AK Studios Unveils Sammy Lee Jons

Ghanaian-based record label AK music Studios has signed on a new Nigerian artiste, Sammy Lee Jons.

Reports say the silky-voiced singer is already making waves with his first debut single and video ‘Oshamo’, which features OG and Seyi.

CEO of AK music Studios, Andy Acheampong, revealed that the artiste, who is known in real life as Adewunni Samuel Ayoboni, had been doing music professionally for close to 6 years and played four musical instruments- piano, lead guitar, bass guitar and drums.

“Sammy triples as a record producer, singer and rapper, hence a touch of versatility can be found in him which is also one thing that gained him our attention to work with him,” he added.

Sammy confirmed his deal with the Ghanaian record label. He said, “It has not been easy working alone all these years.

I mean to get a hit in Ghana is not easy, so when I met AK Studios I knew the time had come and so far so good by His grace.”

He said he did afro-pop, hip-hop and RnB because he got his inspiration from artistes like Robert Kelly, Ryan Leslie, 2Face and Eldee.

Sammy Lee Jons, as he is popularly called, added, “I am here to stay.

For somebody to have started music at the age of 8 while playing all four instruments, I know what it takes to compose good music.

I want every Ghanaian and the world to know Sammy is here to stay and ‘Oshamo’ is just a teaser. Fans should watch out for the other singles that will be released in between time”.

He concluded by saying that he was grateful to God for His grace, the special link to AK Studios and his newly-found home Ghana. He also thanked his fans and DJs for the airplay given to his single.

source:newsone

Another Nollywood Actor Dies

        Geraldine Ekeocha

Nigeria’s movie industry has again been jolted by the death of one of its famous stars.

Barely a month after the shocking death of veteran actor Sam Loco Efe, one of the country’s popular actresses, Geraldine Ekeocha has passed on.

Nigeria’s Street Journal reported that she died on Sunday September 4, 2011.

Colleague actresses have since been paying tributes to Geraldine who acted in a lot of Nollywood movies.

The cause of her death could not be ascertained by the Journal at the time of filing its report.

However, gistmaster.com said the actress died after a fibroid operation in a hospital in Enugu, Nigeria.

Geraldine Ekeocha has acted in over 80 Nollywood movies including ‘Heavy Storm’ and ‘Tears In Marriage’.

The news of the death was confirmed by actress Tonto Dikeh who has been tweeting her condolences to the family on social network twitter.com.

source:newsone

Reggie Rockston, Richie & Agbeko Now Ambassadors

Icons Reggie Rockstone, Richie and Joseph Agbeko have been named health ambassadors by Ghanaian healthcare centre, Chiropractic and Wellness Centre (CWC). This is as part of efforts to encourage Ghanaians to live a healthy lifestyle. The CWC is committed to educating and empowering many people towards creating optimum health and wellbeing through chiropractic and total wellness lifestyle. CWC has its head office at Asylum Down, Accra, with affiliates in Takoradi, Kumasi and Cape Coast. The centre brings better health and better way of life by teaching and practising the true principles of wellness and chiropractic care. The three were chosen to use their new health status that they will gain through CWC to showcase to Ghanaians and other celebrities how an ideal healthy person should look and feel like. Reggie, Richie and Agbeko will also be used to educate the general public on the benefits of making good health and total wellbeing a priority. “As a member of the chiropractic and wellness centers, I have joined Dr. Marcus and CWC in the fight of my life to lead Ghanaians towards optimum health and total wellbeing,” Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko said. “It is wiser to raise healthy children than to repair damaged adults. That is why me and my family are proud members of the Chiropractic and Wellness Centers. Join this revolution now,” Reggie Rockstone added.

