Browse >
Home / Archive by category 'Culture'
Zimbabwe: Zakaria Wants IDS for Free Treatment
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
Zimbabwe: Allan Chimbetu in Trouble Again
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
INTERVIEW
19 July 2008
Posted to the web 21 July 2008
Lolade Sowoolu
Eddy Remedy or Eddy Montana, whichever you prefer to call him, is the front-liner for the Remedies; that late 90s Hip Hop group famed for ‘Shako Mo’.
Delta by origin and son of a late police man, Eddie grew up in the heart of Lagos barracks while Eddy Montana, schooling at the famous Igbobi College and YabaTech, the latter which later became a reference place for his music career.
Controversial Eddy has managed to remain in the news for a number of reasons, long after the group’s separation in 1999 which saw other group members Eedris Abdulkareem and Tony Tetuila going solo. Top among the reasons include his troubled marriage, attempted suicide and dwindled musical and financial fortune.
Now resuscitating his career hopefully with ‘The Boss Is Back’- his first solo album- we caught up with the father of two, a day before his reception at O2 Nite club; where Star FM honoured him for topping their charts with his two-week old single ‘Opa Eyin’.
In this no-holds barred chat with Lolade Sowoolu, Edward Asiedu-Brownie speaks on the group’s upcoming reunion album, the travails of his marriage and separation, his new means of livelihood and his newly found lease of life. Surprisingly Eddie quips that he is still willing to work with Kennis Music; his first record label.
Present relationship among the trio
Oh! I still saw Eedris recently. I was with him three days ago too ‘cos I was at O2 to watch him and Terry G play last week. We see almost everyday.
Tony just came back from Canada so he called me up three days ago. But we couldn’t be together because he just came back.
We are in fact now tighter than before contrary to what people think. In fact, we’ve done four new songs of the eight in our reunion album and one of the songs is being promoted on Tony’s album right now. It’s called Unfinished Business.
Was going solo a collective decision? At what point was it agreed on?
Yes. That was in 1999 after the Rothmans Groove Tour. We decided that because everything was moving very fast. So as soon as we got to Lagos each man should continue with his own thing because I foresaw that there was going to be a lot of pressure on the group staying together.
Besides, I don’t think I have said this before: Initially I did not want to form a group. I was discovered in YabaTech and I was asked to come and record a song. Already I had known there was going to be a music revolution in this country but I didn’t know who was going to lead it.
I just kept having dreams and visions about it. I came in as Eddie Montana featuring Eedris Abdulkareem but when we got to Ray Power studios everybody welcomed it as a group so I just played along. So if you noticed, Tony wasn’t exactly an integrated part of the group. He even said it in his solo, ‘omode meta n’sere’. But many people didn’t listen to the lyrics and they keep asking questions.
Looking back now, do you think going solo was a good decision?
I think it’s lucrative for all of us right now so it must have been a good decision. We were supposed to keep the group and still do our solo things. Its more lucrative that way and that was the initial plan; except for the little controversies that came in between.
What’s new with Eddie now?
Eddie’s back with a bang. I’m even surprised at the kind of works I’ve done. It seems like all the challenges I’ve gone through have actually brought out the best in me. I never thought I could write the kind of music I have.
It’s street-wise and already it looks like I hear the song on the streets even though it’s not out yet. There’s a full album with twelve tracks and it’s titled The Boss Is Back. But right now I’m promoting the singles Opa Eyin and Idi ore mi.
It’s just spent two weeks on air and its already on No.1 on Star FM. One of the selling points on the album will be the track I recorded with Seun Kuti titled Guess Who’s Back; many people don’t know he’s a great rapper.
There’s My Show, My People- a song for black people, and a re-recording of Idi ore mi which is going to feature 9ice. ID Cabasa is also going to re-create the jamz.
On whose records is it going to be released?
Remedy records is a new record company created by me to manage artistes and their works; and I’m starting with me. But there’s a company called Good Feel Music trying to sign me on but we’re still negotiating. Its co-owned by Kizito that once managed Daddy Fresh.
