Entertainment
Stonebwoy sells out 40,000 capacity Accra Sports Stadium for BHIM Concert 2023
Ghana music reached a new height with Stonebwoy’s hugely sold-out concert at Ghana’s historic Accra Sports Stadium, which affirmed his position as one of the biggest voices in today’s African music.
In a night that will undoubtedly go down in music history, Stonebwoy affectionately called 1GAD mesmerised a colossal crowd of about the forty-thousand-capacity sports stadium during the star-studded 2023 edition of the BHIM Festival, which featured not only his stellar performance but also an array of top-notch guest artistes from the Caribbean.
Having had a phenomenal run in the global music scene in 2023 and heralding a new age of music influenced by the African Caribbean vibrant sights and sounds, Stonebwoy delivered a spellbinding performance that showcased his musical prowess and stage presence.
Accra Sports Stadium plunged into darkness, illuminated solely by the glow of phone lighters scattered throughout the audience, and anticipation built as the ground beneath the stage split open to reveal a rising platform.
In a breathtaking moment, Stonebwoy ascended from below, captivating the audience with a grand entrance that set the tone for an extraordinary night.
Once in the spotlight, Stonebwoy dazzled the crowd with an extravagant costume that seamlessly blended artistic expression with performance flair.
The outfit, a testament to the artiste’s creativity, played a pivotal role in enhancing the visual spectacle of the night, reflecting and refracting the vibrant stage lights.
Stonebwoy commenced the first of his three sets with an eclectic performance of “Manodzi,” which features multi-grammy award-winning international singer Angelique Kidjo.
With elaborate lighting and an array of dancers, the crowd got wilder, loudly singing every lyric in sync and even climbing the stage as Stonebwoy went deeper into the set, which saw him perform live renditions of songs off his chart-topping body of work “5th Dimension.
The songs were “Life and Money”, “African Systems”, “Forget”, “My Sound”, “More Of You”, “Into The Future”, “Secret Lover”, “Ava Wum Lo” and more.
As his 2019 smash “Kpokeke” began his second set, many fans left their seats and began dancing in the aisles.
Before his final set, which seamlessly transitioned into collaborations with a lineup of local guest artists, BHIM Concert 2023 marked the inaugural performances in the country of this year’s international guest artists, who shared the stage with the forty-thousand festival goers.
The stage came alive with energy as Jamaican music sensations Jahmiel and 10Tik shared the spotlight, adding new dimensions to this year’s elevated concert experience.
The stage was a canvas of creativity, with innovative and visually stunning designs that transported the audience into a different world.
The interplay between lighting effects and the stage settings enhanced the overall aesthetic, creating a mesmerising environment that perfectly complemented the music.
The synchronised light displays added an extra layer of drama, making each moment on stage unforgettable. Aural perfection was also achieved with a state-of-the-art sound system that brought music to life.
Accra Sports Stadium resonated with clear audio, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the sonic journey.
Later in the show, Stonebwoy announced that the popular BHIM Concert will become a multi-day cultural and music celebration next year.
The concert has established itself as Ghana’s largest-scale and highly patronised artist-led music festival and once again proved to be a highlight on the music festival calendar.
Since its inception, the festival has featured a huge lineup of highly reputed musical artists from across Africa and the Caribbean, most notably Busy Signal, Beenie Man, Morgan Heritage, and more.
Ghanaian musician Ezecheal Kwasi Asimeng Frimpong, popularly known as Ancienth has released a new Palmwine single titled ‘Asukese Abena’.
The song is a celebration of love, culture, and the timeless wisdom embedded in Ghana’s traditional way of life.
According to him, the project is meant to remind people that Palmwine music is not a relic of the past.
“Through this project, I want people to understand that Palmwine music is not a relic of the past, it is a living heritage that still speaks powerfully to the present,” he said.
Ancienth traces his journey in Palmwine music to the pioneering work of Kwame Asare, also known as Jacob Sam, and the Kumasi Trio. He credits them with laying the foundation for one of Ghana’s most important musical traditions, a path that later generations continue to walk.
“I entered this space because I believe every nation must protect its cultural voice,” Ancienth explained, adding that “Palmwine music carries our stories, values, humour, history, and identity. Preserving it is not only a musical responsibility but also a cultural one.”
The musician described the journey as rewarding but challenging, noting that traditional music often receives less attention and investment compared to mainstream genres.
To strengthen the space, he is calling for greater support from the media, cultural institutions, educational bodies, and the public.
“My appeal to Ghanaians is simple, support indigenous music, because when a people lose their cultural sound, they gradually lose part of their identity,” he added.
As a torchbearer of Palmwine Music, Ancienth says his mission is to honour the legacy of the pioneers while introducing Palmwine music to new generations and audiences across the world.
Asukese Abena is now available on all digital platforms, including YouTube
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has expressed profound sorrow over the death of celebrated visual artist and Guinness World Record holder Sharon Dede Padi, popularly known as Padiki.
In a statement signed on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto, the Authority said Padiki’s passing was a painful loss to Ghana’s tourism and creative sectors, as well as the nation at large.
“Padiki was more than a Guinness World Record holder. She was a beacon of resilience, determination, creativity, and youthful excellence whose remarkable achievement brought pride not only to herself and her family but also to Ghana,” the statement said.
It added that through her determination to dream big and push boundaries, she inspired countless young people to believe that passion, perseverance and hard work could make the impossible possible.
The Authority said Ghana had lost “one of its brightest ambassadors whose story embodied the spirit of innovation, excellence, and the boundless potential of our people”.
Maame Efua Houadjeto, together with the management and staff of the GTA, extended condolences to Padiki’s family, friends and loved ones, as well as all those inspired by her journey.
