Entertainment

Self-acclaimed originator of tongue-twisting rap in Ghana, Quata Budukusu known in real life as Jacob Kwame Etroo is blaming Ghanaian DJ's for his loss of inspiration to make music in the past six years.

Speaking on Adom TV’s Bisa Nwom music request show, he said “I lost inspiration for doing music in Ghana because Ghanaian DJ’s have created the impression if you don’t sing a particular style there’s no way they will play that song.”

Quata said he is tired because the Ghana music industry does not allow artistes to be creative and do new things.

The former tongue-twister said he does not understand why radio DJs have pushed Ghanaian musicians into a corner where they are forced to sing songs with the same style and tempo.

He however revealed that after spending six years in hibernation, Ghanaians should expect nothing but the best from him because his comeback is to change Ghanaian music.

He is currently promoting his two new singles “Wind N Go low” and “One life to live.” Watch Wind N Go Low video below.

Source: Adomonline.com

Bruce Springsteen has cancelled a concert in North Carolina, joining business groups in condemning a state law that rolls back protection for gay and transgender people.

The law invalidated several local anti-discrimination measures that protected gay and transgender people.

It also requires people to use public toilets that correspond to the sex listed on their birth certificates.

Major companies like Apple and Bank of America have criticised the law.

"Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them," Springsteen said in a statement.

"It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."

Springsteen and his band were scheduled to perform in Greensboro on Sunday.

The new law in North Carolina has led to protests

Springsteen's cancellation is the latest fallout from the law.

On Tuesday, tech company Pay Pal dropped plans to expand in the state, pulling out about 400 jobs.

A television series for the streaming service Hulu decided to film in Canada rather than North Carolina because of the law.

There have also been calls to move major sporting events out of the state including the NBA All-Star Game.

Governor Pat McCrory, a Republican, defended the law calling it "common sense". He said news reports about the law and the backlash were "smearing our state in an inaccurate way".

Some supporters of the law said allowing transgender people to choose their restroom could lead to women and children being attacked.

They said they feared that men could pose as transgender people and use legal protections as a cover.

North Carolina is one of a number of states in the southern US that have recently considered or enacted legislation that many deem anti-gay.

Georgia's governor vetoed a religious freedom bill amid concerns from business groups

Last June, a US Supreme Court ruling made gay marriage legal nationwide. In response, conservatives have sought to enact protections for religious people who believe marriage should only be between a man and woman.

Last year, Indiana made changes to a "religious freedom" law after business groups and others threatened to boycott the state. The updated law included language that prohibited discrimination of any kind.

This week, Mississippi passed a religious freedom law. That measure, however, specifically allows people to refuse service to gay people on religious grounds.

Georgia's Governor Nathan Deal vetoed a similar bill in March after pressure from prominent firms including Coca-Cola and the Walt Disney Co.

Source: bbc.com

The much awaited video of the Bakus Records lover boy, Quata Budukusu, is out. The video which was premiered on the most widely watched TV in Ghana, TV3, was directed by ace film maker, Pascal AKA. Speaking impeccably in an interview on TV3’s spotlight, Quata noted he has always put in his all during all his performances regardless the size of the platform big or small. He empasized he had performed every song like it was his last time in order to satisfy his fans. He called on his fans to expect nothing but the best from him as he's back for good. This is the second video Quata and his management have released in 2016. The first was a video for his hip-life song, “One Life to Live”, which was directed by another top-notch director, Nana Asihene.

Even though the lyrics of the song, “Wind N Go Low”, is thought to be secular in nature, this video is without obscene scenes which is the characteristics of most recent videos. But for the lyrics, one would even think it's a gospel music video. According to the director of the video, he wanted to stay away from the normal music videos in the Ghanaian market which have of late been severely lambasted  for featuring ladies who've been seen showing much of their “naked” body to woe people into following them. However, he wanted to portray certain modest qualities of the Ghanaian lady. Quata looked good in the video and those lovely ladies and gentlemen added a nice touch to the video.  This video will surely gain Quata the much needed fame for his comeback. Truly, Quata is back to stay and he is leaving no stone unturned. Watch the video below and provide any comment.

