Controversy looms: I gave birth to Azonto, says Sarkodie

By Charles Mgbolu

Ghanaian act Sarkodie courts with controversy in a fresh interview granted to a UK based radio station in which he claims to be the originator of the famous Azonto slang.

[caption id="attachment_412258" align="alignnone" width="412"] *Sarkodie[/caption]

He says he was the first to do a free-style recording using the word 'Azonto' even before street dance gangs in Ghana worked the dance moves which is featured heavily in Fuse and Wizkid's very famous 'Azonto' singles (Fuse currently gets all the credit for being the first artist to do a song with Azonto).

Sarkodie claims the dance moves and singles from Fuse and Wizkid came after his free-style version was released and became an instant hit...

Watch the rest of the interview here

Do you agree with Sakodie? Anyone knows about this freestyle he did?

Ice Prince, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage nominated for 2013 MOBO awards

By Charles Mgbolu

Award winning artistes Ice Prince, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage have all landed hot spots in the just released Best African Acts nominations at the Music of Black Origin MOBO Awards 2013.



The acts will go head to head with other best selling African artists: Spoek Mathambo from South Africa, Mafikizolo from South Africa, Bombino from Niger and Fuse ODG from Ghana.

[caption id="attachment_277904" align="alignnone" width="412"] Ice Prince & Wiz Kid[/caption]

The  lists of nominees for the 2013 MOBO Awards are...
Best Newcomer

Daley
Elli Ingram
Etta Bond
Fuse ODG
Jacob Banks
Jahmene Douglas
Krept and Konan
Sam Smith
Shakka
Stylo G

Best Male Act

Disclosure
Naughty Boy
Rudimental
Wiley
Wretch 32

Best Female Act

Jessie J
Jessie Ware
Laura Mvula
Lianna La Havas
Rita Ora

Best Video

Aluna George - 'Attracting Flies'
Dizzee Rascal - 'Bassline Junkie'
Fuse ODG ft Wyclef - 'Antenna'
Laura Mvula - 'Green Garden'
Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith - 'La La La'
Rizzle Kicks - 'Lost Generation'

Best UK Hip Hop/Grime

Akala
K Koke
Tinie Tempah
Wiley
Wretch 32

Best Album

Angel - 'About Time'
Disclosure - 'Settle'
Laura Mvula - 'Sing To the Moon'
Rudimental - 'Home'
Wiley - 'Ascent'

Best R&B/Soul Act

Angel
Daley
Jessie Ware
Laura Mvula
Lianne La Havas

Best Song

Disclosure feat. Aluna George - 'White Noise'
Naughty Boy - 'La La La'
Rudimental - 'Waiting All Night'
Wiley feat. Chip - 'Reloaded'
Wretch 32 ft Shakka - 'Black Out'

Best International Act

Ciara
Iggy Azalea
J. Cole
Jason Derulo
Jay Z
Justin Timberlake
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar
Miguel
Robin Thicke

Best African Act

Spoek Mathambo
Ice Prince
Mafikizolo
Tiwa Savage
Bombino
Wizkid
Fuse ODG

[caption id="attachment_183220" align="alignleft" width="200"] *Tiwa Savage[/caption]

Best Jazz Act

Sons Of Kemet
Courtney Pine
Soweto Kinch
Jazz Jamaica
Lineage

Tiwa Savage tweeted...

Don Jazzy, P Square, D'Banj tops Forbes richest artistes lists

Channel O and Forbes Africa presents the top 10 most bankable/richest artistes in Africa. This list was put together using factors such as endorsement value, popularity, show rates, Sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presense, Influence and so many other factors. The list shows the African artistes making the most money in Africa.

Check out the top10 list

1. AKON – CEO of Konvict Music, opened doors with other African artiste

2. DON JAZZY - Producer. CEO Mavin Records, MTN, Samsung and Loyal Milk endorsement. D’Banj, Kanye West, Beyonce and Jay Z on production credits.

3. P SQUARE – Music Duo. Featured on Forbes Africa twice, sold out concerts, presidential guest in at least 5 African countries, they fly private jets…

[caption id="attachment_218222" align="alignnone" width="412"] *Peter Okoye, Wizkid, Paul Okoye[/caption]

4. D’BANJ – Music Artiste. G.O.O.D Music deal, Sony Entertainment deal

5. WIZKID – Music Artiste. EME artiste, Starboy CEO, affiliation with Disturbing London, several international collaborations, highest paid Pepsi ambassador in Africa, ambassador of MTN

6. 2FACE IDIBIA – Music Artiste. 10million CDs and at least 7million digital sales, one campaign… associated with Guinness, Haven Homes, Airtel Worldwide and philantropist – 2face foundation

7. ANSELMO RALPH - Musically Artiste Samsung and Coca Cola ambassador, Perfume line, clothing label, multimillion dollar tour bus, Sony artiste.

8. SARKODIE –  Rapper. Youth ambassador Ghana, Sark clothing, Samsung ambassador, fan milk Ghana ambassador.

9. ICE PRINCE – Artiste. Six million downloads, 2 studio owner, one foundation member, Plug N Play ambassador, Zamani foundation.

10. BANKY W – Artiste. Co owner EME, Samsung Ambassador, Philanthropist, multiple award winner.