Source: news-one

Tema Takes Over The Music industry In Ghana

Tiffany

Quietly but surely Tema, the Harbour City, has torpedoed the capital to become the hub of Ghana’s contemporary youth music expression. Following the steps of high-life heavyweights such as A.B. Crentsil and Jewel Ackah - a much younger crop of musicians have taken up the mantle and they seem poised to hold on to that top position for a long while. The A-list of young, creative and vibrant artistes who have been bred or live in the small musical city include Sarkodie, R2Bees, Praye, Ayigbe Edem, D.Cryme, Nana Boroo, Kwaw Kese, Yaa Pono, Stay-Jay, and pretty lady Tiffany. There are many others such as Dade Opanka, Chemphe, Pop Skinny, Macho Rapper, Danso Abiam, Eduwodzi, Yaw Siky, Icons and Joe Morr who have earned considerable exposure. A good number of more others who are emerging from the underground” make the list even longer. When Showbiz walked through the city last weekend to try and find out what has created the phenomenon, it was sound engineer David Kyei, popularly known as Kaywa who offered the first explanation. Without taking too much credit for himself, Kaywa told Showbiz that he was involved in busily recording music for artistes in Accra but had to move from Accra to set up is studio in Tema. “It was very challenging for me at the initial stage when I moved to Tema but with time my work began to be recognized and that contributed to the new wave”, Kaywa said. Kaywa who is behind hit artistes including Sarkodie, R2Bee’s, Chemphe, D.Cryme, Stay-Jay, Pop Skinny, Danso Abiam, Dade Opanka and Yaa Porno, said, Tema took over the music scene long ago but promotion was low simply because the only Radio station there by then was Adom FM before Obonu FM was born. After recordings songs like R2Bee’s; Yawa girl and several other songs which he said he did for free, most of the musicians recommended him to their friends. What actually worked for us is when Kilbeatz corroborated Kaywa’s explanation and paid glowing tribute to Adom FM’s rap battle programme that used to be hosted by Dr. Duncan. “every known artist in Tema had to go on the radio to battle with at least four or five others before coming out with his song and this, I believe, gave them a good opportunity to polish up for their music” Kilbeatsz said.

Nana Boroo of Aha Aye De fame whose song still remains on the lips of many Ghanaians said it is a known fact that Tema has indeed taken over the music industry in Ghana. “It’s as a result of hard work. According to Chemphe, the serene environment at Tema gives sound engineers a clear sound unlike other areas where sound engineers can’t have their peace of mind as a result of noise. He added that, the sound engineers create the beats and call us to come out with lyrics to fit in the beat which makes it easy for most of the Tema artiste.

Source: Graphic Showbiz

Pascaline Edwards: I Can Act Nude

Ace actress Pascaline Edwards has indicated that she does not see anything wrong with nudity in our movies depending on how one looks at it. According to her when it comes to the way actors dress in movies, there is nothing wrong with it.

Speaking on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, she said “if you are a woman of my age and you are supposed to play the role of an older woman dating a young guy at the beach, you don’t want me to dress showing parts of my body, I will dress decently but if a young lady is playing the same role, she will be a bit uncovered to show what she has and for me that is two different things and depending on how the story is going then there is nothing wrong with that.”

In her opinion, nudity means looking at something but not really seeing it clearly even though you can imagine it whereas nakedness is where you show the body uncovered which is rare in Ghanaian movies. She disclosed that if she is given a role to play nude in a movie, she will do it but cover herself well enough to look good.

Pascaline indicated that the Ghanaian Movie industry is growing so well in terms of casting, sound, light and acting. She also stated that she does not see anything wrong with our movies because she sees it as an extension of everyday life. She advised that actors should always look different in their movies and in real life because most actors are models and want to look good.

According to her, she however has a problem with the industry. This is the fact that most movie producers are not creative when it comes to storylines, adding that most producers simply pick foreign stories and translate then them into our local languages and they also don’t shoot them well. She therefore advised that Ghanaians should learn to write their original scripts and shoot good movies.

Asked why she has been off the screens, Pascaline stated that in her opinion the producers have not had a role that fits her and that is why she has been off the scene.

