Showbiz

Ghanaians Immortalise Lumba – Candlelight Event At Independence Square Tonight

Published

2 months ago

August 2, 2025

His voice still blares from speakers in pubs, lingers in market waves, slips through car windows, and hums through playlists on radio and television, but he lies in silence.

Aben wo aha, but Lumba wɔ aseɛ hɔ.

The fire raged, the dance never stopped, the lyrics still sting with joy and truth, yet today, the voice that made even sorrow sound sweet is quiet.

The man, whose music stitched itself into the very rhythm of our lives, has taken his final bow.

Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kwadwo Fosu, was not just a name, but a mood, a memory, a movement. In a period he had reached over 35 years of setting stages ablaze, he vanished like a final note fading into dusk.

Tonight, a national candlelight vigil is being held at the Independence Square in his memory, with a book of condolence already opened by the family at his radio station, DLFM (106.9 MHz) and residence since last Tuesday.

Just last September, he turned 60, and for the first time, he let us in, not through a song, but through a rare celebration.

He laughed, he waved, he glowed. Maybe, he was saying goodbye.

Now the stage is empty, but the spotlight remains.

The beat may pause, but the legend? He lives on in every note that dares to carry his name.

Though he was one of Ghana’s most celebrated stars, Daddy Lumba remained intensely private.

He rarely granted interviews or courted publicity, choosing instead to let his music speak for him.

In 1998, Gaddy Laryea’s Media Majique and Research Systems, the firm responsible for organising the Miss Ghana Beauty Pageant, went through a herculean task to get him to perform on stage live as part of the event.

It was the very first time Ghanaians would see Daddy Lumba wow his fans in a live stage performance, shattering doubts about his stagecraft.

Emmanuel Krampah, who was the General Manager at Media Whiz Kids, the event organising unit of MMRS, said Daddy Lumba’s Manager at the time, the late Kwasi Brenyah, then of Peace FM, executed the contract.

His quiet nature added to the mystique, making every rare appearance feel like a privilege.

Collective grief

Even in death, Daddy Lumba is bringing people together, not under concert lights this time, but through shared tears and glowing memories.

To the gospel singing trio, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, the connection ran deeper than sound.

“We used to call him our big brother. I recall the days we recorded in the same studio in Germany.

He was soft-spoken, so lovable, so kind.

After studio sessions, we’d go home and eat together; that’s who he was,” said Cynthia Appiadu, the soprano singer of the group.

For Edna Sarpong, also a member of the group, Lumba’s strength lay not just in vocals, but in restraint.

“He was slow to anger, quiet in the face of media noise. He hardly responded; he let the music speak.

The way he strung words together, the way he brought stories to life in songs, it was unmatched,” she said.

And for Monica Owusu Ansah, also a glorious daughter, the void feels even deeper.

“I wish he had left a protégé, someone to carry that torch. When you listen to his gospel songs, you feel it.

Yes, he may not have seemed ‘too churchy’ for some, but the man had a heart for God.

That guy could sing about anything and make you feel everything,” she said.

Gospel act, Diana Asamoah, shared similar sentiments: “Daddy Lumba wasn’t just a highlife legend; he was a man who knew God in his own quiet, personal way.

Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, spoke from a place of personal loss.

“Daddy Lumba was a national asset.

A friend, a man whose voice comforted us in private pain and public joy.

This one hurts; we didn’t just lose an artiste, I lost a personal friend.”

President John Mahama also joined the national chorus of mourning with a tribute on Facebook.

“Lumba’s unmatched musical genius provided the soundtrack to our lives, carrying us through various phases of life.

The beats to his memorable songs may have died down, but his enduring legacy will echo through the ages.”

Other entertainers such as Sarkodie, Guru, Sista Afia, M.anifest, Pat Thomas and Wendy Shay have also paid glowing tributes, honouring the incredible gift he shared with the world.

Charting immortality

In the days following his passing, Lumba’s music has flooded digital platforms.

On Apple Music Ghana, 30 of his songs entered the Top 100, with Makra Mo shooting straight to No.1.

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His political anthem, Nana Ye Winner, released ahead of the 2008 elections, boldly stepped into the political space.

Yet, his fan base remained solid, proof of a legacy that transcended party lines.

Daddy Lumba’s true magic was not just in his beat, it was also in his words, his mastery of Asante Twi, laced with wit, proverbs, giving his music unmatched depth.

You didn’t always catch every word. But you felt every meaning.

His songs captured everyday realities from financial struggles (Sika Asem, Ohia Asem) to romantic highs (Se Sumye Kasa, Odo Nti) and even sensual themes (Tokuro Mu, Awooso). Yet, even when he flirted with controversy, he did it with class, never crass.

Lumba also reminded us of faith (Mesom Jesus, Yesu Ka Yen Ho), gratitude (Theresa), and truth (Yentie Obiaa). He was a master of double meaning — Obi Ate Me So Buɔ, Biribi Gyegye Wo and Sesee Wo Se — prove that.

But what struck me most was how he faced death.

He didn’t shy away from it, he sang about it.

Songs like Makra Mo, Yemfa Odo, and Adaka Teaa were his way of writing his own eulogy.

graphic.com.gh

Showbiz

Stonebwoy Ignites Afro-Dancehall With The Torcher

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2025

AladdynKing

STONEBWOY is this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year. This makes it the 10th time the talented act is owning the bragging rights.

And it seems one time BET award winner is in no hurry to rest on his oars. He is sparking the Afro Dancehall scene with his new nine-rack, The Torcher album released on Tuesday, September 9.

