Category Archives: Showbiz

News, Showbiz

Blakk Rasta is one of the reasons why the Reggae Presenter category has been removed from the RTP Awards —Prince McKay reveals

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The Chief Executive Officer of the Radio and Television Personality (RTP) Awards, Mr. Prince Mackay, has disclosed that Blakk Rasta is a significant factor behind the removal of the Reggae Presenters category from the RTP Awards.

His negative remarks about the award scheme led the board to make the decision to eliminate the category.

“People didn’t really take the reggae category seriously, even though I didn’t see it that way. I was one of the few people who made sure that when we started RTP, we would include the reggae category,” he stated.

“RTP is the only awards scheme that honors reggae presenters. Still, if the time has come for us to remove it, we have to. One of the reasons why we took it off is because of some of the negative remarks made by Blakk Rasta,” he added.

However, he took the initiative to inform some of the reggae personalities about the board’s dissatisfaction with Blakk Rasta’s comments before the category was removed.

“When the category was being taken off, I called some of the reggae guys and told them our board people are not happy with the things going on.”

 

 

 

By Afia Owusu/myxyzonline.com/Gh

News, Showbiz

Blakk Rasta owes me; I made him who he is today — Ceo of RTP Awards, Prince McKay fumes

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The Chief Executive Officer of the Radio and Television Personality (RTP) Awards, Mr. Prince Mackay, has made a significant revelation, asserting that the renowned reggae presenter Blakk Rasta owes him gratitude for playing a pivotal role in shaping his career.

During an interview with Agyemang Prempeh on Power Entertainment on PowerFM, Mr. McKay revealed that Blakk Rasta was relatively unknown with few listeners until he introduced the TV reality show called “Presenters Guide,” which not only boosted Blakk Rasta’s career but also brought fame to Delay and Andy Dosty.

“Blakk Rasta owes me; God passed through me and made Black Rasta popular. Me, Prince McKay, someone he has no respect for”, he said.

Prince McKay continued to highlight his  role in Black Rasta’s journey, mentioning, “When we brought ‘Presenters Guide,’ the TV reality show, I was a kid by then. When we established it, no one knew Black Rasta in this country. He was at Happy FM but had no followers and listeners. You interviewed him, and he attests to the fact that I’m one of the people who made him who he is today.”he said.

Prince McKay further discussed the impact of RTP awards on the Reggae presenters’ brand, noting Blakk Rasta’s consecutive wins and subsequent celebrations in his hometown. However, he expressed frustration with Black Rasta’s current negative comments about them after gaining satisfaction and success through the platform they provided.

 

Recall that a last year, 2022,Blakk Rasta decided to return trophies presented to him at the RTP Awards over the years.

This comes after reports that the RTP Awards CEO, Prince Mackay, had asked the radio presenter to return all the plaques he won at various editions, following claims that he doesn’t believe in a “voting to win” scheme.

 

 

 

By: Afia Owusu/myxyzonline Gh/

Showbiz

Sean Combs steps aside at Revolt TV network In the wake of three sex assault lawsuits against him.

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Rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has stepped aside as chairman of a TV network he co-founded.

Revolt said on social media that the hip-hop star had no “day-to-day role in the business”.

R&B artist Cassie accused Mr Combs of rape and abuse, but the two settled the lawsuit soon after it was filed. Then two other accusers came forward.

Mr Combs has denied the claims, saying the latest ones are “a money grab”.

Revolt shared a post on social media on Tuesday about him stepping down, writing: “While Mr Combs has previously had no operational or day-to-day role in the business, this decision helps to ensure that Revolt remains steadfastly focused on our mission.”

Before Mr Combs temporarily stepped down, Dawn Montgomery, co-host of Revolt’s podcast Monuments to Me, announced she would not be signing on for the third season of the show.

Ms Montgomery wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I am a SA survivor & I cannot be a part of a show that’s supposed to uplift black women while @Diddy leads the company.”

Mr Combs co-founded the music television network and website in 2013, but it remains unclear if he will return as chairman.

There was no official statement from him.

In the first of the three lawsuits, musician Casandra “Cassie” Ventura accused the rapper of rape and sex trafficking.

A day after filing the lawsuit, representatives for Mr Combs and Ms Ventura announced they had reached an agreement, without disclosing details.

His lawyer said the decision to settle was not an admission of wrongdoing.

Last week, a second lawsuit alleged that Mr Combs had sexually assaulted a psychology student, Joi Dickerson-Neal, in 1991.

She accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her and recording it.

The most recent suit alleges that plaintiff Jane Doe and her friend attended an event in New York in the 1990s hosted by a record company when they met Mr Combs and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall.

The woman alleges the two men offered the pair drinks throughout the night, and later invited them back to Mr Hall’s apartment, where the woman claims she was “coerced into having sex with [Mr] Combs”.

A representative for Mr Combs said the lawsuits were “nothing but a money grab”.

“These are fabricated claims falsely alleging misconduct from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute.”

The string of legal actions coincides with the end of the New York Adult Survivors Act, which allowed alleged victims of sex crimes to sue after the statute of limitations has lapsed.

 

 

Source :BBC

News, Showbiz

‘I did not do surgery to lose weight, If I did, my stomach will be flat’ – Teni to critics

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Popular Nigerian singer and songwriter, Teni, has denied undergoing liposuction surgery to lose weight.

She expressed sadness that after all her efforts at burning out excess fat and trimming down, people still claim she went under the knife to get her body done.

Teni revealed that she went through a “strict diet” for two months to achieve her current physique, stating that if she had done surgery she would have a flat tummy by now.

In her words: “I went through a lot. I went through a lot of changes. I lose weight and some unfortunate fellows said I did surgery.

“If I did surgery my stomach will be flat. I wish but I was scared. Surgery is not easy. It’s life threatening. It’s not easy to go under the knife. I was on a strict diet. Ask my managers. No carbs. I was on a strict diet for two months.

“But it taught me discipline. The mind is also a muscle. The way you flex your arms, discipline helps you flex your mind. It was not easy. Do you know what it means for me to take people out on dinner and I can’t eat what they are eating?

“I made the decision to lose weight after I had survived life-threatening COVID-19. I had COVID-19 twice; 2020 and 2021. So, in January 2022, after the COVID-19, I just said, ‘Omo, it’s time [to lose weight].”

News, Showbiz

Court dismisses Side Chick lawsuit against Sugar Daddy, Orders GH¢10k in costs for Seyram

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Deborah Seyram Adablah’s lawsuit against former Chief Finance Officer of a bank Ernest Kwasi Nimako has been dismissed by the Accra High Court.

The court, led by Justice John Bosco Nabarese, ruled that although the relationship between Adablah and Nimako was considered immoral, there was no reasonable cause of action in her filed writ.

In its judgment, the court expressed a reluctance to give judicial approval to the foundation of their relationship, stating, “You cannot recover the price of something you have committed into an immoral act.” As a consequence of the dismissal, Adablah has been slapped with a cost of GH¢10,000.

This decision follows an application by Nimako urging the court to strike Adablah’s case. In her lawsuit, filed in January 2023, Adablah alleged promises from Nimako, including a car, three years of accommodation, monthly stipends, marriage after divorcing his wife, and a lump sum for a business. However, the court rejected her claims, leading to the dismissal of the case and the cost order.

Showbiz

Pastor Joe Beecham to release new songs at YONDER 2023

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Renowned Gospel Musician, Pastor Joe Beecham will release new songs at his upcoming “Yonder Worship Sacrifice” in Accra this December.

The event, themed “Spirit Effect” promises to be a night of intimate worship, prayer, and the manifestation of God’s power.

Speaking at the launch of the programme in Accra, the Takoradi-based minister hinted that Yonder 2023 is not a concert but a place of deep fellowship with God through music.

“Yonder is a gathering that brings people closer to God through moments of worship, prayer, prophecies, and the manifestation of God’s power. It doesn’t matter the path you’ve walked or where you come from but what matters is the unity of hearts and how ready you are to receive what God has for you,” he stated.

Yonder 2023, commemorates two significant milestones in Pastor Joe Beecham’s life; his 50th birthday and 25 years in ministry: Golden Jubilee with a Silver Lining 50/25.

Scheduled for Sunday, 3rd December 2023, at 5pm, Yonder will take place at Victory Bible Church, Awoshie and will feature a lineup of renowned artists, including KODA, Uncle Ato, Perez Musik, Alexandrah, and Matthew Ansah, who will contribute to creating an unforgettable night of worship, prayer and power.

The night will also witness the release of new songs to add to the portfolio of impactful songs by the minstrel over the years.

At the media launch, Pastor Joe Beecham officially unveiled two mainstream activities he is championing with long-term benefits for humanity:The Sound Mind Project: A Compassionate Mission for Mental Health.

