Tamale has in recent times caused a lot of eyeballs to roll on Ghana music scene. This is as a result of the achievements of artistes like Fancy Gadam & Maccasio. Their successful self-titled, sold-out events have caused the Ghana Music Industry to listen to music beyond Accra. Whilst we celebrate their successes, we make room to accommodate new talents like Double Tee.
Double Tee
The Feat
The “Shie Ko Shie” hit maker has chalked another feat best described as testing the ability team and street love. The Boss Family member staged a street Carnival on Wednesday 13th December as a surprise to fans. What makes the event newsworthy is the fact that publicity on the event happened within 30minutes to the start of the show; surprisingly the turnout was beyond impressive. This feat can only be likened to the effects of a being major player on the rap scene in Tamale.
Who is this incredible artist?
Signed unto the Boss Family Record which houses SKY The Tamale Boy, DJ Ojah & One9ra, it remains no surprise the level of creativity he employed in delivering beautiful rap music to fans. He recently released a 6 episode Music-Film titled “Ahyi”, a piece that counsels people against hypocrisy. As a rap sensation, the wit in his lyrics albeit a flawless Dagbanli Flow is his claim to fame.
Ghana music is opening up, and talents like him will make their input and earn their due. Let’s support Ghana music to grow.
Music from the savanna regions of Ghana is always refreshing, especially when it employs traditional and cultural elements; the sound of indigenous rhythms fused with reggae and the sweet melodious voices that accompany these perfectly synchronized rhythms is one reason I don’t hesitate to buy an album by Abu Sadiq.
Who is Abu Sadiq?
Hailed as one of the most respected musicians with amazing vocal strength from the savanna, his message-filled music will always stay in the heart of a listener. If you are a music enthusiast like myself, with a constant crave for savanna rhythms you will definitely know Abu Sadiq the artiste that ensures every listener can find a song to relate to on his albums.
Abu-Sadiq
Often referred to as the “Policeman”, the Tamale native born in Salamba had his basic education at the Sakasaka Primary & JSS also in Tamale, and later proceeded to the Northern School of Business in 1995 where he studied accounting.
Young and ambitious Abu Sadiq realized his gift of singing at a very tender age, however the choice to fully explore it arose from his desire to affect the many youths who were psychologically affected by the Kokomba-Nunumba conflict of 1995. This influenced the positivity behind all his lyrics as an artiste and led to seven successful album releases from 1996, and several impactful singles.
Growing up around the story-oriented nature of traditional music in the Northern Region, and the positive vibes associated with reggae music, Abu Sadiq’s entrance into the music scene was what he describes as,
“A perfect opportunity for a young person to have immeasurable influence on society, in the most positive of ways by simply doing what came to him naturally and with ease i.e. Music.”
Musical Influences
He therefore sought to bring a unique sound that fuses elements of his culture and reggae, whilst maintaining the positive vibes of reggae music. This led him to deliberately write music that won’t just get feet tapping but will take listeners on a journey of mental rejuvenation.
Even though today’s music scene in the savanna is a bit unlike before, Abu Sadiq’s relevance has never waned as he continues to tirelessly churn out amazing music like Fara Kurli, Azindo, Dikuyuui and several others whilst featuring on countless songs belonging to other artistes.
One would assume that after 15years Abu Sadiq would be looking to retire soon but according to him.
“There is too much to be shared by way of positive lyrics, and I doubt if I can quit knowing how much my music impacts Dagbon”.
In a short conversation with www.thesavannaonline.com, Abu Sadiq revealed his desire to get back into school to pursue higher education.
Early Life of Abu Sadiq
He believes doing so will further set him apart from his contemporaries and the new generation of musicians who basically think the dance aspect of music, relegating the positive impact of music by way of lyrics to the background. He also expressed disappointments in the myriad of award schemes that adorn the savanna yet don’t fully represent the different genres of music that has given the entertainment scene its budding status. He believes recognizing all genres will actually bring the less popular genres to the fore thereby increasing the economic potential of alternative music exports.
