BET Award-winning Ghanaian artiste, Mohammed Ismail Sherif well-known as Black Sherif has achieved another milestone as he secured an ambassadorial deal with Infinix Mobile on Thursday, November 9, 2023.
Infinix Mobile, one of the leading smartphone brands in Ghana, announced Black Sherif’s brand partnership, making him the second Ghanaian musician to join multiple award-winning Ghanaian music icon Shatta Wal as an ambassador for the business.
The deal sees Black Sherif become the main face of the company to succeed Shatta Wale.
The artist’s latest track, ‘Oh No,’ promises to be a game-changer in the music industry, while his role as the new face of brand adds another feather to his illustrious cap.
Infinix’s decision to partner with the “Kweku The Traveller” hitmaker is a strategic move that aligns the smartphone brand with the singer’s youthful and vibrant image.
The details of the contract and deal is not yet privy to the public but fans and loved ones believe it’s a juicy deal worth thousands of dollars.
Black Stars captain André Ayew has been included in Chris Hughton’s latest squad to face Madagascar and Comoros in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Jojo Wollacott, Denis Odoi, Majeed Ashimeru, Daniel Amartey and Baba Idrissu are among other major returnees to the team after missing the previous call-ups due to injury.
Abdul Mumin, who has been flying high with Rayo Vallecano, has also been handed a return to the national team by Chris Hughton.
Chris Hughton has also taken the bold step to bring back Kasim Nuhu.
Jonathan Sowah and Abdul Hamid remain the only local players in the squad.
Ghana will take on Madagascar on November 17, 2023, before facing Comoros a few days later.
Nigerian Afropop singer cum songwriter, Yemi Eberechi Alade, 34, well-known as Yemi Alade, has revealed her feelings about the pressure she receives from her family and friends to find herself a husband.
During her latest interview with Cool FM, the singer, who doubles as an actress and activist lamented that she is under pressure to marry and have children.
While subtly refuting the viral reports of her marriage to her manager, Alade stated: “People often get married, especially towards the end of every year. I’m not feeling pressured. When the time is right, it will happen.
“Family pressure is a challenging thing to resist because it’s coming from the people I respect and look up to, insisting that I should get married. However, I believe that if they genuinely have my best interests at heart, they will be patient with me because finding the right partner is more crucial than just getting married.
“But beyond that, I don’t think anyone should rush into making the wrong decision of being with the wrong partner.”
BET Award-winning Ghanaian music icon Stonebwoy will perform with the Beninese singer-songwriter and five-time Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo in London. He has been invited as a special guest to celebrate with Angelique Kidjo as she marks 40 years in the music industry.
The event which will happen at London’s most iconic venue, the Royal Albert Hall will celebrate the career-spanning catalogue of Angelique Kidjo.
As Stonebwoy is ready to perform with Angelique Kidjo and become the first Ghanaian solo singer to play at the prestigious venue, fans on social media have congratulated him profusely.
She will also be joined by notable musicians, including British vocal singer Laura Mvula, Grammy-nominated trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, and Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour.
This comes at a critical juncture in Stonebwoy’s international calendar, having just completed a successful UK/Europe tour with a sold-out show in London.
Stonebwoy has fostered a vibrant and positive creative bond with Angélique Kidjo, stemming from his passion for creating exceptional music that transcends boundaries. Recently, he released his most prestigious video to date for the brand new single, Manodzi (which is being considered for a Grammy award nomination in the Best Africa Music Performance Category), featuring Angélique Kidjo. The video reflects the message behind the single Manodzi well.
Stonebwoy, credited with pioneering and powering the afro-dancehall music genre into a global cultural and musical phenomenon, has become a prominent figure and distinguishable voice in the African reggae and dancehall scene.
With a career that began in 2009, he has released five remarkable albums, including the 2023 Billboard-rated album “5th Dimension,” which received consideration for nomination at the upcoming 66th Grammy Awards across the “Best Global Music Album” and “Best Reggae Album” categories and has achieved impressive physical and digital sales, with numerous chart-topping hits across Africa and beyond. His influence on the Ghanaian musical landscape is undeniable, making him a distinguished and influential voice in the global music scene.
