GH – Hondred Percent

September 2, 2018

Hondred Percent at Word N Sound #PoetryLeague 2018

For those who do not know I spent five years in South Africa pursuing degrees. On that journey I acquired a love for spoken word poetry of which I was eager to pursue seriously once I got back to Ghana.
It’s been over five years since I left South Africa. Through work I was fortunate to return and extended my stay to explore performance opportunities in Johannesburg.
A friend blessed mewith the opportunity to perform on one of the biggest poetry platforms in the country, Word n Sound poetry league.

I have learnt a lot over the years regarding performance. From delivery, eye contact, improv etc every opportunity to be on stage is a lesson. The applause that comes with a good performance is humbling and interaction with members of the audience who were touched by my words always encourages me to do what I love doing.

I was happy to connect with the organizers and learn from them also. The more you perform the more you understand the statement “no man is an island”. I need all the help I can get to be successful as an artist. Networking is so important.

The poetry I experienced during the show was beautiful. We have some work to do in Ghana to get to the level of what is happening in South Africa and Kenya.

I performed two poems of my album WTF? “BNS” and “Africa Sent Me A WhatsApp Message” and it was magical. The crowd reaction was awesome and humbling. Even after the show I got compliments and love from both poets and members of the audience. It’s always inspiring to get such feedback. It serves as a testament to your work.
I have had a beautiful time in South Africa and will be heading to Kenya for another performance. I look forward to more blessings, experience and connections to aid in my success as an artist.
Keep it One Hondred!

July 9, 2018

Bible vs GOT – Reality or Fiction?

Last Friday, I posted a clip featuring a conversation between Ria Bossman and me relating to Game of Thrones and its sex scenes. It was based of an interview at Oxford between two of the shows male cast and a student audience. Kit Harington who plays the part of Jon Snow in the series commented on the sex scenes and their necessity in telling the Game of Thrones story.

I for one do not know how the show will have progressed without the sex scenes depicting the nature of the characters and its impact on the narrative. It is clear that the show though graphic has a greater goal than pornography with its raw images of sex and nudity that are displayed.

Interestingly enough I read an article on the internet that suggested that the Bible and Game of Thrones share a commonality especially with regards with the raw blunt nature of each script.

As a Christian, it is difficult to deny that the Bible is a very graphic text containing evidence of sexual immorality from the beginning of time. The sexual immorality and violence is comparable to that of Game of Thrones and begs the question, “is this reality or fiction?”

I guess the Internet and Social Media have to be given credit for exposing our true nature. We seem hypocritical in our assessment of reality and are unwilling to accept that our morality as a race has been in a constant state of decay. Though the Bible reflects this more accurately, many do not view the Word as a reflection of man but just of his past.

Its a shame Game of Thrones is not an African story (I can imagine how that will play out with African countries). Nevertheless, it strikes parallels globally because of familiar themes that reflect the true nature of man. The greed, violence, sex, immorality, wisdom, kindness and other colors of the human behavioral spectrum are similar to what we find in the Bible. (With the exception of dragons of course)

The Bible, however, is more than a story of fiction. For many, it is history and inspiration. Game of Thrones, however, is a fantasy novel. Within it lies no prophecies relating to the real world. Both touch on the nature of man and relationships and should be seriously considered for the reflection on reality both throw at the human race.

If the content of the Bible is similar to that of the Game of Thrones narrative then why is it not consumed with such fanfare? After all, what difference is there in Meschach, Shadrach, and Abednego surviving the furnace of fire to that of Daenerys Targaryen aka Khaleesi being immune to fire?

Budget and Hollywood is surely part of the reasons for the fanfare but it also seems to mask the idea that the events told in the story are closer to reality than meets the eye. Winter is coming is about terrifying a term as global warming.

The Bible and Game of Thrones serve a purpose in the world today. Be sure to take away wisdom and lessons from the words these documents provide than just awe and entertainment.

Keep it One Hondred!

October 8, 2016

Kalyppo KRAZY! – Top 10 Kalyppo Challenge Pics

Once upon a time a presidential candidate took a sip of Kalyppo and Ghana went KRAZY!
(Kalyppo is a fruit drink by Aquafresh Ltd popularly served in 250ml packs)

Kalyppo Pineapple Juice 250 ML — Kalyppo Pineapple Juice

If you are in Ghana and haven’t caught on to the Kalyppo social media sipping picture craze, then you are missing in on some serious fun.
The Trend
The trend apparently started when a picture of the NPP (New Patrotic Party) 2016 presidential candidate, Nana Akuffo Addo, circulated on social media networks.
Whether this started as a mockery or not is not clear. All we know now is that what begun as a simple quest to quench thirst, has blown up bigger than World War II.
(I guess Nana Akuffo Addo who I see as a bald Harry Potter has cast a spell on us all. Below is a bald me attempting to do the same.)

