Entertainment
Samini’s Scatter Badmind beat was for Kakie, but something happened…JMJ reveals
Renowned Producer, Joshua Raphaelson affectionately called JMJ has revealed how Samini teamed up with him to produce the monstrous hit song, Scatter Badmid.
According to him, the instrumental was originally for Kakie.
Speaking to Caleb Nii Boye on 3FM, he said Samini was to come to the studio and record a song for Kakie with the beat.
JMJ revealed that knowing how bubbly Samini was, he felt something had gone wrong with his mood.
Curious to find out what had triggered the mood, JMJ enquired from the then Road Manager of Samini, Fire Sticks.
To his surprise, he revealed, “He told me that when they were coming Emma (Samini) received a call that our brother (Shatta Wale) has disrespected his (Samini) mother again. it was something that has been going on, but together with Tony Pun, then Manager of Samini, had resolved not to allow Samini to go that direction due to the kind of audience his brand appeals to.”
He said, this notwithstanding, Samini went into the booth to record the song for Kakie, but JMJ still did not like his mood.
Interestingly, he decided to defy his own directive by asking Samini to enter the booth again and free his mind on the same beat.
“I asked him how he felt about the beat and his reply was that it was good, so I said I have been saying no to this, but today, I want you to go into the booth on this same beat and free your mind, say anything on your mind, and he entered,” he said.
He said within a short time, verse one was ready, followed by a hook, second and third verses, indicating that he was tired of this disrespect from Shatta Wale.
According to him after recording Samini was cool, but he (JMJ) had to edit some lyrics out and later converted the beat to a rhythm to open it up for other artistes.
Interestingly, JMJ said when he sent the song to Abeiku Santana at Okay FM to release on radio, he was nearly assaulted by Bulldog who was then the manager of Shatta Wale.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The biggest event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar is set for a night of honours, pomp, and pageantry.
It is a night where musicians who excelled during the year under review will be rewarded through the endorsement of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards Board, the Academy, and the general public.
The Grand Arena, the ideal venue for the 27th TGMA, will host a star-studded audience of musicians, media personalities, businessmen, politicians, actors, and footballers among others.
On this night, the most coveted prize is the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) category, which will see the crowning of a new king or queen of Ghana music.
Two heavyweights in the category, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, have the opportunity to set an enviable record as the only artistes to win the coveted title for a third time.
Should they fall short, the opportunity shifts to Black Sherif and Diana Hamilton to equal the record of two wins, joining the elite ranks of past double-winners like VIP.
A win for Diana Hamilton, will set her up in a lonely journey at the top as the only gospel musician, to win the Artiste of the Year for the second time.
Alternatively, Wendy Shay could make her debut by winning the award for the first time. This would make her team up with Diana Hamilton as the only female artistes alive to hold the title. The late Ebony, won it posthumously in 2018.
If the title slips past them and falls to Medikal, he will also become a first-time winner, etching his name into the annals of Ghana music history.
Patrons can look forward to electrifying performances from a long list of confirmed artistes, including Black Sherif, Diana Hamilton, Piesie Esther, R2Bees, Medikal, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Kofi Kinaata, Samini, and Fido, among others.
Beyond the ultimate prize, several other major categories are up for grabs, including Music Video of the Year, New Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The fourth edition of International AmoFest lived up to its promise on Saturday, May 2, delivering a vibrant “three-in-one” experience that left the audience at Alliance Française in Accra buzzing.
The night was a masterful blend of sound and stagecraft. Berima Amo, the visionary behind the festival, led an impressive lineup of performers, including Pedro Kastelijns, Martha Apini, Rudy Ray, and Lamisi.
Together, they showcased a fusion of global music and authentic Ghanaian Highlife, staying true to the festival’s mission of preserving Ghana’s original rhythmic soul.
Adding a unique layer to the evening, Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Roverman Productions took to the stage, blending theater with the night’s musical energy.
The experience concluded with a high-energy after-party, fulfilling Berima Amo’s goal of creating a truly immersive and memorable night.
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Amo emphasised the need for intentionality in protecting Highlife.
He called on every Ghanaian, as well as government institutions, to actively foster an environment where the genre can thrive on the global stage.
The main event followed a successful educational outreach on April 24, where over 250 high school students participated in a Highlife workshop at the Centre for National Culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
