Music of Thursday, 22 July 2004

Source: ghanamusic.com

Abrantie, Azumah Are Spacefon Legends

Abrantie Amakye Dede with Azumah Nelson If Spacefon Legend 2003, Reggie Rockstone?s declaration that ?I am a legend, to be a legend, Eye de paa (It is very sweet)? is anything to go by, then New Spacefon Legends, Highlife Maestro Master ?Iron Boy? Abrantie Amakye Dede and ?The Professor? Terrible Terror Azumah ?zoom zoom? Nelson, will enjoy not only the accolade of Spacefon Legend 2004 but the prestige and other things that go with it.

At the Jazz Optimist, Accra, last Friday, the two celebrities, one a Showbiz artiste and the other a retired Sportsman, were jointly named Spacefon Legends 2004 at an impressive ceremony Mc?ed by no less a personality than Ebo Whyte, whose anecdotes added colour to the event.

In a brief introduction, Pa John Dadson, The Head of Communications of Charterhouse, said this year?s edition of the Spacefon Legend had been extended to cover two illustrious Ghanaians.

The Spacefon Legend is conferred on an accomplished living Ghanaian personality who has made a mark in his or her field of endeavour, whose life is celebrated in an annual fiesta dubbed Spacefon Legend Nite.

It is conferred on any consummate personality for their contribution to Ghanaian society. Age is not a criterion for this honour.

In a short message from Spacefon, Sylvia Otuo Acheampong said, among other things, that the award honoured people who had excelled in their careers and made lasting contributions to the social, economic and political development of Ghana.

She also noted that the programme was not a competition but an opportunity to say Ayekoo to our Living Legends.

Reggie Rockstone, the hiplife heavyweight accredited with introducing that musical genre, and last year?s winner of the award, made a brief statement after which Orlando Julius, a top Nigerian musician, announced Abrantie Amakye Dede as the first Spacefon Legend 2004.

In response, the Cultural Ambassador of Ghanaian highlife music, performed his hit song Dabi Dabi backed by his band after which he stated that he was happy that Spacefon and Charterhouse had recognised that ?highlife is alive?.

Speaking fluent English he said that most people thought highlife was dead but ?highlife still lives? and invited the public to patronise the Spacefon Legend Nite, where authentic highlife music would be performed.

Moses Foh-Amoaning, a sports commentator and the Vice-Chairman of the Ghana Boxing Authority, also announced Azumah ?The Professor? Nelson, as the second Spacefon Legend 2004, for his exploits in the boxing ring, which united the people of Ghana and put the name of Ghana on the world map, eventually earning him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the first African to receive such an honour.

In response to this honour, the Boxing Professor, , ever so humble, thanked Charterhouse and Spacefon and attributed his success to God and all Ghanaians who supported him.

An elaborate event will be held on September 4, to celebrate the Spacefon Legends at which local and international artistes will perform.

Abrantie Amakye Dede has over 16 hit albums in his nearly 30 year musical career with 10 awards to his credit.

Azumah Nelson, on the other hand, during his 19 year professional career, stopped 28 opponents within the distance, recording a total of 38 wins, four losses and two draws.

The two Spacefon Legends will each receive a plaque, cash and other prizes for winning the award.