Saturday 28 February 2015

GN Bank People’s Choice Awards NOT CANCELLED

We have noticed with great concern the growing level of falsehood being peddled within the media about the GN Bank People’s Choice Awards. With this release, we seek to clarify and state the facts as such.

Spyder Lee Entertainment, organizers of the GN Bank People’s Choice Awards have been involved in a legal tussle with Evolution International over the ownership of the name People’s Choice Awards.

Spyder Lee Entertainment successfully and legally registered People’s Choice Awards as a business at the Registrar General’s Department and subsequently registered GN Bank People’s Choice Awards as a trademark.

In April 2014, Spyder Lee Entertainment in a two week media campaign massively publicized the introduction of the awards and went on to launch the awards in November 2014.

Surprisingly, weeks after the launch event, Spyder Lee Entertainment was notified of the registration of Peoples Choice Awards by Evolution International and a request to desist from the use of the name People’s Choice Awards which resulted in a law suit.

At the hearing at the Fast Track High Court on Thursday 26th February 2015,  the presiding judge, Justice Anthony Yeboah, placed an injunction restraining both parties from using the name ‘People’s Choice Awards’ until the case is settled between both parties. 



However, certain media houses in their publication have categorically stated that an injunction has been placed on the 21st March 2015 Awards Night scheduled for the Accra International Conference Centre which is untrue. 

We assure all nominees and the general public of our commitment to work within the framework of the laws governing the Republic of Ghana to ensure that the awards night comes off as planned amidst all the pomp and pageantry as expected. 

Contrary to media reportage, the show has not been cancelled and we are still preparing towards the 21st March 2015 show and in compliance with the court order.

The planning process for this awards didn’t start in 2014 and there is enough documentation available to prove that the process even started before Evolution International allegedly filed for a trademark in 2011. To organize an awards scheme of such magnitude is a long and expensive process and everyone involved can attest to this. 

Spyder Lee Entertainment respects the rule of law and if our courts forbid us from using the words “People” and “Choice”, we will surely obey. The point of this awards scheme is to give the general public the opportunity to determine the practitioners within the Arts and Entertainment Industry they think should be awarded and celebrated. 

Whether we say it is their “choice”, or their “selection” or their “will” does not change the spirit of the awards.

Whether we call our citizens the “People”, or the “Fans” or anything else does not affect our commitment to involving them in deciding who wins what at the awards night. It is our hope that Evolution International will respect that when we announce the new name of our event.

Our doors are always open and we will appreciate any media house that contacts us for clarity when in doubt before going ahead to misrepresent the facts in the spirit of professional journalistic practice.

Thank you.

Signed
Edwin Kweku Edinkrah
CEO, Spyder Lee Entertainment
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AKOO NANA "HACKS" Charterhouse over VGMAs


Akoo Nana, one of Ghana's hiplife artiste and self acclaimed breast cancer campaigner has expressed his disappointment in the VGMA organisers Charterhouse; after the nominees for the 16th edition of the VGMAs were announced at the Grand Launch held on Friday 27th February at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

Akoo Nana the "Wo ya da me" hit man in an interview with Studio360gh asked why songs like "Saa" and "Lobi" by Bisa Kdei and R2Bs respectively were nominated over his song after all the acceptance his song received from Ghanaians and music lovers outside the country.
He further said if he was not nominated, he will still continue his music career and producer good music for his fans and all music lover.

The 16th edition of the VGMAs will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre on the 11th April,2015 but will first have an industry awards night on 7th April and a nominees jam to be held in Cape Coast this year.
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SARKODIE RULES VGMAs 2015 NOMINATION

The two time Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of Year Sarkodie has receive the highest nominations for this year's VGMAs.

The nomination list was made known yesterday evening at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel at the Launch of the VGMAs.

Sarkodie got ten nominations including the two top most awards, Vodafone Song Of the Year and The Artiste of the Year. He also receives a double nomination in the Best Collaboration category with his song Adonai (Remix) which featured Castro and Love Rocks which featured Samini.
His song Adonai (Remix) featuring Castro and produced by Street Beat was also nominated for the Producer of the Year Award.
In total, Sarkodie with his works, received eleven nominations which is the highest for the night of the awards.

Other artists with multiple nominations are Edem, Stonebwoy, Castro, MzVee and more.
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(PHOTOS): VGMAs NOMINEES LIST OUT

 The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards nominees have being unveiled at the launch of the 16th edition of the awards.
The red colourful event which brought together many heavyweight in the Ghanaian Music Industry though some were also missing in action.
The night began with a spectacular performance from Dark Suburb a group that demonstrated pure creativity in dance and music. The group stole the night with their opening performance and set the tables ready for an exciting moment.
Comedian DKB and Bella the host of Rhythms on GhOne tv were the MCs for the night.
DKB as usual dazzled patrons with his jokes while Bella swept them with her silky voice.
The "Realer No" hit man, Pappy Kojo also didn't disappoint with his performance.
Koda,the Tarkoradi based gospel musician and the "Nwan abodoo" hit maker despite minor challenges in his setup to play live band gave patrons the true "Nwan abodoo" (bread of life) performance to remember.
Soon the nominees list was ready and mentioned one after the other by actors and actresses,radio and tv personalities,musicians etc who some of them displayed their "LAFA" (Locally Acquired Foreign Accent) skills on stage as the pronoun names of nominated artistes.
Vybrant Fyra the Mampi General was the last act for the night and as usual, he and his dancers gave patrons a blast of excitement.
The 16th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards will on the 14th March witness a Nominees Jam in Cape Coast.
It will then be followed by an Industry Awards Night wish would reward the people not normally seen on stage but those behind the scenes like the producers, song writers, MUSIGA merit, Life Time Achievement, Music for Development and many more.
The main Awards night then follows on Saturday,11th April at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards is sponsored Vodafone and it is "IGNITED BY PASSION and Powered by 25 MILLION FANS.

