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I asked him how I can make friends in a city that I’m a complete stranger in. His reply was simple. He said “for me this is what I do. I find a group of people to play football with. They introduce me to their friends, and their friends also put me onto their friends; then the circle gets bigger.”

Before he finished that statement I could feel my hope dying.

ASAKAA PUBLICATIONS

 This is to serve as a reference for documentation of Asakaa (Ghanaian Drill) publications on notable platforms globally.

The Crippled Music Business State in Ghana and How to Fix It

 In September 2015, I wrote an article titled “The Paralysis of Ghana’s Music Industry.” In the honest piece, I discussed the non-existence of a music industry in Ghana, and what may be done to create one. Almost five years down the line, the music scene still faces the same problems, and even probably worse. I see a lot of talents emerging with gut, passion and naivety, with little to no direction on how they can make a living off their craft. All because there’s no appropriate structure in place.

What I want to establish with this editorial is stated below:

-       The right structure of a working music industry, so the reader can have a good idea of how things work. We shall look at the creation of music through to consumption by the public, and activities in between that result in capital generation.

-       The current state of the Ghana music scene, and the problems challenging it.

-       The solutions that can be put in place to resolve the problems.

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Isn’t it a bittersweet situation, how we leave the accommodating environment of amniotic fluid to be ushered into this world? On one side, as babies in the uterus we love this home, because all we have to do is occupy space and everything we need is provided. No shedding of tears, no hunger, and no bacteria to colonise parts of our bodies. On the other side, we’re phased with a desire for an adventure into what the world outside the womb has to offer us. All the tender love and care; the quest to use our lungs for breathing fresh air; the craving to use our taste buds to munch on delicious meals, and the pursuit of happiness.

Thoughts of a Young Man in These COVID-19 Streets

Greetings dear ones.

This is a strange introduction. This happens to be the first time traditionally greeting my audience before presenting my message. In these times, it has become indispensable to avoid human contact, hence we ought to express our digital connection in the most natural way.

From my personal observation, the world is coming to a pause. You probably opened this article because you saw ‘COVID-19’ in the title. I’m not here to discuss what you’ve probably read – how the disease started, how it became a pandemic, what coronavirus is, what the symptoms are, preventive measures, whether the proposed medications will be effective, when the vaccine would be available for a mass rollout, and so on.

I Thought I Had Life Figured Out, But… | Greetings From Abroad II

When I was a child I was very timid, boring, lacked social skills, and full of anxiety and fear. The only thing that uplifted me was my academic abilities. Life in this modern age begins with schooling. Before I could differentiate between my left and right footwear, I was in preparatory school. I was told to follow rules. Subtly, I was introduced to what’s morally good and bad. I was told to follow instructions, even though most of the time I didn’t know the reason behind those orders. Life was quite simple then. Wake up, get prepared, walk a few meters to school, engage in class activities, come back home, finish your homework, have meals in between, and sleep.

MONEY: Why it Should Not be the Prime Motive of Man

Do you ever wonder why money is so powerful? People end lives because of money. Wars have been fought for money. People are displaced of their homes and innocent children become orphans. Under the influence of money, people marry others they don’t love. People even birth offspring they don’t care about, just because money influenced the decision. Many, if not all human endeavours are driven by money.

How did money come into being and how did it evolve to become so powerful? They say, money is blood. This aphorism denotes money to be equal to life and vice versa. So they ask, what is life without money? One prevailing narrative in modernity is that, the ultimate goal of life is to accumulate wealth, with money being its unit. Money makes the world as we know it now to go round. However, people who lived before us, when this earth was in its nascency, may not necessarily agree with this construct. My thoughts are that before money assumed omnipotence, it was just another item like say a smartphone or any other item that we can do without.

For Immediate Release

Usually, I plan my articles. I mostly create them in my head before even opening Microsoft Word on my laptop. I read them over and over, and even get someone to proofread it before it finally gets to you. But tonight, I'm going to keep it just the way it is. I'm going to allow these ideas flow out my head like sweat in a sunny weather.

'Greetings from Abroad' - Aqweci

It’s been a long time since I did some public speaking, it’s been donkey years since my fingertips touched a keyboard, it’s been a while since my thoughts filled a canvas to connect with you, dear reader.

