Ghanaian afro dancehall sensation Livingstone Etse Satekla popularly known as Stonebwoy is set to grace Vodza Easter Regatta to be held in Volta Region Keta.
This year’s celebration will take place on 29th – 30th March.
The event is powered by Vodza-Adzido Eco-Tourism Development Initiative in collaboration with the Keta Municipal Assembly.
Livingstone Etse Satekla, better known by his stage name Stonebwoy, is a Ghanaian Afropop, dancehall and reggae musician.
He is the CEO of Burniton Music Group.
He won the Best International Act: Africa category at the 2015 BETAwards and Artist of the Year at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards.
A video circulating on social media has captured the horrifying moment when a fire consumed the residence of acclaimed Ghanaian Afro pop, highlife, reggae musical artist, and former Ghamro chairman, Kojo Antwi.
The incident took place at the artist’s residence in Kwashieman, and sources report that the Ghana Fire Service promptly responded to the distress call.
Despite their efforts, the destructive force of the flames proved too overwhelming, resulting in substantial damage to the property.
Kojo Antwi, celebrated for his unique blend of Ghanaian highlife, Congolese soukous, Caribbean lovers rock, and African American soul and R&B, is a household name in the Ghana music industry.
The artist has contributed significantly to the Ghanaian music scene and has earned recognition not only locally but also on the international stage.
The residence, which held sentimental value for Kojo Antwi and his family, now lies in ruins.
The news has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community, with fans and colleagues expressing their sympathies across various social media platforms.
Kojo Antwi’s influence extends beyond his musical contributions; he made history as the first Ghanaian artist to be nominated for a BET Award, further solidifying his impact on the global music scene.
Watch video below:
Kojo Antwi’s house ravaged by fire#tigpost Eiiii | Sam George | President Akufo-Addo | Vodafone #Koforidua2024 | Ghana Beyond Aid | Kwesi Arthur | Sarkodie | E-levy | Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/wlczFFjCeK
Newcastle star Sandro Tonali, has reportedly admitted to prosecutors that he placed bets onAC Milan games during his time with the club.
The Turin prosecutor’s office questioned him for nearly three hours, and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tonali disclosed that he indeed engaged in betting on football matches, including those involving Milan.
This admission adds complexity to the situation.
Tonali insists that he did not place bets on Milan matches when he was actively playing. If this claim is validated, he may avoid being charged with match-fixing, as he would not have influenced any games.
However, gambling on his own team could still lead to a suspension longer than three years from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) prosecutor.
Additionally, Tonali has revealed that he struggles with a gambling addiction, which could lead to part of his penalty being allocated to mandatory therapy sessions.
The Italy international is likely hoping for a similar punishment to what Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli received, which consisted of a seven-month ban, a fine, and therapy.
It’s worth noting that the FIGC prosecutor’s office is not the only entity investigating Tonali’s betting activities. There is also a criminal inquiry into his involvement with an illegal gambling platform.
The 23-year-old potentially faces substantial fines for using unauthorised betting websites. Investigators have the means to compare his statements with the evidence found on his confiscated mobile phone and tablet.
In addition to Tonali and Fagioli, Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo has also been implicated in the betting scandal and could encounter a similar fate.
On Saturday Nigerian afrobeat singer, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known as Burna Boyperformed at the UEFA Champions League final.
The 2023 UEFA Champions League final football match between Manchester City and Inter Milan took place at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.
Burna Boy performed alongside Brazilian singer, Anitta.
It can be recalled that Burna Boy on Friday received four nominations in the 2023 edition of the Black Entertainment Television,BET, Awards.
This is coming a week after the singer became the first African artiste to sell out the 80,000-capacity London Stadium in the UK.
Ghanaian Afrobeats artist,Camidoh, has expressed his delight after being nominated for the prestigious BET Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act award for 2023.
Among a carefully selected group of exceptional global musicians, including Asake from Nigeria, Flo from the UK, Libianca from Cameroon, Maureen from France, Mc Ryan SP from Brazil, Pabi Cooper from South Africa, Raye from the UK, and Werenoi from France, Camidoh finds himself in illustrious company.
During an interview on TV3 New Day, Camidoh shared his disbelief and the overwhelming emotions that followed the nomination. He stated, “I am still really in shock because I don’t even know what to say. Yesterday, I had to take time to really process it because it’s really like one big blessing. This was not something I was looking out for, do you understand? I mean, I am just grateful.”
The singer admitted that the nomination came as a complete surprise, as it was not a goal he actively pursued. Nonetheless, he recognized its significance and viewed it as a valuable lesson in his artistic journey.
Camidoh expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to be acknowledged on such a prestigious platform.
When questioned about the factors contributing to his success, Camidoh attributed it to his team’s strategic marketing plan and their unwavering dedication to reaching a globalaudience.
He emphasized their commitment to delivering captivating performances during international shows, aiming to leave a lasting impression on audiences in every country they visit. These tireless efforts, he believes, played a pivotal role in propelling his career to this remarkable point.
