Media personality Nana Yaa Brefo asserted that her son’s life was in danger after her dispute with McBrown.
She shared in an interview on TV3, “I think after McBrown’s issue, I wanted to relax a bit. I wanted to be in the background and not completely stop. Because somebody can hit you personally. It’s not about the job. If it’s about the job, I don’t mind. But if it becomes personal, you have kids, you have family.”
Discussing the threats she faced, she revealed, “They attack you; sometimes they want to hurt your family. I’ve had somebody call me and warn me to be careful about my son when he goes to school because some people are planning something against him.”
Another caller disclosed, “Well, I’ve been asked to do this to you, but I’m telling you because I don’t want to do it.” Despite her tolerance for verbal attacks, the alarming incidents led her to prioritize her family’s safety, resulting in a temporary hiatus from journalism.
Nana Yaa Brefo Reveals Son’s Safety Concerns Following Dispute with Nana Ama McBrown
Camidoh and King Promise to perform at the 26th MOBO Awards
Ghanaian music stars, Camidoh and King Promise, are getting ready to captivate the audience at the 26th MOBO Awards in Sheffield Arena, UK, on February 7.
The official announcement shares the excitement: “🥳 It’s officially SUGARCANE season! 💃🏾🇬🇭🕺🏾 @IamKingPromise and @Camidoh are set to perform at this year’s #MOBOAwards on Feb 7th at @SheffieldArena 🔥 🤯 🤗 Watch LIVE at 8 pm on @YouTube – Promise, you won’t want to miss this! youtube.com/mobotv.”
They join a stellar lineup including Sugababes, DJ Spoony, Byron Messia, and Soul II Soul. Hosting the 2024 event are Comedian Babatúndé Aléshé and presenter Indiyah Polack.
The MOBO Awards, celebrating black music excellence since 1996, span genres like hip hop, grime, R&B, and more.
Grammy Awards 2024: List of Winners
The Grammy Awards this year concluded with some controversies, notably the surprise of prominent figures leaving empty-handed.
Echoing sentiments from Jay-Z’s Grammy speech, where he mentioned, “Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category,” several artists, including African talents like Asake, Davido, and Burna Boy, did not secure victories in their nominated categories.
The new category, Best African Music Performance, featuring Asake, Olamide, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, and Musa Keys, saw South African artist Tyla taking the prize for “Water.”
Despite being nominated in multiple categories, Davido and Burna Boy went without winning, but Burna Boy made history as the first African artist to perform on the live show, introduced by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. Trevor Noah hosted the event.
Here’s the complete list of notable winners with nominees and their nominated songs from the 2024 Grammy Awards:
Best African Music Performance:
- Winner: Tyla – “Water”
- Asake & Olamide – “Amapiano”
- Ayra Starr – “Rush”
- Burna Boy – “City Boys”
- Davido Featuring Musa Keys – “UNAVAILABLE”
Album of the Year:
- Winner: Taylor Swift – “Midnights”
- Boygenius – “The Record”
- Janelle Monáe – “The Age of Pleasure”
- Jon Batiste – “World Music Radio”
- Lana Del Rey – “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd”
Record of the Year:
- Winner: Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
- Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?”
- Boygenius – “Not Strong Enough”
- Jon Batiste – “Worship”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “Vampire”
Song of the Year:
- Winner: Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?”
