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KKD is the first son of Opanin Kwasi Darkwah and Ohemaa Ama Asokwa Kyei Darkwah, owners of Darkwah Plaza and Jatokrom Hotel in Tema. Since childhood he has had this burning desire to become an ambassador, to serve as a fitting representative for his motherland.
He has a unique way with words and an eye for style and fashion like no other. His poise and control as a public speaker and on stage as a Master of Ceremonies makes it seem as though he was born on a dais. KKD has evolved over the years and has contributed immensely to the media and entertainment industry in Ghana.
KKD got into media before he knew that is where he wanted to be. He found his 'calling' early as his parents had record shops and an enterprise that promoted select West African musicians in the early seventies. Perhaps being in the company of great musicians like Nana Kwame Ampadu as a toddler helped shape his dream. From organizing jams and dance competitions for secondary students, he went on to organize fashion shows in PRESEC Legon. By age 15 he was writing advertising copy and from age 17 recording jingles and voice-overs following the commendation of GBC sound technician, Philip Agbale.
KKD won the maiden Africa Disc Jockey Championship while he was still in GIJ and donated half of his prize money to the School for the Mentally Handicapped in Dzorwulu. The Finest has a long roll call of proteges: Azigiza Jnr, Fiifi Pratt, Kwame Bampoe, Kwame Faakye, Baaba Andoh, Cox Tamakloe, Lovin' Cee and Kofi Okyere Darko, to name just a few. As co-owner and director of programmes and marketing of Sunshine Radio he insisted all his presenters and newscasters use their African names, a trend which has influenced young broadcasters since.
By age 31, KKD had managed Advertising and Promotions for ABC Brewery Limited in Achimota and served on the executive planning committee for the Miss Ghana Beauty Pageant, all while commanding the highest booking fees for a presenter in this part of the world. But his young wife's insistence on moving to the UK in search of a job placed a booming career on hold.
His first break in Europe came when after being hired by Alice Congres of France to co-host a corporate event for Elf in Africa, he got connected and later found a job as an Investment Researcher at Georgeson Shareholder Communications. He invested what was left of the money he brought from Ghana and used some to buy his favorite car, a Jaguar Sovereign in celebration of his new city job after 6 months in the UK.
By 2001, the KKD we know had re-emerged as he got hired and trained for a position in a healthcare management firm in London. On the side he started his private enterprise producing advertising campaigns for African-owned businesses in the UK and the US and presenting events.
He holds an MA in Audio Visual Production and He is a Chief Executive of the Finest Production.
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With George Bosompim's experience in creative work, He believes in team work, excellent delivery and value for money. No short cuts. In the creative world, you are as good as the last job you did. He has obtained MA Television Production in Bournemouth University, United Kingdom.
George Bosompim holds Diploma in Film Directing from the National Film and Television Institute, Ghana. He has directed three seasons of a soap "ALL THAT GLITTERS". This was made up of 40 Episodes of thirty minutes duration which was showing on TV3 Network Ghana till October 2006.
Between 1998-2009, George passed through the mill playing different roles in the film, as a Producer, Creative Director, Copy Writer, Production Manager as well as Asst. Director at Gama Film Company, Ghana.
Within the ten year span he wrote, directed and produced 75 TV commercials, 25 documentaries, 1 season of a sitcom (13 episodes of "Cape coast motel") 32 episodes of a current affairs programme "It's not the news" 2 seasons of a serial, "Colonial District Court" 1 season of a reality show "Looking For love" first season of the musical reality show "Bands Alive" and first season of a reality show for presenters "Hottest host" on TV3 Network Ghana.
George started as an actor from 1999-1998. He has acted in 26 Television dramas on Ghana Television (TV Theatre), 7 short films, 7 feature films, and 5 television commercials.
He has also received awards: Best Documentary Director- Ghana Film Awards in 2002, Best Sound ??? ANIWA African Students Film Festival 1999, Best Photography and Best Sound - National film & TV Institute Awards 1998.
'Deeds' his Short drama that he directored for Scripnet U.K. was selected for the BFM Festival in Edinbrough U.K, He has also worked on International with Steven Seagal, Isaac Hayes, Prince Mydas, Shasha Marley and Will Smith.
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Paa Kwesi Ackom is a Ghanaian, born in Accra the capital of Ghana in 1971. He had his secondary education in Konongo Odumasi in the Ashanti Akyim district of Ghana.
