The Coca-Cola Company, through their music flagship show Coke Studio, has merged Coke Studio Africa and Coke Studio South Africa into one, bigger, better Coke Studio Africa 2017. Coke Studio Africa 2017 promises to be a melting pot of music talents bringing together renowned music producers and top-notch artists drawn from various parts of the continent. The merger increases the number of participating countries to 16, up from 11 in previous edition. This season will broadcast in more than 30 countries across Africa. The production now includes artists from South Africa, Rwanda, Angola, Zimbabwe, Togo, Madagascar, Mauritius, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, DRC, Ethiopia, Cameroon. The last edition featured Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, DRC, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Cote d’ Ivoire, & Togo whilst South Africa had its own production.
“Coke Studio Africa showcases Africa’s incredible music by combining different artists and genres to inspire a new generation of African music fans. With the expanded show, we aim to bring the continent alive through a fusion of music and culture that celebrates our diversity,” said Monali Shah, the Senior Content Excellence Manager for Coca-Cola Southern and East African Business Unit and Coke Studio Africa Project Director.
“Music is the heartbeat and the soul of many diverse communities throughout Africa. From Bongo, to Kwaito, to Lingala and other genres across Africa, Coke Studio Africa is helping introduce these different musical styles to new communities for the first time, while maintaining a long tradition of Coca-Cola’s use of music to build its brands,” She continued.
Like the previous editions, Coke Studio aims to inspire and introduce Africa’s music talents to a new and wider audience through interaction, collaboration and cooperation amongst musical artists while also building a strong brand connection with Africa’s young and growing population. Africa is full of great music talent in communities, cities and countries, and Coke Studio Africa can give these artists wider exposure, while enabling greater interaction, collaboration and cooperation to create inspirational new sounds
Some of the renowned names this season include Runtown and Yemi Alade from Nigeria, Tanzanian artists: Rayvanny, Izzo Bizness and Nandy, Ugandan artists Bebe Cool, Eddy Kenzo, Ykee Benda and Sheebah, Khaligraph Jones & Band Becca from Kenya, Bruce Melodie from Rwanda, Sami Dan from Ethiopia, Nasty C, Busiswa, Mashayabhuqe from South Africa and Youssoupha from Democratic Republic of Congo. Adding to the list are Dji Tafinha from Angola, Laura Beg from Mauritius, Jah Prayzah and Slapdee from Central Africa Republic, Bisa Kdei and Worlasi from Ghana, Betty G from Ethiopia, Shellsy Baronet & Mr. Bow from Mozambique, Denise from Madagascar and Ozane from Togo, Freeda from Namibia. Key names in this year’s production are reputable producers such as Yuvir Pillay Nivedan a.k.a Sketchy Bongo and Maphorisa from South Africa, Kiff No beat from Ivory Coast, Nahreel from Tanzania amongst others.
“Music has always been the heartbeat and soul of Africa, but the Internet, social media and creativity is taking artists from their communities and cities and allowing them to reach an audience across the continent which is being supported through initiatives such as Coke Studio Africa,” Said Lucy Oduor Marketing Manager, Kenya- Coca-Cola CEWA.
Coke Studio Africa 2017 is expected to air from August in South and Central Africa markets and from September onwards in East and West Africa. ]]>
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Lalue’s Last Dance, as majestic display of culture brings curtain down on Prampram Kpledomi
One striking feature about the LalueKpledomi festival is the Drum or “Kplemi”. Slashed with a permanent white marker, whoever carries it, carries the soul and spirit of the people of Prampram. It is their heritage.
For bystanders, it may look ordinary to the eyes but for those closer to it, it is a spiritual heirloom that has transcended generations. And it comes with blessings. The present generation therefore has a duty to ensure the traditional transition continues.
After all, it is through the sounds from the belly of the drum that draw the crowd together, to pay homage to their cultural heritage. And through traditional rites, the evocation of blessings is thus performed in the form of dance. There is no age limit to the performance, so far as one has the limb to move. So, after the first two that took place, the third and final one came off with the full and active participation of hundreds of participants from all walks of life, including foreign tourists.
Despite its festive nature, the spiritual aspects were also not left out- they were taken care of by the traditional priests and the various priestesses in charge of various deities. A procession often preceded the celebration to the grounds. The only difference for the final one is that it often ended up in Lakple or lower Prampram, where final rites are performed, and the drum dipped into the ocean. 
First, the sound of the drum must kick in for the procession to begin. Bystanders then join in. once the procession enters Lakple and before a sacred tree is circled around as part of the rites, libation is performed another sacred ground. Upon the performance of those rites, the procession then visits key homes in the area, where associated rites and dancing are performed. Among the cortege in the procession, apart from the Queenmother Naa Osabu Abbey I, Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief, priests and various priestesses responsible for various deities, Dawhenya Mantse Nene Tetteh Kodie Arden IV was also present. There were also Asafoatsemei and Asafoanyemei. After the last performance, the cortege then proceeded to the beach, where rites were also performed by the priests for and on behalf of the people of Prampram. As a fishing community, prayers were said for bumper harvests for our fishermen and those associated with the business. Prayers were also said for other professional bodies and groups. Speaking to PramcitiTV, the YouTube Channel based in Prampram, Nii Ayiku Obleh IV, “Numlor Kpanyor” or Counsellor of Kley, said the third and final Kple offers the town an opportunity to cleanse itself from negative things.
“We are mandated by the gods to cleanse ourselves in the sea and once that is done, we can now celebrate the new year,” he added.
Part of the cleansing also involves the dipping of the drum into the ocean and once that is done, the public is therefore allowed to enter sea and bath.
Already, there are talks within the town of strategically packaging the festival as one of the most important hubs for cultural tourism.
by Anny Osabutey, Alvin Nii Okai Kasabrefo, Ronnie Botchwey & Naa Merley Aborti Korley.
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