Music of Monday, 27 February 2006

Source: ghanamusic.com

Appietus Is All In The Mix

One day at a 50th birthday celebration in Long Island, New York, the DJ on the wheels of steel played a track called, "Sardine" and immediately the dance floor was packed with young and old partygoers showing all kinds of dance moves. Those already on the dance floor reignited with vigor and body electric moves because DJ had hit one of their favorite songs.

Few months later, a track by Obour called "Konkontibaa" made a great wave. One would think "Konkontibaa" will continue to make that huge noise forever because of its catchphrase, "Aboa Konkontibaa obenyini aye kese na wadani aponkyireni", engineered by another great producer, Morris Babyface. It is still a great song but that was the only popular track on Obour's album which won many awards and made Obour one of the most popular Ghanaian artistes worldwide.

While many were used to the popular "Aboa Konkontibaa obenyini aye kese na wadani aponkyireni", it did not take long before the songwriter who produced "Sardine", Mr. Ofori Amponsah, a.k.a., Mr. All For Real, a Daddy Lumba prot?g?, unleashed what is going down in the history of Hiplife as the most popular Ghanaian song destined to win many accolades worldwide, "Otoolege".

"Otoolege" is loved by many and it is incredible to see how one song has so much impact on people. Having covered many events in the US for so long, it is beyond imagination to hear one song requested so many times, over and over, again at parties.

It is fair and honest to say that a song that is considered a love song, with no profanity and great productions by one and only "Appietus in the Mix" deserve the honors for Album of the Year, Song of the year, Artiste of the year, and should also get an award for the great "collabo" with the incredibly talented Kofi Nti i.e. "Rakia", "Atweetan" and not forgetting memorable; "Obo me din, Obo me din, sweetie pie pie".

Ofori Amponsah is a great role model for all young and upcoming musicians who are desperate for stardom. He has proven that music is a gift from God, there is no selfishness or greed that comes with the talent, and no need to rush when God has given you a gift of a great voice.

Also he has demonstrated one must work with equally talented people and do not compete with anyone but with yourself. That gift can never be taken away or copied by anyone except the creator who gave it in the first place.

We see or hear new artistes on the scene everyday but those who rush disappear in the face of the earth having been certified "One hit wonder". Those who took their time improving and taking their skills to another level succeed and stay on top for years to come i.e. Kwabena, Kwabena, Kofi Nti, K. K. Fosu, Castro and more. For these artistes, their work is like the proverbial palm wine. It gets effervescently better with the passing of time and maturity.

I totally and utterly agree with the incognito webmaster of Ghana Music.com in the US, ace entertainment writer Kevin Adisi of Ghana Music.com and the majority of Ghanaians in the tri-state area - New Jersey, New York & Connecticut and in Virginia & Maryland that Mr. All For Real, is the man. The webmaster and his team deserve a commendation for keeping Ghanaians updated constantly with entertainment news. Ghana Music.com is indeed ahead of the game and no one can catch them.

Ofori Amponsah deserves the credit where credit is due and as a songwriter. He should also be commended for his willingness to spot talents. The same commendation is extended to Producer/Engineer, Appietus. He deserves the Producer of the year honor for the great engineering work on the "Otoolege" Album.

All the songs on the album are great and furthermore, many of the most sought after Ghanaian musicians have "Appietus in the Mix" on their albums and that is an awesome achievement and many years to come, people will continue to hear more and more of the fruits of his labor.

FINALLY, FINALLY, KWABENA, KWABENA should also win an award. He is a multi-talented musician who has a beautiful voice.