Emerging Ghanaian talent, Jayimi, reveals the artwork for his forthcoming single, ‘Hello.”
The talented and imaginative artiste is embarking on a fresh chapter in his music career with his debut single, ‘Hello,’ following a rebranding.
With a desire to resonate with souls of people through songs that come from his innermost depths, this young artiste considers this track the ideal introduction to announce his entry into the music scene.
By sharing the artwork across all his social media platforms, Jayimi takes a moment to say a resounding ‘Hello’ to the world.
BET award-winning Ghanaian artiste Black Sherif has released a new single, titled ‘OH NO’ on Thursday, November 9, 2023, through his record label; RBA and EMPIRE.
This song asserts the 21-year-old’s dominance as one of the front-runners leading the charge from Africa to the rest of the world.
‘OH NO’; a Highlife, Soul, and Drill-infused anthem produced by his in-house producer and long-time collaborator; Samsney, with additional production by Joker Nharnah, details the rapper’s resilience in navigating through the cold storms of adversities while still staying true to his art.
The song’s resounding chorus finds the ‘BET International Flow winner reaffirming his decision to keep working while staying true to who he is and never switching up.
Detailing the inspiration behind ‘OH NO’, the singer reiterated, “It feels like me standing at the edge of an open pit but I know the resultant effect of the very next step at that moment in time.
I chose to live my life devoid of any fear of falling into the pit. There are voices around and within; pushing me. Either to direct my next step away from the pit or have me fall into this deep abyss.
“Oh No”, is a reaffirmation of my destiny and my calling. It’s me defining who I am, what I have believed in, and basking in the work I have put in thus far”.
Black Sherif began the year with the release of a double single project dubbed, ‘Take Care of Yourself Blacko’– a dulcet self-care affirmation song that preaches healing and taking time to reflect on his journey.
Since last year’s release of his debut album, The Villain I Never Was, Black Sherif has solidified his place as one of Africa’s most powerful creative voices and amassed massive global streaming numbers, which made him the most streamed Ghanaian artist of 2022 on Spotify and the most streamed Ghanaian artist of all time on popular African streaming platform, Boomplay. Black Sherif has reached these pinnacles in record time—being an integral part of the new sound emanating from Africa.
People magazine has named actor Patrick Dempsey as the Sexiest Man Alive for the 2023 edition.
Dempsey was revealed to be the new Sexiest Man Alive on Tuesday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after audience members asked Dempsey, whose voice and face were concealed, questions to help narrow down his identity.
“I’m just happy they made a decision and that it was me this year,” Dempsey told Kimmel.
Dempsey went on to joke that his family found it funny when they found out about his new title, saying, “They laughed, quite hard. They’re like, ‘No, seriously, who is it?’”
As for how the “Grey’s Anatomy” actor reacted when he first heard the news, he told People in an interview published Tuesday that he was “completely shocked.”
“And then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid!” he said. “I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”
Dempsey is best known for playing Dr. Derek Shepherd on the long-running ABC drama “Grey’s Anatomy.”
He stars as Italian race car driver Piero Taruffi in the upcoming “Ferrari” biopic, out in December.
Dempsey takes on the title from Chris Evans, who was crowned the 2022 Sexiest Man Alive.
When Kimmel asked Dempsey on Tuesday if Evans had called him yet to “concede,” Dempsey said they’ve yet to speak.
“I am hoping when I get off stage tonight that I’ll get a call,” he said.
In a recent interview with Connect FM’s Drive Time host, Nana Adjoa Arthur, Joe, known for his musical fame from Mentor 2, revealed a significant transformation in his life.
He has rebranded himself as “Nii Soul” and transitioned from secular music to gospel, attributing this life-altering decision to a profound encounter with his faith.
Joe, who was once a celebrated artist in the secular music industry, shared that his transformation began in 2012 when he decided to dedicate his life to Christ. This pivotal moment had a profound impact on him, leading him to re-evaluate his career and purpose in the music industry.