A prominent Angolan rapper has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for planning a rebellion against President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

Luaty Beirao was sentenced by a court in the capital, Luanda, along with 16 other activists who were given jail terms of between two and eight years.

Amnesty International said they had been sentenced by a "kangaroo court".

The 17 were arrested in June after discussing a book about non-violent resistance at their book club.

Mr dos Santos has ruled oil-rich Angola since 1979.

• Elite 'hoard' Angola's wealth

Beirao, also known by his stage name Ikonoklasta, has been an outspoken critic of the government, calling for a fairer distribution of the southern African state's oil wealth.

He embarked on a five-week hunger strike in September in protest at his detention.

The judge convicted him of "rebellion against the president of the republic, criminal association and falsifying documents", AFP news agency reports.

The trial had prompted global outrage, with rights groups saying it showed that Mr dos Santos' government was becoming increasingly repressive in its attempts to remain in power.

Human Rights Watch said the verdict was "a ridiculous scandal", while Amnesty International described the defendants on Twitter as "prisoners of conscience" who had been subjected to a "kangaroo court trial [which] violated international standards".

Prosecutors defended the arrests, arguing that the 17 were planning an uprising among students and workers "with incalculable consequences".

The jailed activists, who belonged to a youth movement, had previously held demonstrations demanding the resignation of Mr dos Santos, who has been in power for 36 years.

Their book club had discussed the 1993 book by Gene Sharp called From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation.

Angola is Africa's second-largest oil producer, and has witnessed an economic boom since the end of a civil war in 2002.

However, critics of the elected government say the wealth has only benefited a small elite.

Who is Gene Sharp?

Gene Sharp is a US academic who researches non-violent revolution.

He is credited with the strategy which led to the toppling of Egypt's long-time leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

His most translated and distributed work, From Dictatorship to Democracy, was written for the Burmese democratic movement in 1993, after the imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Gene Sharp: Author of the nonviolent revolution rulebook

Source: bbc.com

Quata Budukusu to release “Wind N Go Low' Visuals

The originator of tongue - twisting rap, Quata Budukusu, is warming up to unleash the visuals for his latest single 'Wind N Go Low'.

The talented musician who won the souls of music lovers when he released video for “One Life to Live” will definitely do it again.

With the video shot and directed by ace film maker, Pascal AKA, “Wind n Go Low” is definitely going to gain some international recognition for its quality and content.

The video also feature some beautiful Ghanaian ladies doing energetic dance.

The video will officially be premiered on TV3 Network on Friday, April 1, 2016

Take a look at some photos taken during the video shoot and listen to the song below as well.

Source: www.fredericknoamesi.com

Undoubtedly, Quata Budukusu is one of the few names that will always come to mind when artistes with the records of throwing derogative punch lines to other artistes, but after bouncing back from his hibernation he has noted in an interview with Flex newspaper that all those lyrical wars or attacking other artistes did not help him.
We can all bear witness to the fact that beefing or better still lyrical fights are very rampant in our entertainment industry nowadays.
According to Quata who believes that he has been in hot waters and he knows how hot it was for him to engage in lyrical fight or step on people’s toes, he says some DJs in Ghana who always put his songs on replay stopped playing them.
“I will never like to see any colleague of mine toe the same line. Take it or leave it, we are still here in the game because of the mercies of God and the talent,” he stated. He said his new brand has now earned him some love from DJs and that they have started playing his new songs like Ohia, Kudi, One Life to Live, Pumpum Shot, Wind and Go
Low and more my only hope is that they will keep it up. I am a brother and also I am here to keep it clean. Fans of Quata and the whole Ghana should watch out for the greatest comeback concert which will happen at the Independence Square and Quata is charged up to set the record straight with this concert.
One surprising thing is that Quata will be the only act to entertain folks who will make it to the event back to back with hit songs that will blow your mind.