In an impactful effort to raise awareness for community service, Pastor Joe Beecham has been championing the Sound Mind Project since 2020; it is an initiative that addresses the critical issue of mental health. The project involves personal ministration by Pastor Joe Beecham and his team to individuals in mental health institutions, offering spiritual guidance, solace, and tangible support.

The project, fueled by the generosity of donors, aims to make a positive impact on those facing mental health challenges.

Pastor Joe Beecham stated, “The Sound Mind Project is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and faith. Together, we are fostering a world where every individual, irrespective of their mental health journey, feels seen, supported, and embraced. We have recorded several testimonies from our previous visits to the Ankaful psychiatric hospital”

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

Showbiz

Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of rape in new lawsuit

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Rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is being sued by a woman who says he drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1991.

In a lawsuit seen by the BBC, the plaintiff says the assault took place during a date with the rapper.

Mr Combs recently settled a sexual assault suit brought by R&B singer and former partner Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.

A representative for the rapper called the latest allegations “made up and not credible”.

“This is purely a money grab and nothing more,” the spokesperson said in a statement to the BBC on Thursday.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiff, Joi Dickerson-Neal, says that she knew Mr Combs – who also goes by the stage name Puff Daddy and P Diddy – through acquaintances. She had also appeared in one of his music videos.

According to the complaint, on 3 January 1991, she “reluctantly” agreed to meet Mr Combs at a Harlem restaurant where she worked, and he “pushed [her] to keep him company as he attended to a few things in the city”.

She says that during that time she was drugged by the rapper “resulting in her being in a physical state where she could not independently stand or walk”.

He later drove her to the place he was staying, where he sexually assaulted her, according to the lawsuit.

She says she later learned he secretly filmed the encounter and showed it to a number of other people.

The lawsuit describes how after the alleged assault her life went into a “tailspin” – she struggled with her mental health and soon dropped out of college.

The legal action came hours before the New York Adult Survivors Act – which allows alleged victims of sex crimes to sue after the statute of limitations has lapsed – ends on 24 November.

“Our client has not been able to escape the continuing impact of the harm Combs caused her many years ago,” said Jonathan Goldhirsch, one of the plaintiff’s lawyers, in a statement.

“Through the Adult Survivors Act, she can avail herself to the courts to finally seek justice.”

A representative for Mr Combs said: “This last-minute lawsuit is an example of how a well-intentioned law can be turned on its head. Ms Dickerson’s 32-year-old story is made up and not credible.”

This is the second sexual assault lawsuit brought against Mr Combs this month.

Ms Ventura accused the music mogul of rape and sex trafficking in a federal lawsuit filed last week. She alleged that the rap producer raped and beat her over 10 years starting when she was 19 and he was 37.

The two reached a settlement a day after the suit was filed.

Mr Combs had denied Ms Ventura’s claims and his lawyer said the decision to settle was not an admission of wrongdoing.

 

 

Source: BBC

 

Showbiz

Creative industry is not a realm for joking but serious business – George Quaye

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ACTOR and playwright George Quaye is calling for a paradigm shift in the prevailing narrative that often labels Ghana’s creative industry as a realm for unserious individuals.

George Quaye believes the creative space in Ghana has outgrown that age-long perception which often relegates it to the sidelines of serious business and that there is the need for conscious efforts to change it.

George Quaye who is also the CEO of Image Bureau, a communications, audio-visuals and event planning company, was speaking on the recently held Graphic Showbiz’s X Dialogue Series on the topic; Is theatre getting relevant attention?.

Laying emphasis on why he believes Ghana’s creative space is ripe enough and ready for serious business, he said unlike in the past when people would join as a last resort and not attach much seriousness, the contemporary landscape was very different now.

“It demands advanced technology and adequate knowledge of the industry from its players to thrive and as such, it shouldn’t be seen as the preserve of the unserious, given the changing trends and the critical role the current space plays in shaping society.

“It started out as oral tradition, concert party, among others and we were never considered a serious part of anything. The people who started did not have much going for them,” he explained.

Highlighting the positive transformation over time, Quaye expressed gratitude to those who recognised the value within the industry. (Read also Gospel singer Nacee to share condoms at his concert)

“Things have changed overtime, thanks be to God and few of our people began to see the value of it. This is because in the early days, it looked like a sector that was a liability,” he stated.

George Quaye also stressed the importance of industry players actively participating in changing the narrative.

