming like something. “In fact, I was amazed”.

What was the title of the first album?
‘Adanfo Papa’, It has ten songs on it and it was out in 2005.

Did you write them on your own?
Yes, I wrote eight on my own, but the two were written by my husband, Isaac Tsum Ampofo and one Martinson Larbi.

Why? Is your husband also into music?
Yes.

And has he come out with any album?
No, normally he backs me when I perform on stage.

Did your first album sell well in the market?
It wasn’t that bad but I will say by His grace, it went well and we were able to get something out of it.

Did you encounter some challenges?
As for challenges, I went through a lot but what I will say is because it was my first time, when I went out to perform and I met the big stars I sometimes shivered.

What will you say about the second album?
The second album came out just last year. The title is ‘Adin Jesus’. It consists of ten songs, out of which I wrote eight own my own, and the two by Osei of Vine Praise and Martinson Larbi.

Who produces your music?
Big Ben Production. They do everything for me in terms of distribution and marketing.

What does one gain in being a musician?
You will be financially ok. You get to know a lot of people and travel to different places. Morally, it checks your life because you no longer go out as you used to.

Have you so far helped the society in any way?
Yes. In my school I provide uniforms and pay school fees for children who are intelligent but come from poor homes. I sometimes give money to certain parents for their up-keep. I’ve also adopted three children, and I also help widows in my church.

Aside these two careers what else do you do?
I deal in ladies’ dresses, shoes and others.

Do you have any children?
Yes. I have two kids, Kofi Nyamekye and Kofi Nhyira.

So how do you cope with taking care of your family and all these activities?
By His grace I’m coping with all. My husband understands me and wherever I go he accompanies me and sings with me,

How many awards have you received so far?
I’ve received five awards; the first was in 2006 - the Discovery of The Year, a Ceveal Gospel Awards organized by a private organization. The second, third and fourth were the recent MTN Music Awards during which I won 3 out of the 9 Awards - Gospel Artiste, Gospel Album and Album of The Year. The fifth was last month’s Presidential Award.

Does every gospel song come from God?
No, not every song. I’m saying this because there are people who have the notion that people get rich out of it and so they rush with albums. That is why these days there Are a whole lot of gospel artistes in town.

So what advice do you have for the u- coming ones?
I will advise them not to rush but wait for God to direct them.

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Music Music continues

The album’s theme might be puzzling to fans, but they need buy a copy of the album or visit the following website – to have a feel his album, “Nyame Nim” -Myspace.com and Facebook

The most loved song on the album, “Oman Ghana” highlights on the nation - Ghana and how we the citizens can make it a better place for all of us. He tags the song as a political song but I say it should be a national inspiring song and his timing is good for the upcoming December elections in Ghana.

Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, John E. Atta Mills, Dan Lartey or Dr Edward Mahama hasn’t won the presidency yet, but am sure when they hear “Oman Ghana” which is already having an impact on people they would love the song and add it to their campaign.

Gospel man, Daniel Ayisi has just hit the music scene with bold collection of songs that are fit for all ages.
I have personally listened to the full album and I know what he means which will definitely make it one the most memorable gospel albums of 2008.

Daniel Ayisi is currently putting final touches to his video that he will add to his promotional materials.

Other stand-out tracks on “Nyame Nim” include title track, “Nyame Nim”, “Awurade Na Yebe Som”, “Asem Adooso”, “Oyinkye” and more.

The album’s inspiration is indeed a global one. Business deals are welcomed by callin 233 24 415 6320, 233 27 160 9892 and 233 20 698 1139. Read his full interview below.

Ghana Music.com: How do you define Christian music?
Daniel Ayisi: Christian music is the type of music that has all its message falling within the word of God.

Ghana Music.com: Did your album, “Nyame Nim” take some time to do?
Daniel Ayisi: Yes. ‘Nyame Nim’ presents a message on God’s word talking to the downcast who might have exhausted all prayers for any breakthrough to continue to look to God who has unique breakthrough times and ways for everybody.

Ghana Music.com: Do you think the album will surprise a few fans?
Daniel Ayisi: Yes and could be a lot of fun.

Ghana Music.com: What is behind the curtains of your album?
Daniel Ayisi: My personal belief that there is nothing impossible to achieve.

Ghana Music.com: What’s your approach to addressing Christianity in music?
Daniel Ayisi: The approach of not being judgmental in any way since after all judgment belongs to God and none is perfect, presenting encouragement not being precise on issues like about sickness or poverty but being general. In this, the musician is able to catch the attention of all rather than being specific which cuts off some attention in a way.

Ghana Music.com: What’s the political message in the song, titled “Oman Ghana”?
Daniel Ayisi: That, Ghana has being blessed with all things calling on all to offer their individual work and service contributions to make Ghana a great place for all.

Ghana Music.com: Nana Akufo Addo’s motto is “Believe in Ghana”. Do you agree with him politically?
Daniel Ayisi: Yes. I understand him in this that Ghana is capable to match up to the progressed communities by virtue of the natural endowment in the country.

Ghana Music.com: So it means you have you been following the 2008 presidential election campaigns so far?
Daniel Ayisi: Yes.

Ghana Music.com: Will you vote?
Daniel Ayisi: Yes

Ghana Music.com: Even though you are a gospel artiste did you explore politics too much in your lyrics?
Daniel Ayisi: No, since the politics in the latter part of this year is seasonal thus being elections. So I focused on national development which is bigger and has this ‘politics’ (elections) just a part of it so that when the ‘politics’ is over my music will still be relevant.

Ghana Music.com: Anything in particular in your life that’s been a specific inspiration to your gospel life?
Daniel Ayisi: My faith in God though not without some human errors and sins dealing with such daily in prayers not accepting them to be part of me.

Ghana Music.com: Are there any styles you sing but you’d never try to record?
Daniel Ayisi: I recorded every style I fancy.

Ghana Music.com: Has gospel music changed all that much over the years or is it just folks fussin’ over the same things?
Daniel Ayisi: It is just the same thing regrettably folks not learning from styles and presentations be it local on international that might hopefully catch on for them.

Ghana Music.com: In conclusion, what are you hoping that folks will come away with after listening your promotional song, “Oman Ghana” and other songs?
Daniel Ayisi: First of all to give them some patriotic message and to give a good blend of Ghana-south African presentation of rhythm for the listening pleasure of all.

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