- Dua Lipa – “Dance the Night”
- Jon Batiste – “Butterfly”
- Lana Del Rey – “A&W”
- Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “Vampire”
- SZA – “Kill Bill”
- Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
Best New Artist:
- Winner: Victoria Monét
- Coco Jones – “ICU”
- Gracie Abrams
- Fred Again
- Ice Spice
- Jelly Roll
- Noah Kahan
- The War and Treaty
Best Country Solo Performance:
- Winner: Chris Stapleton – “White Horse”
- Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
- Brandy Clark – “Buried”
- Luke Combs – “Fast Car”
- Dolly Parton – “The Last Thing On My Mind”
Best Rap Album:
- Winner: Killer Mike – “Michael”
- Drake & 21 Savage – “Her Loss”
- Metro Boomin – “Heroes & Villains”
- Nas – “King’s Disease III”
- Travis Scott – “Utopia”
Best R&B Performance:
- Winner: Coco Jones – “ICU”
- Chris Brown – “Summer Too Hot”
- Robert Glasper featuring Sir and Alex Haley – “Back to Love”
- Victoria Monet – “How Does It Make You Feel”
- SZA – “Kill Bill”
Best Pop Solo Performance:
- Winner: Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
- Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?” (“Barbie”)
- Doja Cat – “Paint the Town Red”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “Vampire”
- Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
- Winner: SZA Featuring Phoebe Bridgers – “Ghost in the Machine”
- Labrinth Featuring Billie Eilish – “Never Felt So Alone”
- Lana Del Rey Featuring Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace”
- Miley Cyrus Featuring Brandi Carlile – “Thousand Miles”
- Taylor Swift Featuring Ice Spice – “Karma”
Songwriter of the Year, Non-classical:
- Winner: Theron Thomas
- Other Nominees: Edgar Barrera, Jessie Jo Dillion, Shane McAnally, Justin Tranter
Producer of the Year, non-classical:
- Winner: Jack Antonoff
- Other Nominees: Dernst D’Mile Memile II, Hit boy, Metro Boomin’, Daniel Nigro
Best Pop Vocal Album:
- Winner: Taylor Swift – “Midnights”
- Nominees: Olivia Rodrigo – “Guts”, Miley Cyrus – “Endless Summer Vacation”, Kelly Clarkson – “Chemistry”, Ed Sheeran – “-“
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album:
- Winner: Laufey – “Bewitched”
- Nominees: Liz Callaway – “To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim”, Rickie Lee Jones – “Pieces of Treasure”, Pentatonix – “Holidays Around the World”, Bruce Springsteen – “Only the Strong Survive”, Various – “Sondheim Unplugged (The NYC Sessions), Vol. 3”
Best Folk Album:
- Winner: Joni Mitchell – “Joni Mitchell At Newport (Live)”
- Nominees: Dom Flemons – “Traveling Wildfire”, The Milk Carton Kids – “I Only See The Moon”, Nickel Creek – “Celebrants”, Old Crow Medicine Show – “Jubilee”, Paul Simon – “Seven Psalms”, Rufus Wainwright – “Folkocracy”
Best Comedy Album:
- Winner: Dave Chappelle – “What’s In A Name?”
- Nominees: Trevor Noah – “I Wish You Would”, Wanda Sykes – “I’m An Entertainer”, Chris Rock – “Selective Outrage”, Sarah Silverman – “Someone You Love”
Best Latin Pop Album:
- Winner: Gaby Moreno – “X Mí (Vol. 1)”
- Nominees: Pablo Alboran – “La Cuarta Hoja”, Alemor – “Beautiful HUmans, Vol. 1”, Paula Areanas – “A Ciegas”, Pedro Capo – “La Neta”, Maluma – “Don Juan”
Marriage has really made me mature and I am happy with myself- Becca Shares
Renowned Songstress, Becca opened up about the profound impact of marrying businessman Dr. Tobi Sanni-Daniel six years ago, describing it as one of the best things that ever happened to her.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, January 30, she shared, “Marriage has been a transformative journey, making me more responsible and thoughtful.”
Reflecting on the positive changes, Becca stated, “Now, I think through things before reacting and am calmer than I used to be. My perspective on life has changed, and I have a better understanding of things. I am also more patient and caring now. Marriage has really made me mature, and I am happy with myself.”
Expressing gratitude for the impact on her personal and professional life, the Daa Ke Daa hitmaker elaborated on the challenges of balancing marriage and a career in the limelight. She admitted, “A successful, sustained marriage isn’t easy for any couple, but our strong bond and love are what keeps us going.”
