Entertainment
Magic Rocker set to release 15 songs This Year
Well-known Ghanaian musician, producer, and Disc Jockey (DJ), Richard Essien, who resides in the USA, has announced that he will be releasing 15 songs this year.
Magic Rocker, who enjoys a strong reputation as a gifted vocalist and performer, believes that Ghanaians will be drawn to his unreleased tracks because of his unique singing skills.
The musician, who also works as a WAV driver and drives wheelchair accessible vehicle (taking people with disability to dialysis and doctor’s appointment in the United States), thinks that his music will have a significant influence on Africa.
In an interview, the three-time Chicago Music Awards (CMA) winner said he hopes his songs would inspire people by sharing his story of success. He has gone a long way as a songwriter, DJ, musician, and cab driver.
He states that he has worked on projects with Frankie Paul, Sizzla, Ava Cherry, Don Carlos, Frankie Paul, Michael Rose, Anthony B, and Elephant Man, among other Grammy Award winners.
Magic Rocker began his career as a Chicago club DJ before getting a job hosting the children’s television series Elma and Company on Chicago public access cable.
He disclosed that his mother’s passing prevented him from becoming incredibly famous at the time with his debut album, ‘Back To My Root’.
He stated, “My mother’s death came as a shocker to me, so l needed to put my music businesses on hold for more than a year while l mourned her passing, since she has been instrumental in my life.”
Magic Rocker claimed that after his mother’s funeral, he went back to the studio to continue work on his album, ‘Finally’.
“After the album creation, I experienced some hardship in my line of making the masterpiece so I decided to give the album a different name, ‘Restored My Soul’,” he said.
“I need support from the Ghanaian community to stream and share my song and also react to it to make me a household name in the music industry,” he continued, expressing his readiness to utilise his music to change the world.
Aside from being a wheelchair accessible driver, actor, structural engineer, and building constructor, Magic Rocker was crowned the King of the Road and Mr. Jack of All Trades.
Named Buju Banton of Africa by Chicago Reggae Dot Com, Magic Rocker is the Chief Executive Officer of Gavali and Toonga Records, Just Taxi One, Just Taxi LLCs and Charles Construction Company with over 150 workers.
Veteran Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame has announced a new initiative aimed at engaging teachers and students through music and creativity.
The award winning artiste in a social media post revealed that the “Clap Challenge” will begin this week, starting with schools across the country.
He explained that the challenge will require a teacher together with students to record a video of themselves singing his “Clap” song.
According to him, the video must be lively and engaging to stand a chance of winning.
He stated that participants must also post their videos on social media with permission from their school authorities.
They are expected to use the hashtag #clap4others and tag him on any social media platform.
He added that one teacher will be selected as a winner every week and will receive a cash prize of GH¢1,000.
He noted that the final decision on winners will be made by him.
The musician encouraged teachers and students to take part in the challenge, stressing that it is designed to promote creativity, unity and positive expression among young people in schools.
This follows a GHC100,000 support from businessman, Richard Nii Armah Quaye, who lauded the musician for composing a song which has the tendency to change society and help eschew jealousy.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Veteran Ghanaian actor, Fred Amugi, has been cast in the upcoming Pan-African television series, Kismet, where he will play the role of Chief Ademola, a wealthy and influential Yoruba patriarch.
The series, set for production in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria, brings together a diverse cast ensemble from Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Cameroon, Kenya, and the United States.
A statement copied to the GNA in Accra said “It forms part of a broader effort to strengthen collaboration within Africa’s creative industry while positioning African stories for global audiences.”
Speaking on his involvement, Fred Nii Amugi, whose acting career spans more than four decades, described the role as a meaningful milestone.
“It is a proud moment for me at this stage of my career to be part of a Pan-African series,” he said.
“Playing a Yoruba character as a Ghanaian reflects something deeper about who we are as Africans. It reminds us that we are one people, connected beyond borders,” he indicated.
He added that his preparation for the role went beyond performance.
“As a Ghanaian of Ga heritage, I am taking time to study the historical and cultural links between the Ga and Yoruba people.
“I am learning about these connections so I can represent the character with truth and respect.”
“It is important that the world sees the shared identity that exists across our continent,” he noted.
Kismet is being developed as a high-quality thriller series with a Pan-African perspective, drawing talent from across the continent and the diaspora.
According to Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, President of the African Chamber of Content Producers and production advisor for the project, the series represents the united image of Africa that is capable of contributing to the global creative economy.
“As part of building a Pan-African creative economy, Kismet is a call for Africans to come together and tell our stories as one people.
“We are also aligning this effort with the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a strong continental market for African content,” he underlined.
The producer of the series, Paul Joegad, emphasised the global ambition behind the project.
Based in the United States, Joegad noted that the production was designed to meet international standards while maintaining authentic African storytelling.
“We are leveraging diaspora networks and global experience to create a series that resonates across cultures,” he said.
“Our goal is to produce content that can stand on international platforms through quality and strong storytelling.”
He added that assembling the right team had been central to the project’s vision. Among those involved is Mawuko Kuadzi, a Casting Society of America (CSA) member and the first African to win an Artios Award in its 40-year history.
The producers say the series seeks to position Africa as a major player in global content, fostering international Pan-African partnerships. –GNA