Reflecting on his journey, Camidoh shared, “To answer your question, I think it depends on your goal and based on your marketing plan. It’s just us doing shows across the globe, and when we go into a country, we do the most to ensure that everyone hears of the brand and it cements on the end before you leave. I think these were the very small things that we were doing that brought us here.”
As anticipation continues to build, fans and well-wishers are urged to rally behind Camidoh and cast their votes, contributing to his path toward potentially securing the coveted honor at the BET Awards. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 25.
Tyler Perry has disclosed that he is interested in buying a majority stake in BET following the news that Paramount was exploring a sale. Addressing reports concerning his interest in the channel that has been home to some of his shows, he disclosed that he is “very interested in taking as much of it…” as he can.
He subsequently dispelled claims that he wasn’t interested in having a piece of BET in a recent interview on Entertainment Tonight at Tyler Perry Studios.
“Rumor? No, it’s not a rumor,” Perry said. “I’ve been there for four years now and had tremendous success. I wasn’t expecting this to happen, so, yes … If it’s possible, I’m gonna take as much of it as I can.”
Perry is not new to BET. His shows like “Sistas,” “The Oval,” and “House of Payne” among others all air on the black-owned channel. His deal with Paramount to air his shows is reportedly ending soon, and should he acquire a majority stake in BET, it will give him control over the brand that airs his shows.
The actor, producer, and writer explained in the interview that his strong desire to purchase the station is for it to return to black ownership.
He said, “I think there was sadness when Bob sold it, and I think there’ll be happiness when it’s Black-owned again. Even though Shari (Redstone) and what is it? Viacom and Paramount? They’ve done a phenomenal job with it.”
“They didn’t let it fall by the wayside; they didn’t let it go into dust. They nurtured it and took care of it, and to see Shari at this position saying, ‘I think it should be returned to a Black owner?’ I figured, ‘OK, see, that’s my kind of person.’”
In addition to Perry, other blacks interested in purchasing BET include Byron Allen and P. Diddy. Despite this stiff competition for ownership, Perry says he is happy black figures are interested in buying BET. He adds that returning to black ownership is what is important.
“I’ve read about Byron Allen and Puffy and everybody wanting to bid and so on and so forth, and I think it’s really great,” he said. “This is what I love about it — when Bob Johnson sold it in 2000, I think it was, there wasn’t one Black person who could buy it. So now, to see all of these Black people, men and women, who are able to be in a position to buy it? Man, that makes me feel really, really excited.”
Tyler Perry is a household name in Hollywood and his success tells the story of rags to riches. Although he reportedly grew up in an abusive family, he did not allow that to become an impediment to his path to success. At a point, Perry had to make a home in his car.
In 2020, Forbes officially recognized him as a billionaire after he reached a net worth of $1 billion.
According to Forbes, the 53-year-old has earned a pretax income of over $1.5 billion since 2005 and joins the likes of fellow billionaire industry players including Oprah Winfrey, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and John de Mol.
The bulk of his earnings comes from his 133.5 (330 acres) Atlanta film studio, Madea franchise and his stake in the BET+ streaming service, according to Forbes. Perry’s journey to success was not without challenges.
In a recent discussion with guests at the 2022 Earn Your Leisure Conference, the entrepreneur and popular filmmaker shared with his audience his challenges as a businessman, including dismissing his entire accounting staff for a costly error.
Perry understood how important it was to make sure taxes had to adhere to a specific standard, despite the fact that he agrees that taxes are a grey area.
“In business, it’s ok to make mistakes, but do learn. Don’t let it keep happening over and over again,” Perry noted, according to the daily caller, before opening up about his accounting problem.
According to him, he commissioned an audit into his business which went on for three years, costing him hundreds of thousands of dollars. After the audit, he said, “we get to the end of the audit, and the IRS owed me $9 million — they owed me $9 million!”
He further noted that he was shocked that his accounts didn’t initially recognize the severity of the issue, adding that he had no choice but to fire them. “And all my accountants come running and say ‘Isn’t that great? Isn’t that great?’ And I say, ‘Hell no! How did you miss me paying $9 million?’”
“Everybody gone! I had to stop going to H&R block for my taxes at some point,” he joked.
Sarkodie created history in 2019 when he won the Best International Flow award at the BET Hip Hop Awards, becoming the first African and Ghanaian to do so.
The BET Hip Hop Awards’ official Instagram account uploaded a throwback video of Sarkodie winning the award and being brought up to the stage to get his plaque on Sunday.
To win the prestigious prize, the Ghanaian rapper surpassed competitors including Falz the Bahd Guy, Ghetts & Little Simz, Nasty C, and Tory Lanez.
BET shared the clip and captioned it, “Sarkodie is proof that African artists are bringing the fire when he took home the Best International Flow Award at the 2019 #HipHopAwards! #BET#SlaySunday.â€
Sarkodie was impressed with the huge done to him and reciprocated by thanking BET Hip-Hop Awards for the endorsement.
The BET Hip Hop Awards are an annual awards show, airing on BET, showcasing hip hop performers, producers, and music video directors.
The awards ceremony began in 2006; it was held on November 12, 2006, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, and was first aired on November 15, hosted by comedian Katt Williams.