Addressing the privacy surrounding her marriage, Becca clarified, “I haven’t kept my marriage on the quiet; it is not deliberate. Yes, my husband is a more private person, but he still has my career at heart. Our strong connection is the driving force. We are not really on the quiet; my husband and I are out there. I just love him to bits, and that is what keeps us going.”
MI Abaga’s Firm Response to Meek Mill’s Collaboration
Nigerian rapper M.I Abaga has responded to Meek Mill’s interest in collaborating with African artists.
Meek Mill took to social media to seek recommendations, specifically reaching out to his followers in Nigeria and Ghana for input.
“If I made an album with an African artist who should it be??? Question to Nigeria Ghan? I rap well I could do in 2 weeks with a good producer??? Leave a comment who???” Meek Mill inquired on social media.
In response, M.I Abaga expressed gratitude for the recognition but subtly reinforced his established identity. While appreciating the growing interest from American rappers, he hinted at potential challenges with certain suggested artists, confidently asserting, “Levels de.”
“No disrespect meant… I appreciate the fact that now every American rapper wants to collaborate with us.. 🙂However, go listen to my catalog.. I have always known who I am, and some of these people you guys are suggesting to work with me don’t want these problems. Levels de,” M.I Abaga emphasized.
M.I Abaga not only acknowledges the recognition but also asserts his self-awareness and established reputation in the music industry. The rapper is open to collaboration but emphasizes the need for aligning with artists who share his artistic vision and dedication to excellence.
Jay-Z Calls Out Recording Academy for snubbing Beyonce for Album of the Year.
During his acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, Jay-Z, the multifaceted American artist, took a moment to voice his concerns and reflections on the Grammy Awards.
Standing beside his 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, Jay-Z began by acknowledging the progress the music industry has made since the notable boycott in 1989 when Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff protested the non-televised rap awards at the Grammys.
Recalling that historic moment, Jay-Z humorously remarked, “And then they went to a hotel and watched the Grammys. I ain’t even understand… it wasn’t a great boycott.” He went on to share his own history with boycotting the Grammys, citing the year 1998 when he chose not to attend due to DMX not receiving a nomination, despite having two successful albums that year.
Expressing both love and frustration, Jay-Z emphasized the need for the Grammy Awards to “get it right.” He turned attention to his wife, the iconic Beyoncé, who, despite being the most awarded artist in Grammys history with an impressive 32 wins, has never secured the coveted Album of the Year accolade. He challenged the subjective nature of the Grammy voting system, stating, “Even by your own metric that does not work. Think about that, most Grammys, never won album of the year, that doesn’t work.”
Highlighting Beyoncé’s historic achievement at the previous year’s ceremony, where she became the most awarded artist with a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album, Jay-Z underscored the consistent disappointment felt by Beyoncé’s supporters over her exclusion from the Album of the Year category.
In a moment of candor, Jay-Z playfully remarked, “Some of you are going to go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed.” He continued, “Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category.” Amidst audience laughter, Jay-Z emphasized, “When I get nervous I tell the truth.”
Shifting the focus beyond the Grammys, Jay-Z delivered a motivational message urging artists to persevere in their pursuits. He encouraged them to “keep showing up” not only in the music industry but in life, until they receive the accolades they believe they deserve. “You got to keep showing up until they give you all those accolades you feel you deserve. Until they call you chairman, until they call you a genius, until they call you the greatest of all time. You feel me?” he passionately declared, concluding his thought-provoking acceptance speech.
Sammy Soso: Ghanaian Producer behind Tyla’s Grammy-winning track ‘Water’
Tyla’s ‘Water’ winning Best African Performance at the 66th Grammys is a great moment for Africans, especially South Africans and Ghanaians.