It’s been three months since I migrated from Ghana to the United Kingdom. In a usual Ghanaian fashion, I have to brief you about how I’m faring.

OFFICIAL REVIEW OF 2017 VGMA NOMINATIONS

This article was published on GhanaWeb.com, ModernGhana.com, GHLinks.com.gh, Kuulpeeps.com, AllTheHipHop.com, GentlemenRadio.com, GhHeadlines.com, and Cool.com.ng

Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) 2017 is here once more. The usual complaints, goofs and ‘lashing’ on social media & other media by the public have become an annual thing whenever the nomination list is released.

Personally, I commend the VGMA board for being able to come up with a satisfactory list all the time. Their work isn’t that easy, because we lack metrics & solid charts. Also they’ve heeded to suggestion/advice from concerned personalities and bodies, including me; thus publicizing the definitions of the various categories.

WRITE-UP FOR OFFEI'S "BODY WHINE" SINGLE

This article was published on Steeze Hub [http://steezehub.com/offei-releases-another-banger-body-whine-produced-by-woode/1686/] 

After marking his name with permanent ink and widening his fan base with the exceptional song “Human Being”, Offei is here to serve the world with the missing ingredient for parties and ‘link-op’ sessions this Christmas. “Body Whine” is the perfect song to evolve the excitement within you to the extremes. The vocalist lays smooth yet groovy lyrics on a mid-tempo incomparable Afropop instrumental produced by the genius, Wood. The elements involved in the instrumentation form the absolute recipe for a heated dance floor. MC Kojo Manuel put in some energy with his invigorating intro and outro. Now, let the jams officially begin with “Body Whine.”

Download

WRITE-UP FOR OFFEI'S "LET IT GO" SINGLE

This article was published on Modern Ghana [https://www.modernghana.com/entertainment/43394/music-offei-ft-kofi-genfi-let-it-go-prod-by-qwesi-king.html]

There are a lot of songs… songs which fit the Shuffle playlist, and songs which stand the test of time. It is evident that Offei’s “Let It Go” has imprints on immortality spreading all over it. The anticipation that laid the carpet for this release isn’t a wasteful chant. When GroundUp dropped the live session of this magical piece, the cyber streets went wild, begging to quench their musical thirst. No surprise #LetItGo trended for 2 days straight and landed publications in Graphic Showbiz and Ghana Today.

P. YAW BOUNCES BACK WITH NEW BRAND NAME & FEATURES INTERNATIONAL ARTISTE ON UPCOMING SINGLE

P. Yaw Cue! Does this name ring a bell? Yes, he’s the rapper who had a lot to tell with his exceptional rap skills and diversity back in 2011/2012. He’s the musician who collaborated with Lousika, Ko-Jo Cue, Cabum, Deon Boakye, Kankam, and Loonee, just to mention a few. He’s the artiste who performed on huge stages with top-notch performers. After putting his music career on hold for almost 5 years, he bounces back reenergized! He has rebranded himself to Wofa Yaw and is even set to release a banger and thought-provoking track titled "Dem Dey Talk" which features the renowned & controversial musician Wanlov the Kubolor.

During the 5 years of no music, Wofa Yaw was pursuing a B. Sc. in Public Health and also dealing with some issues concerning his personal life, plus his work as a professional nurse. Wofa Yaw is a proud representative of the garden city, Kumasi (Oseikrom) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Before Hip-Hop fans in Ghana could even decipher bars, Wofa Yaw was exhibiting lyrical prowess with substance and literary devices. Hence he's regarded as one of the pioneers of poetic flows in the region. He gained prominence rapping in the languages English, Twi, and Pidgin English. With his artistic ability, he has readied a body of work, “Chequered Life”, with 6 dope songs. 

Each track tells a real life story, from love to hatred, rough and smooth, ups and downs including a near death incident on 3rd June 2015… he goes the length to tell it all in his music. "Life hasn't been all that easy for me but I smile each time I look up knowing God got me. Chequered Life is a true story and I want my fans to relate to me as a realist and not a front. I got nothing to hide. Let's synchronize as you listen to each one of the songs on my EP which features a few rappers I personally love, thus, Wanlov , Blurr, and Kankam”, says Wofa Yaw. Wofa Yaw is clearly here to stay and make it bigger! Let’s gear up for the upcoming project.

