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The Human Predicament – A Reflection on the Meaning of Human Life Part. 3

What have we achieved in the end? What in the final analysis are we going to do with all the money, all the wealth we spend our life struggling to acquire?  We shall leave them behind when we die and go to the grave?

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We wake up in the morning, brush our teeth, take our bath, take our breakfast, dress up and go out struggling for one thing or another- money, food, wealth etc. We struggle the whole day and come back home in the evening to sleep. The following morning, we wake up to go through the routine again, brush our teeth, take our bath, take our breakfast, dress up and we are out again, struggling till evening. This goes on till we die and it is all over. What have we achieved in the end? What in the final analysis are we going to do with all the money, all the wealth we spend our life struggling to acquire?  We shall leave them behind when we die and go to the grave?

The Problem of Evil

The most disturbing problem that makes human life appear meaningless is the problem of evil. This is the problem that has plagued human life from its very beginning and has disturbed the human mind from time immemorial. It has become an insoluble problem, a puzzle and in fact, a mystery to the human mind. It is natural evil for instance that leads one to ask whether human life has any meaning at all, or any purpose. A visit for example to a home for mentally retarded children or physically handicapped children, disabled people, paralytics, terminally sick people in great pain, or a mortuary, prompts one to ask whether human life has any meaning at all. This was what led Job to curse the day he was born. He wished he had died as soon as he was born.

The absurdity of human existence and the futility of all human struggles dawns on one also at funerals or interment. As the coffin is lowered into the grave it dawns on one that it is all over for the deceased, that this is the final end of all his struggles, all his endeavours, all his wealth, and that the very same fate awaits us all.

Death

Death is the worst evil that happens to man, an evil that makes human life appear purposeless and meaningless.  Sartre concludes that ‘If we have to die, then our life has no meaning’ the strongest instinct in both in both men and animals is the instinct of self-preservation or self-perpetuation. It is the instinct to avoid death, the instinct to continue living. Yet death is the surest thing that will happen to us. If there is only one thing that is unmistakably certain, which no skeptic has ever doubted or can ever doubt, is that death is inevitable. It is certain that we shall all die because we were all condemned to death even before we were born. ‘As soon as a man is born,’ says Heidegger, ‘he is old enough to die’. Some people are not even born before they die, they die in the womb before they are born. Some die just as they as born, some die a few minutes after they are born, some a few hours, others a few days, some are few months, others a few years. Some live to ripe old age. Death can come and does come at any time in a person’s life, at any age, from ante-natal state, to infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood to old age.

Read Part one Here

Read Part two Here

Credit: Inusah Awuni – MPhil, MA, BA (Lecturer – AUCC & DUC)

Email: agolgoti@yahoo.com

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Dr Pushkin, Ko-Jo Cue and Ataman Nikita Outdoor Kologo Fusion Genre with “No Go Go”

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No-Go-Go-By-Dr-Puskin-Ft.-Ko-jo-Cue-&-Ataman-Nikita-(Artwork) - Kologo Fusion

 No Go Go by Dr. Pushkin, Ko-Jo Cue, Ataman Nikita (isolirium.com)

The talk about who wins a Grammy from Ghana has been a subject of debate for a long time. However, very little attention has been paid to the ingenious music being made by musicians without the A-list or Mainstream Tag. Artists like Wiyaala, Atongo Zimba, Worlasi, and others who stand out for their ingenuity are never considered potential winners. However, with the release of No Go Go! by Dr Pushkin ft. Ko-Jo Cue and Ataman Nikita, one may be tempted to ask, “What will it take to win a Grammy as a Ghanaian artist?”. Is it just attempting to fit into popular genres or using established genres as a footing to create imaginative, artful, and inventive music?

Ordinarily, most artists would be clamoring at the successful fusion of sounds that has the potential to birth a new genre or direction. However, when two talented creatives meet, the satisfaction is in bringing art and impact to the fore; such is the case of this masterpiece of a song. No No Go! It thrives on rhythmic percussion backed by the pleasing, incessant sound of the Kologo. In what Dr Pushkin calls “Kologo Fusion”, the genre is not just another attempt at creating something new but a conscious fusion of indigenous sound and musical instruments in popular music genres, offering a refreshing listenership to fans and music lovers.