One of the challenges he encountered during this transition was the reception he received from the public. Joe had anticipated that people would readily embrace his shift to gospel music and his newfound faith, but reality proved otherwise.
He admitted that it wasn’t an easy transition, as people didn’t accept his transformation as warmly as he had hoped. However, he expressed that he has grown accustomed to the challenges and has persevered in his faith journey.
One remarkable aspect of Joe’s journey is a dream he had in which he saw the late Prophet TB Joshua. This dream played a significant role in his decision to turn his back on secular music and fully embrace his faith. Seeing a respected figure like Prophet TB Joshua in his dreams reaffirmed his conviction that he was on the right path.
Nii Soul, as he is now known, has taken a leap of faith, and he recently released a new single titled “Love.” This single is a testament to his dedication to spreading the message of love and faith through music. It reflects his newfound purpose and his commitment to using his talent to connect with his audience on a spiritual level.
The transition from Joe of Mentor 2 fame to Nii Soul is a powerful and inspiring journey of faith and transformation. His story serves as a reminder that life’s twists and turns can lead to unexpected and beautiful outcomes.
Nii Soul’s decision to use his music to share his faith and love is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound impact of faith on one’s life. We look forward to witnessing the continued evolution of Nii Soul’s music and the positive influence he brings to the world through his talent and faith.
Entertainment Week Lagos (EWL), the groundbreaking platform that unites the global entertainment industry, is set to gather the brightest stars and industry leaders from across Africa’s booming US$62.67 million entertainment industry.
With its second edition scheduled for December 13 to 20, 2023, at the Livespot Entertarium in Lagos, organisers have announced ambitious goals of attracting 15,000 attendees, reaching over 100 million people, and training more than 1,000 individuals.
Co-Founder and CEO of Livespot360, producers of EWL, Deola Art Alade says, “we’re excited to be able to bring thousands together for the second edition of EWL. We have big plans this year as EWL is more than just one event. We’re aiming to be able to surpass all expectations by facilitating funding for entertainment tech startups, nurturing and upskilling talent, building capacity within the industry, enabling global and local exchange in the industry and pushing for policies and solutions to the ongoing issues experienced within the entertainment industry”.
The African entertainment industry is on a rapid growth trajectory, with projections indicating an over 100% increase in total revenue by 2026, as per PwC’s Entertainment and Media Outlook. Factors like the expansion of digital platforms, increased investments in local content, and a rising middle class with disposable income are driving this growth.
Africa’s vibrant entertainment scene encompasses music, film, fashion, and digital content, making it a hotspot for creativity and innovation. EWL plays a pivotal role in accelerating this momentum by uniting professionals and enthusiasts across these diverse sectors to collaborate and advance the industry.
In its first edition last year, Entertainment Week Lagos (EWL) was a game-changer, offering eight days of transformative entertainment experiences across multiple venues. The event featured 35 distinguished speakers and educators, 16 NFT artists, eight short films and documentaries, and 30 chart-topping musicians, reaching a colossal 31.2 million people. Notable speakers included Emeka Okafor, Head of Product & GM, Meta; Ozinna Anumudu, Fashion & Branding Expert; BasketMouth, Comedian; Ezegozie Eze Jr., VP, Strategy & Market Development, EMPIRE; Segun Aluko, Associate – Entertainment, Technology & Advertising Practice Group, SheppardMullin; amongst others.
Entertainment Week Lagos (EWL), is an initiative of Livespot Foundation, produced by Livespot360, a 360º creative solutions company known for its industry-redefining projects and cutting-edge concepts in digital marketing & tech innovation, advertising & media, production, experiential marketing & entertainment. Livespot360’s portfolio includes renowned productions such as Real Housewives of Lagos and Last One Laughing Naija; and events such as Love Like A Movie, Born In Africa Festival (BAFEST), Headies Awards, AFRIFF, IDEA Awards, and Livespot X Festival with Cardi B, amongst others.