The Tema-based actress revealed that she has however featured in a recent movie titled Breaking The Rules which also starred John Dumelo, Prince David Osei and Roselyn Ngissah.

Pascaline told Lexis on Daybreak Hitz that she is currently working on her Radio drama which will be out soon. She said she is working seriously with her cast to put up a good piece.

In addition to that, the erstwhile goddess of the screen is working on another radio programme which will air on Hitz FM in the near future.

In addition to her acting career, Pascaline has a foundation which caters for kids and the youth to unearth their talents.

The foundation which is known as the Pascaline Edwards Foundation is to give back to the society.

She noted that when adults are talking, they don’t allow children to talk back and this makes the children timid. She therefore wants to use the opportunity to help these young ones bring out what they know in order to help the society.

Pascaline has been in the movie in the industry for 21 years now and she has featured in countless number of movies such A Stab in the Dark which shot her to fame in the 90’s. She also starred in Forbidden Fruit, The Mask, House Arrest and My Father’s Wife. Other movies she featured in include Messages, Deadline for Asante, Without Her Consent, Jewels and several others.

She won the Best Actress Award in 2002 and has also performed as a singer backing the likes of KK Kabobo.
source.hitzfm

PHOTO: Majid Turns Osama

Ghanaian star actor, Majid Michel playing Osama 'Bill' Laden in a yet to be released movie.



source:peacefmonline.com

APOLOGIZE TO VAN VICKER OR DON'T COME TO GHANA.MOVIE DIRECTORS WARNS TONTO DIKEH

As a result of the reported fall-out between Van Vicker and Tonto Dikeh, Ghanaian movie directors have demanded that Tonto Dikeh apologize to Van Vicker or she should forget participating in any movie in Ghana.

According to a Ghana-based celebrity blog, Van Vicker is a highly respected person in Ghanaian movie industry and they will not tolerate such insolence from any artiste either from home or abroad.

“Can she insult RMD like that” one movie director asked?

They have promised to sanction any movie director that features Tonto in his/her movie, and will formally write Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to express their displeasure.

No words yet from Tonto Dikeh on whether she will humbly accede to the request or call their bluff.


source:nigeriafilms.com

CONTROVERSIAL ACTRESS,TONTO DIKEH IN SIZZLING ROMANCE WITH A SINGAPOREAN BUSINESSMAN

Controversial actress,Tonto Dikeh is in the news again. Those in the know say that Tonto is not in anyway different from her wayward role in movies.

According to source,she is currently in a sizzling romance with a Singaporean born businessman.

The businessman who is said to be spoiling Tonto silly usually fly into the country from his base in Singapore and he is heavily loaded with hard currency.

"Anytime he is in the country, Tonto make sure she stays with him at his Ambassador Suites,a guest house located in Ikoyi" The source said.

Recall,Tonto got engaged to Osita Promise Offormezie some months back,but that doesn’t stop of from enjoying her life to the fullest. 
source;nigerialfilms.com

Vodafone ‘Snatches’ Ghana Music Awards From MTN

History was made yesterday Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at the plush Citizen Kofi at Osu in Accra, when it was officially announced that RED branded telecommunication company Vodafone has ‘wrestled’ their way through to take over the full title sponsorship deal of the most prestigious music award scheme in Ghana, the Ghana Music Awards from YELLO branded MTN.

This came as a shock to media men and the industry stakeholders present at the press briefing as everyone wondered why a giant company like MTN will surrender their biggest entertainment sponsorship deal in Ghana to a close competitor like Vodafone after sponsoring the event for the past 12 years.

A press statement issued to this effect states; "Telecommunications giant Vodafone Ghana has taken another giant step in the music and entertainment industry in Ghana. Vodafone Ghana is now the official title sponsors of the much celebrated Ghana Music Awards, the flagship product of Charter House Ghana. The new contract gives Vodafone Ghana the exclusive rights to the hugely popular event and all activities associated with it".