He urged fellow professionals to create visibility for themselves and the sector, emphasising that internal support was crucial for external recognition.

Showbiz

Falz recounts near-death experience with ‘Boko Haram’

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Popular Nigerian singer and rapper, Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, has recounted his near-death experience while returning from a wedding ceremony he performed in the nation’s capital city, Abuja, in 2013.

In a report by Vanguard News, it mentioned that Falz, who was with his managers, Femisoro Ajayi and Sidney Sule, were in the car when dangerous-looking men shot at the car they were in, in which the driver of the car lost his life on the spot.

He further revealed that the men who attacked them were “turban-tying, AK47-wielding,” and it was during the peak days of Boko Haram in the country. (Read Chemistry with Falz was amazing but not romantic – Simi)

He made this known while appearing on the latest episode of Untapped with media personality Gbemi O.

In his words: “It was after NYSC, and this was me working in my dad’s firm as a lawyer in 2013.

“Then we got a call to come to Abuja for a show. The payment was N1 million, and logistics will be taken care of. It was a wedding, so we took the trip.

“There was no flight from Abuja to Lagos. So we hired a car from Abuja to Benin. I led a solid prayer, and it was probably what ended up saving us.

“It was broad daylight, and we started the trip around 2 p.m. We fell asleep during the trip.

“Then we just heard a loud bang. We woke up to see these turban-tying, AK47-wielding, dangerous-looking men in the middle of the expressway.

“The bang we heard was a gunshot they had shot at the car. They shot at our car again, and the bullet came flying in between everyone. Everything happened so fast.

“They shot at us again, and the bullet hit the driver in the eye. The driver died instantly. The car started moving. It was wild. I remember seeing the car heading for a ditch and just thinking, this is it.

“Then we passed out. I was the first to come around. I got out of the car and saw one of the men asking, ‘Where is the money?’ I told him there was no money. He goes to the car looking for cash.

“We had left Abuja, but we hadn’t gotten to Lokoja. It was all forest. It was the peak of Boko Haram, and we were somewhere in the north.

“We started to hear sirens from far away. The police did not come near. At this point, they increased fire and started shooting. They later moved away from us and retreated.

“We tried to stop cars on the expressway, but not a single soul stopped. A police guy eventually came, and another guy said he was a doctor.”

Falz said he was afraid his parents wouldn’t have allowed him to continue his music career after the experience.

 

Showbiz

Singer Shakira settles Spanish tax fraud case with €7.5m fine

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Colombian pop star Shakira has reached a deal with Spanish prosecutors to settle a tax fraud case, just as her trial was about to begin.

The singer has paid a €7.5m (£6.5m) fine – prosecutors had wanted to jail her for eight years and fine her €23.8m (£20.8m) if found guilty.

She had faced tax fraud allegations for €14.5m (£12.7m) in a Barcelona court.

Shakira, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, said she settled “with the best interest of my kids at heart”.

In a lengthy statement, she said her children “do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight”.

The performer had previously rejected a deal offered by prosecutors, instead opting to go to trial.

“Throughout my career, I have always strived to do what’s right and set a positive example for others,” she said.

“Unfortunately, and despite these efforts, tax authorities in Spain pursued a case against me as they have against many professional athletes and other high-profile individuals, draining those people’s energy, time, and tranquillity for years at a time.

“While I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my lawyers were confident would have ruled in my favour, I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight.”

She added she needed to “move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love – my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career”.

At the centre of this row is Shakira’s residency status between 2012 and 2014, when prosecutors alleged that she was living in Spain but listing her official residence elsewhere.

Under Spanish law, people who spend more than six months in the country are considered residents for tax purposes. But Shakira says Spain was not where she was mainly living at the time.

In July, prosecutors issued a document which claimed that she bought a house in Barcelona in 2012, which became a family home for her and her then-partner, Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué.

Her lawyers have said that up until 2014 most of her income came from international tours and she spent long chunks of time outside of Spain.

“The Spanish tax authorities saw that I was dating a Spanish citizen and started to salivate. It’s clear they wanted to go after that money no matter what”, she told Elle magazine.

Shakira declared Spain to be her place of residence for tax purposes in 2015. She said she has paid €17.2m (£15m) in tax and has no outstanding debts.

In a separate case in 2019, Mr Piqué was fined €2.1m (£1.8m) by the Spanish national court for evading tax between 2008 and 2010.

The couple announced in early June that they had split up after 11 years. They have two sons together, aged seven and nine.