Award winning duo Irene and Jane have parted ways and are pursuing separate carriers. Having been together after winning the maiden edition of “Stars of the future”, they no longer think they belong together. Irene, 1st prize winner of the reality show, has signed up with a new record label Lynx Entertainment and has already recorded a single, featuring Nigerian International, Faze.
Enquires into the reasons for the split brought up very interesting revelations including the fact that the merger was more or less an imposition from event managers and entertainment gurus, Charter House, who double as managers of Irene and Jane. For sometime now, Irene and Jane have had several unfavourable rumours going round industry circles. However, this failed to make its way to the public because Charter House wields so much power and influence that no press house dare get into their bad books.
The duo started off well with performances on Ghana’s biggest entertainment platforms. They recorded a good album which featured great Ghanaian and African musicians including Amandzeba (2nd Vice President – MUSIGA), Wutah of Nestcafe African Revelation fame and Blu*3 of Uganda. Another good feat was their deal with Ghana’s leading Cellular Network providers MTN which saw their images used for outdoor advertising. Charter House also sealed a 2-year international sales deal with a South African company. The duo has two videos shot and directed by the ever green Abraham Ohene Djan of OM studios and Gerald Gyimah of Phamous People.
Irene and Jane have seen a lot of pomp and publicity, nevertheless, their album sold only at Charter House events and hardly anywhere else in Ghana. The reason for the duo being booed at the Ghana Music Awards and the seeming public contempt is unknown. Hopefully, other media houses will take a cue from the Charter House/Irene and Jane experience as it epitomizes the saying… “Square poles can not fit in round holes” and concentrate on their specialized area of business rather than venture unnecessarily into other businesses; alternatively they could learn about the mode, operations and nature of other businesses before getting into them.
Twelve years of event management and television production obviously does not qualify one to enter into music production and management. Perhaps, the best thing Charter House ever did for Irene and Jane was the best female vocal-2008 plaque awarded to them at this year’s Ghana Music Awards.