5Five’s ‘Gargantuan Body’ Banned

NEWS-ONE has confirmed that almost all television stations in Ghana have decided not to air the controversial music video of 5Five’s latest song, ‘Gargantuan Body’. Their reason was that the video’s contents have offensive images that violate their editorial policy and they cannot do anything about them. They basically tagged the video as nothing but a ‘soft porn’ video and have even refused to edit, blur or cut out the portions of the video they believe do not meet their editorial style. But the group’s representative, Bulldog of Bullhaus Entertainment, has downplayed the ‘soft porn’ claims in an interview with NEWS-ONE. “It is normal for any TV station to reject a music video, depending on many things including technicalities. But I don’t know ‘Gargantuan Body’ has been banned. But I can say we respect TV stations and their policies. We are having a few challenges with some of them and it is not new in this industry. Definitely one cannot just put his or her videos on air just like that. So we are in discussion with them. [I] will let you know what the issues are very soon. Now we can’t divulge anything else in public,” Bulldog noted. The video was shot sometime last year and was planned for release early this year. But its release has been delayed because of the challenges the group is having with television stations in accepting it on their platforms. The group has no choice but to take it on social network platforms including youtube.com while it further deliberates with the TV networks on the next step to take. ‘Gargantuan Body’ is a song that extols the body of plump women. The group, in the song, professes its love for such bodies; hence some ladies displayed their heavy buttocks for the cameras. That is what the TV stations apparently have problems with. According to NEWS-ONE sources, if TV stations have to edit the video for their platforms, they will have to edit the heavy buttocks parts out but that will also take away some excitement from the video.

Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Nominations Open

Aside from football, Music is undoubtedly one of Ghana’s biggest passions and no one event stirs up our passion be it joy, anger, frustration, excitement…you name it, other than the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Though it takes place at one particular time of the year, its impact is felt throughout the year as it serves as the barometer against which the Ghanaian music industry is measured. This year the event enters its 14th year and one cannot help but wonder what it has in store for us. A cursory look at last year’s music scene saw a lot of good releases which will make this year quite competitive with releases from R2Bees, 4X4, Eazzy, VIP, Kwaw Kesse, Stay Jay, EL, Lousika, D-Black, Keche, Herty Borngreat and other talented musicians, that enjoyed massive airplay and had the general public singing along to these songs. As we await the launch of this year’s event the nominations are currently open and collation of entries has started. According to the organizers, Premium event organizers Charterhouse, the month of January is being dedicated to the collection and collation of entries and research has already started. Record Labels, producers and artistes are therefore being invited to submit their entries to Charterhouse for entry into this year’s VGMA. So who makes it to the nomination list? Well I guess we will know in a few weeks time.

Sarkodie To Collaborate With Fuse ODG

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie and global azonto ambassador, Fuse ODG are not letting out much but it seems the two have wrapped up recording of a new collaboration together. Both have shared photos of themselves together with producer Killbeatz in a studio. Sarkodie posted the photo on instagram saying, “Just Killed Inequality Track”. Fuse ODG also wrote on twitter: “Just finished a crazy studio session with my bro sarkodie in ghana prod by killbeatz.

Sarkodie Accused of Using Designer’s Creations For His Clothing Line Without Permission

Obj Clothing and Accessories has expressed his dissatisfaction with the commercialization of his creations for rapper Sarkodie, without his consent. He revealed in an interview that he created the concept of a footwear called Obj Sark 1 for the rapper and presented it to him and his management team a year ago, but only recently found out in the media that the rapper had gone ahead to use the concept for his upcoming clothing line, Sarks Collection. He explained: “I don’t have a problem if Sarkodie and Sammy Forson decide to make their own label, but to copy my idea – the artwork of Sarkodie’s Head – without my consent means none of these guys respected me, my manager, my work and the copyright laws in Ghana. It was something I created and presented to them, with the sneaker I designed and produced called The ObjSark-1 a year ago (17-1-2012)” Jeremiah also revealed that after trying several times to get in touch of Sarkodie’s manager, Sammy Forson on the phone, when finally picked up his call he had nothing to tell the peeved Jeremiah. “I sent him a message on BBM and finally he responded. I confronted him about what I saw on the internet and he told me that Sarkodie himself designed that artwork; I was Like Wow! Now he has deleted me from BB”. According to Jeremiah, the development shows a lack of unity amongst Ghanaian artists and a lack of respect for intellectual property. He said that such behaviors stifle creativity especially amongst young and talented Ghanaians. “How can we build a sustainable society if we keep doing? My manager and I were thinking of a Sneaker/Trainer Company in Ghana using The Obj Sark 1 we made as a starting point. Hopefully this would have shown the way for many Ghanaians to believe in themselves and create a small industry within the country instead of ordering China made goods.” He concluded, “Let’s learn to keep our word because little ‘little’ disloyal relationships like these turn out to be bigger ones and at the long run, the whole country suffers. Let’s think and do things sustainably, a way that our society would benefit not one that divides us!”