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
Zimbabwe: Nigerian Kunle Ayo Wows Crowds
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Jacquiline Afua Bondzie
The ace Ghanaian comedian Mr. Adu Kofi Mensah, popularly called Agya Koo, and the great highlife musician Ofori Amponsah, over the weekend, brought African entertainment to North America, to be precise Toronto, the national capital of Canada, where over 50,000 Ghanaians are currently residing.
Attendance at the show was overwhelming, because many of the residents, who attended the programme, wanted to have a feel of what ace comedian Agya Koo had up his sleeves.
Indeed at the Luna Ball, on the Jane and Finch Street, where the event was held, the two artistes gave the audience what they needed, and paid to watch last Saturday night, July 12.
The night show was organized by the Sankofa Radio, to raise funds for the establishment of African Entertainment Television [AETV], owned by Mrs. Sophia Aboagye, to give Africans, and for that matter Ghanaians, a 24-hour news, entertainment and educating programmes in Canada.
The programme, which was billed to start at 8.00 p.m. Canada time, and priced at 20 Canadian dollars, saw people reporting two hours before the scheduled time.
Four hundred attendants were expected to attend the programme, however, the crowd, which turned up for the show was almost three times that figure, indicating that Ghanaians in Canada are true lovers of Ghanaian music and comedy.
Because of the overcrowded hall resulting in a hot atmosphere, most of the audience began to go out few minutes before the show began, while others remained glued to their seats, waiting for the show to begin.
It was like the people celebrating a big victory, when the ace comedian, Agya Koo, was brought into the hall by well-built security men, because a crowd had gathered at the main entrance.
After a hectic time finding his way through the thick crowd, the show began with much of his well-prepared ‘toli’ stories, which sent the audience laughing their hearts out till the end of the programme.
All along the security personal had it tough controlling a section of the crowd, who wanted to jump on stage just to touch the comedian, but they managed to put everything under control till the end of the programme, which run into early morning of July 13.
The attendance could comparatively be described as fantastic, since it was always very difficult to get at least hundred Ghanaians to turn up for programmes, due commitment to work duties.
However, some the audience, who spoke to this reporter, admitted that they tried as much as possible to attend the show, because they believed it would be full of fun, and true to it, it was full of fun.
Mr. William Amoah Set, a professional cameraman based in Toronto, said the programme was so fantastic, that he wished it could be held, at least every six months to give Ghanaians entertainment from home, with different artistes coming to perform as well.
He had the belief that the show had a positive impact on the audience, since there is too much work and less relaxation, making people stressed up, so the programme released them of tension through laughing.
Mrs. Mary Osei Hams was quick to pass such a comment "my brother, today I feel like walking about in Ghana. I am so happy that I cannot describe my happiness. We need such entertainment programmes periodically, so that at least we can release the pressure of going home for just fun. Though we buy some of the tapes to watch, outings like today are very good."
A Minister of God, Reverend William Jacob French, of the Ghana Methodist Church of Toronto, preaching a sermon on Sunday July 13, took time of to comment about the show, which he had attended the day before.
Earlier there some murmurings among some members in the church auditorium, when he said he attended the show, but when members remained silent, he advised all to explore their talents to the fullest.
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Sanna Jawara
The much awaited and talked about programme of the year,July 22 special cultural night otherwise call weekend Magnyi "mean weekend for the elderly"’ scheduled to take place from the 25th to the 27th July 2008, will exclusively feature the famous cultural mix Salza Senegalese musician of our time,"Super Cayor", alongside other talented and sprouting Gambian artist.
According to the organisers of this rare cultural jamboree night,the guest artist will arrive in Banjul early next week and he will stage his first performance on the 25th July at the prestigious Jama Hall, Kairaba Beach Hotel. The rest would be stage at the newly established first class cultural entertainment hub, "Milly"s night club" in Senegambia from 26 to 27th July.