Hondred Percent taking the Kalyppo Challenge — Hondred Percent Kalyppo Challenge

The Challenge
The challenge is simple (Though never stated explicitly). Take a picture of yourself drinking Kalyppo (in a fun way of course) and post it up on social media.
The challenge apparently was started as a means to show support for NPP at this year’s presidential election. This however, is not why I joined. I took the challenge because I wanted to show my love for Kalyppo in a fun way.
The whole Ghana is now having so much fun with the challenge that vendors of Kalyppo according to pulse.com.gh are reporting record sales. The sales in the eyes of Mustapha Hamid, spokesperson for the NPP flag bearer, is an indication that the presidential candidate is hugely accepted by the populace. (Slow down my friend)
Why Is It Going Viral?
One should be careful of the interpretation of this Kalyppo trend. The challenge has reached a point where news agencies, politicians and journalists can gain valuable insight into why Ghanaians are participating in the trend.
In my view the challenge is going viral because of the following three factors:

Political: NPP supporters wanting to show support.
Brand Loyalty: Lovers of Kalyppo showing their love for the brand.
Fun: People just having fun.

I am not sure which factor leads the polls but I would appreciate feedback before speculation.
Great Opportunity, Poor Management
Despite the viral nature of the challenge, I feel Kalyppo, NPP and its flag bearer from a marketing perspective, are not milking this cow for what she is worth.
There is no clear call to action on the stakeholders social media pages supporting the challenge.
Possible NPP Marketing Strategies
By now there should be campaigns linked with Kalyppo on NPP’s social media pages. Party leaders should capitalize on the trend and participate in the challenge. Share Kalyppo at rallies and meetings and take selfies or just get Kalyppo vendors to attend with a promise of guranteed sales. (One Meeting One Kalyppo! Who won’t come?)
Official Hashtag
Is it #TheKalyppoChallenge, #KalyppoChallenge, #1Kalyppo1Change ?
The official hash tag has not been communicated properly. Official hashtags should be created for fans to use in support of the goal of the campaign.
(But alas ?, there is no goal to this. Definitely no driver in this trends driving seat. No wonder it’s viral cos that’s just crazy!)
Surely, whoever is managing the digital marketing of both Kalyppo and NPP are under capitalizing on this opportunity.
Kalyppo Strategy
Kalyppo should ride this wave and ride it fast. A challenge for the most fun picture with Kalyppo for people not interested in the politics of things should be launched with prize money. (I mean, it’s already happening. Ghanaian’s are trying to out do themselves in this challenge without guidelines already)
Sales are bound to soar for Kalyppo and will probably escalate should NPP win the election. The brand is reaping the rewards of the trend but needs to structure their marketing efforts to have greater impact on sales and brand awareness.
Food For Thought
This product has often been marketed as a drink for kids yet this trend is being driven by the working class.
Proper marketing can get kids and teens involved and expand the consumer base further driving sales.
I personally would advise going for a Guiness World Record. The atmosphere is right and Ghanaians will gladly participate.
Conclusion
Why this is happening is a mystery. I however believe a nostalgic desire merged with Ghanaian pride and in some cases, politics is the cause of this. Both NPP and Kalyppo however should do better to utilize this asset towards achieving their goals.
Well Kalyppo and NPP, I believe you owe me a cold Multi Fruit Kalyppo.
Before I sign off however, let me leave you with my top 10 Kalyppo Challenge pictures.
Top 10 Kalyppo Challenge Pics
The only rule: All pictures must be taken with a Kalyppo juice box in the picture

Obviously this is the reason why we doing this. Some will argue that it should be no.1 but I disagree. Definitely a classic but not the best.

Y’all are going to say this competition ain’t fair ?. (Well, suck on a Kalyppo!) I believe I took the first selfie with two Kalyppo drinks at the same time (Why does Future’s – Same Damn Time, play in my head at this very moment?)

Kalyppo Challenge - 3 Kalyppos — Kalyppo Challenge – 3 Kalyppos

I guess I didn’t hold the record for long ?. Genius over here beat me by making it three. Hey look we like the same flavour.

Kalyppo Challenge - Litre Challenge — Kalyppo Challenge – Litre Challenge

Whilst we are drinking juice packs this guy doesn’t do straw. He does liters.

Kalyppo Challenge - Gallon Challenge — Kalyppo Challenge – Gallon Challenge

This guy do all! Talk about taking things World Cup ?.

Kalyppo Challenge - Man drinking Kalyppo with Dog — Kalyppo Challenge – Man’s Best Friend

Dog is man’s best friend. What better way to enjoy Kalyppo than to share with a buddy. After all, this morning workout causes a sweat.

Kalyppo Challenge - Drinking Kalyppo via Handstandd — Kalyppo Challenge – Handstand man

Speaking of workouts, “I can do all things”, says hand stand man. I must say, that Kalyppo seems to be defying the laws of gravity. (Are we sure juju is not at play? ?)