Though both Vodafone and Charter House Officials refused to disclose the number years for the new sponsorship dealPeacefmonline.com investigations revealed that the deal is not a one year renewable contract but it spreads between 5 to 10 years.

In her speech at the press conference, Chief Marketing Officer of Vodafone Ghana, Uche Ofodile who described this as a new era said “as one of the most powerful means of communication, we believe we have a lot to contribute to the music and entertainment industry in Ghana. We are excited by the new ideas and concepts Charterhouse have in mind for the Ghana Music Awards – it’s a massive event in the calendar of the music industry and we are pleased to be able to support it. The changes you will see in the GMA next year will create a more vibrant festival with a transparent and fair judging process”.

With this giant move Vodafone is gradually warming its way into the growing entertainment industry in Ghana. As a telecom operator that is arguably setting the pace in the entertainment industry in Ghana. The company recently signed a mouthwatering deal with 4syte TV in a three year contract that saw Vodafone Ghana taking over the rights to the popular 4SYTE TV Show on TV3 and e-TV, the 4SYTE Video Music Awards and all events associated with the event.

Vodafone’s passion for music led the company to headline the ground breaking Reality Show ‘Vodafone Icons: Divas Edition ’ which saw the sensational female trio RnM emerging as winners of the maiden edition. Vodafone also introduced the much talked about annual ‘020 Live’ musical concert meant to mark Vodafone’s anniversary which has become an iconic show that features international and local stars.

On her part Executive Director of Charter House Ghana, Theresa Ayaode said, “We have all been witnesses to the growth of the GMAs and its positive impact on the Ghanaian Music Industry for the past 12years. Along the path of its growth, we have gone through several reviews of the nominations and voting processes as well as the event content. The last major review was about 5years ago, and as we all know, society is not static as things are always changing. Therefore, there have been a lot of changes and advancements in the industry and in technology, such that processes which were successful then may not be delivering the same results now. As such, we purposed at the end of the last GMA event, that it was time to do a total overhaul of the event to bring it up to speed with current trends as well as take another look at the content”. Theresa added that All existing GMA committees ie. The Categorization, Nomination, Selection and Planning Committees are dissolved pending a review. A Technical committee comprising of objective and knowledgeable practioners in the industry will be constituted to undertake Review of The GMA Categories, Review the entire process of nominations and voting and Review and Revamp the Festival Content. She officially announced Vodafone’s take over saying “Henceforth, our beloved event will be called: THE VODAFONE GHANA MUSIC AWARDS FESTIVAL and must be referred to as such in all communication on the event”. This also implies that the Ghana Music Award logo will change from yellow to red and the  famous GMAs yellow carpet will change to red carpet.

Source: Eugene Osafo-Nkansah/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Treat Us Like Celebrities

Actresses Roselyn Ngissah and Beverly Afaglo have bemoaned the way they are treated as celebrities in Ghana.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with NEWS-ONE last Friday, both actresses acknowledged there were celebrities in Ghana.

However, they said, as compared to their colleagues in the Western world, they were not celebrated. The reason, according to them, was “education”.

“We are in Africa and it is now that people are getting to understand what celebrity is and know how to celebrate the stars. We are not there yet. But gradually we are getting there.

Looking at the way people are treating us now and then, I think it is getting better. But we’ve not got there yet,” Roslyn Ngissah said.

“You know someone sees you and goes like…if the person wants to say hi, then the person goes like oh it is her, it is not her.

But when we meet people who have travelled abroad and come back, when they meet us they are like ‘oh I want an autograph’ because they understand how to celebrate stars over there. It is not yet here but we are gradually getting there.

However there was a time I went a primary school and the children there were like they want autograph and I was surprised,” she disclosed.

“Treat us like a celebrity and the celebrities that we are. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you see a celebrity or star out there and you want to talk to the person or she looks familiar, walk up to the person, talk to the person and chat with the person.

For me I wouldn’t be nasty or rude to people who walk up to me to find out if I am the one.