Listen to Pumpum Sshots by Quata below;

Source: Flex newspaper

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the Oscars, has added "diverse voices" to its board after a row about ethnic diversity.

Three new governors have been appointed, including African-American producer Reginald Hudlin and Korean-born director Jennifer Yuh Nelson.

The move comes after several Hollywood figures boycotted this year's Oscars.

Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said the board now had "much more of a diversity to it".

Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett-Smith were among those who objected to there being no non-white nominees in the acting categories and the row saw the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite trending for several days after the nominations were announced.

The Academy has also appointed six new committee members, which include Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal and African-American producers Effie Brown and Stephanie Allain.

'Very sorry'

Boone Isaacs said: "We set out, even a few years ago, to have more inclusion and certainly have stepped it up.

"We just want to keep this process going, and so were really happy that were able to announce these additions."

Other changes announced include limiting Oscar voting rights to those active in the movie business.

The Academy also apologised after criticism from some Asian academy members who were offended by a skit during the Oscars show in February.

Activists accused host Chris Rock of perpetuating racial stereotypes when he introduced a group of accountants, who turned out to be three Asian children in suits. One of the children was also given a Jewish surname.

Rock then said: "If anybody is upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone, which was also made by these kids."

Boone Isaacs said she was "very sorry" people had been offended, adding: "I can understand the feelings and we are setting up a meeting to discuss, because as you well know, no one sets out to be offensive.

"I think so much is achieved with dialogue, so much is achieved. And that is what we'll continue to do: have dialogue, listen and just keep fixing.''

Source: bbc.com

Ghana music industry is structured in such away that when an artiste fades off the scene, it takes lot of effort and motivations to comeback.

If an artiste does bounce back, regaining the general public acceptance and acknowledgement of success is not easy. Some artistes have made great come-back after re-branding and succeeded entering into the scenes again.

Mildred Mark- Hansen who is popularly known as Shegee Styla aka “The Godmother of Ghana Dancehall” has also path her way back into the music scenes.

She spends some years in obscurity,and after successful comeback she shares her story in biography video. In the new trending video she said Shatta Wale has been her greatest motivation and inspiration.

The ‘Let’s Go’ hitmaker said, she was challenged by the successful comeback of Shatta Wale (Bandana) who also spent close to ten years in obscurity.

She ended the year 2015 on a good note with hit singles like “Let’s Go” and “Survival” which qualifies for Vodafone Ghana Music Awards this year. If nominated for the Awards, she will be in the same categories with Stonebwoy, Samini, Iwan and likely Shatta Wale.

Since the beginning of the year she has released a single titled “Knock Out“. The song was produced by a Ugandan producer called Analytical Alz & Nase. Look forward for her latest single yet to be release with Shatta Wale.

Watch the bio video below!!!

Source: fredericknoamesi.com

Quata Budukusu, the originator of tongue- twisting rap in Ghana has evolved and poised to take back his rightful position in the music scene.  He said, he is back and ready to take his place.

Following his quick comeback into the music scene after spending close to six years in hibernation, Quata urged Ghanaians to expect the best from him.

The tongue twisting rapper who disclosed to Frederick Noamesi in an exclusive interview, said, the kind of music he is coming out with has never been done in the whole world.

“I am an element of surprises and the level of music I am bringing right now is different from what everybody is doing. I am actually bringing hundred percent intellects into music now. Basically from the onset of Ghanaian music, it has been basic till now. Nothing innovative, nothing educative, you can’t listen to a song and actually researches about it before you understand.”

The rapper further mentioned some academia disciplines which he has fused into his music, noting that Ghanaians should get ready to do a lot of research before they understand his music.

