WHEN THE GODS CLASH - Priorities Are Defined

Since the #DumsorMustStop (Energy Crisis) campaign was born, there have been what seems to be attempts to crash it even before it grows into a full bodied being. What started as an online venting of frustrations over a 2 year light outs and the perceived ‘promise and fail’ by the government at solving it, has turned into something else. The movement, which is mostly backed by Ghanaian celebrities-foremost voice being actress Yvonne Nelson and rapper Sarkodie- seems to have irked some sympathizers of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Actress Yvonne Nelson leading the Dumsor Vigil

Since announcing a demonstration- A Vigil- to register their frustrations, some of the vocal celebrities have been lashed at by mostly political apparatchiks of government -from shamelessly calling some leading female voices as ‘prostitutes’; others threatening to burn the movies and CDs of these actresses and rappers to accusing these celebrities of doing the dirty job of the opposition party. 

Other opponents had gone on to ask people to vote against the NDC if they feel peeved.

Makers of such irresponsible and sexist comments have come out to apologize. Whether the apology is one rendered with genuine honesty or an expected gesture to be done after a faux pas is one no one could say. 

Rapper Sarkodie leading voice against Dumsor

The latest ‘obstacle’ to hit ‘Dumsor Vigil’ was the ‘restraining order’ the Ga Traditional Council tried placing on the organizers of the vigil. This comes at the heels of the University of Ghana issuing a presser, stating the University has not been notified by the organizers to use the campus as a convergence point. Again, Total Ghana (Oil Company) came out with a release to say their premises at Legon should not be used by the organizers as a rallying point.

According to the Ga Traditional Council, the vigil will go contrary to the ban on drumming and noise making that precedes the Homowo celebrations (the gods of the land must not be disturbed). This news sparked a debate as to the reasonability of reasons put forward by the Ga Traditional Council. A section read political meanings into the whole affair-that the chiefs are being used by the politicians to thwart the efforts of the organizers. Others argued, the vigil would be an affront to traditions of Ga-land.

Before the day could end, the La Traditional Council had come out to offer support to the organizers of the vigil, stating that the routes that the organizers are thinking of using is under the jurisdiction of the La Traditional Council and not the Ga Traditional Council. And since the La Traditional Council is not yet observing the Homowo rights, they are free to disturb their gods with noise. Interestingly, the Chief Priest of La, Nii Yemo Obroni IV has made his intentions of joining the vigil known.

This confusion raises the question of whether the Ga Traditional Council know the boundaries of lands or areas under their jurisdiction?

This is clearly a war of the gods. A war between gods who want to enjoy 24 hour uninterrupted electricity supply against gods who want to enjoy peace and quiet in the ambiance of darkness.

Now that the green light has been given by the La chiefs and the police have expressed their preparedness to offer the organizers and supporters of the vigil, it seems all is set for the #DumsorMustStop vigil to take off on May 16, 2015.

One thing is clear in all of this: The youth are mostly tagged as apathetic bunch who do not participate vigorously in shaping the political landscape of Ghana. Yet, when these same youths decide to register their displeasure at current political or economic happenings within the country, they are referred to in despicable terms.

The impact of the dumsor is frightening and the earlier solutions are found quickly, the better it would be for all Ghanaians.

I’M IN LOVE WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND VIDEO REVIEW

Last Friday, Jayso premiered the video of his second single I’m In Love With Your Girlfriend, off the yet to be released collaborative album The Mind Game (TMG) featuring sensational songstress Efya and rap heavyweight Sarkodie.

The video was shot at Golden Tulip Hotel, Kasapreko Warehouse and the Skillions Lab.

This is what I think of the video. Click on the link after the review to watch.

Positives

1. CONCEPT/ STORYLINE:  The concept of the video is quite different from the other videos we’ve seen on the theme of love. The almost 6 mins 39 secs short-movie music video was brilliantly done by Clockwork Media and 6Milludo.

The storyline is great, creative and eye-catching. One has to pay attention to understand the exact messages in the video

Truth is, only few artistes are able to deviate from the ‘norm’ and capture concept of songs in such format. Did Kojo Antwi’s music videos and Reggie’s ‘Ah’ come to mind?

And it is refreshing to see a company like Kasapreko featuring their products in it. Such partnership (advertisement) is long overdue albeit a good start.

2. ACTING: If Chantelle Asante (Abena) and Efya are considering acting, then this obviously is a good step. They both flirted well with the camera. They looked pretty comfortable with their gestures and emotions. Jayso wasn’t bad himself.

The video carried some subtle messages like the gun ring on Efya’s finger which meant death to whoever comes close to her man or her man himself. Also Jayso’s red jacket signified love and danger anyway you look at it, Sarkodie’s black reflect something ominous. The video was inundated with the colour red; makes sense.

3. THE FLASH BACK: The flashback scene was meant to enable one make sense of the video but it rather set many guessing as to what ‘Diamonds” Abena (Chantelle) was referring to when she followed Jayso into the bathroom. She also indicated she had a plan, obviously triggering a set of reaction. Though it made a bit of sense, it was as well confusing.