He holds a Diploma in Art & Design.
He has worked on a couple of international feature films and has more than twenty local video features to his credit.
He has managed over fifteen video features for the then Ghana films corporation and other private production houses.
In the year 1998, he joined Ghana Film Company where he was transferred to TV3 Network Limited in 1999. He has produced and directed several TV programmes including Gold Blast, Music Music, Dance Fever, Face of the Universe Ghana 2007.
Paa Kwesi has also directed international events like Shaggy in Ghana 2004 and Kirk Franklin in Ghana 2005. Currently, he is the Director of the most exciting Band reality show in Africa, BANDS ALIVE.
He is the head of the Content Creation Group of TV3. He describes himself as the CCC (Creative Crazy Chap)
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Mark Gilbert Coleman is a seasoned film Producer, Film Editor and a Journalist. He has been in the film industry for over 20 years.
Infact, he is one of the pioneers of the video industry, has worked with almost all the video producers in Ghana.
Mark G. Coleman is the conceptualizer, writer and creator of the reality show, BANDS ALIVE. Some of the films he has edited or helped to produce are; Ghost Tears, Shoe Shine Boy, Sika Sunsum, Pregnant Virgin, Ramatu, Heart Strings, Step Dad, Play Boy, Vital Recall and Lost Confidence.
Additionally, he has edited and helped produce lots of documentaries and newsreels. Currently, Mr. Coleman is the Executive Producer of all Gama Films Productions. |
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Charles Amoah started his professional career as a singer/ drummer with Ghanaian dance bands including Konadu's Parrots, the Sparrows and the Precious Jewels before moving to Germany in the early 1980???s where he became a major contributor to the burgeoning scene.
His first LP, ''Sweet Vibration'' was released in Germany in 1984, followed by ''Fre Me'' and ''Me Ne Wo Begoro'' in 1985, both very successful in the evolving ''Burger Highlife'' scene of the time. ''Eye Odo Asem'' (released in 1987) became an instant hit in Ghana, and established Charles Amoah as one of the most successful artists of the Burger Highlife era.
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Bessa comes from a musical family where, his father was a Choir Master; Organist and Music Teacher. Whilst at Aggrey Boarding School, Cape Coast, Bessa took a pro-active lead by playing in the School Band. As a mere teenager Bessa led the Pelikans band of Cape Coast and won a first prize at the Big Band competition held in Accra by the Arts Council of Ghana.
Bessa attended the National Academy of Music at Winneba to further develop his theoretical and practical skills in Music. He also successfully completed a Diploma Course at the School of Audio Engineering in London. ( SAE).
Bessa is a prolific song writer, keyboardist/singer, he has worked with some of the finest musicians in the U.K. i.e. Abul TJ, of Rokotoband, Dave Yowell, Sultan Studio, Ray Gaskins, Francis Fuster, Greg Kofi Brown, Sol Malinga. Bessa has also worked with most of the great names in West African Music, both as a musician and as Co-producer such as Pat Thomas, Papa Yankson, Kari Bannerman, Osibisa, C.K.Man, Ebo Taylor and Jedu Blay Ambuley.
Influences: Classical, Jazz, Gospel, Reggae and African Music. In 1992 Bessa formed his own band called ''The Bessa Band'' in London. The Band became one of the finest exponents of Ghanaian Hi-Life music in the U.K world music circuit. The Bessa Band has toured extensively throughout the U.K and Europe including a highly successful tour to Ghana in September 1994. Bessa has also played as a Keyboardist with Top Musicians such as Osibisa; Skatelites; Alexander O???Neil and Mac Tonto to name a few.
Bessa released his debut album in 1990 called ''Sii Nana'' this was launched in the U.K by Jazz Moves who supports innovative musicians.
In 1993, the Bessa Band released their second album called ''Accra Junction''. The album included the hit song ''Belembe''.
The ''Life Album'' was recorded in 1997; this was followed by a dance album called Bessa Si Bessa. In July 1999 Bessa toured with Osibisa on the Welcome Home Tour in Ghana. Osibisa played at the National Theatre, Accra; Kumasi Stadium; and Busia Beach. The tour was a huge success. Following the tour, Bessa released his fifth album called ''Akwaaba'' in Ghana.