“You need to research on some of the topics before you understand my music. It got science, it got chemistry, it got physics, it got Geography, it got psychology, it got native Twi language and English.”

“My music is also informative, educative and good for business. I am urging my fans to expect the best from me.”

The ‘Baby’ hit- maker who is currently under the management of Bakus Entertainment has released four singles, namely; ‘Wind N Go Low’ and ‘One Life to Live’ produced by Diaz Qlasik, ‘Pum Pum Shots’ produced by Vegas Ace and ‘Ohia’ produced by King Joe.

Rounding up, Quata has stated categorically that he is back and poised to take his right place. He mentioned that he will be doing some collaborations with some artistes as well.

Source: fredericknoamesi.com

The Song Addresses CONFIDENCE something that No one Could Do without.

Without Confidence one could Never Achieve Anything In Life

This is One Good Motivational Song , A Hit for 2016 and Beyond

Loko - Mr Confident Prod By LokoBeatz

http://lokobwoy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/167/2016/03/Loko-Mr-Confident-Prod-By-LokoBeatzz.mp3

Source: Xplusx Ghana

President John Mahama has joined the long list of Ghanaians and other well wishers abroad commending and encouraging young Ghanaian actor Abraham Attah, for his strides in the global film industry.

Attah has recently featured prominently on various global awards stages and picked some nominations and awards including the best male lead at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor at the Venice film festival.

The icing on the cake perhaps was the opportunity to present an award at the Oscars.

He wore a customized pair of TOM shoes to the event and in return, the company will donate 10,000 pairs to needy children in Ghana.

The move has attracted applause from a cross section of Ghanaians and President Mahama was also impressed.

The President said on Twitter, “Congrats @AttahNii. Such a positive positioning of the Ghana Brand. We can do with many more Abraham Attah’s. #BeastsOfNoNation”

The 15-year old, who was assisting his mother by selling on the street with no acting background, shot to fame after getting a role in ‘Beasts of No Nation’ a movie shot in Ghana by Netflix.

Attah acted alongside celebrated Hollywood Actor, Idris Elba. The movie has since won several awards both in Ghana and Europe.

Attah and Idris Elba have picked several individual awards. Over the weekend, the two picked up another award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Attah also had the rare privilege of being at the Oscars where he was selected to present an award.

Awards so far

Attah has won the prestigious Venice International Film Festival’s Marcello Mastroianni Best Young Actor Award, the National Board of Review Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, and the Black Film Critics Rising Star Award.

He also picked up two awards at the Ghana Movie Awards, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead and the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer.

More important for Attah however, is the fact that he has secured himself another movie role via American director Shane Carruth’s adventure film, “The Modern Ocean” where he will be starring alongside Anne Hathaway, Keanu Reeves, Daniel Radcliffe, Chloe Grace Moretz, Tom Holland, Asa Butterfield and Jeff Goldblum.

He will also star in a short film titled “Out of the Village,” by a first time director called Jonathan Stein.

Source: citifmonline.com

Bakus Entertainment artiste Quata Budukusu has released his brand new music video for "One Life to Live", a single from his forthcoming "Quantum Album". To view the video clip from the ladies favorite, visit his official YouTube channel, quatabudukusu. After being out of the public for almost a decade, Quata is out with visuals from his single “One Life to Live” as a comeback. In the video, you will see Quata being himself and performing under the direction of Nana Asihene. The video is one of the best videos to hit the markets of Ghana as the director, Nana Asihene, transition Quata from one life to another level of life.

The song which was written years ago has emerged as one of the fans’ favorite. “One Life to Live" was directed by Award-Winning filmmaker, Nana Asihene of the NKACC fame. The energetic and up-tempo song fits the vibrant and fun colors of the video. The video is also inspired by the use of colors and interesting compositions as well as special effects. The song does however feature a bit of an edge and to accompany that, an open space was chosen to allow for more creativity and movement as seen in the video.