I believe there should be a sequel to this-regarding how the diamonds came into the equation. The question about Efya kidnapping a friend for coming ‘close’ to her boyfriend and more importantly, her search for the diamonds Abena alluded to made it all interesting.

4. PICTURE QUALITY: What is there to say apart from kudos with the camera angles, editing and directorial handling. The close-up shots captured the emotions expressed pretty well. The black and white for the flash back scene was perfect as well.

NEGATIVES:

1. CHANTEL following Jayso immediately after spilling his drink for me was too obvious and suspicious. At least a bit hesitation on her part would have watered down the suspicion a bit. Guess that was the essence of it.

2. How the police entered the ‘secured’ location without suspicion is a bit mysterious. Usually in such circumstances, there are goons who man the gates to alert or ward off intruders. The use of technology to identify the exact location was so subliminal to be recognised at first sight. Maybe the length of video and budget made them chop those bits off.

In all it was a brilliant video-from concept, acting and screenplay.

Click the link to watch the video   youtu.be/SHmEUu6mo3o

Rating 4/5

STAR WARS: ACCRA-TEMA BEEF?

INTRODUCTION:        

           What organizers of the annual NIGHT WITH THE STARS (Joy FM) show anticipated to be a blissful, engaging and exciting moment nearly turned grey following an ‘artistic miscalculation’ by one of the stars billed to perform.

        Many watchers, mostly on social media predicted, prior to the show a ‘bizarre’ night. Their predictions or fears was not about the show going ‘flat’ rather how the chosen theme, ‘’Accra Vs Tema’’ could be (mis) interpreted by a section of the populace and some of the artiste themselves.

       Though the organizers might have chosen the theme based purely on the growing popularity and competition (musically) between Accra and Tema based artistes, the fear of critics was somehow informed by the West Coast-East Coast senseless feud in the US hip hop scene, which ensured that 2pac and Biggie never lived to see their 30^th birthdays.

PERFORMANCE:

             The melee arose following Kwaw Kesse ‘outrageous’ performance. The Abodam Man came on stage along with 7 girls clad in bra and panties, with each letter of his record label MAD TIME inscribed on each on each one’s bum. He had a moniker heavyweight belt and the girls carried a banner with VIP embossed on it.  

                                

Photo by Afroholic.com (Kwaw's Girls showing their bum lettering to the crowd)

            The provocation was not much about the VIP banner which he put on the floor but he stepping on it. His performance was thrilling and remarkable. The audience, who up to that point were feeling bored, had to stand on their chairs to catch a glimpse of him. He virtually brought ‘heat’ to the DOME. (kwaw pix)

photo by afroholic.com    Kwaw Kese fixing his belt on

        Then came VIP who minced no words in pronouncing their disgust at Kwaw’s behaviour. For them, his antics were scandalous and contemptuous to them, their teeming fans, the show and the genre.

        Their performance felt short of what they are known for, which many attributed to the ‘disrespectful’ actions of Kwaw Kesse. (pix VIP)

        Things came to a head backstage when the entourage of VIP attacked Kwaw Kesse and his team. Sources backstage speak of bottle throwing and ‘near brawls’ moment. Thankfully, the allegation of gun pulling or touting by the crew of the artistes was discredited.

                                           VIP (L-R) Lazzy, Promzy, Prodigal felt 'disrespected'.

PULL OUTS:

        Two of the artistes billed to ‘shake’ the DOME refused to perform. Their reason, as unprofessional as it was, was to show solidarity or loyalty to their friend and Tema-mate, Kwaw Kesse. It was unprofessional in the sense that they- R2Bees and Sarkodie- should have respected their contractual terms with the show organizers (JOY FM) and more importantly the attendees who bought those tickets to come and watch them.

      Despite those ‘hitches’ the show proceeded with Samini shutting it down. His performance, as it is been said saved the show.

  

      In my view, this fracas could have been avoided if the show had been scripted or each performance or stage discussed. Kwaw Kesse could have gone on to do what he did. VIP could have countered that by for instance pulling on stage someone in the make of Kwaw, put him on a table and mimic a smacking for that ‘disrespectful’ act of his.

APOLOGY:

         The ‘instigator’ of this whole sour episode Kwaw Kesse was on Joy FM apologizing to VIP, the fans and attendees. In his view, his ‘dramatization’ was an attempt to add excitement to the show and not to demean VIP.

         He went further to tweet ‘so far about #5ive threats in two days but I’m a soldier of #Peace. With the fans of @VIPpple understand that it was a stage battle not war’.

 

                                          Apology tweet from Kwaw Kese

CONCLUSION:

          VIP should in the name of peace and for the sake of the music industry accept Kwaw Kesse’s apology and rein in their ‘boys’. If they need a unqualified apology, Kwaw can be asked to issue a statement. This should ‘kill off’ any bad blood between the two camps.

         Beef in itself is not bad. It enhances competition between those involved. It makes them sharp lyrically-punch lines, metaphors, story line, intelligence etc- and research well.

        But with the cruel end of Tupac and Biggie and how things came to a head between Ex-Doe and Chicago, it should not be encouraged.

       

         Despite all these fracas or heckling that marred the show to a degree, there exist no BEEF between Accra and Tema artistes. A one-off case should not be stretched to that extent.