Ghanaian musician and producer, Juls shared the exciting news on X, emphasizing Sammy Soso’s Ghanaian heritage and significant role in the hit. Juls said, “Ghana actually won a Grammy tonight! The producer for @Tyllaaaaaaa record is Ghanaian! @SammySoSo!! Show love and respect! He’s been working hard and is already Grammy-nominated.”
Sammy Soso’s talent goes beyond ‘Water’; he also contributed to Wizkid’s Grammy-nominated album ‘Made In Lagos.’
Described as a Grammy-nominated British-Ghanaian record & vocal producer, Sammy has an impressive track record, creating the ‘UK Top 15’ single ‘Transforming’ by KSI in 2016. His collaborations with KSI, JME, P2J, and Africa’s biggest star Wizkid, including ‘Sweet One’ & ‘Grace,’ highlight his success. Sammy has also worked on Wizkid’s latest single ‘Bad To Me’ and collaborated with artists like Omah Lay, Young T& Bugsey, Blxst, Headie One, Tion Wayne, Dreya Mac, and Pa Salieu.
Burna Boy’s Energetic Performance Makes History at the 66th Grammy Awards
Burna Boy left his mark at the 2024 Grammy Awards, making history as the first Afro-fusion artiste to grace the stage. His performance was impressive, featuring lively dancers and a band all decked out in green, proudly representing his Nigerian roots. Sporting a standout red outfit, Burna Boy exuded confidence throughout the show.
He smoothly transitioned between hits like “City Boys” and “Sittin’ On Top of the World,” and brought in special guests, including Brandy and rapper 21 Savage. Notably, it marked 21 Savage’s debut at the Grammys.
The excitement didn’t end on stage; Burna Boy is a big contender in the nominations. Leading the way for African artistes, he secured four nods, including Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance. These nominations recognize his outstanding work on the acclaimed album “I Told Them…” and its hit single “City Boys.”
Chef Smith Extends Cooking Marathon to 1200 Hours, Calls for Public Support
Chef Smith, also known as Millennium Chef, is extending his cooking marathon to an impressive 1200 hours, aiming for the Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking session.
Initially planning for a 360-hour cookathon, equivalent to 15 days, Chef Smith is now on a challenging 50-day journey since starting on February 1 at the Amadia Shopping Center in Spintex, Accra. However, the expected support hasn’t come through, prompting Chef Smith and his team to ask for additional backing.
While there was strong initial support for Afua Asantewaa and Chef Failatu Abdul-Razak in their singing and cooking marathons, enthusiasm has waned. Some attribute this decline to the timing of the event, while others think the cooking category has become somewhat repetitive due to frequent attempts.
Chef Smith was inspired by Hilda Baci’s record-breaking cooking marathon, and despite facing approval challenges, the event has been rescheduled for February 2024 after unsuccessful attempts in July and September 2023. Chef Smith aims to surpass Beauty Obasuyi’s 448-hour record.
While waiting for confirmation from Guinness World Records, it’s important to note that Chef Alan Fisher currently holds the record with 119 hours and 57 minutes.
Davido loses all 3 nominations at the 66th Grammy Awards
Nigerian music sensation, Davido, faced disappointment at the 66th Grammys, falling short of his first Grammy win despite nominations in three categories: Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Global Album Performance.
Unfortunately, Davido was unable to secure a victory in any category, with ‘Water’ by Tyla surpassing him for Best African Music, ‘Pashto’ by Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain featuring Rakesh Chaurasia taking the prize for Best Global Music Performance, and ‘The Moment’ by Shakti winning the accolade for Best Global Album.
Tyla wins Best African Performance at Grammys, beating Davido, Asake, and Burna Boy.
South African artiste, Tyla made history by winning her first Grammy for Best African Performance with the sensational track ‘Water.’
The 22-year-old artiste clinched the award at the Grammy Award Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles, where her song competed against notable tracks by Nigerian artists such as Davido, Asake, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr.
