Entertainment
ICONIC: Stonebwoy performs with Angelique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour, Ibrahim Maalouf, and more in London
Ghanaian reggae and afropop star Stonebwoy joined Grammy-winning singer Angelique Kidjo on stage at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday night, as part of her 40th anniversary concert.
The two artists performed their collaborative single Manodzi, a song that celebrates the resilience and diversity of African cultures, in front of a packed and enthusiastic audience.
Stonebwoy, who is one of the most popular musicians in Ghana and Africa, expressed his gratitude and admiration for Kidjo, who he described as a “legend” and a “mentor”.
He also praised the legend for her contribution to the global recognition and appreciation of African music.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be here with you tonight. You are a living legend, a mentor, and a role model for me and many others. You have paved the way for us to showcase our talent and our culture to the world. Thank you for inviting me to share this stage with you,” he said.
Kidjo, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of all time, reciprocated the compliments and thanked Stonebwoy for his collaboration and friendship.
The concert was a celebration of Kidjo’s 40-year career spanning catalogue, which includes 14 studio albums, four Grammy awards, and collaborations. The night also featured performances from artists such as Laura Mvula, Grammy-nominated trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, and Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour.
The audience, which included fans from different backgrounds and generations, cheered and danced along to the music, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere. Some of the attendees shared their impressions and reactions on social media, praising the performance and the message of the concert.
“What a night! Angelique Kidjo and Stonebwoy were amazing. They brought the house down with their energy and talent. I loved every minute of it,” one user wrote on Twitter.
“This was more than a concert. It was a celebration of Africa, of music, of life. Angelique Kidjo is a force of nature, and Stonebwoy is a star. They made me proud to be African,” another user commented on Instagram.
A leading name in African music circles, Stonebwoy is credited with pioneering and powering the Afro-dancehall music genre into a globally accepted cultural phenom.
The artist is gearing up for his highly anticipated BHIM Festival at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, December 22, 2023.
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