In the ever-evolving world of music, a rising star has emerged, captivating audiences worldwide with her unique sound and undeniable talent.
Ghanaian sensation, Petrah, a name that’s been buzzing across the industry, is making seismic waves with her music and ready to take global music scene by storm.
Her infectious melodies, powerful lyrics, and distinctive style have propelled her to the forefront of the international music arena.
With a passion for music that ignited at a young age, Petrah has honed her craft over the years, and her dedication is evident in her ever-evolving discography.
Her versatile approach to music, blending Afrobeat, dancehall, and pop, has drawn in a diverse fanbase.
One of Petrah’s breakthrough hits, “Badder,” showcased her vocal prowess and songwriting skills, receiving accolades both in Ghana and on the global stage. She continues to release hit after hit, consistently pushing the boundaries of her art.
What sets Petrah apart is not only her musical talents but her authenticity and the relatable themes in her songs. She addresses issues such as love, empowerment, and the everyday struggles of life, resonating with a wide range of listeners.
Petrah’s music has found a home on streaming platforms and radio stations worldwide, connecting her with a growing international fanbase. Her collaboration with other artists from different parts of the world has further expanded her global reach.
With a promising future ahead, Petrah is a name to watch. Her journey in music, from the heart of Ghana to global recognition, is a testament to the power of passion, talent, and hard work. As her music continues to make waves, the world eagerly awaits what she has in store next.
Multiple award-winning Ghanaian afro-pop musician, Mujahid Ahmed Bello known by his stage name Fancy Gadam his latest album titled ‘Competition’ is already making waves which is an inspiration to a profound reflection of his journey in the Ghanaian music industry.
According to him, the ‘Competition’ album is a representation of his experiences in the music fraternity, emphasizing that each track on the album is a chapter, narrating the highs and lows, the challenges, and triumphs he has faced in the dynamic world of music.
Speaking in an interview with Giovani Caleb on 3FM the ‘Total Cheat’ hitmaker explained the challenges he faced in becoming a well-known figure from the Northern region of Ghana, emphasizing that his success is a result of his dedication and hard work.
“My journey in Music and who I’ve become today in music and where I started this whole thing. The attention out there in the north was not that massive but we struggled to make this possible” he stated.
Fancy Gadam expressed gratitude to his fans for their support during the challenging moments in his music career. He also revealed the inspiration behind naming his album “Competition.”
He stated: “I’ve been competing with myself and with the songs itself and the so many challenges that I’ve been facing in the industry but with the support of my fans and almighty Allah, I always pass through it. So because of this journey I’ve been through, that is why I named this album ‘Competition’”
“Competition” has a total of thirteen songs with different genres. The album has features of Kuami Eugene, Top Line, Iz Flexy, Pachino, Amerado, Kweku Flick, Lasmid, Ricch Kid, Papi Suweide, 2sad, David Aj and Don Zelle.
The album is available on all digital platforms, released on October 14, 2023.
Ghanaian singer Andrew Cudjoe better known in the showbiz industry as Keche Andrew, a member of multiple award-winning music group Keche has stated that only lazy men are worried about marrying ambitious women.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Amansan Krakye on Cape Coast-based Property FM, the “No Dulling” hitmaker asserted that he has nothing to be afraid of as he is equally working just as his wife is doing.
“But as for me, there is nothing to be afraid of having an ambitious wife and if you’re a man who is not a hardworking person then such things will get you worried, because I’m doing my work and she’s also doing her job,” he said.
He further indicated that his wife, who is also his manager, made it known to him at the beginning of their marriage that she would one day venture into partisan politics and so therefore not surprised she is doing so at the moment.
“I’m not bothered about the potential of my wife, Joana Gyan Cudjoe to become a Member of Parliament (MP) in the coming general elections.
“From the beginning, she made me aware that in the future she wants to venture into partisan politics and I even encouraged her to do so,” he remarked.
Controversial media personality and socialite, Afia Schwarzenegger, has slammed gospel musician Cecilia Marfo for grieving over the predicament of her church.
