Sometime back we posted Sweet Memories by a spoken word artist by the name of Mutomdo. He is back with a brand new Offering titled X Ray. He lets you know that there is more to it than what meats the eye. Accompanied by an animated video, it is clear that Mutombo has gone a step further than his last offering. This shows determination and growth. See what you think of X Ray by watching the video below.
In the early hours of Tuesday 15/05/2012 history was being made, once again by afrobeats. The explosion of the genre in the last year has seen some of London’s most popular radio stations- make slots to accommodate Afrobeats.
The latest Afrobeats show comes via Kiss 100 FM, mixed by the one and on DJ Frenchkiss. Having been born and raised in the Hakney end of London, FrenchKiss has established a reputation as one of one of-if not the most respected & credible Ghanaian DJ in the UK.
Frenchkiss has heavily been involved in the rave scene not only spinning afrobeats, but as an all round accomplished DJ in RnB, Hip Hop, House & Funky. Download his mixtapes from here
Plugging for his Kiss FM Afrobeats set was heavy on the twitter timelines. Spear-headed by Mikeal Silva, it became the talk of the social networks & bloggersphere. It was no surprise tha that the show was a headline grabber. Trending highly on twitter to prove it’s popularity.
Overall this is another notch for the ever-growing genre. Afrobeats tracks such as; the Undeniable smash “Oliver Twist” by D’Banj, “Boom Boom Tah” by Mista Silva as well as “Azonto” by Fuse ODG have become daytime tracks played by BBC Radio. Further enhanncing the presence of Afrobeats beyond it’s segmented home of the African community.
Go back and listen to Frenchkiss’s Kiss FM show here
Charley, we are getting Big Oooooo. Twi Teacher was sent a nice Dubplate from “I be the tribal man” himself, Tribal Man.
Here is the Tribal version of the Azonto Craze which has stormed Ghana in the past year. In true Tribal Man fashion, he takes listeners through the instructions of how to Tribal Azonto. Watch the video below to get your steps ready for the summer wave, and download the tune below
Get skanking and upload ur versions 2 youtube. Best One wins £100, a Free Azonto Tribal T-shirt and a I be the tribal man/ girl T-shirt & a chance to be in the official video!
Download the “Twi Teacher duplate of “Tribal Azonto Dance below
Dubplate Twi Teacher – Tribal Azonto Dance
Walking through the streets of Jamestown was so different on April 14. It wasn’t a normal Saturday afternoon for me. It was one that gave me a lot of inspiration. It was the second edition of the Chale Wote Street Art Festival.
The festival celebrates the vibrant art traditions of urban life from visual media, experimental theater, and dance installations to extreme sports. It’s a very “young” festival since most people in the country aren’t aware of it.
For those of you who don’t know, chale simply means “friend” in Ghana and “wote” is a Ga word meaning “let’s go.” When you put both words together, you have “friend, let’s go” and that’s certainly what happened when I decided to go to the festival with some friends.
The Chale Wote street art festival taught me a few things….
#1 Chale, there are talented people in Ghana.
It was very easy to see talent all around. I was astonished at how some young guys could paint. Did I say guys? Maybe I am supposed to say boys. The streets of Jamestown were painted. Some were done on wood and hung along the roadside. There were guys on skates doing dangerous tricks and they were incredible even though I feared for them most of the time. Don’t mind me…. I am just like that when it comes to people’s safety and health. There was a musical concert in the evening. There were some technical hitches but that didn’t stop the event.
#2 It’s time for Ghanaians to embrace Ghanaian stuff
I am a huge fan of African fabrics, bracelets, shoes etc. I find it astonishing when people ask me sometimes why I wear them. You will never find me going “Britain” throughout the week. A few weeks ago, I was working at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and decided to pass by the Cultural Centre to get a new African-printed bag. There was an exhibition so the stuff was pretty affordable. Unsurprisingly, I met more foreigners than Africans or Ghanaians. I really don’t know why we don’t like our own stuff. I don’t know why we don’t write our own stories. I don’t know why we don’t promote our own culture. I don’t know why we don’t love ourselves enough to love our own things.
At the Chale Wote Street Art Festival, you could see foreigners more enthused about Ghanaian dresses, bracelets, anklets, necklaces than the citizens. They love stuff made in Ghana… while we cherish those made in China. I just implore my fellow Ghanaians to love Ghanaian stuff a bit. Chale, the country is for us oo…. We are the only ones who can make it better.
