KOJO ANTWI for BET AWARD 2010
Monday 24 May 2010, 3:00pm, KKD
Black Entertainment Television (BET) has announced Ghana's most respected musician KOJO ANTWI as a nominee for this year's Best International Act.
Congratulations!
A nomination in the BET Awards, the most prestigious award ceremony for African Americans artistes, is recognition enough but winning it would be the icing on the cake for Ghana and indeed one of Africa's most prolific and most decorated musicians.
In his Best International Act category there are 10 nominees; Chipmunk (UK), Corinne Bailey Rae (UK), Dizzee Rascal (UK, Ghana, Nigeria), Estelle (UK), Hip Hop Pantsula (South Africa), K'Naan (Somalia), Kojo Antwi (Ghana), M.I. (Nigeria), P-Square (Nigeria) and Sade (UK, Nigeria).
On behalf of the relentless musicians, producers and show promoters of Africa, I commend BET for this excellent move. It is another step in the right direction towards extending their brand whilst bringing the outstanding work of non-American musicians to the vast audience in the US as well as nations where BET programmes are seen live via satellite. The question, however, is who is the most deserving this year in this line up of stars?
The Best International Act is not a Best Newcomer Award. It is not a Best Video, Best Dance Group nor Beauty Award.
IT IS ABOUT MUSIC; not run-of-the-mill, cloned-melody-sang in another language nor copyright-evading copy-cat beats. It is about creative, well produced music be it for dancing, cruising, or relaxing. May I hasten to add that not all good music is for jumping around. In fact there is a category for that at many music awards: They call it Best Dance Music.
Part of the essence of The Best International Act category is to recognize the outstanding musical contribution and live performances, cultural and/or contemporary of those excellent musicians 'unfortunate' enough to ply their labour of love outside the most vibrant market for show business –The United States of America (the last time I checked, India was closing in)
So what do we want in the Best International Act?
Songs that are current and capture the imagination of audiences.
Praye, Samini, Okyeame Kwame, Obrafuor, Becca, Sarkodee, Kwabena Kwabena and Wutah have more than 5 each.
Songs with content that is exciting, memorable, and enduring. Amakye Dede, Ofori Amponsah, Nana Tufuor and Kofi Bee have more than 10 each.
Music concerts unlike Milli Vanilli's that are actually LIVE, spectacular and a joy to behold.
The late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Abrantie Amakye Dede, Awilo Longomba, Freddie Meiway, and Osibisa have more than 40 each.
It saddens music lovers to note that many of the so called live performances by musicians today are a replica of Saturday entertainment at a local secondary school, only on a bigger stage with louder music and flashing coloured lights.
I want my BET Best International Act to surpass the above-named fine and genuine musicians or at least lay honest claim to matching their hit songs and live shows. It would be nice to see that the award goes to one whom the musicians themselves recognize as having achieved more than them musically at this point in time, and not another photocopy of the generic producer-cum-stylist creations we have come to expect from numerous music videos glamourizing the lowest forms of culture and social degradation.
Music lovers are trusting BET to use the Best International Act to celebrate uniqueness; a daring to be different and a recognition of the winner as the very best or among the top 5 in the nation he/she represents.
In a Youtube and Facebook dominated era where computer-programmed tracks heavily laden with samples and infectious hooks from the last 2 decades can be matched with flashy images of sleek cars and testosterone-charged ballers chasing after curvaceous ladies in prostitutes' uniform, then simultaneously spread via the worldwide web like viruses to infest our cranium spaces, society has a challenge on its hands. Especially so when such compilations of sex-driven excuse for music and sights of video vixens are branded hits 6 weeks later because of the number of cyber addicts and curious teenagers who are tagged to see and hear the pieces of utter poppy-cock.
Awards ceremonies have the power to help direct the up and coming. I want the BET Awards, and, in fact, all awards at home to mean something; honours in celebration of creativity, merit and enterprise worth emulating.
It is time for YOU to decide. Of all the fine nominations, who truly deserves the award based on the quality of their repertoire, musicianship and showmanship in the face of, or even irrespective of, the challenges facing the music industry and public buying power where they operate?
The choice is clear.
