Years ago, a young man by name, Emmanuel Andrews Samini left the St. Margaret Mary Senior High School in Dansoman after going through three years of secondary education. Like every young man desirable of a breakthrough in Accra’s crowded and hustling environment, Batman as he was called back then, saw his search for fame and fortune send him to the corridors of the capital’s sprawling recording studios and featured in almost every song released at the time. Even before that, he made cameo appearances at some of Accra’s biggest teen shows like ‘Funfair, ‘Kiddafest and ‘Loud in Accra’ which established his credentials as a prospect for years to come.

He’s a full grown man now, at least bigger than the status he enjoyed at the time. A MOBO Award, multiple Ghana Music Awards, an endorsement deal with mobile giants, MTN and just last month, an MTV MAMA award for Best Performer in the whole of Africa, adds up to the list of honours, this son of a ‘Pito’ seller has in his gallery, one which has earned him, his current tag as Ghana’s ‘King of Dancehall’.

Samini has a way of connecting to those who patronize his music. Over the years, he has succeeded in placing above all things, a close affinity with his loyal fans. From his on-stage telepathy during those big gigs he get to be part of, to the constant shouts of his ever popular chant ‘Kpoi’, Samini has garnered for himself a substantial fan base that doesn’t look like diminishing soon. Come this evening, at the Heroes Park of the forecourt of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, in one of those rare engagements all year round, Samini, as part of his ‘Experience Ghana Nationwide Tour’, will stage a grand concert to mark the beginning of a music journey that will take him to his numerous fans across the length and breadth of this country.

In an interview with The Mail, the Tour Coordinator, Verus Nartey explained what they want to achieve with this tour. The tour, he said “seeks to champion a sense of achievement in individuals and encourage all to strive for the ultimate in their endeavours”. This theme, Verus says is vividly captured in his hit song ‘Movement’, off his latest album, ‘Dagaati’.

In his own words, Samini sees this platform as a big opportunity to give off his best and to prove to his loyal fans why he is the reigning best performer on the continent. He said “This is no ordinary gig, it is live, and the biggest challenge of my career so far. I’m going to prove to Ghanaians why I won the MAMA Best Performer Award and also to demonstrate to all, the strength of my fan base”.

Samini would be supported in Kumasi by Lord Kenya, Okyeame Kwame, Obrafour, Sakordie, Kwaku Gyasi, R2Beez, Zionites, Skinny Legend and Superbabes, an all female dance crew. He is expected to present the Brunch Time programme on Kumasi’s KFM later this morning to whip up support for the show before going for his last rehearsal session for the evening’s engagement. Loyal fans are to dole out GHC2 to catch a glimpse of their icon in action.

The final gig will take place in the nation’s capital on December 19 at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.

Samini has been busy lately. He performed at this year’s edition of “Champions in Action” event, which was held in Jamaica on August 15 where he shared the same stage with top Jamaican artistes, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Murvado, Vybz Kartel, Sizzla, Capleton, Anthony B, Elephant Man, John Holt, Etana, Assassin, Spice and Javenchi. He was also in Canada where he performed at two shows, ‘Afrofest and ‘Carabana’. The ‘Experience Ghana Tour’ is his latest engagement after returning from Nairobi Kenya with the award for Best Performer at this year’s MTV African Music Awards.