#3 There’s another fun thing in Ghana and this time…. It’s free.
Christmas, Easter, Independence Day… oh let me take out Independence Day. It’s really celebrated by the Ghanaians abroad. Those of us over here don’t care about it, right? If yes, I believe there is only one thing that gets Ghanaians excited…. Football or let me say “The Black Stars.” That’s the only time the nation goes agog especially after a victory. The Chale Wote festival is another opportunity for many Ghanaians who want to have fun but have limited options.
#4 Chale, we are gradually placing Ghana on the world map.
Ever heard of the group, Generik Vapeur from France? Yeah, they were there and that was the climax of the festival for me. They are usually called the “Blue Men” and they brought more fun to the festival. Having such a group at the festival meant a lot to Ghana and the organizers. Tourists visit the country each and every day. Soon, Ghana will be on the list of Lonely Planet’s top 10 countries to visit. We can do it and we must. Check out more incrediblephotos by Nana Kofi Acquah on his blog.
Big ups again to Accra [dot] Alt and the French Embassy for making it happen this year too.
I hope to see you next year at the festival. Can Ghana be the top country to visit? Let’s hear from you.
In recent years, Nneka has ammassed a catalogue of quality music that has lead critics to mention her in the same breath as Lauren Hill & Eryka Badu. Hailing from Germany via Nigerian upbringings, search of self is a prominent message that comes as default in her music.
Collaborations with some of the most well respected Hip Hop Mc’s including Nas & Talib Kweli, Nneka’s double ability as a vocalist & Mc is unescapable. Her most popular track to date “Heartbeat” is sampled by Rita Ora on her sure to be summer hit “R.I.P”.
Playing an intimate gig, Nneka was at home on the Scala stage. The crowd, a mix of men & women of all creeds gave Nneka a capacity audience to perform for.
Describing her understanding of V.I.P by using pidgin English, she revealed that it stood for Vagabond In Power. The Fela Kuti influenced groove of the track had the majority of the crowd doing a 2-step shuffle.
As Nneka and her band played tracks from her latest album “Soul Is Heavy”, echo’s of Sly & Robby, Bob Marley & Fela Kuti could be heard as main influences of her music. Contact Music wrote of Nneka’s album sayingl; ”Nneka’s voice is the constant that never falters throughout and the one redeeming feature in all of the tracks. It is an instrument of pure joy and given the right song one which is very hard to resist. At 15 tracks long you can pick your own ‘Best Of’ and you’ll still have a good album’s worth of material afterwards.”
This was a great concert, perhaps a reflection of the 15 track album. It features guest appearances from; Ms Dynamite & The Roots to name a few.
See the below Video as she performed “Soul Is Heavy”
Buy the album “Soul Is Heavy” Here
We give this conert 4 Bowls of Fufuo Rating
Here is your chance to get your hand on M3nsa’s hot album No.1 Mango Street. All you have to do is answer the following question. What is the name of M3nsa & Wanlov The Kubolor as a duo?
A) Sankwas Bois
B) Buk Bak
C) Fokn Bois
Email your answer, name and address to competitions@twiteacher.com
Competition closes 5th May
Came by this nsem pee video today. The video woke me up, and i’m sure it will make you smile or just crack up. His obsession with breasts is next levels, but the funny thing is- his bars that he uses on the ladies. Its Epic Fail at its best. Watch it for yourself. #TeamGhana
I can’t apologize enough for not blogging for so long. I just needed to get myself a new laptop since the old one was giving me some unbearable problems. I could have blogged from my phone but I prefer blogging using my laptop. Nonetheless, I am happy to be back and I have so many things to share starting with the African Cup of Nations (AFCON/CAN 2012.)
Lesson 1: You can always prove people wrong
Have people written you off? Are they saying you can’t make it in life? Do you feel let down and can’t continue because all you hear are negative statements about your inability to be great? Do you remember the favorites for this year’s African Cup of Nations tournament? People expected Cote D’Ivoire or Ghana to lift the trophy. Nobody, I mean nobody, ever imagined Zambia lifting the trophy in Gabon but they proved everyone wrong. They didn’t get discouraged for not being regarded as one of the favorites. They stood their ground, fought and conquered. You can do the same. You might have been ruled out. You might have been discouraged but never lose faith in yourself. Never make your enemies happy…. Persevere.