It is not all about autographs. Me, if I see somebody I see as a role model, I will walk up to you,” she added.

“Sometimes when you go to the bank, they will make you join a long queue, they don’t want to care.

But there was this other bank I went to and a lady gave me chance. I am not saying treat me like a god.

Sometimes there are people who have been in the bank for hours…somebody when they even see you they even get angry (sic).

For me, I have had too many experiences when it comes to people and how they celebrate stars. But I think we are getting there,” Roslyn concluded.

Beverly said even though she had not done many movies in Nigeria, as compared to Ghana, she got a lot of attention anytime she entered the Nollywood country.

“I realize that the only time people are excited when they see their celebrities most of the time is at premiere. After the premiere when they see you, oh yaa it is ok (sic),” Beverly added.

“I love Nigeria. I have not done so much in Nigeria but anytime I got to Nigeria, the welcome is overwhelming.

Because of the fact that they know I am not a Nigerian and from another country, they are happy to see me.

Even at the airport, the security and everybody is like I have seen you on TV, we love you,” Beverly added.

Both actresses called on fans and the public to celebrate their Ghanaian stars.

Roslyn and Beverly are popular figures in Ghana’s movies industry with a lot of movies to their credit.

Roslyn co-won the Ghana Movie Award best actress last year with actresses Jackie Appiah, Yvonne Okoro and Juliet Ibrahim.

Beverly on the other hand picked an award in Nigeria for her role in ‘About To Wed’ series.

source;newsone

Lydia Forson Spices Nollywood Set

Actress Lydia Forson is currently busy in Nigeria on the set of an upcoming movie by Nigerian director, Kunle Afolayan.

Kunle Afolayan, a product of New York Film Academy, is best known for his work ‘The Figurine’, which grabbed 5 awards at the African Movie Academy Awards in Bayelsa State 2 years ago, after getting 10 nominations.

Lydia Forson, on the other hand, is one of Ghana’s professional and celebrated actresses with a reputable history in the filmmaking.

The upcoming movie’s working title is ‘Phone Swap’ and features some of Nigeria’s top actors.

Unconfirmed reports say Kunle’s casting team presented names of Desmond Elliot, Saheed Balogun, Joseph Benjamin, Joke Silvia, Jim Iyke and Nse Ikpe Etim and Sam Loco as some of the big Nollywood names penned to appear in the movie.

But Loco mysteriously died just when Kunle was set to start shoot. He hence deprived Lydia an opportunity to make a debut with him.

Lydia, according to a source, left Ghana on Friday evening for the production.

She was supposed to have flown to Nigeria a couple of weeks ago but she had to postpone the trip because the production was put on hold to mourn Loco and also find a replacement for Loco’s role.

The production is currently ongoing at a location outside Lagos near Benin border where Kunle built a film set for the production.

Reports say he is using red camera and is also exploring professionalism in all areas of filmmaking.

The movie is Lydia’s second job in Nigeria after her first in February this year.

Indeed, her entry into Nollywood was long over overdue. But the bubbly actress had always said that she was selective with scripts and had rejected a few scripts from Nigeria.

She believes in strong characters and stories that do not only entertain but also educate.

“As an actress, our roles are most often determined by the offers at hand,” she once said.

“It’s rare for us to get the chance to be characters that we truly are passionate about. So I eventually hope to write and produce stories I believe in,” she added.


source:news0ne.com

Nollywood Actor Ramsey Nouah & Alomo Bitters

Nollywood actor and one of the reigning Glo Ambassadors could not hide his love for the Ghana herbal liquor called Alomo bitters.

Ramsey, we gathered, does not take any alcoholic drink other than Alomo,which is also called Kasapreko.

Though few times when the good-looking actor unwinds with friends,he usually takes Champagne,Hennessey, and other expensive spirit,in real life.


Source: Akinnagbe Akintomide/nigeriafilms.com

BullHaus Entertainment Presents Natural FaCe

He is another budding artiste but more importantly he is a gifted musician filled with charisma, unusual talent and overall, interminable creativity.