In August Bessa launched his Akwaaba album at Smolensky's London. The album received a hugely tumultuous response both from the press and public at large.
In July 2001 Bessa came to Ghana with his partner and they have jointly set up a Recording Studio. Bessa is a Co-Director/ Music Arranger and Engineer at Dibess Studio. The Studio has done a number of productions including a Life Recording with Alfred Bannerman and Shasha Marley. Bessa is currently working on his new album.
In July 2004 Bessa did a U.K tour with ''The Bessa Band''. The Band played at City of London Festival; Acton Carnival; Kilburn Festival; National Theatre; Richmond Festival and Smolensky's.
Bessa an excellent African Pianist has now formed his own fine and funky soulful Hi-Life band with some of the young talented musicians from Ghana and will be doing a Regional tour in Ghana.
Bessa's main aim is to pass on his expertise and skills to young musicians in Ghana. |
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Born on the same day as the legendary Bob Marley (6th February), Rex Omar's career ap-pears destined to chart a path to worldwide star-dom, such as the late reggae star attained.
From humble beginnings in his birth place,Kumasi, capital of the Ashantis Rex Omar has gained wide recognition in the West African region and beyond. Having performed internationally at a variety of places including Cote d???Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin, Britain, France and Togo Rex is set to explode on the international market.
Rex Omar is firmly rooted in his native criss-cross rhythms and melodic inflections. With this heritage plus the pervasive influence of western pop music and his personal love for jazz, Rex has played a unique blend of Afro-pop and jazz music. His singing style portrays influences from the praise singers of Northern Ghana and Ashanti.
He had his primary education at the Suame Salvation Army Primary School, and continued at the Methodist Middle School at the same place where he successfully attained the Middle School Leaving Certificate.
One might be wondering how he got himself into the music profession. That is simple finding, Rex Omar was born into a family of musicians. His father though, a medical doctor, was also a musician. He was very good at playing the guitar and sax, but refused to perform as a musician for a living.
With this family background, Rex Omar picked up learning music from a very tender age. From about the age of 10 years, he started directing his fellow pupils whenever it was time for singing or music.
Rex has pursued his own dream of a music career with single-minded devotion since he defied at an early age, his father's desire for him to become a lawyer. His recording career has spanned eighteen years with a number of hits to his credit. His album "Dangerous" which includes the hit song
"Abiba" has sold over 300,000 units and is still attracting audiences beyond Ghana's borders.
Rex now has a twelve-piece band, the nu-Ashanty that provides exciting renditions and backing to his music. In November 2002 Rex Omar and his band put up an excellent show at the Jazz a' Ouaga in Burkina Faso.
Rex is the winner of several awards including the Ghana Music Award - Best Contemporary Song of the Year 2004. He was also a Kora Awards nominee in 2004.
He has to his credit the following albums AWAREPA 1989, TWI, 2000, AWUGYADE 1990 GOSPEL WITH, KPANLOGO 1992, AFRICAN ROOTS 2001, KOTOSA 1995 "WHO AM I?" 2002, DANGEROUS 1997 GOSPEL WITH, FA 1999 AFRICAN ROOTS-(2) 2003 AJALA 2004.
"Dangerous" is one album which made Rex very popular, though he really had to work on it, especially in terms of promotion.
Rex Omar is a Member of "SUISSA" Copyright Society of Switzerland and is on publishing contract with EMI (Germany).
Rex Omar is married with four children, 3 girls and a boy. |
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Mac Tontoh, one of the great pioneers of the fusion of African and western music, was born in Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti region of Ghana. From an early age he tuned into jazz broadcasts on VOA and the BBC World Service, and as his father played trumpet in the local church, Mac was lucky enough to receive encouragement from his parents to pursue a career in music.
Mac's first band, known as ''The Comets'', was based in Kumasi and led by his elder brother Teddy Osei (who he later collaborated with in Osibisa). The Comets cut their teeth playing in Kumasi clubs such as The Jamboree, Kismet and Hotel de Kingsway. They became very popular in Ghana and Nigeria during the early 1960s for highlife and jazz, and Mac soon emerged as one of the leading and most progressive Ghanaian hornsmen, fusing the modern jazz styles of trumpeters such as Miles Davis and Clifford Brown with West African highlife.
