THE NEW SINGLE FROM SLIM FLEX: TAKE MY BREATH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-racx8g7zU

Hip life in Canada

The onset of hip life since Reggie Rockstone has been a transformation on the Ghanaian music scene. Ghanaian Canadian youth will not be exempt from this new musical trend that is transforming the African landscape. Beginning with the Azonto dance craze, the dynamic musical trend which has set YouTube ablaze has within the past few years.  Kwabena Jay is up and coming. Earlier this year, he performed alongside VIP when they were in Canada.

It is interesting to know what are some of their musical influences and their thoughts about hip life on the Canadian music scene. A special notation on the radio station G.98.7 hosted by M.C Bonde African show which plays music from Africa will also be discussed.

This work is a documentation of Ghanaian hip life musical journey in Canada. Making music, loving music and living with music these are artist self accounts of their dreams, influences, and visions and what the future of their brand of music on the world stage.

The first hip-life artist I had the pleasure of interviewing was an artist known as Kwabena Jay.

Promoters such as afro entertainment, artistic developers such as ghanalinx entertainment, the use of the World Wide Web has made hip life easily accessible.

Hip life in Canada as it pertains to Ghanaians have been dominated by the promotional and party organizers such as Ghana House Entertainment and Afro Entertainment, Kofi Mogul and Associates  who are noted for his parties and sponsorship of musical personalities such as VIP to perform in Canada.  Also on the landscape if Tuga’s immense promotion of Sarkodie of Azonto fame in Canada.  The connoisseurs of hip life are wide and varied and continuously crave for the musical tradition that was enhanced by Reggie Rockstone in the 1990’s. 

How far can hip life music change or influence mainstream world music? Gradually with the recognition of artistic talent from Africa during BET awards sends a positive note.  Akon, snoop dogg are the few African American musicians partnered with Nigerian musicians PSquare on singles such as ‘chop my money’. The use of African queen in the movies phat girls also sends a positive note to the spread of hip life and African music in general. This fact is indeed nothing new. Slavery of peoples of African descent has influence world musical landscape, from jazz to the blues to hip hop, rock and roll to disco. American history acknowledges the great influence of the music of the slaves as to the present era. The same can be said of African and hip life music. Although seen by the older generation as a musical trend, influences and changes in African music has also been cyclical hence, A reintroduction of variant reformations of African American music and other non traditions African music to produce an eclectic blend of music. There was a historical shift from traditional funeral dirges, to palm wine music, highlife music to burgher music and presently hip life.

As much Ghanaian enjoys their home grown stars, made in Canada stars are turning out to be the thing. In this aspect, I reckon to know who these stars are.   Here in lie a personal observation and some interview to whom these artists are.

Canada can boast of Kwabena Jay, Maphia, Kcasty Luu, Freeman Nadawo, AO, V bLing

 

LADY AYA

Lady Aya is an ambitious young musician who has emerged on the Ghana music scene with enthusiasm and passion. Aya exhibit qualities indicative of a strong and independent woman, intelligent, focused and polished. Her greatest strength is her voice and faith in God that all things are possible.
Aya was born in Kumasi in the early eighties. She migrated to Norway at the age of eight. Her adult life... has been spent in Ghana, Norway and London. Aya is a student and a professional model with an international model agency. Ayas' experience as a musician began as a backup singer for musicians such as K.K Fosu and Bullet of Ruff N Smooth fame Aya is also a professional guitarist, with a love for good music; she names some of her favourite musical influences as Beyonce, Trish, Keisha and Rhiana. Local artistic influences include Kojo Antwi, Ruff n Smooth, Daddy Lumba and Reggie Rocksone. Aya cites that the brand of music she makes is afro pop.
When asked why she started making music commercially at this particular moment, Aya states that the time is right, with school being completed, it is the right time to consider doing music commercially. She was also encourage by Frederick Appiah of Moneyfarm Entertainment and Bullet and Akan of the musical group Ruff N Smooth.
Ayas’ dynamic voice adds to the richness of Ghanaian music. Her sultry voice and lyrical power depicts positive energy, high performance with a sense of staying power. Music is in Ayas’ blood; she lives and breathes to make exceptional music.
Her new hit Run Away Girl ft D. Cryme will be out soon, the song promises to deliver exceptional afro-pop music. Everyone can relate to heartbreak, the yearning to recover and being in the company of good people. The song is easy on the ears, catchy, and dance able.
In the near future, Aya promises to be a household name, producing good music, and being a positive example to young people as well as pursuing her various NGO support. Aya advices to never settle for good if great is possible.

