EVENT REVIEW: KIKI GYAN TRIBUTE SHOW

By Joseph ‘Aqweci’ Ofori & Alan Kyeremateng
This article was published on Ghana Community Online (http://ghanacommunity.com/event-review-kiki-gyan-tribute-show/)

On Saturday, 3rd October 2015, a historic event was held at Alliance Francaise, Accra, as Ghana paid tribute to legendary Kiki Gyan whose demise occurred in 2004. HPR Media made this possible, bringing to one stage both legends and vibrant new acts, including Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, VVIP, M.anifest, Ko-Jo Cue, and Adomaa among others. The night also witnessed the presence of the only daughter of Kiki, Vanessa Gyan.

The event was planned to start at 7pm, but there was an hour delay, and for once it wasn’t the fault of the organizers, rather the audience who turned up late and the few that were present were socializing. 

The show kick-started with an acoustic performance by R. Tay of MTN Hitmaker Season 3 fame, who sang soulfully a couple of covers and a self-written song. It was quickly followed by a jazzy performance by sensational Afro-singer Adomaa and her band. She got the crowd bopping their heads along the music and singing as well. With a few lady-like dance moves, Adomaa put the audience in a ready mood for the musical journey.

R. Tay

Ewvdzi Delivering Good Music on Stage

Ewvdzi Entertaining the Audience

Ko-Jo Cue perfroming "Lavender"

Rapper Ewvdzi made every concerned citizen present attentive, closely listening to the message he had to offer, which was about the corruption saga in the judicial system and other political issues. He performed a couple of his songs, then, the Punchline King, Ko-Jo Cue climbed the stage, performed his hit singles “Lowkey” and “Lavender”, plus a couple of others with assistance from BBnZ Live label mate Shaker and his personal DJ, Jojo. They had fans shaking their handkerchiefs and dancing.

Ko-Jo Cue & Shaker Grab the Mic

BBnZ Live acts Ko-Jo Cue & Shaker on Stage

M.anifest performing "Someway Bi"

M.anifest Moving the Audience

VVIP Takeover

VVIP

The contemporary party mood was switched when M.anifest got on stage with his band and delivered nothing but a classic performance. Born Kwame Ametepee, the hip-life musician got everyone up and singing along his songs from all his albums and hit singles as well. His energy was on steroids as he performed for about an hour, tirelessly. Truly, a performance to remember. The “Skolom” hitmakers, VVIP took the audience way back into time with their hits in the 90s and 2000s. The legend Gyedu-Blay Ambolley sealed the show with a much dazzling jazzy performance. He brought along his golden saxophone, performed his old hits and did some freestyles also constituting the political currents.

Gyedu Blay Ambolley with his Band

Ambolley Delivers Great Jazz Music

Gyedu Blay-Ambolley

Ambolley with his Saxophone

The night did just not only see great performances, but an auction of Kiki Gyan’s portrait, and an official announcement of the unveiling of the Kiki Gyan Foundation. In an exclusive interview with Vanessa Gyan, she disclosed to Ghana Community Online that the foundation is yet to elevate into full function, hence the show served as a pre-launch event. Also, struggling young ones with a passion for art but lack capital shall be supported by the foundation. People should just watch this space for the main launch.

The show was brought to an end at some minutes past 12pm. Amidst a few flaws such as time lapses and unavailability of seats for a few audience, the Kiki Gyan Tribute Show was highly successful and a great one to witness. The sound quality, band fusions and blend of the artists, composure of the audience, just to mention a few, prove how memorable it is.