Following his move to Accra, Mac spent a brief period with the Brigade Band of Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, which played mainly at state functions, before joining the now ledgendary Uhuru Band. Uhuru was a big band which played its own brand of highlife as well as hits from American composers such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Glenn Miller. During his time with Uhuru Mac also ran a smaller jazz combo, the Bogart Sounds Sextet, made up of the pick of Uhuru's sidesmen.
Mac left Ghana for Europe in 1968. At first he stayed in Hamburg, Germany, playing in various jazz clubs in the St. Pauli area. Then, after a rendezvous with brother Teddy and drummer Sol Amarfio in Tunisia, the trio traveled to London to form the band which was to set the world alight with its ground-breaking fusion of African music and western pop and rock: OSIBISA. Mac co-wrote all of Osibisa's major hits, including Music for Gong Gong, Welcome Home and Sunshine Day, as well as the soundtrack for Sig Shore's 1973 movie Superfly TNT. Apart from his activities with Osibisa Mac also became part of the London ''scene'' of the 1970s, playing horn sessions for rock luminaries the Rolling Stones, Peter Green and Elton John.
MAC TONTOH NOW...
After more than twenty years of living in London or on the road, Mac decided that it was time to return to his African roots for fresh inspiration. In 1992 he moved back home to Ghana and, with the help of producer/engineer Mike Swai, set up his own recording studio in Accra. Mac and Mike then set about searching for and collaborating with some of the most dynamic and talented young Ghanaian musicians.
The first product of this new phase was Mac's first solo album, Rhythms and Sounds (1994), which featured a jazz-tinged contemporary take on some classic Ghanaian highlife styles together with some hard-hitting African funk whose energy and punch recalled Mac's early days with Osibisa. Rhythms and Sounds re-established Mac as a musical force to be reckoned with in Ghana, and several tracks from the album have become national institutions through their frequent use by GBCTV.
Following the release and successful promotion of this first solo album, Mac decided to look deeper into the musical traditions of his own people, the Ashanti.He decided to form a new band, and went to his home town, Kumasi, to look for drummers and singers who were well versed in the Kete and Adowa styles of the region.
Mac toured the UK with the Kete Warriors in 2000 and 2001 to a rapturous reception from British audiences. Since returning to Ghana after the group's successful run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2001, Mac has taken a break from making music and is concentrating on his work with the Ghana National Commission on Culture. The Kete Warriors are now forging ahead in their own right with the blessing of their master.
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At a smoky bar in 70s Kingston, Jamaica, music pulsates from the speakers. A five-year old boy, in the company of his grandfather, suddenly feels the music and spins in circles as he dances. This is the day Prince Mydas discovers rhythm lives in his soul. This is the moment that births his intense passion for music, a passion that one day will lead him to script and sing the songs he hears in his head. By the end of his schooldays, he will have made the first step towards a career in music a self-produced single featuring the ballad So Lost Without You. The song is accepted by Jammys, Jamaicas most successful record label.
With the exposure gained from airplay of his single, Mydas was asked to become lead singer for the acclaimed reggae band, Ruff Kutt. For several years, he learned the art and business of music first-hand as the group opened for Shabba Ranks and Patra on international tours. After a professionally unfulfilling move to Miami, Mydas decided to give the New York music scene a try.
Past discussions with the acclaimed producer/manager Robert Livingston led to Mydas appearance on Shaggy's multi-platinum album, Hotshot. The song "Hope" was featured on the soundtrack of the Kevin Costner movie, For The Love Of The Game and work began immediately on a collection of songs that would showcase Mydas sensual, silky-smooth voice and writing talent.
One of them, Still The One - an ode to a time-tested love, was featured on the soundtrack of the 2002 Eddie Murphy/Robert De Niro big-screen release "Showtime". The result is a tantalizing mix that introduces many facets of the Mydas sound an enticing blend of R&B, hip-hop, and reggae.
The release of Mydas first album was railroaded by the folding of former record label MCA in 2003. Mydas, however, formed his own label with longtime pal and writing-mate, Rik Rok from "It Wasnt Me" fame. The album is now set for release under the new label MOBA Entertainment. With Mydas now in full control of his destiny, it seems the listening public will finally be able to put the voice with the face and electric performances that Prince Mydas has been known for in some circles. "Just Imagine", "Real Hardcore" and "I'd Rather Sleep Alone" are just a few of the taste-bud-teasing titles to be featured on the upcoming album.
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