BLURR JOINS ILLUMINATI GROUP?

Fast-rising rap act who hails from the garden city of Kumasi, Blurr, has been in the news for recently for signing a 3-year deal with a label called Illeventy7 Music Label. Related to that, a lot of conspiracies have been raised by people, both fans and industry insiders, that Illeventy7 is an epitome of what Illuminati (a secret cult group as known by many) represents.

The issues that are being raised by concerned persons actually hold water, thus, pertaining to the logo of the label which is a combination of symbols. Taking a close look at the logo designed by creative artist B. N. Afranie AKA ItzMeOclock, it has a pyramid in it. Conspiracies indicate that the pyramid represents the command structure of the Illuminati organization, with the capstone symbolizing the Elite.

There’s an alien head in the concentric layers… and aliens are known to be associated with the Illuminati. A staff pierces through the back of the symbols, and it’s being linked to the leadership of the secret society. Others say there are a lot of dark messages embedded in the artwork, which will need explanations from Blurr, the designer, or anyone involved.

Regardless, it is boldly stated in the Holy Bible, in Matthew 7:16 that “By their fruits, ye shall know them”. As my old man would say, since we’re yet to hear the kind of music they’re about to churn, let’s give them that space, then one can rightly know where they’re coming from and their agenda.

As at now, neither Blurr nor his management has given any response to these conspiracies. However, Blurr is set to drop his first song titled “Bumper” under the label on …. Let’s keep our ears on the streets for the debut single.

CREATING THE WEDDING BUDGET

For the average person, the only time one hears the word ‘budget’ is in the news when the government is about to air its annual national budget. In their eyes, it’s a big deal when they have to make their own budgets, considering the complexity figures and percentages may present. Maintain your pulse, and throw away the analgesics, Top Weddings Africa is here to break every piece down to enable you be the ‘Financial Minister of Bridal Affairs’.

Budget is simply an estimate of income and expenditure for your dream wedding. Before putting pen on paper, or inputting a key into your Excel canvas, have an idea about the class and type of wedding you want to have. Coming from the garden city of Ghana, I prefer lavish ceremonies, others like to keep it simple. Would you want to have a huge traditional wedding, or a small set-up? Do you want to keep it indoor, on a healthy-looking garden, or in a state of the art conference building? This informs how many people you invite. It depends on your preference and what you can afford.

After you’ve been able to decide, see this as a monetary affair. So who’s suiting the bill? Your fiancé/fiancée? Your parents, or in-laws? Communication holds the magic wand here. Talking to everyone involved to buy into your vision of your dream wedding is key. Do a simple calculation on how much each is contributing to see the way forward.

Photo credit: Kwabena Awuku 

The cheat code to making your budget is knowing what you need. A basic breakdown of it involves reception, photography, videography, décor and design, venue, food, attire, music and entertainment, MC, floral arrangement, attire, stationery, wedding rings, the ceremony, transportation, gifts and miscellaneous.

Research isn’t only what you do during the completing stages of grabbing your degree, but finding the best deals in making your budget. Doing a quick check online on your needs will give you a fair idea on the arithmetic mean of it all. Probe from experienced people and friends. Set limits for your maximum expenditure on all necessities mentioned above. Know your priorities… which sections you can cut down cost, and others you can splurge on and do the Birdman hand rub.

The key is efficiency. Some valuables are costly but not nice, others are comparatively affordable but still classy and quality. Planning your budget is fluidity. Don’t stick to the books you wrote yourself. Be open to ideas from professionals. Have fun with it, and don’t forget you’re doing it all for the love of your partner.

THE IDEAL WEDDING: THE PREPARATION

Photo credit: Kwabena Awuku 

Born in the 90s, weddings I saw during my childhood are quite different from what we see these days. Weddings of today seem to be a great task, and if you’re caught up in the heat of the moment, you may be a habitual procrastinator. I mean, living under the clouds of social media, one would have to create a hashtag, and even provide phone-charging stations at your wedding… and that’s the least of your headaches. But hey, wear a big smile. Top Weddings Africa has got you!

What would we define as the ideal wedding?  A wedding which is well planned and executed to meet your classical desire. As others fancy huge flowers, expensive gowns and drone photography, some people prefer keeping it simple. The choice is yours. The point is to make it enjoyable, and serve memories.