In the past, Quata has had quite a few storyline videos; videos that made people engage with the concept through questions and figuring them out. This video by far has less to figure out, and he opted to convey and communicate a feeling, rather than an explicit message.  “This video doesn't tell an explicit story through storyline, but rather tells an implicit story through color and composition” (Quata, 2016).

"One Life to Live" showcases a great cast of performers and other choreographers all looking for their big star moment. With a simple story line, the video is filmed from various directions. First, a giant body builder is seen carrying the world on his back. Attention is then focused on Quata as a king. A sword wielding lady emerges and an enemy is seen spilling what looks like blood. Clad in white, Quata is finally seen pulling the enemy who is in shackles, which is an indication of victory.

People would have expected a musician who had been out for a while to look very bad in appearance, but, one can tell from the video, even though Quata was out of the music scene, he had something better going and he took very good care of himself. One cannot tell from his look whether he was just in Ghana or out of the country. His costume was on point likewise his personal appearance throughout the video. Quata looked great and with his colorful body arts, this video will be worth watching. One can tell he is back to stay in the game he started and to continue from where he left off.

In a phone interview with Quata, he stated that, even though he was out of the music scene for a while, he kept up with the modern trend as he was just taking a leave and he is now ready to take his rightful place. He emphasized that, the modern trend is a continuation of where he left off and he is not new to the trend and he is in no competition with anyone. He is willing to give off his best for his numerous fans as he is aware of what they want.  If you’re a lover of good music, then you have to listen to this song by watching the video.

Bakus Radio, USA

The Icandy Factory set to release a new animated cartoon entitled "Enam's Search" which evolves around a character that keeps looking for why he was sent on earth.

He keeps looking without refrain for his purpose but always gets arrested in a way or another by his arch enemy called : COTI

This series has 10 episodes per season and will start showing on youtube from Wednesday 24th February

Be sure to not miss any episode as it really gets catchy and funny at the same time.

Source: Xplusx Ghana
 

Rihanna has cancelled some dates of her UK stadium tour.

So far, Sunderland's Stadium of Light and Cardiff's Principality Stadium both been pulled from the Anti tour.

But her Coventry date at Ricoh Arena will still go ahead although it has been rescheduled from 14 June to 25 June.

It's all down to "logistical reasons beyond the tours control" according to a statement and refunds will be available.

It's thought this announcement will affect as many as 100,000 fans.

The Anti tour will help promote her new album which has already gone platinum.

Ricoh Arena has apologised to fans and says they will refund those who are unable to make the new date.

Fans attending the gig at Cardiff also received a similar email from Ticketmaster, although it said that date was cancelled.

Cardiff have offered a refund or a swap to an alternative city.

It appears the gigs at London's Wembley Stadium, Glasgow's Hampden Park and Manchester's Old Trafford won't be affected by the changes.

Rihanna has also cancelled performances in America.

It's after she pulled out of the Grammy Awards due to illness.

The Anti tour was supposed to begin in San Jose, California on 26 February.

The tour will now begin on 12 March in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Brit Awards, where Rihanna is due to perform next week, say there is no change and Rihanna's performance slot is still going ahead.

For more stories like this one you can now download the BBC Newsbeat app straight to your device. For iPhone go here. For Android go here.

Source: bbc.com

The First Ghanaian Cartoon Series Goat and Chicken Crew  are Back Again, The

Icandy Cartoon Factory is at it again and This Time FRD

The Animator Goes A little Further to showcase Goat and Chicken in a different

manner

Episode 3 is here check it out the Valentine Special

Source: Xplusx Ghana

Sylvester Stallone says he thought about boycotting the Oscars ceremony because of this year's diversity row.

The 69-year-old actor has a best supporting actor nod for his role as Rocky Balboa in boxing drama Creed.

At the annual Oscar nominees' lunch in Los Angeles, Stallone revealed he'd consulted Creed director Ryan Coogler about attending the awards.