The dispatched information revealed that, Honorable speaker of the National Assembly Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, is the Chief guest of honor. The released further noted that, invitations are extended to many senior dignitaries in both Government and private sector.
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Bagamoyo
Catholic leaders and scholars will meet in this historic port city next week to examine the pastoral prospects for new evangelization in the face of globalization and its effects on African cultures.
The congress, organised by the Pontifical Council for Culture, aims to provide a new impulse to the pastoral approach to culture, according to a statement from the council. Close attention will be paid to the evangelization of cultures, with a special emphasis on matters related to secularization.
The event will take place from July 23 to 26 at the Catholic Cultural Centre Bagamoyo, run by the Spiritan Fathers. Participants will include African members and consulters of the Pontifical Council for Culture and bishops in charge of culture in national Episcopal conferences.
The meeting forms part of a series of initiatives intended to promote the pastoral approach to culture in different parts of the world.
The last such meeting in Africa was held in Johannesburg in 2004, and offered the bishops in Southern Africa an opportunity to reflect on the theme, ‘One people of God within the diversity of cultures.’
"In the current context, with the cultural environment and lifestyles intensely affected by the effects of globalization, the Church strives to promote the inculturation of the faith along with a new Christian humanism which will allow men and women in Africa to be fully African and fully Christian," the council statement said.
"The Church is conscious of the fundamental cultural dimension of sustainable development, indispensable for the future of the African continent. Therefore, particular weight will be given to the cultural values present in Africa which are at the service of the dignity of the human person."
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Luanda
The Remains of veteran Angolan singer Alberto Teta Lando, who passed away last Monday in Paris, victim of cancer, arrive next Tuesday in the country.
According to the National Union of Artists and Composers (UNAC), Belmiro Carlos, the organisation has prepared a cultural programme for the funeral ceremony, which will happen on Wednesday in Cidadela main pavilion, in Luanda.
The funeral takes place Wednesday at 01:00 pm, at Alto das Cruzes Cemetery, in Luanda.
Born in Mbanza Kongo, capital of the northern Zaire Province, Alberto Teta Lando held the post of chairperson of UNAC since 2006, and passed away on July 14, in Paris ( France).
Singer and songwriter, Teta Lando is the author of the famous music collection entitled "Memórias" (Memories), which includes various hits that he released between 1968 and 1990.
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Luanda
The Remains of veteran Angolan singer Alberto Teta Lando, who passed away last Monday in Paris, victim of cancer, arrive next Tuesday in the country.
According to the National Union of Artists and Composers (UNAC), Belmiro Carlos, the organisation has prepared a cultural programme for the funeral ceremony, which will happen on Wednesday in Cidadela main pavilion, in Luanda.
The funeral takes place Wednesday at 01:00 pm, at Alto das Cruzes Cemetery, in Luanda.
Born in Mbanza Kongo, capital of the northern Zaire Province, Alberto Teta Lando held the post of chairperson of UNAC since 2006, and passed away on July 14, in Paris ( France).
Singer and songwriter, Teta Lando is the author of the famous music collection entitled "Memórias" (Memories), which includes various hits that he released between 1968 and 1990.
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Mpika
Pope Benedict XVI yesterday appointed Fr. Ignatius Chama of the clergy of Mansa as bishop of Mpika Diocese.
The bishop-elect was born in Mutomo-Kawambwa, Zambia in 1957 and ordained a priest in 1984.
The diocese of Mpika covers an area of 120,000 sq Kilometres with a population of 480,000 of whom 118,000 are Catholics. They are served by 39 priests and 67 religious.
On the same date, the Pope accepted the resignation of Bishop Serafim Shyngo-Ya-Hombo O.F.M. Cap from the pastoral care of the diocese of Mbanza Congo, Angola in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law. No replacement for Shyongo-Ya-Hombo was announced.
Written by admin · Filed Under Culture
Next Page »
