Entertainment
Ghanaian-Born German Inusa Dawuda drops Waka-Waka album
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG-20230915-WA0026-1.jpg&description=Ghanaian-Born German Inusa Dawuda drops Waka-Waka album', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG-20230915-WA0026-1.jpg&description=Ghanaian-Born German Inusa Dawuda drops Waka-Waka album', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The multi-talented Ghanaian born German, Inusa Dawuda, who turned from boxing to music has released his latest album, Waka Waka, with 10 tracks which he said is a cross-over of contemporary Afrobeat, Afrobeats, Amapiano, Afrofunk, Highlife and reggavibes in general term.
Like his past songs, his friend for many years, the Ghanaian journalist, Francis Kokutse, again wrote one song, “Turn Back The Clock” on the latest album.
Inusa said, the title “ has nothing to do with Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ because she hadn’t even heard of it, at the time it was released,” he said, adding that, “Waka Waka Day & Night” was the first song I recorded live in the studio with my band. It was created in collaboration with my former bassist, brother, and friend from Warri, Nigeria, Lisbon Bolowei Simon, who is unfortunately no longer with us.”
This is Inusa’s eleventh album and about 100 single releases
According to him, the word “WAKA WAKA” came to being and used on his first album “Just Natural” in the mid-90s.
The song is called “Waka Waka Day & Night” with my international staffed band called, INUSA’s Groove Factory.
Inusa said Lisbon used to tell him about his days with Fela Kuti‘s Band, and he was “important in my career and I thank him for the Afrofunky style!!From the word ‘work,’ we decided to change it to ‘Waka Waka’ in Pidgin English.We work day and night and are still suffering. We sang how many Africans in the diaspora felt.”
Inusa started off as a semi-professional in the mid 90’s is celebrating his 30th anniversary in music and still going strong with thirst for more till the bones are rotten.
Reacting to which song is favourite for all the years he has spent in the music industry, he said, “it’s difficult to pick out a song as a favorite because they are like my children. Each song has its purpose. Some are easy to listen to, and some work really well in live performances because they get people dancing, for example, “Going Back To My Roots,” “Waka Waka Day & Night,” “All I Need Is To be Loved,” and “Don’t Look any Further,” played a bit faster than recorded.
Among the captivating songs on the album are the pre-released singles “One Love,” “All I Want Is to be Loved,” and the instrumental piece “Bimbia,” which have already gained popularity and earned spots in various playlists. The album’s title, “WAKA WAKA,” is inspired by Inusa’s early composition “Waka Waka Day & Night,” an Afro funk song recorded with his Groove Factory back in the mid-90s.
The album starts with the fresh 2023 afrobeats-highlife version of Lamont Dozier’s “Going Back to My Roots.”
The album also features reimagined covers of “Don’t Look any Further” by Denis Eduard and “Wild World” of Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, with a fresh twist.
For those who appreciate heartfelt and romantic lyrics, “Believe and Feel” offers a beautiful blend of Afro, RnB, UK Garage, and soul. On the other hand, “Turn Back the Clock” presents a captivating soulful song with deep lyrics that will make you introspective about your relationships.
Inusa originally from Ghana, was born in Accra, Ghana, and as a teenager moved with his parents to Hamburg, Germany.
He learned to play the saxophone during his youth, and he was also actively involved in sports. During the early 1990s he was a multiple boxing champion in Hamburg in the light heavyweight division.
For 2009–10, Inusa was acknowledged as “Russia’s Most Successful Foreign Artist”, where to-date, his single Rumours (Digi Digi) has received an excess of over a million radio plays, beating a stream of fellow foreign artists in a category that included Lady Gaga and David Guetta.