Ghanaian female award-winning vocalist Efya has said her focus now is to work efficiently enough to win a BET and Grammy awards.
The musician in a recent interview with Sokoohemaa Kukua on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm opined she has grown as a musician and gained enough experience in the industry.
She expressed gratitude to her fans and commended them for supporting her career over the years.
Efya told the host she has no regrets doing music since it has been part of her since childhood.
Also, she has alluded to the fact that every human being has some level of witchcraft in them.
However, what you will do with that witchcraft is up to the one possessing that witchcraft.
Jamaican singer Millie Small has died at the age of 73 after suffering a stroke.
The star was most famous for her hit single My Boy Lollipop, which reached number two in both the US and the UK in 1964.
It remains one of the biggest-selling ska songs of all time, with more than seven million sales.
Island Records founder Chris Blackwell announced her death and remembered her as “a sweet person… really special”.
It was Blackwell who brought Small to London in 1963 and produced her version of My Boy Lollipop, showcasing her childlike, high-pitched vocals.
“I would say she’s the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
“It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world. I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such, and it was just incredible how she handled it.
“She was such a sweet person, really a sweet person. Very funny, great sense of humour. She was really special,” said Blackwell.
Born Millicent Small in Clarendon, south Jamaica, she was one of seven brothers and five sisters, raised on the sugar plantation where her father was an overseer.
At the age of 12, she won a talent contest at the Palladium Theatre in Montego Bay; and by her teens, she was recording for Sir Coxone Dodd’s Studio One label in Kingston.
There, she teamed up with reggae singer Roy Panton, and they became one of the island’s most prolific duos, scoring a major hit with We’ll Meet.
Blackwell took an interest in the singer after releasing some of those records in the UK on his fledgling record label, Island, and brought her to London in 1963.
Small was enrolled at the Italia Conti Stage School for speech training and dancing lessons; and she toured the UK before cutting My Boy Lollipop with a group of London session musicians (Small claimed Rod Stewart played the harmonica solo, but he has denied being present at the recording).
Released in February 1964, it made her an international star, and helped popularise ska music around the world.
“It is the ska equivalent of Elvis’ Heartbreak Hotel or the Sex Pistols’ God Save The Queen – the disc that popularised a sound previously considered to be on the margins of mainstream consciousness,” wrote music historian Laurence Cane-Honeysett in Record Collector magazine.
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionSmall was given a hero’s welcome when she returned to Jamaica after the success of My Boy Lollipop
However, Small was unable to replicate the success of My Boy Lollipop, scoring only one further hit, a soundalike called Sweet William, later the same year.
But she continued to tour and record, and appeared frequently on 1960s pop shows like Juke Box Jury and Ready Steady Go.
“My life seemed very normal to me – even though I was only 17, I took fame in its stride,” she told the Express in 2016.
After leaving Island in 1970, she recorded for legendary reggae label Trojan Records, where her first single was a cover of Nick Drake’s Mayfair.
However, it was the b-side that attracted greater attention. Called Enoch Power, it was a defiant response to Enoch Powell’s inflammatory, anti-immigration “Rivers of Blood” speech.
Small’s lyrics, which captured the mood of the UK’s Caribbean population, received a rapturous response when she played the song at the Caribbean Music Festival at Wembley Arena, a month after its release.
Soon after that single, and the accompanying album Time Will Tell, Small stepped away from music, saying “it was the end of the dream and it felt like the right time”.
In later years, she lived in Singapore and New Zealand before returning to London, where she concentrated on writing, painting and raising her daughter.
When My Boy Lollipop was re-released in 1987 to mark Island Records’ 25th anniversary, the singer gave a rare interview to Thames TV, where she revealed she had, at one point, been penniless and sleeping rough in London.
However, she took the hard times in good grace, explaining: “That’s all experience. It was great. I didn’t worry because I knew what I was doing.
“I saw how the other half live. It’s something I chose to do.”
In 2011, Jamaica’s Governor-General made Small a Commander in the Order of Distinction for her contribution to the Jamaican music industry.
The singer is survived by her daughter, Joan, who is also a musician based in London.
Tributes were led by actor Vas Blackwood, who said Small “lit the fuse for Jamaican ska music”.
R I P MILLIE SMALL. ‘My Boy lollipop’ 1964 lite the fuse for Jamaican SKA music, her track went Global making history & developed the foundational structures of Jamaican Reggae Music. SLEEP WITH ANGELS SISTER MILLIE X pic.twitter.com/Ydl0za0st4
Sad to hear about Millie Small. Her early journey was steered initially by Coxone Dodd’s label, then Chris Blackwell’s Island….. My Boy Lollipop put island Records on course to become an influential record label with an excellent musical reputation. pic.twitter.com/orKLmSqToJ
Sad to hear about Millie Small. Her early journey was steered initially by Coxone Dodd’s label, then Chris Blackwell’s Island….. My Boy Lollipop put island Records on course to become an influential record label with an excellent musical reputation. pic.twitter.com/orKLmSqToJ