Despite being a fun song, No Go Go is art-in-protest; the lyrics are a resounding reminder of the need to stand firm against the systematic failures of leadership. Time and again, Ghanaians have suffered instances where politicians use state institutions to shut up people who speak against the system’s wrongs. However, No Go Go! is a reminder to the powers that be about the relentlessness of the people despite the oppressive antics. It is a reminder that the people will match and protest till the wrongs become right.

Who else to recruit for such an experimental sound but Ko-Jo Cue? Kojo Amankwah Cue, better known as Ko-Jo Cue, has proven to be an amazing lyricist, storyteller, and voice for the voiceless. While he doesn’t pick up a megaphone to chant impactful messages, his music has always contained a full dose of serving as a person. It, therefore, came as no surprise when Dr Pushkin chose to collaborate with him on creating a beautiful song set to be the anthem for protests in Ghana and beyond. For a rapper whose album “For My Brothers” contains so much about life, he is well-experienced in life to put that to a beat.

Ataman Nikita, a brother to Dr Pushkin, also brought on his melodious voice to No Go Go with hooks and a chorus, giving the song a flawless transition from one point to another. His impressive vocals combined with the rap performances by Dr Pushkin and Ko-Jo Cue over the beautiful Kologo Fusion instrumental by AzkonnaBeatz has birthed No Go Go, a new sound capable of putting Ghana at the top of ingenious music production.

What is Kologo Fusion?

Kologo is the popular 2-string guitar found mostly amongst the Gurune-speaking ethnic groups of the Upper East Region. It has become a symbol of what truly exudes the musical culture of that particular ethnic group. Kologo has also been the instrument behind successful and ingenious artists like Atongo Zimba, King Ayisoba, Stevo Atambire and several traditional musicians from the Bolga area who are conquering the world with the unique sound of the Kologo.

Kologo Fusion is a blend of the Kologo musical instrumental and popular music genres. While rap has likely been fused with Kologo for decades, the current modern iteration of Kologo Fusion can likely be traced to Soorebia’s “2 Strings” – a track produced by AzkonnaBeatz and featuring rapper Akan. Artists Wanlov The Kubolor and Stevo Atambire have also contributed immensely through their collective “Alostmen” and their unique brand of Kologo Rap. No Go Go! is the first of Dr. Pushkin’s Kologo Fusion song, and we can expect several more to appear on the album, including one with Stevo Atambire.

No Go Go by Dr. Pushkin, Ko-Jo Cue, Ataman Nikita (isolirium.com)

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Dr Pushkin takes the North2South Event to America on December 3rd inside Volstead Lounge, Austin, Texas.

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Dr-Puskin---Energy

Having staged 2 Successful Music events in Accra & Bolgatanga, Texas, Ghanaian Rapper Dr Pushkin has dared to test the waters in the US. Under the North2South Experience franchise, the event seeks to bring Ghanaian artists in the Austin, Texas, Area and their American Counterparts to the same stage. The event will occur inside the Volstead Lounge in Austin on December 3rd, 2023, from 7:30 PM. While admitting a dichotomy between the North and South divide worldwide, the musicians billed to perform each represent the North or South of their respective nations. The idea is to foster a creative unity to help defy the economic disparity often associated with the North and South divide.

Dubbed North2South Experience – Austin, the event is a collaboration between Isolirium Entertainment and Underground Voices Live, an independent creative platform in Austin – Texas, dedicated to giving new and upcoming artists a voice. 

North2South Experience: Austin is a Hip Hop and Afrobeats Festival featuring incredible performances by Dr Pushkin, Koo Kusi, and Quata Budukusu, representing Ghana. Aggie, Ative, SpaceGoonz, The Boy, and WyldThang will represent America. The venue opens at 7:30 PM.

If you are in the Austin – Texas, area and want to be at this event, click the link below.

North2South Austin Experience in Austin at Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge (do512.com)

What is the North2South Experience?