Artiste Of The Year
Daddy Lumba
Stonebwoy
Guru
Edem
MzVee
Sarkodie
Samini

Vodafone Song Of The Year
Seihor – Castro Feat. D-Black
Ne3 Woho B3to Wo – Daddy Lumba
Adonai (Remix) – Sarkodie Feat. Castro
Koene – Edem Feat. Lil Shaker & Ice Queen
Baafira – Stonebowy Feat. Sarkodie
Pooley – Guru
Selfie – VVIP
Iskoki – Samini
Alpha & Omega – Selina Boateng Ft. Uncle Ato
Hymn (Pentecost Soree Nwom) – Evang. Diana Asamoah

Highlife Artiste Of The Year
Bisa K’dei
Daddy Lumba
Afriyie

Reggae/Dancehall Artiste Of The Year
Stonebwoy
Ras Kuuku
MzVee
Samini
Kaakie
Episode

Gospel Album Of The Year 
One God – No Tribe
I’m Grateful – Selina Boateng
Jesus Be Too Much – Gifty Osei
Hymn (Pentecost Soree Nwom) – Evang. Diana Asamoah

Songwriter Of The Year

Bisa K’dei – One Of Your Own by Efya Feat. Bisa K’dei
Wiyaala & Melissa va da Spuy – Africa by Wiyaala
Afriyie – I Do by Afriyie
Obour – Odasani by Obour Feat. M.anifest
Ne3 Woho B3to Wo – Ne3 Woho B3to Wo by Daddy Lumba

Hip-life/Hip-hop Artiste Of The Year
E.L
Edem
Sarkodie
Guru
Pappy Kojo
D-Black
Joey B

Best New Artiste Of The Year
Episode
Pappy Kojo
MzVee
Emelia Arthur
Wiyaala
Vybrant Faya

Gospel Artiste Of The Year

No Tribe
Koda
Selina Boateng
Gifty Osei
Joe Mettle
Anita Afriyie
Evang. Diana Asamoah

Best Collaboration Of The Year
Koene – Edem Feat. Lil Shaker & Ice Queen
Alpha & Omega – Selina Boateng Feat. Uncle Ato
Baby Dance – 4×4 Feat. Davido
Adonai – Sarkodie Feat. Castro
Seihor – Castro Feat. D-Black
Love Rocks – Sarkodie Feat. Samini
Baafira – Stonebwoy Feat. Sarkodie

Hip-life Song Of The Year
Pooley – Guru
Sehor – Castro Feat. D-Black
Selfie – VVIP
Personal Person – D-Black Feat. Castro
Iskoki – Samini
Adonai (Remix) – Sarkodie Feat. Castro

Album Of The Year
Wiyaala – Wiyaala
Books & Rhymes – Edem
Necessary Evil – Stonebwoy
Re-Vee-Lation –  MzVee
I’m Grateful – Selina Boateng

Record Of The Year
Tontonti – Afriyie
Tinambaynyi – Wiyaala
Nkwa Abodoo – Koda
One Of Your Own – Efya
Book Of Hiplife – VVIP
Love Rocks – Sarkodie Feat. Samini

Highlife Song Of The Year
Ne3 Woho B3to Wo – Daddy Lumba
Saa – Bisa K’dei
Lobi – R2bees
I Do – Afriyie
Baby Dance – 4×4 Feat. Davido

Afro-Pop Song Of The Year
One Of Your Own – Efya Feat. Bisa K’dei
Koene – Edem Feat. Lil Shaker & Ice Queen
Spanner – Itz Tiffany Feat. Fuse Odg
Killing Me Softly – R2bees Feat. Wizkid
Tinambaynyi – Wiyaala
Dangerous Love –Fuse ODG Feat. Sean Paul

Gospel Song Of The Year
Kyere Me Kwan – Emelian Arthur Feat. OJ & Esther Smith
Yento Nkyia – Gifty Osei
Osabarima – No tribe
Alpha & Omega – Selina Boateng Feat. Uncle Ato
Nkwa Abodoo – Koda
Adehye Mogya – Anita Afriyie
Hymn (Pentecost Soree Nwom) – Evang. Diana Asamoah

Reggae Dancehall Song Of The Year
Show Them Love – Ras Kuuku
Ronaldo – Kaakie
Love Rocks – Sarkodie Feat. Samini
Mampi – Vybrant Faya
Natural Girl – MzVee Feat. Stonebwoy
Baafira – Stonebwoy

Best Male Vocal Performance
Afriyie – I Do
Koda – Nkwa Abodoo
Daddy Lumba – Ne3 Woho B3to Wo
Joe Mettle – Turning Around

Best Female Vocal Performance
Efya – One Of Your Own
Becca – Tell Me
Wiyaala Tinambaynyi
Raquel – I Won’t Cry
Jael Wiafe – Keep On Believing
MzVee – My everything

Hip-Hop Song Of The Year
Realer No –Pappy Kojo Feat. Joey B
Shots On Shots – Sarkodie & Ice Prince
American Passport – E.L Feat. Joey B
Wave – Joey B Feat. Pappy Kojo
The One (Remix) – Edem Feat. Sway
Finish Line (Remix) – Dee Moneey Feat. Ice Price, J Town, M.anifest, Paedae & Reminisce

Best Rapper Of The Year
Sarkodie – Shots On Shots
E.L – American Passport
Guru – Keep Walking
Edem – The One (Remix)

Best Music Video Of The Year
Baby Dance – 4×4 Feat. Ice Prince | Clarence Peters
Move – Becca Feat. Uhuru | Nicky Campus
The One (Remix) – Edem Feat. Sway | Gyo Gyimah
Koene – Edem Feat. Lil Shaker & Ice Queen | Gyo Gyimah
No Shortcut To Heaven – M.anifest Feat. Obrafour | Garth Von Glehn
Setewaa D3nky3 – D-Black | Justin Campus
Adonai (Remix) – Sarkodie Feat. Castro | Nana Asihene