Lesson 2: Never underestimate an opponent
We live in a world where people are overconfident and take things for granted. They find themselves wanting when the very foundations they boast of get shaken by the storms of life. Zambia defeated both favorites of the tournament on their way to lifting the trophy. They did so well…. They fought well but in their match against Ghana, it was so obvious that the Ghanaians underestimated them. The Ghanaians thought it was going to be a walkover and were really shocked at the end of the day. Never underestimate any opponent in your life no matter how strong you feel.
Lesson 3: Missed that spot kick? Rise and move on!
Missing a spot kick is like missing an opportunity in your life. For those who don’t know, a spot kick is a free kick at the goal from a point (penalty spot) within the penalty area and 12 yards (about 11 m) from the goal, with only the goalkeeper allowed to defend it: awarded to the attacking team after a foul within the penalty area by a member of the defending team. We sometimes miss opportunities in our lives but that shouldn’t put us down. That should rather lift us and make us aware that there will be other opportunities in the future. Renowned forwards like Asamoah Gyan and Didier Drogba missed penalty kicks in the tournament. Even in the final, the latter missed a penalty kick but that didn’t stop him from fighting for his country. He battled till the final whistle. We are bound to miss some opportunities in life but we must learn to keep a cool head, learn the lesson and move on. Making mistakes doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It just means you’re trying and learning in life.
Lesson 4: Unity is Key!
Some of the powerhouses of African football were absent at the tournament. Countries like Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Cameroon could not make it to Equatorial Guinea/Gabon. It was however expected that, either Ghana or Ivory Coast stood a greater chance of annexing the trophy but that didn’t happen. Before the tournament, people were so concerned with the confidence in the Ghana camp. I saw that to be overconfidence. Others protested it wasn’t. At the end of the tournament, we all heard what the ex-coach of Ghana said. “When spider webs unite, we can tie up the lion.” – Asante Proverb.
There was little or no unity in the Black Stars camp as that missed penalty kick by Gyan evidenced. Ayew was the one going to take the shot by Gyan went and took the ball from him. We heard of misunderstandings in the changing room etc. Together, we are better!
Lesson 5: After every good fight, there is a reward.
All the battles in your life will end with a trophy in your hands. When Christopher Katongo lifted the trophy for Zambia, it was a joy to behold. The 30 year old who was crowned Best Player at the AFCON2012 was a symbol of patriotism, perseverance and wisdom. There were matches that he couldn’t even play the whole 90 minutes but he did so well anytime he was on the field. He led his country with pride. He made the players know the essence of the tournament. In the final, the Zambians really struggled against the Ivorians but fought really hard. You may be going through a difficult time in your life. Just fight on because at the end of the battle, there is always a greater reward. You will surely make it!
Stop waiting for something to happen, go out and make it happen.
There comes a time when “The Old” has to move on for “The New”. In this case, the old is the current state of the Ghana music industry & the new is ‘Faint Medal’.
Faint Medal is formed Of Singer/song writer “Syn” & gifted guitarist “Kyekyeku” who are both well known musicians in the alternative music scene in Accra. Having Deep appreciation for eachother’s creativity. It is mutual respect for eachothers passion which is key in the duo’s relationship as well as the basis which has led them to their incredible sound. Describeds as African music, fused with Rock.
Influenced by Agya Koo Nimo & Osibisa, Faint Medal deliver their lyric using pidgin English laced with melodies which has caused a buzz within wide spread communities in Ghana, who now crave more.
Since they formed, they have played various events and venues including the maiden edition of ‘La Poilette Takpekpe’ at the Alliance francaise in Accra, Reggie Rockstone’s Office, The Movenpic hotel in
Accra, Marvel’s mini golf course and Indie Fuse, a musical concert organized by ace events producer Accra (dot) alt amongst others.
While they are currently in the studio recording new music, we are able to bring you one of their popular tracks titled “I dey feel you die” featuring pidgin music artist Yaa Pono.
The single “I dey feel you die” will be released in the coming weeks as the group will be
shooting the Official music videos to the soft rock version of the song and the acoustic version.
Have a listen to “I dey feel you here”
Join their Facebook page & follow their progress here