The concept was born of a desire to see Ghanaian artists have a tour opportunity with several stops that could span the entire country. Considering how polarized the Ghanaian Entertainment Industry is, a deliberate attempt to draw artists from the North and South of Ghana for a Nationwide Tour became necessary. With the above in hindsight, Dr Pushkin, who has been promoting his Outlandish Album, took the absence of an initiative like North2South Experience to initiate the same. Doing so through his Isolirium Entertainment Record Label, the rapper who doubles as an Artificial Intelligence prodigy has not only marketed his music but has created an opportunity for others.

The First two events under the North2South Experience franchise came off in Accra at the Alliance Francaise and in Bolgatanga at Jocom Golden Hotel. Both events saw an array of artists drawn from the North of Ghana and the South of Ghana. All artists on the bill proved worth the spotlight as they took turns mesmerizing fans who graced the events. Despite being a self-sponsored initiative, Isolirium Entertainment ensured stellar logistics characterized the event to give patrons quality output through sound, stage, and lighting.

The success of both shows has informed Isolirium Entertainment of the need to inject further ingenuity into future editions. Thus, subsequent editions will see an increase in venues and the creation of a Festival that would bring the North & South together through Art and entertainment.

Dr Pushkin is an SXSW 2023 Alumnus named an “Essential SXSW 2023 Act” by the Austin Chronicle. He first shot into prominence with his genre-bending conscious Trap tune “Questions” – the song highlighted the deficiency society suffers through a leadership that makes bad choices for the people.

(32) “Questions” by Dr. Pushkin (feat. Dane) – YouTube

North2South Experience, Austin, is the first event powered by Isolirium Entertainment outside Ghana.

Check a short documentary about the North2South Events in Ghana below.

North2South – Episode 1 – YouTube

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Nautyca’s ‘Nautyfication’ album redefines the sound of modern Ghanaian music

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Widely known for his heart-piercing croon tunes, Nautyca, the acclaimed Ghanaian artiste, releases his inaugural 16-track masterpiece, “Nautyfication” which showcases a stellar lineup of industry luminaries, including Sarkodie, Khapital, Kelvyn Boy, Larruso, and more.

“Nautyfication” offers an immersive journey through 16 tracks, seamlessly blending Afrobeat and Highlife influences. The album, available on all major online platforms, promises a captivating musical experience that transcends boundaries.

Within Nautyca’s highly anticipated debut album, “Nautyfication,” there are standout tracks that demand attention and resonate with listeners. “Bum Bum,” featuring the stellar collaboration of Sarkodie and Khapital and produced by Pee Wizzle, kicks off the album with infectious energy and rhythm.

The track “Wiggle,” featuring Larruso and produced by Cycoxxx, adds a dynamic Reggae/Afro-Dancehall flair with its captivating beats and seamless fusion of styles. “Bomber,” produced by Skybeat, introduces a unique sonic landscape, showcasing Nautyca’s versatility.

The compelling “Badman,” also produced by Cycoxxx, further solidifies the album’s impact, providing a glimpse into Nautyca’s prowess in crafting diverse and engaging musical experiences. These highlighted tracks not only showcase the artist’s collaborative spirit but also affirm “Nautyfication” as a must-listen album for those seeking a rich blend of Afrobeat and Highlife and even Reggae/Dancehall influences.

“Nautyfication” is not just an album; it’s a testament to Nautyca’s evolution as an artist and his dedication to pushing the boundaries of Ghanaian music. 

Nautyca is a rising star in the Ghanaian music scene, celebrated for his musical versatility and cultural influence. His debut album, “Nautyfication,” stands as a testament to his evolution as an artist and commitment to pushing musical boundaries.

Hailing from Anloga in the Volta Region of Ghana, Nautyca’s musical journey started in the vibrant city of Tema. His transition from rapper to Highlife artist has introduced fans to a spectrum of musical versatility. Nautyca’s debut single, “Social Media,” featuring Sarkodie, set the stage for his meteoric rise.

Crowned the Rising Artist of the Year in 2019 at the Youth Excellence Awards, Nautyca draws inspiration from Davido and Shatta Wale. As the visionary behind his record label, he is not only a musical trailblazer but also a cultural influencer, renowned for the annual flagship event, the Harbour City Concert.

Stream “Nautyfication” now: https://pitchdistro.bfan.link/nautyfication

Get interactive with Nautyca across his socials below:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nautycagh
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/nautycagh
Twitter – https://twitter.com/nautycagh

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