Best Group Of The Year
VVIP
4×4
R2bees
No Tribe

Producer Of The Year
DJ Breezy | Seihor – Castro Feat. D-Black
Bodo  Stalger | Ne3 Woho B3to Wo – Daddy Lumba
Street Beat | Adonai (Remix) – Sarkodie Feat. D-Black
Magnom | Koene – Edem Feat. Lil Shaker & Ice Queen
Dakay | Baafira – Stonebwoy Feat. Sarkodie
Ball J | Pooley – Guru
DJ Breezy | Selfie – VVIP
George Forest | Hymn (Pentecost Soree Nwon) – Evang. Diana Asamoah
Shadrack Y.| Alpha & Omega – Selina Boateng

African Artiste Of The Year
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
AKA (South Africa)
Don Jazzy & The Mavin Group
Patoranking (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
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Friday 27 February 2015

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR SHOWS APPRECIATION TO LOVES ONES

Emmanuel Adebayor of Togolese International footballer and Tottenham super striker have taken to facebook to thank all well wishers on his birthday yesterday.
He posed,

"SEA, Just wanted to say an eternal thanks for all the good wishes, presents and messages I have received on my birthday. The love I have felt over the last couple of days has really touched me. I love you guys.
Je voulais juste dire un Merci éternel de toutes les bonnes volontés, présente et messages, que j'ai reçu pour mon anniversaire. L'amour, que je me suis senti au cours des deux derniers jours m'a vraiment touchée. Je vous aime les gars. ‪#‎Godbless‬ ‪#‎Godisgood‬ ‪#‎Godisthereason‬ ‪#‎GoodOverEvil‬ ‪#‎happymood‬ ‪#‎nomorehate‬ ‪#‎lifesgood‬
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SHATTA WALE'S MANAGER, BULLDOG WRITES TO THE AYOADES OF CHARTERHOUSE

Leading to the biggest musical awards in Ghana (GHANA MUSIC AWARDS), Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson popularly known in the music industry as Bulldog of Bullhaus Entertainment and the manager for the current Artiste of the Year, Shatta Wale has written an open letter to the bosses of Charterhouse, the event organisers.
Read for yourself:

OPEN LETTER TO THE AYOADES

I am a believer of hard work, I also believe you have worked very hard to get to where you are. That's why I respected you. I am however bothered, when you try to deprive others of reaching their goals.

It was learning process working with your firm. Let me actually thank Mr. Philip Ayesu for that opportunity. During that period, I watched how you took advantage of yo...ur staff and watched for seven or eight years, how you schemed and took jobs from other companies with your dirty tactics. How you downplayed and used Ghanaian artistes and industry people to your advantage and to their detriment.

You never sowed any seed in this Ghanaian Industry but have cleverly reaped. You took advantage of Highlife/Hiplife, and for over a decade, built everything you owe on it. Some may say it's a smart business move. And I have no qualms with seeing potential business and taking advantage. But spitting in one's face afterwards? Not fair!

I am not against Charterhouse Music Awards (CMAs), but it's nauseating, the fact that you feel it's a favour for the musician rather than an enterprise. Okraku Mante, Abraham Ohene Djan, Fred Kyei Mensah, Goodies and Ageicoat, just to mention a few, have invested deeply in this industry for you to reap.

If any of the aforementioned was organizing Ghana Music Awards, I am sure they will handle it differently, according the proper respect to participants. Not to say awards go without controversies.

When you pay for studio, video, promotional and welfare fees in the development of an artiste, you will acknowledge the torment musicians and investors go through. Then maybe accord the industry and its players the respect they deserve. You plunder our sweat and toil.

Almost every staff that resigned from your firm, automatically becomes an enemy, because you think they have something on you. You will go to every length to try and knock down their hustle. You are battling your C. O. O. over shares, after he helped you build your empire.

Ignace of 4syte TV has experienced your covetous ways, Fred Darko one of your most dedicated staff, you have an issue with all because of greed. And countless others that you have issues with for no apparent reason.

My advice to you and your greedy wife is to stay in your lane and continue to do your hiplife and highlife awards. If not for Shatta Wale and Bass Awards, did you know what dancehall was? Here again, as a gluttonous person... you think you found an opportunity to reap.

Please dancehall is not hiplife or highlife. And all the acts in that genre of music are wise.

For over a decade, Samini has won awards on your platform, why didn't you create a category to help grow dancehall as a genre. Why didn't you give an opportunity to its participants, but waited for Bass Awards to put it on a platform for you to take advantage of?

All of a sudden you are connoisseurs of the genre, determining who is dancehall king and queen? Using dancehall to drive your no longer credible award scheme.

Please if you choose to use dubious means to knock our hustle I will expose you. We feed our families with the jobs we do, likewise you. We have not in anyway attempted to deny you a meal at the dining table, so please don't return the favour.

Am sure after reading this, you will say I'm ungrateful. Please feel free to reply openly with all the help you offered me while working for you. IF YOU DID.

If not, I am expecting a bailiff to deliver a writ of summons from your lawyers… You can sue me too, I won't have a dime for your materialistic self. Live and lets live.

You can't have everything!
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Thursday 26 February 2015

FRED KYEI MENSAH ASSURES THE SAFETY OF "PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS" AFTER COURT INJUNCTION

Many people in theentertainment industry have expressed concerns for the future of the highly publicised maiden edition of the "PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS" which got frozen courtesy a court injunction.
Questions are being asked as to what happens to all the investments people have made by way of voting from the public?
Fortunately, one of the board members for the awards Fred Kyei Mensah the Director of Fredyma Studios and Minor Rhythm band in Accra, Ghana have spoken to calm the doubts and fearsof the general public. He further stated that a press statement would be made tomorrow to set the records straights.
 
He said," Guys be rest assured.Continue with your voting.
It is the name that an injunction has been placed not the event.
A press release will come out tomorrow to set things straight"
 
If this is anything to go by, then it means the award would still happen but who knows what the name might be?
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The Unsung Category Of The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards IS BACK AGAIN?

This year like last year, another underground artist will have the chance to perform with some of the big dogs in the music industry in Ghana on the same stage on the night of the 2015 edition of The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards as Ghone Tv launches the ‘Unsung Category’.