You are introduced to the multi-talented and the astounding music sensation NATURALFACE, another discovery from the camp of Bullhaus Entertainment.

NATURALFACE has been around for a while and is certainly an artist with credibility. As an inimitable artiste, versatility is his hallmark and comes across as the ‘hybrid’ sort of artist heavily influenced by Reggae and Dancehall music. His strength lies in his lyrics plus his ability to deliver on the very beats and hooks one wouldn’t consider.

Having grown up in the Bariga suburb of Lagos and a Ghanaian/Nigerian in nationality, NATURALFACE adds a fusion of the Nigerian music rhythm and the Ghanaian alternative melodies to Reggae cum Dancehall tunes to make up for his funky-freaky style of music.

His first shot at mainstream music came in 2007 when he featured on the maiden ‘Ur Luv’ album of the dynamic music group 5Five. On the album,

NATURALFACE vindicated himself with an exceptional delivery and proving all skeptics wrong. He won the hearts of many when he featured on a song with Iwan entitled "Still Love Me". This week sees the release of the first single off the long awaited album of NATURALFACE. Titled ‘BodySet’, the single features the GMA winning artiste Trigmatic and chronicles the beauty and pride of the african woman.

His maiden studio album entitled "Face1" is expected to be in stores middle of next year and will have joints worked on by some of the nation’s finest producers and also feature several Ghanaian music stars including Tinny, Castro and Gyino (of 5Five fame).
source:peacefmonline.com

WHY FEMALE CELEBRITIES ARE DRAWN TO THE WRONGMEN

A curious commentary on the state of celebrity marriages and how, in spite of the glittering lifestyle they lead, hardly find happiness or stability in marital departments. These are young, beautiful and accomplished women who daily, bring joy and value of entertainment to our otherwise harried lives. They’re adored and celebrated by millions of fawning fans. Millions of men would give their right arms
to be with them, yet when they venture down the boulevard of matrimony, the road becomes bumpy, treacherous and sometimes toxic – from the adorable Stella Damasus, who after the unfortunate death of her husband – Jaiye Aboderin, has had her heart broken by a man she married, who she later found out, was not exactly the Prince in shining armor, to the delectable and uber pretty Stephanie Okereke, who was so heartbroken when her husband – ex-footballer –Chikelue Iloenusi allegedly lied his way to her heart and left it bleeding

The story of Monalisa Chinda whose husband not only cheated on her serially, but was also said to be physically and verbally abusive illustrates how some female celebrities are unlucky in the marital department.

Eucharia Anunobi’s case was no different – the husband was said to have walked out on her with a child who is handicapped for her to raise, while he ran back to her German girlfriend.

Some analysts, especially marriage and relationship experts believe that female celebrities have issues with trust. “They are constantly being sought after by a plethora of men with different motivations and needs. And, while these men are at it, they will present a glittering side of their lives – call it putting your best romantic foot forward. The moment they accomplish their mission, they beat a retreat to their wives or regular girlfriends. To most men, the female celebrity is more of a curiosity, than a keeper. It becomes an ego thing – a subject to brag about within certain circles. Sometimes, these women become emotionally invested with these men, only to realize that they have been taken advantage of. And, unfortunately, this circle continues.”

“Bereft of love and a man she can truly call hers, the female actress becomes desperate for true love and when they encounter a man who possesses a modicum of certain expectation and values they desire, they fall hopelessly in love and may not find time to analyze the man’s background and history of relationships with the opposite sex. This situation is not peculiar to Nigerian celebrities alone - it’s a universal problem within the entertainment industry – from Halle Berry, to Gabriella Union, who was quoted to have said that she sometimes went to bed crying and hoping for true love, which she later found in the Miami Heat’s star – Dwayne Wade. It is the cross that female celebrities bear” the marriage and relationship expert who asked that she remained anonymous had told us.








source:Ekerete Udoh/nigeriafilms.com