Entertainment
Stonebwoy releases video for Manodzi featuring Beninese queen, Angélique Kidjo
Multiple award-winning Ghanaian dancehall star Stonebwoy releases his most prestigious video for the brand new single, Manodzi, featuring 5 x Grammy Award-winning singer Angélique Kidjo.
Directed by Ghanaian filmmaker, director and cinematographer, Yaw Skyface, the video was shot on location at the palatial Chateaux Bouffémont in the Bouffémont commune in France.
Dating back to 1860, the chateaux provided the perfect backdrop for the video’s sweeping introduction, setting the scene for the true African royal experience taking place within its walls.
The video reflects the message behind the single Manodzi well. Referred to as Stonebwoy as the ‘root’ of his 5th Dimension album, the track is aptly placed last in track-listing. But it also has a deeper meaning concerning where Stonebwoy feels he is going in life and urges listeners to take comfort in the meaning.
The song simply means, ’keeping on’, whilst working hard to achieve one’s dreams. “I call it the last, but not least track on the album”, he states, because its uplifting message drives the listener to remember where they come from and where they are going – and getting to work with Angélique Kidjo has been a dream for Stonebwoy since the beginning of his career.
“It was an honour to work with Ms. Kidjo, she is like a mother to me and Africa at large,” Stonebwoy revealed.
Kidjo is a multi-faceted singer, actor and activist and well-known for her immensely diverse approach to African sounds.
Through Manodzi she expanded further by contributing vocals sung in the Ewe language, one that is not her native tongue. It is also her first feature outside of her primary language, which fans are finding particularly poignant.
The internet has exploded with love for the track, with social platforms and react videos calling it Stonebwoy’s most spiritual track to date, proving that the collaboration resonates with listeners regardless of language.
The video itself is without a doubt one of the finest cinematic experiences that Stonebwoy has released in his career.
Produced by London-based Casey Kobia, the crew and cast pulled out all the stops to produce one of the finest African music videos to date.
It instils the sense that Stonebwoy is taking his rightful place amongst leaders in the African music industry, and with Ms. Kidjo making an appearance in the video alongside him, it is the perfect culmination of years of dreams and hard work paying off.
Catch the video live right here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf7aZsUHe5Y
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