The ``Unsung`` category was created by GhOne Tv last year in order to include underground artistes who have released one or two songs on the market and have the capability to blow up  to compete for public votes in order for one of them to perform on the big night of the upcoming.

Last year, the likes of dancehall artistes, MzVee, Episode,and AK Songstress, rap artistes, Strongman, Eno and Cabum were nominated for the same category which saw MzVEE obtaining the most votes, and as a result enabling her to perform at the 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

Her performance on the night propelled her to higher heights and now she is considered a force to reckon with not only in the genre of Dancehall music in Ghana and Africa, but in music in general.

So who gets the chance this year? Viewers can nominate their favorite Unsung  Artiste on the GHOne TV pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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GHANA MUSIC WEEK SET TO KICK OFF with Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede, Daddy Lumba set for All Stars Live

MUSIGA in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, Showbiz Africa and Fantasy Entertainment would be the third edition of the Ghana Music Week Festival which comes off from March 2 to 8, 2015.

The event is the official meeting ground for those leading and shaping the music industry in Ghana; bringing together and encouraging participation of artistes, stakeholders, the media, policy makers and music users.

The third edition is expected to be more better than the previous two editions and also receive high patronage. The last edition of the event recorded one of the highest number at the Accra Sports Stadium in Accra.

On Friday the 6th of March which marks the 58th Independence Anniversary of Ghana, the event will witness a night of honour dubbed "GHANA MUSIC HONORS" which is an award scheme by musicians and for musicians at the National Theatre. This award scheme is over seen by musicians who among themselves choose the best artistes in various categories and award them.

On Saturday, the 7th March at the Accra Sport Stadium, the biggest night in music performance dubbed, "ALL STARS LIVE 2015" will take place from 7 pm.
Various artistes who would be performing on the night include the music maestro Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede, Samini, Daddy Lumda and many more.   
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"THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO LOVE & SUPPORT.......Lydia Forson in LOVE

Lydia Forson on Tuesday expressed her sincere appreciation and love to he fans.
This act many of her followers we spoke to confirm the kind of heart they think she has(a heart o selflessness and humbleness).
In an interview with one of her followers who only gave her name as Anita; she said,

"I follow many actors and actresses and l love their acts but most of them don't appreciate the support we the fans give them. You sometimes send them messages and not even a single one of them is replied. We the fans don't need anything from them but a simple "hi" and "thank you" make us also feel special. So am very happy when l saw Lydia's message though it wasn't a personal message but it shows she really love the little support and love we show her".

This was Lydia's message to her fans who she call "soldiers".

"I hardly do this but this message right here just made my otherwise stressful day seem better.
Sometimes what you don't know is I'm strong or may seem strong because of the power you give me.
Yes you, you and you At my lowest and when I want to throw in the towel, I get a kind message, phone call or email to remind me that you're looking up to me. Now that gives me the nudge I need to get back on track. Your words mean more to me than you can imagine, and I don't take you...r support for granted, not one bit.
So I may not say it often enough but THANK YOU for choosing to love and support someone you've never met, even amidst all the stories and half truths; you still choose to believe in me.
On the days when I feel no one gets my passion I look to you and smile to my self thinking "who care's, those who matter get me"

Love you all.
P.S How come we don't have a cool name for you my soldiers( you're more soldiers than fans cuz you got me like that) Abeg lets be cool and come up with one."

Lydia who burst onto the movie scene as an actress is not just an actress but a producer. Her recent production "A LETTER FROM ADAM" has been a success story judging from the successes of the premieres in various cities across Ghana.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Brit Awards 2015: Madonna falls off stage

 

The mishap occurred at the end of the ceremony at London's O2 arena

 
Pop star Madonna fell off the stage during her performance at the 2015 Brit Awards, on a night that saw Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran each win two prizes.
Madonna tumbled down a set of stairs and landed awkwardly, apparently after a dancer tried to remove a cape she was wearing at the start of her routine.
But she recovered and returned to continue her song, Living For Love.
The 56-year-old issued a statement later saying she was "fine" and that her cape had been "tied too tight".
"Nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up," she wrote on Instagram, referencing the lyrics to her song. "Thanks for your good wishes!"
Madonna's Instagram

The painful incident came at the end of a ceremony where Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith shared the honours, winning two awards each.
An average of 5.3 million people tuned in to the ceremony on ITV, according to overnight ratings - rising to 5.8 million when ITV+1 viewers are added in.
That is up from the 4.6 million who tuned in last year - but less than 2013's overnight audience of 6.5 million.
line
At the scene
John Hand, BBC News

Well, sitting way up in the balcony seats among some of Madonna's biggest fans - the type who know and sing along with every lyric - the initial thought was that it may have been a particularly well orchestrated dance manoeuvre.You may have wondered why there was no gasp of shock from the O2 crowd as Madonna took her backward tumble.
Consider the evidence - she fell on the lyric "I let down my guard, I fell into your arms" and was back on her feet to sing purposely "now that it's over, I'm going to carry on".
The truth later emerged but credit to the showbiz trooper for carrying on. In the words of those other Brit Award history-makers Chumbawamba "I get knocked down but I get up again".
line
Sheeran scooped the night's main prize, album of the year, for his record X - which was the best-selling record of 2014 in the UK.
"I was really worried abut this album," he said, accepting his trophy from actor Russell Crowe. "It took a long time to make."
The star added it had been a "very, very good year for British music".
"I don't think a statue gives justification of people's success," he continued.
Sheeran also won best British male, while Sam Smith took home best breakthrough artist and the global success award - recognising album sales outside the UK.
Ed Sheeran
The singer, who won four Grammys earlier this month, thanked his fans in an emotional speech.
"Since I was a little kid I dreamed of people all over the world singing my songs and although I've got a long way to go, this shows that I'm stepping in the right direction."
Earlier, Taylor Swift opened proceedings, playing her hit single Blank Space surrounded by dancers in white suits and bowler hats.
She went on to win best international female, her first award after eight years of releasing records in the UK.
"I started out playing King's College [in London] and eight years later I'm getting ready to play Hyde Park," she said backstage. "It's like... what?"
The star dedicated her award to Sheeran, a close friend, who fanned the flames of her love affair with the UK by "taking me to pubs and showing me how to make a proper cup of tea."
Both acknowledged their slow-building success in their speeches.
"Oh my god, wow," said Swift. "I've been coming to England and playing shows for eight years and this is my first Brit Award, I'm so happy."