Kalyppo Challenge - Manakin taking a sip of Kalyppo — Kalyppo Challenge – Kalyppo Manakin

I must admit this pic almost took number one. The creativity involved is too much. The manakin, the manakin’s weave, the fact that the weave is being styled and the stylist provides her client Kalyppo ?. This right here is customer service.

Kalyppo Challenge - Kalyppo Radiator Coolant — Kalyppo Challenge – Kalyppo Radiator Coolant

The caption to this pic says it all. The 8 GHC purchase earned this pic No.2.

Kalyppo Challenge - Kalyppo Pushup — Kalyppo Challenge – Kalyppo Pushup

Kalyppo in its finest moments- in the hands of a kind dictator. #KalyppoPushups (hey that could be the next trend)
A lot of marketing ideas have been given to Kalyppo for free out of love for the juice. Can you do better? Do you have a better Top 10? Comment below and let’s chat.
Hope you enjoyed this article. Drink Kalyppo and keep it One Hondred!

I have no political affiliation, just support for the Kalyppo brand.

October 1, 2016

Worlasi-The Future

I first stumbled upon Worlasi’s unique sound earlier this year upon a video shoot at Francis Kokroko’s studio in Osu. Mawuli AKA Daniel Quist was bumping to tracks of Worlasi’s album “Nusē: The Strength Within” and raving about the artist.
At the time I had no idea of who he was. Track after track during conversations I found it difficult to point out error in his art and embarrassing that I did not know about this great artist.
It was official…….I was hooked.
As an artist there is only one phrase I can use to describe his music: beautiful envy. I envy his artistic prowess and yet inspired by it.
His style is unorthodox and cool. A complex yet simple medley of pidgin English and Ewe over beats he produced that evolves the Hiphop I know into something else.
I had to get more Worlasi in my ears. Luckily for me Soundcloud houses a number of his tracks. From earlier works to his albums, it’s all there. I soaked into each track until I stumbled on “One Life”.
As a Ghanaian, beautiful doesn’t begin to describe “One Life”. The instrumentals produced by Worlasi creates nostalgia and gets you bumping before his lyrics hit your ears.
Comprehension of my enthusiasm is difficult if Ewe doesn’t roll off your tongue as smoothly as Michael Jackson dance moves. The video for the song however is kind to provide subtitles to break the beautiful mystery of Ewe down for you.
The more I soak in Worlasi’s music the more I am encouraged that Ghana’s music has a future. We are a nation blessed with amazing artists that Ghanaians for lack of exposure struggle to understand. Thus music is more about empty lyrics and dancing. That’s great but doesn’t challenge the status quo.
Great art is a medley of entertainment and admiration merged with commentary on a social or political issue. Manifest is an artist that understands this concept and continues to lean on it. Worlasi as an artist and producer is taking that concept to the next level.
His recently released track, “Nukata” is the artists take on male obsession with women that lead them to empty their morals and cash. I call it the Pidgin and Ewe version of Gasmilla’s “Telemo”. The video is equally interesting portraying a man vommitting out dollars and later cedis and later coins just to satisfy his passion’s (embodied as a female) desire.
If you have not heard about Worlasi, search for him and listen to the future of our music. He is going places and I will be proud to see him raise Ghana’s flag higher.
(Don’t for a second however think my enthusiasm for his art is because he featured on Manifests track “100 percent“.)

September 30, 2016

NDC & NPP – Who is Apple and Who is Google?

Blackberry finally admits defeat and bows out of the phone handheld game (and it’s about time).
They had a great product but weren’t fast enough in adapting to the ever changing playing field of consumer expectations.
The same could be said about the political parties in Ghana outside NDC (National Democratic Congress) and NPP (New Patrotic Party).
I am forever amazed that in 2016, parties haven’t figured out that you either join one of the big two parties (NDC and NPP) or stay out the way.
There is a third option however involving the minor parties unifying to form one party but ego’s and view points greater than Kanye West prevent this great idea from seeing light (Maybe ECG is to blame. LOL)
Well Nokia bowed out and this week Blackberry exited. I believe the same fate awaits the minor parties. The question on my mind as I ponder this half baked theory is which of the major parties is Apple IOS and Google Android?
I am an IOS fan and admire greatly the power of Android. I am not a political scientist to dissect and conclude the above matter; neither am I political party follower or loyalist. I am just an artist in love with Apple products who just had a eureka moment revealing that in our current political climate, the major party that behaves like Android and draws brands like HTC, Samsung, Huawei and LG to it is likely to gain the trust and vote of the people.
So what do you think? Who is Apple and who is Google? NDC or NPP?
I look forward to your comments
(NDC coming before NPP is due to alphabetical order and nothing else)