According to him, the situation where profane and vulgar lyrics, as well as insults in the name of publicity stunts will in the long run cause irreparable damage to listeners who look up to musicians as role models, and thus attempt to model their lives after their favourite artistes. Abu Sadiq is currently in the studio working on an album, which he believes is the best he’s ever put out.
“Adinkra” express various themes, beliefs and the ethnological philosophy of the Ghanaian. The symbols are induced with proverbial interpretations.
“Adi-nkra” which can be translated to mean “farewell or goodbye” in Akan, is a collection of symbols that express various themes, beliefs and Ghanaian traditional philosophy. The Akan ethnic group is largely associated with and thought of as the doyens of these symbols.
Historic narration of the genesis of these unique symbols has it that, Nana Kofi Adinkra, the King of Gyama, a kingdom situated in the area which encompasses present day Ivory Coast, for unknown reasons replicated the “Asante Golden Stool” which is a highly revered symbol of the Akan unity, power and cohesion.
Symbols and the reverence
This was not taken lightly by the Asante’s who eventually waged war against Nana Adinkra and the Gyamas. Gyama was defeated in the ensuing battle and Nana Kofi Adinkra captured and taken to Kumasi, the capital of the Asantes and Gyama made an annex of the Asante Kingdom. It is said that on their way to Kumasi, Nana Kofi wore a patterned dress full of symbols, which was thought to express his sorrow, as was the practice of the people of Gyama in days.
Centuries on, the Asantes and virtually all the Akan tribes have learnt the practice of printing the symbols of the Gyama people on cloths. A clear indication of cultural diffusion.
Today, cloths with branded these symbols are worn at social gatherings. Some corporate institutions even use these symbols as their logo.
2017 has been a good year for Quata Budukusu, the magnum opus nature of his numerous releases attest to only one thing – SUPREMACY.
Africa-Cry- Quata Budukusu
Even though his relevance in the game continues to be a matter of controversy, his talent and skill cannot be debated. Having been around since 2004 as a rapper, Quata has perfected his art by dabbling in numerous genres often with a finesse that can only come from a dedication to duty. His forte still remains rap, though he jumps on any genre and owns it.
Quata Budukusu approaches this song with a new philosophy
On the subject of duty, Quata Budukusu believes music can be used in several ways, from entertainment to education. This has informed the release of “Africa Cry”, a song that details the canker of slavery currently booming in Libya. The slave markets in Libya are selling Black Africans for as low as $400. A situation described by the UN Security Council as “heinous abuses of human rights.”
The situation has been condemned by many, and as a rapper with a conscience it is only proper Quata adds his voice.
The details of this song
The emotion-laden song brings to the fore issues of rape & torture, racism, intra-racial crimes, classism, and the seeming silence of African leaders when ordinary Africans are served anguish in foreign lands as slaves. The “animosity” is “unimaginable”, he says, but the reactions of the West in such situations clearly expose the weakness of African leaders.
Quata is undoubtedly one of the most prolific lyricists of our time. His upcoming 25-track album from a single riddim will definitely send tails wagging. An objective media is the only way major talents like Quata will get their due, until then the talent won’t rest.
Will it match the ingenuity employed in the 13-Track “Quantum Riddim”?
After emerging as a force ready to conquer the Upper East music scene; she went ahead to prove her worth by releasing awesome dancehall music. Alaptawan has been relentless in unleashing sounds that project the image of one set to reign for a long time. Despite being relatively new in the industry, the few singles she’s released through 2017 has kept her name on the lips of fans at all events.
Whilst fans await another banger from Alaptawan, she has released a little tease of what’s cooking. This time around, she brings some raunchiness to give life to Shatta Wale’s Gringo.
Call her the Upper East Regions first lady, and you won’t be faulted. She has been tearing up stages across the region; this she believes is the first step to nation-wide domination and subsequent global stage.
