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The sweet, the calm and the very direct judges of Icons expect nothing but the best!

As the build-up to the upcoming reality TV show, ‘Icons: Divas Edition’ intensifies, more is being revealed about the host and judges for the show.  A recent interaction with the three judges somewhat gave me a fair idea about the kind of judges each of them would very likely be when the show commences. Those […]

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JUDGES STANDING1As the build-up to the upcoming reality TV show, ‘Icons: Divas Edition’ intensifies, more is being revealed about the host and judges for the show.  A recent interaction with the three judges somewhat gave me a fair idea about the kind of judges each of them would very likely be when the show commences.

Those who personally know Nana Nyarko ‘Quantos’Ackah-Yensu, the only male judge on the show, would know that he is a cool, calm and collected gentleman and that is exactly what he would bring  to the show. The man of few words comments, “I am going to be frank so I can bring out the best in the girls”.  Singer, Stephanie Benson looks like she’s going to be the sweetheart of the pack and with her delightful smile that always reveals a calming dimple, she would fit the ‘Paula Abdul Role’ effortlessly. “People keep thinking I’m going to be the bad one, I have children so I have to be tactful” she comments with a smile of course.  Meanwhile, Gena West who is also nice and sweet looks like the one that would stir things up a bit with her forwardness.  She says, “I will be an honest judge – absolutely direct, absolutely honest!”

All three judges are excited about the show and can’t wait to meet the girls that made it through the auditions so far, in boot camp. Although the judges weren’t the ones that selected the girls for boot camp, they remain confident in the choices made by the various guest judges in the various audition venues.  Stephanie comments on not knowing what to expect from the girls, “It’s all going to be a surprise and the surprise is great. I think it would be fantastic to see the girls. I’m looking forward to meeting them and I’m sure the other judges picked good girls this far”.

The judges with their wealth of experience in the music industry in Ghana and overseas certainly will be keeping an eye on the contestants and guiding them to bring out their best potentials all the time.  Stephanie comments, “Being a performer isn’t just about standing there, singing and leaving; it has so many elements to it. You have to understand the music; you have to understand what you are singing, and you have to understand how to project that to the people.  So it’s important to understand music before your become a performer”.

Quantos also adds, “The show is going to give the contestants the opportunity to really get to know about music, writing songs, and learning how to sing in parts”. While the delightful Gena also added, “What the contestants will be getting from us as judges is mentorship and if the girls are clever, they will suck us dry. They will try to get as much as they can from us because we have been around, we been around not just here but globally”.

Although none of the judges have technically been in a group before, Gena and Stepanie have performed with backing singers or groups and so are fully aware of the conflicts and dynamics of working as a group or band. They believe that group members should learn to work together and support each other; drawing on each other’s strengths and building on individual weakness to improve without giving any excuse. The judges don’t want to hear excuses. Stephanie cited an instance when she was performing with her girls in a ‘Diana Ross and the Supremes’ theatre show, and her jacket tore apart. She said that the other girls cleverly came up with an act to cover her split jacket.

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“I like the fact that we are taking individual girls and grouping them so they would learn to work together as a group.  It would be interesting to see that. It’s a girl group so it means the girls would always have to get a lead singer, and the girls would choose who would be their leader. That could be interesting as well. There’s nothing wrong with being the best that you can be – which is my definition of a diva. Diva doesn’t mean that you are arrogant; diva doesn’t mean that you think you are better than everybody else”.

The producers of the reality show are looking to find the first Ghanaian super girl group that can be successfully marketed internationally, and the judges say ‘why not?’, ‘it’s about time’ and ‘yes we can!’  Stephanie comments, “There’s a lot of talent out there but they need to be guided and people need to give girls in this country a break.  My advice to the girls is that they shouldn’t try too hard to copy other people, and I would love to see more of originality”

After meeting and working with the girls at boot camp, the judges will chose the 21 finalists for the show and group them into 7 groups of 3. The first episode of Icons: Divas Edition which shows highlights from the audition process will air on TV Sunday, February 13. The subsequent two episodes would be dedicated to boot camp, and the first live performance show will air on Sunday, March 6. Icons: Divas Edition will air on major TV stations in Ghana and on pan-African cable networks. TV3 has the prime spot telecast at 8.00pm with Net 2, Multi TV, Crystal TV, ETV and GTV and Metro TV (yet to be confirmed) joining in at 8.30 each Sunday evening.