The youth have started catching a new craze; investing a lot into wedding photoshoot. Everyone wants to outdo the gallery he/she glimpsed recently, reason why Aero Shutter always has weekend duties. The average active young man or woman is currently attracted to what he/she sees or watches more than what he/she reads as a text message, poster or invitation card. They’d probably want to be mesmerized by how you twin outfits with your partner, the relief features in the background, or how ‘hippy’ the next couple is. Hence, pre-wedding photoshoot has become a necessity.

It comes with selecting the right clothing, choosing the best sights, hooking with the finest make-up artist, employing an expert photographer to visualize the best of you through his lens, and probably putting up your best of moods.

Not to do away with the traditional invitation cards, which has become a battle of innovation and creativity now. I clearly recall the first time I got mind blown about such cards was when it had the design of the WhatsApp theme. It was so accurate! Music fans can’t wait to click the Play button on a new Kanye West video because he always has something new to feed the hungry eyes. That gives a clue that no one would want to see your usual form of invitation card. Spice it up with a creative theme which will still contain all the necessary details.

The most asked question when weddings are being discussed these days is “Which colours did the couple choose?” Colours represent a lot in our world. The Catholic liturgy indicates that violet represents penance, humility and melancholy, whilst green signifies hope and life eternal. You don’t have to choose a colour because it’s the new wave. There should be reason attached. It should reflect what you as the couple represent, the theme, and fit into the time of the year, etc.

Preparations would have to go into planning and budgeting for one of the most memorable days in your life. A lot!

MAKING EYES GAZE WITH A TOP PRE-WEDDING PHOTOSHOOT

The great philosopher Confucius once said “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember…” Our brains have cravings for bright pictures and creative images. All social media apps wouldn’t be relevant without the addition of images option. People would want to see more than they read. Friends sometimes say the real truth to me that they barely read my articles, but would watch my IG posts or

WhatsApp status images.

Pre-wedding photo of Mr Meister, Mr Eazi's brand manager.
Photo credit: BellaNaija

Images are everything in this our world today. It’s not a wonder that people have bought into the idea of pre-wedding photoshoot. Instagram (IG) is the new wedding announcer. It’s easier to carry a message through pictures than employing a P.A system. As the saying goes, “pictures speak a thousand words.” Pre-wedding photoshoot has become a method of announcing your wedding, and previewing information like date of the wedding, logo, etc. These days ignoring a pre-wedding photoshoot is like the local government starting a demolition exercise without prior warning.

INTERVIEW WITH MUSIC PRODUCER & ARTIST, DRUMROLL

Interviewer is Joseph “Aqweci” Ofori

INTERVIEWER:  Who is Drumroll?

DRUMROLL:       Drumroll, born Derek Asare Amoah is a sound engineer, beatmaker, graphic designer, and artist. Drumroll has been producing for about 5 years, taking about 2 years to focus on sound engineering.

6 REALITIES STUDENTS FACE DURING EXAMINATIONS PERIOD

Being a student is all fun and campus is convivial till you see your examinations time table. We’ve been writing exams all our lives yet consternation creeps up on us every semester. In the university, it’s much of a big deal because there’s nothing like a one final exam which accounts for your years in the institution. It’s a matter of building GPA. One thing about GPA is just like construction of a house, a firm and strong house involves expertise, quality materials and adequate time. On the other hand, a poorly constructed house is put together by shoddy work, hence it’s easy to break down. Every student gets busy during examinations period, First Class students try to maintain their spot, whilst the others sweat to incline. There’s a saying which goes like ‘you cannot change what you refuse to confront’. Hence there’s a necessity to forgo certain interests. Let’s look at 6 realities students experience during examination weeks.

CHRISTMAS; THE GHANAIAN WAY

This article was published on Dawuro GH (http://dawurogh.com/news/guest-featurechristmas-the-ghanaian-way/)

So, Christmas is here again! A wonderful season, an always memorable period. The atmosphere changes during Christmas. A moment set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Though there are a lot of conspiracy theories formulated to dispute that 25th December isn’t the birthday of Christ, the focus of many people doesn’t base on that, because whatever be the truth, it unites us, makes us see old friends and boosts business.