The song renamed Bumba, is a simple but catchy dancehall filled with pure fun.
Today we bring to you the story of an amazing son of Bongo who is a practicing nurse and one of the finest radio show hosts in the Upper East Region.
DJ-Aluther-&-Console
DJ Aluther and Recognition
Popularly known as Dj Aluther, his dedication to radio as a tool for reaching the youth on various levels earned him an award as the Best Deejay of the Year at the Delight Box Entertainment Upper Music Awards 2016. He was also nominated in 3 categories at the Northern Entertainments Awards held in Tamale some months ago: overall presenter of the year, best deejay of the year and best entertainment show of the year.
Who is DJ Aluther?
Born Akunsike Martin in Bongo, the Word Fm Deejay and Presenter has through relentless efforts carved a niche for himself via the “Word House Party Mix”; a radio show strategically and purposefully couched to satisfy the insatiable need of quality entertainment in the region.
DJ-Aluther
In what can be described as an entertainment cocktail, Deejay Aluther serves his audience with bits and pieces of all there is to entertainment; entertainment news, celebrity interviews, talent promotions, event promotions and a great deal of music mixes with a spice of real talk to engage his audience. His radio show which airs every Saturday between the hours of 4:00pm-6:00pm on Word 88.3Fm in Zuarungu is one of the most interactive, vibrant and remains arguably the weekend show with the largest listenership in the entire Upper East Region.
DJ-Aluther-1
With earlier experiences at A1Radio also in Bolgatanga as part of the learning process, accepting an appointment and running an effective show on Word Fm in July 2014 was really not too daunting a task to carry.
Dj Aluther had always wanted to be an engineer and a radio personality, though he missed out on becoming an engineer, his radio dream materialized, and new passion replaced engineering and that is nursing. He went further to study nursing and now practices in Bongo. He also Manages the Music Group originally from Bongo, RockCity Bongo.
DJ Aluther’s Spectacular Moments
Among the spectacular moments spent on radio were moments that he held the legendary King Ayisoba and his own role model, DJ Black on separate interviews. According to him, he describes the experience as a rarely refreshing experience.
As someone who spends just 2 hours a week on radio yet has so much popularity and influence, he believes media is the most required tool in transforming the savanna considering the educational, informational and entertainment nature of media presentation. He believes the media can be bring about a rapid economic boom in the savanna regions of Ghana since the area is relatively unknown, media can be used to promote the area which will eventually attract investors.
The affable Dj once collaborated with Don Max, B-Wayne, Mr Kurt of Rockcity Bongo and Skerry Sparta to release a song titled “The Intro”. This song was a further testament of his awesome act as a disc Jockey. The Intro served as an instance to promote several talent with a single song; true and true, the song became a monster hit in the Region.
Where to catch DJ ALuther
Do make time with Dj Aluther on the “– Word House Party Mix” and you won’t regret it.
If you are in the Upper East Region catch SV-JAM OF THE WEEK with Dj Aluther on “Word House Party Mix” on Saturdays from 4pm – 6pm on Word 88.3Fm.
Checkout a conversation between DJ ALuther and Lexis below.
A Ghanaian Travel Blogger Akesse Sanza in a <a href=”http://akesse.com/the-weakness-of-the-paris-security/” target=”_blank”>post on his blog Akesse.com</a> stated that he traveled through the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport without being asked of his passport or any form of ID.
According to Akesse Sanza, the recent attacks on France are attributed to the ‘weakness of the France security’ and terrorists can easily exit the country even without an ID or passport per his experience.
In January 2015, gunmen shot dead 12 people at the Paris office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. In November 2015, gunmen and suicide bombers hit a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars, almost simultaneously – and left 130 people dead and hundreds wounded.
The latest is an Egyptair Flight MS804 which left Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris at 23:09 local time on 18th May, 2016 (21:09 GMT) and was scheduled to arrive in the Egyptian capital soon after 03:15 local time on Thursday has been reported missing.