Ogee The MC, Stonebwoy’s official hype man, kicks off the album with a bang on the Intro track, showcasing his smooth voice and creative flair

Other songs on the album are The Torcher, Send Dem A Prayer, GidiGidi (Fire), Samankudi, Outside Lifestyle, Susuka (feat. Beeztrap & Yaw Tog), Xosetor (feat. Agbeshie & Kenny Ice) and Deeper.

The title track, The Torcher, arrives with a commanding vocal delivery layered over heavy drum patterns, Dancehall riddims, and a pulsating bassline that instantly ignites energy.

Deeper is a song that explores deeper emotions. With soulful music and heartfelt melodies, it highlights Stonebwoy’s impressive vocal range. He seamlessly switches between his signature Dancehall style and a more melodic, spiritual tone.

Since its release, Xosetor featuring Agbeshie & Kenny Ice seems to be catching on well with its Ewe flavour and chants.

“Beyond the sound, The Torcher carries a deeper narrative. It is a call for empowerment, urging fans to carry their flame” and never allow life’s challenges to dim their light,” Stonebwoy said.

The Torcher is the third album released in three years by the 2023 TGMA Artiste of the Year after 5th Dimension and Up and Runnin in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Since he rose to prominence in 2012, Stonebwoy, real name, Livingstone Etse Satekla, has distinguished himself in his field of music.

Over the years, he has strengthened his brand with international tours and standout collaborations with international artistes including Keri Hilson, Sean Paul, Trey Songz, Burna Boy, Alpha Blondie, and many more.

Stonebwoy has rocked some very notable stages across the world from 2019’s Rotom Sunsplash Festival (Spain) to 2020’s Afro Nation (Puerto Rico), 2021’s Yam Carnival (UK), and recently at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival in Qatar last year.

His numerous awards include Best International Act: Africa at BET Awards (2016), Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards (2015 and 2023), and two Billboard plaques.

graphic.com.gh

Showbiz

Judge Dismisses Civil Sex Assault Suit Against Diddy, Citing Statute Of Limitations

Published

1 month ago

August 27, 2025

AladdynKing

A New York judge has thrown out a civil lawsuit filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs that accused the music mogul of drugging and sexually assaulting a then 23-year-old artist at a Los Angeles nightclub.

The ruling is the latest legal victory for Diddy as he continues to face separate criminal proceedings.

The plaintiff filed the complaint in February, alleging that an encounter in 2015 ended with him passed out after drinking a beverage and waking to unwanted sexual contact with Combs.

The suit, brought by attorney Tony Buzbee, also claimed that Combs threatened the young artist’s career if he resisted.

*Pictured: Tony Buzbee (L), Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (R)*

The complaint named Diddy as well as his companies, Bad Boy Entertainment and Combs Enterprises.

In her decision, the judge said the claims were time barred under New York law.

The court noted that the statute of limitations in effect when the alleged incident occurred allowed five years to bring such claims.

A 2019 change in state law that extended the window for certain sex abuse claims to 20 years does not apply retroactively, the judge wrote, and therefore could not revive the plaintiff’s case.

The order dismissed the lawsuit in full. The decision follows a string of recent civil rulings in Combs’s favour.

Several other lawsuits alleging similar misconduct have been dismissed or otherwise stalled on procedural grounds, even as a number of matters remain active in various jurisdictions.

Combs is currently in custody and awaiting sentencing in a separate federal criminal case. Court filings show his sentencing is scheduled for October 3.

His legal team has vigorously denied wrongdoing in the civil matter and in other complaints.

The dismissed suit carried serious allegations that mirrored other claims the entertainer has faced in recent years.

Still, by focusing the ruling on the statute of limitations the judge avoided reaching the factual merits of the allegations.

That procedural outcome leaves open the broader public debate on accountability and the challenges of pursuing historic claims many years after they allegedly occurred.

As the calendar advances toward October and other civil suits proceed, the legal and reputational stakes for Combs remain high.

For now, the New York court’s ruling removes one potential civil liability from his immediate docket, but it does not end the series of legal battles that continue to shape the public record around one of the music industry’s most prominent figures.

myjoyonline.com

Showbiz

Jay-Z Tops Forbes List As World’s Richest Musician

Published

1 month ago

August 24, 2025

AladdynKing

American rapper, businessman, and Roc Nation founder Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay-Z, has been named the world’s richest musician by Forbes.

With a net worth of $2.5 billion (approximately Sh323 billion), Jay-Z has doubled his fortune since becoming a billionaire in 2019.

His wealth goes beyond music, spanning diverse investments and businesses. Assets such as a fine art collection, music catalog, and shares in companies including Uber have propelled him to the top of the global rankings.

The 55-year-old became the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019, largely through his business ventures. With over 140 million records sold, Jay-Z is also among the world’s best-selling music artists.

Forbes notes that he is followed by American pop star Taylor Swift, whose fortune is estimated at $1.6 billion. Rihanna, the first female artist to reach billionaire status, ranks third with a $1 billion net worth, driven by the global success of her Fenty Beauty brand.

Jay-Z, who is married to singer-songwriter Beyoncé, forms one of entertainment’s most powerful couples. Together, the pair boast an estimated combined net worth of $3.5 billion. They also share a record 88 Grammy nominations each the most in history.

Across his career spanning more than 35 years, Jay-Z has become one of the most decorated artistes of all time. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, the eighth-most ever, along with three Emmy Awards. In 2023, Vibe and Billboard ranked him the greatest rapper of all time.

Beyond entertainment, Jay-Z’s impact has been recognized in civil rights advocacy. He received the prestigious President’s Award from the NAACP, underscoring his influence both on and off stage.

With music, business, and influence intertwined, Jay-Z’s $2.5 billion empire cements his legacy as a global icon.

msn.com