The world we live in

There are many facets to mordern living. For instance technology , education, finesse , class etc. is supposed to create a better world however, the year 2006 seemed to be besoted with so much violence. The hanging of dictators, the ever killing of innocent women and children in Dafur, Iraq, and bombings in spain. What is this world we live in coming to? Today, i contemplate on the weather, its bright and warm for January in toronto. The meteriologist says its above seasoning temperature, the artic snow is melting, the sahara desert is expanding and peoples ways and means of living increasingly vanishing. Existence on this planet is becoming increasingly difficult for those who do not have the means to. Hope however keeps people expectations and anger in check.

Now that the year 2007 has arrived, some of us still carry on the tourch of hope , thinking of how we can possibly effect change in  peoples lives and hopefully in the world.

The first leg of John Dumelos' Canadian journey has been completed. There are two more city tours, Montreal and Ottawa. The event aptly named A TOUCH OF CLASS took place at 227 Lounge in Toronto. The rain could not dampen the spirits of movie enthusiast who wanted to meet the iconic actor, entrepreneur and socialite. There were the young, the old and in-betweens.

The night was orchestrated by Kofi Mogul of blackstarzworld. Present at the event were the notables of the African entertainment industry in Toronto. In the crowd were music producers, musicians, promoters , afro entertainment, ghanalinx entertainment, CEO of African entertainment awards, M.C Bonde, MC Ebone, MC Obie , Akan movie star Nana Kwame Osei and many others.

The night was a classic of superb hip life music by sound masters. An African focused gathering cannot be completed without Azonto dance. A notable Azonto dancing at the centre stage was by John Dumelo with the ladies (the man was so hot one woman run away), picture time with fans was abundant. John also premier his jewellery line J.Melo. The jewellery can be described as simply elegant, subtle sophistication, an addition to a night out with the special someone or just a little bit of pearls for church.

GHANAIANS WIN AT THE AEA 2012

Africans are on the verge of a new era of world influence musically, artistically and culturally, the continent offers a variety of tastes which are being shared and sampled by Africans themselves. More and more Africans are interested in home grown movies and entertainment icons creating a niche of celebrities. From Ghawood to Nolywood, African music, highlife, hip life, funk, afro-pop, soul, Zouk, Soukous is influencing and    changing world music African communities’ especially in the Ghanaian and Nigerian community in Canada are producing musicians and artist, and the communities are collaborating as one entity. From our music, to our movies, business to professionals there is a sense of enlightenment.  African Entertainment Awards capture this essence, bringing the continent together under one roof. It is a new age for African Canadians making their mark in the city, country and North America. It is a time of growth and recognition within our communities.

In retrospect, the second annual African Entertainment Award was held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre downtown Toronto on the 15th day of September, 2012 between 4pm to 3am of September 16^th.  The red carpet event was filled with pump and pageantry of African Canadian movers and shakers, trendsetters, image makers, artist and musicians. The event would not be African if it had started on time, the ceremony begun at the usual African time.  The masters of ceremonies for the event were MC Bonde and Brenda K. The nominees span across those who were awarded for their excellence in the community service. These awards were received by Mesfun Haile and Microbell.

The best artist category had a nomination that included AO, Freeman Nadawo and Slim Flex all of GHANALINX. The best producer and best club award went to Nyasha and On the Rox respectively. Nigeria’s own hilarious Comedian Femi Lawson won the comedian of the year awards. Best designer award went to Rahyma of Sleek Design.  D.J Majic flowz won the best D.J of the year. Best female artist had Ghana’s own Vbling amongst the list of nominees. Other awardees include the Psalmist, Yinka Bode George, MC Ebone who won in their respective categories.

For the best pageant, the award went to Ghana’s Most Beautiful. The best media went to G 98.7 African groove show hosted by MC Bonde, The Voice of Africa. Best concert went to Black Motion of Moon Raiser Ent. In contention in this category was Afro Entertainment. The best entrepreneur was awarded to Tee of Suya spot. For the Ghanaian award nominees, to top it all was the award for best record label  was won by Ghanalinx Records owned by Gabriel.

AFRICAN ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS 2012



OWNER : FREELAW AFRICAN MOVIES AND MUSIC





GABRIEL WITH TEAM GLR

SCENES FROM AEA 2012

TEAM GLR ON STAGE AT THE AEA 2012 IN TORONTO