Mr Music Man KOJO ANTWI for the following reasons:
My earth angel has these songs on rotation on her ipod as well as her laptop. Judging from the smiles and spasms she gets from the lyrics and rhythms I think I get the rhyme and reason plus the crime I may be committing if I stop pleasing her: Adiepena (6 times), Sho'naa(3 times), So Wonderful, Eye Candy, Happy Anniversary, Odo ye de sen sika, Emfa me nko ho (4 times), I'll give everything, Me dofo pa, Kakayi, Emrika (4 times), Afafanto, Wompe mea me 'ndaadaa me, Tom n Jerry, Rocklyn, Dadie Anoma (6 times), Shining Star, Odo Ano Wappi, Groovy, Odo 'Maayea, Baa Sumo Mi, Akonoba, Me Dware (4 times), Makoma Doctor, Densu, Me dea ne woaa, Superman, Sunkwa (4 times), Mo mma yen dodo ye ho, Boogie Africa and some 7 other infectious sounds whose titles I cant instantly recall. Multitudes of fans at home and the diaspora have at least 7 Kojo Antwi tracks they remember fondly. All of them music that grows on you and sound even better with time.
KOJO ANTWI delivers something special for every day of the week:
1. Live shows that have captured the imagination of a nation and its diaspora to the extent that it is part of the national calendar year in year out.
2. Songs that continually console and uplift the down-hearted, broken-hearted and down-right neglected
3. Rhythms that inspire the warmest, heartfelt embraces and dances around the world
4. Well-written lyrics that touch lives and refresh parts that only our nearest and dearest can ever dream of reaching
5. Intricately delivered live concerts that send adrenaline levels up and testosterone levels sky-rocketing
6. Unique compositions that employ the idioms and wisdom of his culture to illuminate lives, rekindle dying lights and strengthen the resolve to do right by God, forebears and self
7. Beholding him work makes you simply want to be better too at whatever it is you do. To paraphrase the greatest entertainer that ever lived 'HE'S BAD'. KOJO ANTWI is soooo bad, he's off da chain. He is a thriller!
And there is more. MR MUSIC MAN KOJO ANTWI is a shy, soft-spoken family man but when he gets on stage there is nothing like him anywhere in the world. He commands the show and is rewarded with genuine admiration, respect and an equal measure of flattery; His melodies are imitated and transposed by sharp musicians and producers in Africa and the diaspora, and his 'ebony locks' and Afro Fashionista dress sense is emulated, diffused and used by cool artistes and stylists alike. KOJO is a music and class icon with a good heart.
In fairness to the other 9 nominees, each one has made tremendous effort to capture the imagination of their nationals and fans around the world but after some critical editing to eliminate the rhythmic, melodic and stylistic imitations in song, dance and videos, the class over substance and the generous media hype, there is less meat than aforethought on some of the bones.
A year or two down the line I can see some, or even all, of them and hopefully Okyeame Kwame, 2face Ndibia, Amakye Dede, Dbanj my exciting entertainer friend, Sarkodee, Samini, and Sway adding to their repertoire and pushing the envelope to consolidate a track record that will make them deserving nominees and hopefully winners too.
But Right here, right now based on lyrical content, music composition, cultural relevance, quality of live show delivery, adult contemporary appeal and all-round uniqueness no one else comes close to the man affectionately called The Maestro.
It is heart-warming, and I say this with great pride, that most who have heard and seen him perform live will attest to the fact that the African son KOJO ANTWI is one of the few select musicians, like Beyonce, R. Kelly, Youssou N'Dour, Usher, Freddie MeiWay, Alicia Keys, Kwame Yeboah, Jay Z, Hugh Masekela, Elton John, Lady Gaga, the late Bob Marley and the late Fela Kuti among others, who can hold their own on any live stage with any top musician from any showbiz nation around the world.
Some people just have that chutzpah. It is a gift, and Kojo is simply blessed to have it. No matter where you come from, no matter whom you are affiliated to, check the facts before you vote. Peace and blessings!
Black Entertainment Television is an American cable network based in Washington D.C. and founde dby Robert L. Johnson on 25 January 1980. Programming on the network comprises mainstream rap, Rhythm and Blues music videos and urban-oriented movies and series.
The BET Awards were established by the network in 2001. It is an annual celebration of the achievements of African Americans in music, acting, sports and other fields of entertainment throughout the year.
Canadian Pop/R&B singer Justin Bieber, nominated in the new artist category, makes history this year as the first Caucasian to get the nod. American Hip Hop Superstar Jay-Z leads the 2010 nominations with 5, followed by his wife Beyonce Knowles, Alicia Keys, Melanie Fiona and Trey Songz with 4 each. The event will be hosted by Actress/Hip Hop Artiste Queen Latifah in the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California on 27th June marking its 10-year anniversary.
Kwasi Kyei Darkwah is former Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC). A respected television producer and communications director, he has been appointed HMRC's Ambassador for the Campaign against illegal food imports into the UK. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Film and Television Production from London Metropolitan University.