VIP

With four successful albums under their belt and a number one song in Ghana for a whopping 15 weeks, VIP (Vision In Progress) is on top of the Hip-Life ladder. VIP is Promzy (Emmanuel Ababio), Lazzy (Abdul Hamid Ibrahim) and Prodigal (Nana Joseph Ofori).

With the average age of 24 years, all three came from different areas of Ghana . Meeting in Accra , they all have University degrees but found no jobs for them in the big city. Turning to music and a common cause, they formed VIP a few years ago. 'Before in African clubs back home' says Lazy 'they (the DJ's) used to play pure R'n'B, Garage and American music. Now its our music - Hip Life. We have found our own voice and don't need to use American music to represent us'.

VIP were surprised to hear their music being played in London at African clubs such as Akwabba in South London. 'We were so shocked when we did our last performance there - the audience were all singing along to our songs in Twe! And most of them have never been to Ghana '.

Indeed, second and third generation Ghanaians are re-discovering their roots. Hip Life has suceeded in penetrating the younger generation of British-Africans, where traditional African music has failed.

Today in Ghana, not only Kids are coming to their concerts but members of parliament. Even the president of Ghana, according to VIP, has attended their concerts. VIP also use their music to fight HIV/Aids and have performed several benefit concerts across Ghana.