The first successes in the field of music came to Inusa in the mid 1990s, when he travelled and played with several bands, playing cover versions of favourite hits from James Brown to Bob Marley. His primary musical influences include Manu Dibango, Fela Kuti, and Grover Washington, Jr.[
Link to the album: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kzewx1rsOIgaPSk9O1iE9F_EWWz3-HfQo&si=m6AGymmhFcnVVFjg
Veteran Ghanaian gospel musician Diana Hopeson, is set to return to the music scene with a new album titled Megyae, a project centred on faith, worship, personal reflection and the power of God’s Word.
The seven-track album, which also includes an instrumental version of the title song, brings together different aspects of Hopeson’s musical journey, combining traditional Ghanaian gospel sounds with contemporary expressions.
At the centre of the project is the title track, Megyae, which was inspired by Psalm 119:9-16 and focuses on the need to keep God’s Word in the heart as a guide to living a righteous life.
Madam Hopeson explained that the song addresses the everyday struggle to overcome temptation, distractions and unhealthy habits that can prevent people from becoming who God has called them to be.
As a certified counsellor, she also seeks to draw attention to some of the deeper issues that can contribute to destructive behaviour and repeated unhealthy patterns.
The project acknowledges that addiction and other harmful behaviours may be linked to factors such as trauma, stress, mental health challenges and a person’s environment.
Megyae, therefore, presents both a spiritual message and an invitation for listeners to reflect, seek healing and embrace positive change.
Musically, the album brings together different eras of Hopeson’s sound.
The album opens with a worship version of one of her popular songs, Agyenkwa Hene, while Yesu Mo has also been reimagined in a worship style.
It further features two energetic praise medleys, including one inspired by Hopeson’s Awutu heritage, as well as an English interpretation of Psalm 119:9-16 titled Your Word In My Heart.
The title track appears in two versions, with one taking a warm, vintage-inspired approach that reflects the character of classic Ghanaian gospel music, while the other offers a more contemporary sound for younger listeners.
According to Hopeson, the combination of worship, praise, heritage and personal devotion is intended to create a musical journey while marking a new chapter in her contribution to Ghanaian gospel music.
Ahead of the official launch, she will host an online listening session on August 15, 2026, with further details expected to be announced on her social media platforms.
The Megyae album will officially be launched at an invitation and RSVP-only launch and fundraising event on August 30, 2026.
The fundraising event will support a nationwide school outreach and campaign inspired by the album.
Through Megyae, Hopeson is encouraging listeners to reflect on the things they need to let go of and consider the impact of allowing the Word of God to take root in their lives.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The newly crowned winners of Miss Ghana 2026 have been officially presented to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, as the pageant prepares to mark 70 years of beauty, culture, and national pride.
The courtesy call, held recently in Accra, also marked the official unveiling of the queens to the Minister and Miss Ghana @70 Legacy Project, a year-long initiative to commemorate the pageant’s 70-year history and reposition it as a platform for tourism promotion, youth empowerment, and cultural diplomacy.
The delegation was led by Ms Inna Patty, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Exclusive Events Ghana, organisers of Miss Ghana.
The team presented their roadmap for the reigning queens, including preparations for the Miss World competition and a series of activities lined up ahead of the pageant’s 70th anniversary.
Commending the organisation for sustaining the pageant for seven decades, Madam Dzifa Gomashie pledged the ministry’s full support.
She assured that the queens’ activities will be aligned with national tourism campaigns and other key initiatives to project Ghana’s heritage to the world.
The grand finale of the 69th edition, held under the theme: ‘Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy,’ saw Rumzia Sule, an International Relations student at the University of Cumbria, crowned Miss Ghana 2026.
She emerged victorious over 12 other contestants to claim the coveted national title.
Also honoured on the night were Fatimatu Zara Ishaku, a University of Ghana graduate, who placed as 1st Runner-Up, and Whitney Opoku Nketia, who was named 2nd Runner-Up.
Founded in 1957, the same year Ghana gained independence, Miss Ghana remains the nation’s oldest and most prestigious beauty pageant.
For 70 years, it has crowned women who have gone on to serve as ambassadors for Ghanaian culture, fashion, education, and social impact.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