Taylor SwiftTaylor Swift won best international female solo artist
Paloma Faith won best British female, and also alluded to her slow-building career.
"This has been 13 years in the making and I'm going to gob off a bit," she told the audience at London's O2 Arena.
She revealed she'd "been arrested twice" for fly posting in Hackney when she was a young artist, but could now see her face on posters at the tube station outside the venue.
Faith's third album, A Perfect Contradiction, was the biggest-selling female record in the last year, shifting more than 725,000 copies.
She also gave one of the night's more elaborate performances, singing Only Love Can Hurt Like This under a streaming waterfall.
Mark Ronson won best single for Uptown Funk, while Brighton rock duo Royal Blood were presented with best British Group by rock legend Jimmy Page.
The band also performed at the show, alongside George Ezra and Kanye West, who premiered a new song All Day, which had to be heavily censored by ITV.
line
Analysis
Mark Savage, Entertainment reporter
There's a perennial gripe that the Brit Awards don't reward innovation or cutting-edge music. Radiohead and PJ Harvey have notoriously never won, for example.
But the critics have lost perspective: The artists rewarded at the Brits are usually the ones the public have fallen in love with, for better or worse.
Sam Smith's Stay With Me is already a standard; while Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud will soundtrack weddings for years to come.
As Lionel Richie said on the red carpet, "these songs will last the rest of your life".
So, yes, the Brits are more populist than the Mercury Prize or the NME Awards, but as the industry's main awards night, it seems right that commercial success is the ceremony's barometer.
Although I'm sure the organisers would love to erase Steps victory in 2000's "best live act" category from history.
Source: BBC 
click to watch video
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xYCdQyfaqE
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Court Injunction Placed On Upcoming Maiden Edition of People’s Choice Awards Ghana

 An Accra fast track high court has today Thursday February 26, 2015, placed an injunction on the well-publicized and much anticipated maiden edition of the People’s Choice Awards Ghana.

Two events companies Spyder Lee Entertainment and Evolution International have being battling over the ownership of the name “People’s Choice Awards” which ended up in court.

Evolution International first registered the awards scheme as a trademark in 2011 and Spyder Lee Entertainment also registered the same name as a business name in 2012 both at the Registrar Generals Department.

Speaking to Peacefmonline.com immediately after court processing this morning, Lawyer Alex Kojo Abban, lawyer for Evolution International, confirmed that an Accra fast track high court presided over by Justice Anthony Yeboah has placed a court injunction restraining both parties from using the name ‘People’s Choice Awards’ until the case is settled between both parties.

Lawyer Abban added that, he and his client-Evolution International didn't intend to reach the level of a court injunction, as they have tried as much as they could to settle this amicably with organizers of the upcoming event; Spyder Lee Entertainment but they have blatantly ignored and disregarded their efforts and gone ahead to organize the event.

As it stands now, Evolution International has filed a statement of claim and Spyder Lee has also filed their statement of defense. So the complainants have to file their reply if there is any reply and then they will file an application for directions before they appear in court for both complainants and defendants to present their cases for court to decide.

According to Lawyer Abban, Evolution International wrote a letter dated January 6, 2015 to Spyder Lee Entertainment and copied the Registrar General Department and also copied GN Bank who is the title sponsor of the event, alerting them of their ownership of the name but there was no reply or acknowledgement of receipt whatsoever, so they decided to seek redress in court.

By the court injunction, Spyder Lee Entertainment is expected stop all radio and Television commercials, billboards, flyers and other means of communication geared towards publicizing the event until the court case it over.

“In fact they were supposed to put everything on hold when we sent an application and they were served, but they didn't do it and we also didn't want to cite them for contempt but now that it’s a court order, if they don’t comply they would be cited for contempt. For as long as the event has the name ‘People’s Choice Awards’, they can’t go on”.

The People’s Choice Awards Ghana 2015 was officially launched at a special stakeholder and media event at the Coconut Grove Regency
Hotel in Accra, on Thursday, November 27 and the main awards night is scheduled to take place on Saturday 21st March 2015 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Source: Eugene Osafo-Nkansah
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WILL CAPTAIN SMART QUIT ADOM FM?

With resignations happening in the various media houses in Ghana for sometime now, we asking if Captain Smart would also be resigning from Adom fm?

Unconfirmed reports has it that he has being appointed at Green Economy,UN and now works with UNEP...

Captain Smart is the host of ADOM 106.3 FM (Morning Show) Dwaso Nsem and we want to find out if he is considering whether to still host the show or quit?
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KOD Quits Radio Gold

Showbiz celebrities and other achievers normally bow out of their limelight endeavours at a time when public applause is loudest but veteran radio presenter, Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD) appears to be doing the opposite this week as he leaves Radio Gold where he has been a major and admired presenter for the past 18 years.

His announcement of his resignation from Accra based radio station, Radio
Gold, comes at a time when his name has been mentioned in the ongoing rape saga, involving his cousin and mentor, KKD and a 19-year-old female.

At the last court hearing of the case, KOD’s name popped up as being in the same
hotel room where the rape incident occured.

According to a media report, the prosecutor of the case, said that “in the course of the sexual intercourse, the victim was crying, prompting her friend who was in the room to attempt rescuing her; but she was prevented by KOD,  who told the girl that the victim was fine and that nothing was happening.

“KOD then increased the volume of the television or radio set or the device in the room to drown the screams of the victim who desperately needed help”, the prosecutor said.