Ghanaian companies reluctant to sponsor gospel musicians – Diana Hamilton
Gospel artiste, Diana Hamilton shed light on the financial challenges faced by her fellow musicians in the industry. In an interview on TV XYZ’s “X Zone,” she disclosed that a significant number of Ghanaian businesses often hesitate to support gospel events, hindering the sector’s growth. Hamilton explained to host Afia Owusu that some businesses explicitly refuse to support gospel activities, while others have mixed feelings.
According to Diana Hamilton, only a few businesses are willing to sponsor gospel concerts due to their owners’ attitudes. She stated, “You will encounter companies that outrightly say they don’t sponsor gospel events. There are also those who frown upon sponsoring gospel, leading to a scarcity of companies willing to sponsor.” Hamilton couldn’t determine whether this phenomenon resulted from the sector’s unprofitability or the low returns associated with sponsoring gospel activities. Regarding her role as a brand ambassador for Awake Drinking Water and Enterprise Life Insurance, Diana attributed her success in securing those deals to “divine intervention.”
It Feels Good Calling Shatta Wale My Ex – Michy
Musician and socialite, Michy Gh, formerly known as Shatta Michy, expressed contentment referring to Shatta Wale as her ‘ex’ .
She mentioned this during an appearance on the “Day Show” with Berla Mundi. Diamond Michelle Gbagonah, aka Michy Gh, shared insights on coping with the challenges of ending her relationship with Shatta Wale, stating, “Everybody knows I went through, like, a major breakup, a public breakup. And that was tough on me from the start. It was. I don’t make it look like that. I actually gained weight during the working hard season. Let’s just say God kept me quite well. It was a learning period, so I took it in good faith.” She also revealed her reserved nature, mentioning, “I like to isolate myself when I have issues and come out when I’m okay. I had my son, so I can say I still had support. If not for him, I probably would have felt a little lonely. I’m quite a reserved person. I’m very reserved and shy in real life.”
Discussing her venture into music, Michy acknowledged Shatta Wale’s role in discovering her talent and reflected on the impact of being close to his larger-than-life personality. She concluded, “It feels good calling him my ex. I used to date the biggest artiste in Ghana, so… You know, sometimes I had to live up to it. I think I actually lived up to his confidence and courageous persona. But it’s time to be myself, and these were part of the changes I went through apart from the breakup. It was time to evolve into myself.”
Michy and Shatta Wale had dated for about 8 years before their 2022 breakup, sharing a son together.
Becca donates $2,000 to Moesha’s GoFundMe
Socialite, Moesha Boduong is reportedly in critical condition after suffering a stroke, prompting her brother to initiate a GoFundMe page. Ebito, in a statement on the page bearing his name, disclosed the significant impact of the stroke on Moesha’s mobility and speech, requiring urgent medical attention.
As of the report on Friday, February 2, 2024, the this op donor is Rebecca Acheampong, potentially musician Becca, though we are yet to confirm her identity.
Donations have reached US$3,943 from 54 contributors with an initial target of US$10,000. Showbiz personalities, including singer-songwriter Efya, have responded to the call for support.
In an Instagram post, Efya emphasized the urgency, saying, “Urgent: Let’s rally together and make a difference! Our dear friend Moesha has faced a sudden stroke, and we need your help. Every donation counts in this battle against adversity. Please join us in supporting Moesha and their family during this challenging time. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.”
Dampare is the Worst IGP in the History of Ghana – Afia Schwarzenegger
Afia Schwarzenegger lashes out at Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare, stating, “They [police] don’t respect themselves, they will collect money and act like stupid people. Since Dampare came into office, how many armed robbers has he arrested? He is busy arresting celebrities because that’s what bloggers would report. The worst IGP we have gotten is Dampare,” she said during a TikTok live session.
she criticizes Dampare for focusing on detaining celebrities rather than his duty to protect citizens: “We are not safe. He is more concerned about publicity than protecting the citizenry. When he goes to churches he would be bowing down to the pastors. Would he do the same to the Kwaku Bonsam and other traditionalists? Someone must tell him to stop that foolishness.”