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Afropop Singer ADEOLUWA Rediscovers Love With New Single “Jeje” From New ‘For The Fourth’ EP

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ADEOLUWA

Finding new love after experiencing heartbreak can be both thrilling and exciting. No one knows this more than Oyo, Ibadan, Nigeria-born, Montreal-based Afropop singer ADEOLUWA. Following the heartbreak displayed on his previous EP “Kings of Detours”, ADEOLUWA returns with his julibant new EP “For The Fourth” and the single “Jeje”.

“Jeje” YouTube and Spotify

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Steady drums, soothing background vocals, and a sprinkle of trumpet open the song as ADEOLUWA sings the first verse. The drums enhance the silky, steadfast tone of ADEOLUWA’s vocals as he tries to woo a new lover. When the chorus comes in, the chanted chorus combines with the horns, drums, and background vocals from earlier to create a sensual mood.

As the song continues, it builds on ADEOLUWA’s romantic lyrics and soulful vocals before climaxing into a rapturous soundscape of chants and horns, complemented by ADEOLUWA’s vocals and the background vocals from Itohan Agbator and Kelechi Prince synergizing together.

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In fact, “Jeje” does its job as the lead single to the EP “For The Fourth” by serving as a tantalizing glimpse into the EP’s sonic landscape.  Its infectious rhythm and soulful lyrics are a testament to ADEOLUWA’s ability to transport listeners to a world of love and celebration.

ADEOLUWA is a Nigerian-born Afro-fusion pop star with a unique genre-bending style, drawing inspiration from artists like Adekunle Gold, Stephen Schwartz, Jonathan McReynolds, and ASA. Based in Saskatchewan, he became known for his experimental soundscape and captivating live performance.

ADEOLUWA debuted in 2019 with his first album After Bells and Whistles. During that same year, the single “Escape” served as the opening act to the Saskatchewan Music Awards, which would receive airplay on numerous radio stations.

From there, ADEOLUWA would release a string of singles, EPs, and albums, including 2019’s live album Selections of The ADEOLUWA Experience, 2023’s album A Night At The Artisan, and 2024’s EP King of Detours. In 2023, he received an Afrobeats Artist Of The Year nomination at the Saskatchewan Music Awards and performed at BreakOut West in Kelowna last year, culminating with a prestige placement on Spotify’s Editorial New Music Playlist.

The popularity of Afrobeats has soared in the global music scene in recent years. This genre has crossed borders and fascinated audiences worldwide with its catchy rhythms and captivating melodies and has become a significant presence, not just on the radio but also at music festivals worldwide. ADEOLUWA’s rise represents more than just a part of the musical trend; it’s a celebration of African culture, resilience, and artistic innovation.

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“For The Fourth” gets released on the first day of ADEOLUWA’s first solo tour – “For The King Of Detours.”

Tour Dates:

April 19, 2024     The Alcove Centre for the Arts, Calgary, AB

April 27, 2024     Blackrose Whiskey Club, Saskatoon, SK

May 5, 2024         The Hub on Martin, Penticton, BC

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May 17, 2024      Art House Café, Ottawa, ON

May 24, 2024      Avant-Garde Bar and Gift Shop, Ottawa, ON

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Update: Junior Pope not dead – AGN President

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Emeka Rollas, the president of the Actors Guild Of Nigeria (AGN) has confirmed that Junior Pope is still alive. (more…)

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EIB Network issues statement on Serwaa Amihere’s leaked video controversy

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EIB Network, the parent company of GHOne TV, has issued a statement addressing the recent leak of Serwaa Amihere’s private video. (more…)

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Kwaw Kese celebrates wife as they mark 8 years of marriage

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Ghanaian rapper Kwaw Kese expressed gratitude for his wife, Doris Nana Pokuah, as they celebrated eight years of marriage. (more…)

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My tigers are still with me; I feed them with a cow every 3 days – Cheddar

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Well-known Ghanaian business mogul and leader of the New Force Movement, Nana Kwame Bediako, otherwise known as Cheddar has revealed that his majestic companions (his tigers) are still by his side, thriving under his care. (more…)

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Supreme Court defers Judgment on celebrity alcohol ad ban to April 24

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The Supreme Court has deferred its judgment in the case in which Mark Darlington Osae has filed a suit against directives that banned celebrities in alcoholic advertisements to April 24, 2024. (more…)

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