But in an interview with Showbiz last Tuesday, KOD, denied assertions from some media sources that his resignation was tied to the KOD rape saga, “It’s just a co-incidence that both activities are taking place at the same time.

“I’ve been considering leaving for some time now and in actual fact, I should have left last year but that didn’t take place so it’s just a coincidence that I’m resigning at the same time my name has come up in this issue,” he said.

KOD explained that he was resigning after 18 years of working at Radio
Gold because he believed he had paid his dues to the station and was taking time off to focus on his personal projects as well as have a feel of what else was out there.

“I have a few things to take care of. My mom left a school which I have to take care of, I also have  a clothes brand, 1957, which I am nurturing and I would like to concentrate on these for a while. There is nothing like managing your own brand,” he revealed.

He assured his fans that the break was only a temporary one and he would make a comeback when the time was right. “To leave radio permanently can’t happen in my life I will keep doing radio for as long as I possibly can.”

KOD mentioned that he would also be embarking on a number of philanthropic activities to give back to the needy in society, starting with the refurbishment of the children’s wing of the Legon Hospital.

“I realised that the infrastructure at the Children’s ward is not very child-friendly, so during my time off, I plan on renovating the entire ward in order to brighten up the lives of the children admitted to the hospital,” he said.

He denied rumours that he was leaving Radio
Gold or Starr FM but he confirmed that he had been approached by Bola Ray to join Starr FM although an agreement had not been reached yet.

KOD described Radio
Gold as a family, which he would miss during his time away but he admitted that he would always be on hand to help out whenever he was required to.

 “It’s not that we are just colleagues, we are a true family. The kind of place you want to hang out even if you’re not on duty. So at any point in time we still call on our old family members to come and play roles so anytime the station deems it fit to call me to lend a hand, I would be willing to do so,” he said.

He also mentioned that his wife, Ophelia Crossland, had been nominated to receive the award for Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards in the category of Best Costume Designer. “This is something we are excited about and she would be leaving for Nigeria in the coming days to attend the ceremony,” he said.


Source: Graphic Showbiz
 

 
 
 
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SOCRATES SAFO REACTS TO LEAKED NAKED VIDEOS

For about three weeks now, leaked naked videos from University of Cape Coast have gone viral on social media networks. These videos shows the nakedness of a lady who is aspiring to be the next SRC President of the university. In one of the videos, she is seen dancing in a seductive mood and in the other, she is seen naked and later covering up with a sexy bra to give her viewers another sexy dance. As if that wasn't enough, she boldly made a video of herself telling the world she leaked the videos herself.
This confession has pushed Socrates Safo one of the Ghana's film producers to react to the action of the lady in the video and related it to his experience with law enforcers when he produced the controversial  movie "HOT FORK".
Read his take on the issue,

''Some few year ago. I produced an investigative drama piece on video, it was to educate the world about the negative effects of temper.
I was criminalised because I have given it a thought provoking title. it's a title that few ppl in Ghana find lazy to read to understand but judge it to be a sin since it sound profane in their ears.
They know the deference between God and god but not fork and fuck.
I was invited and nearly arrested for exhibiting and publishing nudity in p...ublic. A crime under the public oder act. Though the classification board has classified the movie for adults only under the classification law. I was left off the hook under the condition that I reedit the movie and drop the title.
Today, a certain Kokor, a student of UCC has come out and publicly claim that she publish her nude pictures and video. And its gone viral. We all feeding our eyes and admiring her figure and dance moves.
I wait to see what the law enforcers will make out of it. If she is ignored then im taking the camera again to shoot my next movie. This time the title is "ABENE" don't ask me why but Its not a cartoon for kids. We are all above the law or under the law."


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Wednesday 25 February 2015

A PASSIONATE CALL FOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT! ....George Quaye