Though France authorities report that the flight has crashed, Akesse Sanza believes it is an act of terrorism.
“I have never believed in France’s security after I traveled through Paris without being asked of a passport. The missing Egyptair flight MS804 has to do with another negligence of the France security” – He said in a facebook post.
The crippling effects of fear on the average Ghanaian
The Ghanaian populace will soon be bedridden with what seem a national canker which has gradually eaten into the minds of people. Every Ghanaian in one way or the other has been affected by this canker-FEAR, from students to workers, traders, politicians, mad men, the aged, the young, sick, down to the little child.
Jon Germain
Fear, which is known to kill champions before their time, has spread its malicious tentacles across the breadth of the country. Harbouring fear leads to some form of stress, which can cause depletion of the immune system, errors in judgement and can even prevent one form making reasonable decisions. Fear leads to the loss of confidence, fatigue, anger explosions and sometimes stomach upsets; and this is affecting every Ghanaian. Let’s delve into a few of the category of Ghanaians that are suffering from fear.
Among Students
Ghanaian students studying in schools to become the leaders of our motherland harbour in them the fear of failing their examinations. Right from the word go, students have been raised to fear exams and hate the very word with all their might and with all their hearts. Beginning for their “first world war”-Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E) to the so called the almighty West African Senior Secondary Examination (WASSCE) to the End of Semester Examinations in the Tertiary level, students face these requisite exams with fear, ample enough to kill a giant, in their hearts. Little wonder yearly results of students’ exams come with many surprises.
Among Children
Children in their development stage become very curious and tend to ask a host of rhetorical questions, some answerable, others simply unthinkable. In bid to escape the barrage of questions and non-existing answers children expect their parents, teachers and guardians to conjure for them after each round of their “curious endeavours” parents, teachers and guardians tend to formulate weird superstitious tales, to scare the little ones rather than educate them. Among these many tales are stories of Ghosts appearing in the night to catch children who refused to sleep early enough, stop talking or refuse to bath, Stories of dwarfs, witchcraft and wizardry.
The amazing thing is that these children grow with the fear of these non-existing phenomena glued to their thoughts and transfer it, like a contagious disease, to the next generation.
Among Theists
The doctrines of the two populous religions in Ghana-Christianity and Islam, imbibe in their members the belief in a final day of Judgement, where the Almighty God will replay to mankind all of his activities on earth. The Judgement per the indoctrination of the religions of Islam and Christianity, will see some men taken to Heaven and others cast into hell, an abode of ever burning fire and perpetual suffering.
The fear of being cast into hell or Janam’ah (as described referred to by Muslims) appears be a sort of headache for some religious folks as it has been described to be the worst ever place ever imagined. Residents of hell will be plagued with thirst and unimaginable diseases, as narrated in one bible story.
This stories when rehearsed creates fear in the hearts of the theist.
Among Workers
The fear of being sacked and losing one’s job is an ingrowth that has eaten deep into the minds of Ghanaian workers. Daily, under the guise of pleasing their bosses and a lukewarm way of securing their jobs, workers join long winding queues in lorry stations or join the struggle for bus to their destination. A minute’s lateness would find one smiling on the wrong side of his or her mouth. With the current state monetary affairs in the country, you better not lose your job.
It’s a different story, however, when it comes to output of production.
Among Travellers
Accidents have become rampant in the few months in this New Year. The latest one claiming about 6lives on the Takoradi-Winneba Road.
Travelers now fear for their lives, as they have little control of happenings on their way as they travel.
Among Politicians
It is election year and one of the common seasonal fears is one notable among political figures. The fear of losing election. I bet you don’t want to experience this sort of fear. It capable of killing a fully matured lion and making one’s hair turn grey in a twinkle of an eye.
The latest fear of all is the fear of terrorist attack.
Written by Edwin Abanga – 0249475585 (Student Journalist)