According to her, Cecilia Marfo should blame herself for the struggles her church is battling with because of some weird practices she was engaging in that even led to public backlash.
The controversial socialite explained that Cecilia Marfo was directing some of her ill congregants to take bread as a painkiller and other practices that are not worth the Christian religion.
Speaking in a TikTok live session, Afia Schwarzenegger chided Cecilia Marfo for being responsible for her downfall and described her religious practices as ‘foolishness.’
“When someone is sick, she [Cecilia Marfo] would tell the person to eat bread. Since when did bread become a painkiller? You have made Christianity advance foolishness. Many people in the church battling with diabetes are asked to drink ‘sobolo’, how?
“Even pregnant women were also drinking sobolo. When she was crying people sympathized with her. These days every gospel musician is a minister. Did God make you a minister after calling you to be a musician?” Afia Schwarzenegger fumed.
Afia Schwarzenegger insists that Kennedy Agaypong despite his failings did the Lord’s work by exposing fake pastors whiles opening the eyes of Ghanaians to the danger of their trade.
“Kennedy Agyapong has done a lot of things that cannot be justified. But if it took Kennedy Agyapong to collapse Cecilia Marfo’s church, he did the work of God.
“Just because he is not a good person, doesn’t mean his name should be sullied anyhow. He did the work of God by dismantling Cecilia’s church in particular, you may ask why,” she said.
Her reaction comes after Cecilia Marfo shared her harrowing experience of how her church which used to be populated with over 400 members has diminished to a paltry 40 members.
She blamed the near-collapse state of her church on Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP), Kennedy Agyapong, and fellow gospel musician, Diana Asamoah, for their issues with her that led to some of her members not attending her church.
While narrating her ordeal, Cecilia Marfo cried uncontrollably as she attributed it to the pains she had gone through due to the state of her church.
Speaking in an interview with JoyPrime TV on the Prime Morning show monitored by GhanaWeb, Cecilia Marfo noted that she has forgiven all the people whose inactions affected her ministry but believes God will deal with them at the right time.
“What they have done to me, God will fight for me. I had over 400 church members. If I tell you it’s left with 40, would you believe it? Sometimes, when I think about the church I cry and I know everyone will be held accountable by God,” [afterward, she bowed down her head and started weeping uncontrollably],” she said.
Veteran Nollywood movie icon, Kanayo O Kanayo, well-known for portraying ritualistic characters in movies has warned youths against engaging in money rituals in a bit to make wealth.
Encouraging the Nigerian youths, he advocated for diligence and hard work in pursuing success in their respective endeavors.
Speaking at Ikenga Online’s November 2023 virtual Town Hall Meeting, on the topic “Rituals, Riches, and Realities: The Myths of Money-Making and the Dignity of Labour,” emphasized the lack of any connection between human sacrifices and acquiring wealth.
In his words, “These people (youths) have upped their ante and it is not about what they watch (movies). There is no truth to the fact that a man living in a thatched house will ask you to kill your girlfriend and sleep with her to make money.
“The Yahoo (scam) we knew many years ago was writing letters and promising deals that were utopian. We know many people who are in public office today who were part of it. I will not want to mention names.”
Addressing modern scams, he remarked, “The in-thing is Yahoo Promax, which involves killing someone, eating the heart of the person and washing it down with Hennessy, and the belief that you will make money. I can’t see any connection between that and making money. Money is made through hard work.”
Reflecting on his personal success story, Kanayo O Kanayo revealed building a mansion without resorting to sacrifices.
“I laid the foundation of my house in 2015, and in 2016, Globacom, owned by Mike Adenuga, signed me as one of those to be a part of a nationwide campaign it was holding,” he recounted.
Detailing the financial windfall from the campaign, he explained, “So, I made a lot of money and built my house. I can say I made a sacrifice to build that house because, at that time, I had the option of buying a brand new 2015 Range Rover. If I had bought it, today, I would have been seen as someone who was driving an old Range Rover.”
In choosing to invest in his home over a luxury car, he regarded it as a meaningful sacrifice for his long-term benefit.