THE LIVING THEATRE

To read and understand this, please imagine that you are at the National Theatre to watch a play. You've just shown your ticket at the entrance and been ushered in by a very pretty young lady. As you take your front row seat, she gives you a brochure. You flip the cover page open and here's the article that greets you;
"Welcome to the National Theatre, the home of the stars as she’s been described. If you bought a ticket to be here tonight or contributed to this production in one way or the other then we are truly grateful. Your presence and support is indeed appreciated and in the next few lines, indulge me as I take you through the benefits of a production like this and how far your support may have gone economically, socially and even culturally.
This is a live theatre production - one of the most pleasurable and memorable experiences that many people are able to take advantage of. Aside the fun and possible lessons that may be learnt, it provides a sense of vibrancy and quality of life that people in communities without live or outdoor theatres may not quite understand.
Live theatre can have a considerable impact on the community in which it resides. As people attend theatrical performances, they typically take part in the activities in addition to the theatre itself which increases the amount of money spent in the area, and as a result boosts the local economy. Did you come alone? If not take a quick look at your partner. There must be something new on his or her body. Is it the outfit, the hair, the shoes? Did you stop by the gas station on your way? Did you impulsively buy something else at Koala when you went to purchase your ticket? Whether people stop at the local restaurant before attending the theatre, or stop in local shops after the production, money gets spent in one way or the other. Additionally, theatre related businesses come in greater demand when a live theatre is present. Have you just any idea how much money has been spent at the timber market getting the set ready? Have you the slightest idea how many carpenters were able to feed their families, pay rent and even school fees just because their expertise came in handy at the set construction stage? Let’s look at the costume, the dry cleaners, wig makers, hair stylists, retail establishments, media houses, ticketing, escort, transport, paint, security organizations, the list goes on. The play hasn't started yet has it? Good. Now take a minute to go back outside. Look at those checking the tickets. i bet you will find one or two people who are just standing or sitting there seemingly doing nothing. Yes, that man in the dark blue 1945 pre-independence suit, and the light skinned lady (or is it a bleach?) in the flat sole shoes. Well, those are the VAT people. Government appointees who have been sent to come and take 15% of the procceds from this show. They haven't supported the show in any way, but they will take thier 'pound of flesh' even before we the producers consider our costs of production. Yet, theatre is the one area government hasn't even cared to look at. I stand to be corrected. So where does all the money (15%) VAT go to? Road construction, schools, hospitals, teacher training, books, sports development, political rallies or T-shirts for voters and market women?
The socio-cultural benefits of a live theatre can also not be understated. Take your head out of these lines for a second and look round. I bet you will find a different skin colour seated somewhere in this auditorium. Oh yes, a live theatre does bring together people of all racial and economic backgrounds as they experience an evening of pure theatrical delight. In addition, it helps people relate better to one another as they are able to catch a glimpse into what the theatrical or musical performance displays; thus, creating a sense of understanding and commonality within diverse groups of the community.
I stand at this stage and salute the legendary Ebo White and his Roverman Productions for the beautiful pieces they’ve put up numerously at the National Theatre. For me, Mr. White’s plays are the best marriage counseling class any couple could have. Ebo White has a way of saying things that you agree with but might never have the guts to say to your spouse and intelligently creates some kind of a mirror through which we see all our follies in one grand production. This is yet another benefit of the living theatre. Theatre productions also inform, straighten, educate and enlighten people by examining and exploring various social, political, personal, and artistic issues that are relevant within our lives and communities-these are often trends that span generational gaps and show how people can overcome differences and celebrate unique aspects of our lives.
Regardless of age or socio-economic standing, theatre productions can be enlightening, enjoyable, and educational. By supporting live and outdoor theatre, there are numerous benefits to both the community and those taking advantage of the arts.
As a child I once had a friend call me “concert boy”. It was an expression I didn’t understand then and felt it was rather condescending. As I grew up though I realized it was just an ignorant description of who I was really meant to be – a performing artist and I don’t regret being one. That same ignorance is what makes many people refer to the study of the performing arts at the University of Ghana as “dondology” – a sad description indeed.
But the fact many of us are ignorant of is that numerous long-term studies have suggested that children who participate in fine arts and theatre do better in school, regardless of their cultural or socio-economic background. Additionally, they experience increased community awareness, social skills, cultural perspective, and artistic abilities. These are all skills that help children learn to function more responsibly within our communities as they become contributing members of our society. So maybe that’s why I’m so different from all my siblings – after all, I am the “concert boy”.
Thanks again for supporting this venture, but more importantly thank you for believing in us. And to governments past, government present and governments to come, continue neglecting the theatre and our National growth will continue to face challenges. Just take a look at the America's, South Africa, Nigeria, China and Japan...countries that have taken theatre and the arts very seriously. When you travel please don't just go and drink tea and buy new clothes, observe thier growth, thier development, thier senses of patriotism. See, ask and try to understand what they have done with theatre and how theatre has in turn contributed to the commendable growth and development of thier countries. Worried about job creation? One theatre show pays over 100 people. Worried about patriotism, let us teach it the easier way on the stage so the teachers in the schools can concentrate on other subjects. Worried about morals? Support the arts - theatre arts and see how much morals we can teach by staging just a few plays. Theatre is not just margical, it is the solution to everything. If you didn't know, now you know. If you are going to tax us, use our money to help us grow. Is that too much to ask?????
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2015 GHANA DJ AWARDS FULL LIST OF WINNERS

The 3rd annual Ghana DJ Awards which came off last Saturday at the Accra International Conference Centre turned out to be the best in the history of Ghana DJ Awards and even with that, it had its own ups and downs.

This year’s event I would say, organizers put in much effort, time and money in the organization but to some extent the public didn’t understand why they should attend the event hence low patronage due to the bad image placed on the previous ones.

Aside the late start and low patronage of the event, all other things were on point with regards to lighting, sound, stage set up, red carpet, and others.

Some of the awards which to me were not given to the rightful owners, were the Best DJ - DJ Black, Best Discovery DJ – DJ Breezy and DJs Song of the Year – ‘Monko Mo Akyi’ by Joyce Blessing. This is not to say that they don’t deserve the award.

DJ Black for instance is one of the finest DJs the country can boost of, but for him to win the Best DJ in three separate occasions was not fair to the other great DJs nominated in that category.
For DJ Breezy’s Best Discovery DJ award, is one particular award that I find it difficult to understand why it was given to him in the first place. I stand to be corrected, but I have known him to be someone who produces and make beats but for him to play the timetables at a show is something that I haven’t seen or heard him do. And it should have been won by someone else.

Songs that were nominated in DJs Song of the Year were songs that were difficult to predict a winner. But for Joyce Blessing’s ‘Monko Mo Akyi’ song to win in that category makes it very questionable.

Okyeame Kwame, Keche, Miray, Asantewa,Vybrant Faya and some upcoming artistes performed to make the night a successful one.

In all I will say, the organizers have done well in the coordination of this year’s event but they should do their possible best to make the DJ Awards one of the best shows in Ghana and beyond.

Enough of the talks, check out the full list of winners at the 2015 Ghana DJ Awards below:



BEST DJ OF THE YEAR DJ

DJ Black

BEST HIPLIFE DJ OF THE YEAR

Yellowman – Peace FM (Accra)

BEST HIGHLIFE DJ OF THE YEAR DJ

Mickey Darling – Peace FM

BEST REGGAE/DANCEHALL DJ OF THE YEAR


Fiifi Selah – Pluzz FM

BEST ARTISTE DJ OF THE YEAR DJ


DJ Justice – Stonebwoy

BEST MIXTAPE DJ OF YEAR


DJ Slim – Ciroc Mixtape

DJ DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR


DJ Breezy

CAMPUS DJ OF THE YEAR


DJ Mingle – University of Cape Coast

BEST RECORD PROMOTER OF THE YEAR


Kwame Bee

SCRATCH DJ OF THE YEAR


DJ Cue

BEST EVENT DJ OF THE YEAR


DJ Vyrusky – Tigo Switch Concert

BEST PUB DJ OF THE YEAR


Mac Tonto – Reggys Pub (Santa Maria)

BEST VIDEO JOCKEY OF THE YEAR


DJ Xpliff

BEST MOBILE DJ

DJ Collins – Vinyl

BEST GOSPEL DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Sarpee – Montie FM

BEST MALE RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Black – Joy FM

BEST INTERNATIONAL GHANAIAN DJ


DJ Bretuoba

BEST CLUB MC OF THE YEAR

MC Apiscola – Crisberrys

BEST FEMALE RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR

Justina Ansah – Obouba FM

DJs’ SONG OF THE YEAR

Monko Mo Akyi – Joyce Blessing

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD


Young Joe
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THE "JOHNNY TALKERS"

She stood on her feet from her seat in shock when her name was mentioned. She walked towards the stage screaming as she walked bare footed with her hair gear and her mouth widely opened in smiles showcasing her well arranged white teeth. That was the night of the VGMAs when Cecilia Marfo won an award for her wonderful work done in the year of review.