"I said, 'if you want me to go, I'll go, if you don't, I won't'," Stallone said.

"He said, 'Just go there and try to represent the film.'"

Neither Coogler nor Creed's star Michael B Jordan, who are both black, were nominated.

Stallone added: "I do believe things will change and it's a matter of time and all talent will rise to the top but it's a matter of getting a new paradigm, a new way of thinking."

Oscars co-producer David Hill told Variety at Monday's lunch event that this year's Oscar show "will be the most diverse ever".

Several top industry figures, including Will Smith and Spike Lee, have said they will not attend the ceremony after no black or minority actors were nominated in the four Oscars acting categories for the second year running.

Stallone was last nominated for an Oscar in 1977 for his lead performance in the original Rocky.

He said: "I never thought I would be able to cross this threshold again. As you get older miracles begin to diminish, I couldn't be more thrilled. My daughters look at me now as an actor rather than a bad golfer.

"I tell them I used to do this but they won't look at my videos."

The Oscar nominees lunch, at the Beverly Hilton hotel, brought together more than 150 nominees for a "class photo" ahead of the Oscars on 28 February.

British star Eddie Redmayne said he was trying to enjoy the "extraordinary ride" of his second best actor nomination in two years.

Redmayne won the best actor Oscar last year for his role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything. This year he is shortlisted for his portrayal of transgender artist Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl.

His co-star Alicia Vikander has a best supporting actress nod for her role as Elbe's wife Gerda.

Asked if the acting nominees had discussed the diversity issue, Redmayne told the Press Association: "We haven't all met together until this occasion but it's on everyone minds and the way it has been handled seems to be a positive step."

Source: bbc.com

Look is here again after giving us a good song of all standards by

The way of African lady he promises to give us more so here we have it

A new song titles money this year. Check out the tune.

Source: xplusxgh.com

Arguably Quata Budukusu is one of the best rappers and energetic stage performers of our time. After missing from the stage for some time and also for the fact that the fans have missed his magical stage craft, he is set to put up a come back stage performance during the Rush Energy street carnival at Wa, the capital city of the Upper West Region in the northern part of Ghana on Wednesday, 10^th February, 2016 at the Nima Street. Also on the bill to perform is Akyerekyerefo and Kwame Seseben and a number of artiste from the northern part of the country for the Rush Energy Wa Activation. The following will also be on the bill; Raphius, G.Kliff, Ras Badingu, Kawute, B.M.B, Wuchare, PH 1, Sumaya, and T.I.P.

According to Quata’s management, they are not doing this only for the people of Wa because it is a nationwide tour so obviously from Wa, Quata Budukusu will be storming other regions. They are therefore urging all the fans in the various regions of Ghana to keep their fingers crossed because Quata will soon be at their doorsteps. In a reaction to a question on the motive behind the choice of Wa, spokesperson and the personal manager for Quata Budukusu, Mr. Tengol Kplemani stated “well, honestly speaking after serious deliberations by the team we ended on Wa for the reason being that Wa is the starting point of Ghana so we decided to begin from there and then later end in Accra’.

The concert, Rush Energy Wa Activation, is sponsored by one of the best energy drinks in the country, Rush Energy Drink in collaboration with Bakus Entertainment, the management of Quata Budukusu and Akyerekyerefo. The producers of the Rush energy drink maintained they took a critical note of Quata’s previous performances and the kind of energy he exhibits on the stage hence the decision to support his nationwide tour. Meanwhile, they also had a thought that if such an energetic person like Quata will perform to satisfy his fans then he needs a drink that will provide the energy and that is Rush Energy drink. “We call on everyone in the Wa Township to come out and support Quata and friends as they thrill fans with the best of performances and remember, it is going down on Wednesday, 10th February, 2016 at Nima Street from 6pm till you drop” a closing remark from Rush Energy drink management team.

Bakus Radio, USA