Music of Wednesday, 20 June 2007

Source: ghanamusic.com

"A Letter To Parliament" Launched

Mr. Kwame Obeng Asare Baffour a.k.a A-Plus launched his current album titled ?A Letter to Parliament? at the British Council Hall last Friday 15th June at 2pm.

This ceremony was the official public outdooring of his popular song performed in his normal political style raising pressing societal issues as usual and bringing to light the very things that we already know but refuse to address.

The day was graced by several influential personalities in the likes of Kofi Wayo, Mr. Gabby Okyere Darko Editor In Chief of the Statesman who was also the Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kwame a.k.a Cheda C.E.O of Wonder World Entertainment, Roody Kwakyi of Atlantis Morning Ride, Kwabena Kwabena, Mr. Michael Teretu C.E.O of Mikris Boutique and other big names.

The album launch was very interactive and everyone present at least put on a smiling face at the end of the program. After speeches and comments from some of the invited guests, Mr. Gabby Okyere Darko Okyere Darko did the official launch and gave people the chance to buy copies. During the program the M.C announced that A- Plus will donate proceeds he raises on the afternoon to the child with the swollen tongue and had a short fund raising ceremony to that effect.

A-Plus himself in his speech started with his own kind of joke he called socio political and it was a joke about a passenger who was complaining about a police officer who was unlawfully extorting monies from drivers to a supposed co-passenger who turned out to be another police officer.

That was perhaps the best part for Kofi Wayo who could not help but laugh all throughout the joke. With time A-Plus and the types of songs he releases can best described as a socio political dairy which be reviewed at a particular time. A true reflection of what he has grown to become is his new album titled ?A Letter to Parliament?.

It seems like ages since ?Agye gon? one of his biggest songs was released under Slip Entertainment. During the era of ?Agye gon? A-Plus thought he had made it, until his current song went on radio. The power behind this song can simply not be ignored. From day one A-Plus is known for releasing songs before or after elections but this time he believes our politicians are making too much mistakes which he can?t wait till elections before telling them. The album has ten songs on tapes and twelve on CD.

The first is the title track ?A-Letter to Parliament?. He wrote this letter to parliament with so much sadness to members of parliament. The story started from an unknown Member of Parliament he call Honorable Apoofii who stood in the rain to convince electorates to vote for him with promises of a better life. According to the song the MP refused to even come back to fulfill his promises.

Also in the song he seems not to understand why Ghana is second in the whole with Guinea worm infection, the Akosombo dam is in very bad state, lack of accessible roads, there is no access to portable drinking water and yet all MPs including Hon. Apoofii approved for 20 million dollars to use for a birthday celebration. A special feature in the song is the part where he alleges that president Kuffour sang to the two female MCs at just ended CAF Awards.

Other songs on the album include ?AKOMA? featuring Voltage and Laizy Daizy. ?MIRROR MIRROR? a song composed by A-Plus and performed by A-Plus, Kwabena Kwabena and Ebo?o. This is a rhythmic love song which would be enjoyed in any part of the world. ?BAD MAN? features Mframa and this is a true life story of A-Plus he is sharing with anybody who owns a copy or listen to this album. L.O.V.E also features Mframa and it?s also an emotional love song describing the attributes of a sweet lady.

Also on the album are songs like ?ABENA TIMAH? featuring Voltage and Lazy Dazy ?FRIED RICE? featuring Voltage and Laizy Daizy. ?TWO PADDIES? featuring Reggie Zippy, Osrani and Mframa. This is a story of two friends who ended up falling in love with same girl. You have listened to this for the full story. ?ME AND YOU? also featured Reggie Zippy and Osrani.

?AGYE GON? was added as a bonus track by popular request together the instrumentals of AKOMA and BAD MAN. All songs were produced by Appiah Dankwah a.k.a Appietus at Creative Studio and executively produced by WHATS WHAT RECORDS.

Still at its genesis, this album has already received massive coverage from almost every medium that merits his mission. He had an interview on BBC for ?Focus on Africa?, Hot 97 in U.K, Kasapa FM in London, DW radio, VOA and on several other radio and TV stations in different parts of the world and on the World Wide Web.

In Ghana A-Plus has been interviewed on almost every morning show on local radio stations all over the country. He is acclaimed as the first hiplife artiste to be featured GTV?s prime time news at 7pm, Adom FM prime News at 6pm, on Peace FM prime time news at 6pm, Citi FM and other radio top stations with his song playing on the background whiles the news is been read. He is not just any musician but indeed a diplomatic one.

By: Eugene Osafo Nkansah, Weekly Fylla