 Watching her from where l sat made me have a feeling of the excitement which fills the hearts of musicians who are called as winners for a particular category during the awards.
Her reaction actually did not just let me see the excitement but also the importance and relevance of the awards to musicians.

I can make mention of the "Aben woha" Daddy Lumba night of glory, the Lord Kenya's excitement,the Kojo Antwi surprise,the Kontihene Shocker,the VIP rider, the Obour's konkontiba laughs, Okyeame Kwame's "woso" pride and the Sarkordie praises to God when these various artistes won the top most awards on the night of the VGMAs in different years of review.

 Frankly speaking, all these artistes didn't just feel proud but also went ahead to increase the rate when being booked for an event (l stand to be corrected though).

 Again, these awards gave them some rebranded image in the music industry.
After all these observations ask why do we still have the "Johnny Talkers" about the VGMAs?

 Oh sorry, let me let you into who "Johnny Talker" is.

 Johnny Talker is the person who pretends not to need or want something that he know would help him or her to shoot up to another level of success. "Johnny Talker" would tell the world "this and that" is not important and of no relevance and significance but yet when they receive it, they go behind the scenes and use it as their tags of praise.

 I guess by now you know who Johnny Talker is?

 Some few years ago, a gospel singer rubbished the VGMAs by saying," She won't pay money (as bride) to receive a "wood"(plague).

 Again, a hiplife artiste condemned the VGMA award with his music and utterances and yet when he was awarded on one of the nights, he used the same award he has condemned as his price tag when his service was in demand; interesting isn't it?

 In recent times, we have seen and heard the same reaction from some artistes but l want to ask, "Is Johnny Talker using this line of action to play a PR gimmick to stay relevant on the music scene as he or she sees the importance of the award? Hmmmmm....only God knows.


I wish to make things clear here because l don't want you to confuse critic from pretence. Everyone has the right to analyse and criticise the award scheme because that would help improve the awards.

 Again, we have seen on several occasions the flaws of the organisers and we have all the right to point them out to them.
Let me give you an example; last year's edition for the year 2013/2014 went wrong when the board awarded Bisa Kdei as the Song Writer of the Year over OJ ( that is my opinion though). A critical analysis of the category and the two songs by both artistes made it too easy to pick the winner. Well, who knows what the board might have seen that some of us who criticise it didn't see.

 Again, there have being serious concerns in connection to the "peanuts" offered Ghanaian musicians bill to perform on the night as compared to that of their fellows from outside Ghana. Let me say this, if these allegations and concerns are true,then the organisers must come again because some performances from these foreign artistes are no where near that of the Ghanaian artiste's creativity on stage.

Now lets drive the "Johnny Talkers" home. Whether we like it or not, the fact remains as,

 1. The VGMAs have come to stay and it belongs to musicians in Ghana.

 2. The VGMAs is the biggest music awards event for Ghanaian musicians in Ghana. If it wasn't, we wouldn't have musicians ordering their clothes for the night all the way from Europe and the Americas.

 3. The VGMAs increases your level of popularity, significance and recognition in the music industry. If not,it won't be a price tag for winners.

 4. The VGMAs would still be here whiles musicians come and go.

 5. Again,the VGMAs gives musicians and their management team an opportunity to rebrand the career of the musician. Ask Sarkodie and he will tell you more on this point.

There are a lot but just these five points would make the "Johnny Talkers" think again.

Interestingly, there is another twist.
Some "Johnny Talkers" have actually strategically planned this angle to keep and make them relevant in the music cycles. Frankly speaking, that to me is another way of selling your brand and if that is your channel of marketing in the "music game" and nothing personal, kudos but lets make it more constructive and clean.

As the VGMAs approach, more "Johnny Talkers" will arise but lets all be careful how we talk because what you belittle today, would be the same corner stone you might need to complete your building.
To all the Johnny Talkers and those who aspire to be one,

"WHAT A JOHN?"......keep talking!!!!

from Studio360gh lenses...
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BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS "I DO"

Making a  movie does not only involves a massive amount of work, dedication and patience both from the director and actors, but also the crew and everyone in between.

As they saying goes ‘Time is money’ the longer a movie takes to shoot, the more it costs the movie studios to produce.

Actress turned producer Kafui Danku  returns with another intriguing movie, ‘I Do’ this Independence Day.

This is the fourth movie produced by Kafui Danku; with the first two, ‘Letters to My Mother’ and ‘Devil in a Dress’ winning several pan-African awards. The third movie, ‘Happy Deathday’, released late 2014 was also well received.

The movie which is to be premiered on March 6th, 2015( Independence Day ) at the Silverbird Cinemas (Accra Mall & West Hills Mall, Weija) tells an intriguing story of love and all the complexities that come with it. 

Four couples have less than 24 hours to make or break up what they just started. Who will pass the test of time?
It features a heap of Ghallywood super stars from all strata, so fans have a reason to watch this movie.

Written and Directed by Kobi Rana, Produced by Kafui Danku ( ABC Pictures ), '''I DO''parades Van Vicker, Nana Ama McBrown, Jasmine Baroudi, Elikem Kumodzi, Roselyn Ngissah, Mawuli Gavor , Kafui Danku herself and many more.

More photos from the movie set after the cut. ... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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