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“Leave Gabby Otchere-Darko alone, He’s telling the truth”- Leila Djansi to Ghanaian filmmakers

It has been days of constant jabs from some Ghanaian filmmakers and actors at politician Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko after his post commenting on the state of the Ghana movie industry but America based Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi has come to his defense. In a Facebook post, the prolific politician wrote: “I took my time to […]

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"Leave Gabby Otchere-Darko alone, He's telling the truth"- Leila Djansi to Ghanaian filmmakers

“Leave Gabby Otchere-Darko alone, He’s telling the truth”- Leila Djansi to Ghanaian filmmakers

It has been days of constant jabs from some Ghanaian filmmakers and actors at politician Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko after his post commenting on the state of the Ghana movie industry but America based Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi has come to his defense.

In a Facebook post, the prolific politician wrote:

“I took my time to watch randomly ten Ghanaian movies and never felt so disappointed. It brought home to me one major deficiency in our development. The apparent lack of deliberate consciousness on the part of the creative industry in the development conversation,”

After putting up the post, actors Adjetey Annan, Lydia Forson, Yvonne Nelson, and Kafui Danku demonstrated their displeasure at the post, stating that Gabby should press on his government to create a good policy for the creative arts to thrive.

Movie stars slam Gabby Otchere-Darko for expressing disappointment in Ghanaian movies

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Ghanaian-American filmmaker, Leila Djansi seems to be of a different view as she has taken to social media to lash out at Ghanaian filmmakers and actors for descending on the comment made by Gabby.

Read her letter to fellow filmmakers below:

My dear filmmakers in Ghana. Leave this politician guy alone! What he said about the industry is the truth. I don’t see why there’s so much deflection and insult for him.

He pretty much said Ghanaian films have no soul and he is RIGHT. Watching Ghanaian films is like talking to a lover who has dark glasses over his eyes. No connection.

The first arguments you all made was that there is no government support. Which government supported any film industry? Industries that have government support got it because of the impact they made on the countries economy. How much impact have Ghanaian films made on the economy? How honest are the players? There are so much rancor and treachery within the ranks. Nothing government can do about that!

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Whenever you ask a middle-aged Ghanaian for his favorite Ghanaian film, they usually mention “I told you So”. So, I traced the film and watched it and I asked myself, really? Why? Because it’s funny? YES. Because it’s funny. Right, we can’t be serious in any aspect, huh? Everything must be fun.

Step back. Have comedies ever, ever been nominated for Oscars? Let’s use the Oscars as a yardstick. Action films? No. Because these genres are not necessarily “real”. They don’t tell of the HUMAN CONDITION. THE HUMAN HEART. THE HERO’S JOURNEY.

You fell in love with old Nollywood because of the CHARACTERS it created. The evil in-law, the blood money guy. It fed your superstition. You looked out for people like that in your day to day life. Grace Omaboe got her name, Maame Dokuno from a character she played. Kweku Ananse is famous because of his character.

This is all Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is trying to say. He watched 10 Ghanaian films and he had no reason to root for any person. His core wasn’t stirred.

Instead of being so defensive and making up arguments, how about you listen?

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My favorite films from Ghana are two. Kukurantuni, The road to Accra and Love Brewed In an African Pot. I didn’t laugh, I didn’t care for picture quality and I wasn’t saying it to please the filmmakers. I like these films because I can’t and have never forgotten the soul, decisions, and actions of the characters that led the story to where it went! Character driven plots.

A man returns from work and discovers his daughter was raped. He picks up a machete and steps out of the house into the rain. —Here is our hero. Now, let his actions and choices direct the course of the story HONESTLY. Don’t write what you like. Write his actions and the effect of his actions, remembering that every character in your plot has free will and makes decisions too. Conflict.

Gabby Replies Critics of his "Ghanaian Movies" Post

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King Promise thrills fans at sold-out show in Singapore

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Ice Spice remix stamps Cash Cobain’s “Fisherrr” as the Song of the Summer

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Billboard Rookie of the Month, and multi-hyphenate NYC star, Cash Cobain has just linked up with Ice Spice for the long-awaited video remix for “Fisherrr”(feat. BaySwag) [18m+ Streams]. After bubbling the past few years with R-rated anthems over his own ethereal production – creating the playful “sexy drill” sound that he’s pioneered and taken to mainstream heights, Cash Cobain is stamping himself as a serious song of the summer contender with this remix.

Following up his two smash singles “Dunk Contest” (8m+) and “Fisherrr” (pronounced, ‘for sure), Cash is primed for his moment in the spotlight ––  hitting 1M Monthly Listeners on Spotify, Top 3 NYC Shazam Charts, having occupied the #1 + #3 slots of the NYC Apple Music Charts, hitting #45 on the Urban Radio Charts and counting, and now landing Ice Spice’s third feature ever  –– in the words of COMPLEX, “the summer of 2024 is looking very slizzy”. On the highly-anticipated remix, Ice Spice is simply in top-tier shape.

Adding her signature magnetic ‘it-girl’ flair, charming cadence, and instantly-coinable one-liners, she bolsters the lightning-hot single into astronomical territory with the opening lines –– “Got an attitude but I’m feelingless, so I ain’t mad at you, And I’m tatted too on this fatty-tude, I’m the baddest boo”.

The long-overdue collab from the two Bronx natives is seamless, with her being a tailor-fit alongside the ethereal, dreamy production and silky smooth verses from Bay Swag and Cash. With the recent releases of “Dunk Contest” (watch Genius ‘Open Mic’)  and now the Ice Spice-assisted remix for “Fisherrr” (feat. BaySwag), Cash Cobain is using his collaborative momentum from last year to continue elevating his signature sound, showcasing its influential and ever-growing widespread appeal in the process. In the words of Cash:“It’s a beautiful record. It feels amazing, it feels like NYC is back stronger than ever with me and Spice -– two Bronx legends. Get ready for the song of the summer.” 

Last month, Cash took over NYC with his birthday show, ‘Slizzyfest’ at Irving Plaza –– a night that was slated as a stacked lineup of NY’s finest, with rumors of an A-list superstar surprise set. After chatter spread online and the hype reached a fever pitch, the crowd became too much to handle and the show was ultimately canceled –– but Cash wanted to give the fans their money’s worth so he ventured into Union Square and threw a makeshift show with his crew, a Bluetooth speaker, and hundreds of adoring fans (read ‘I Went to Cash Cobain’s Slizzyfest and All I Got Was That Classic NYC Feeling’ via Rolling Stone + statement in Billboard).

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Also in Billboard, Cash recently teased potential collaborations with Frank Ocean, Travis Scott, Don Toliver (seen filming a music video here), Lil Yachty and more –– a surefire sign of the worldwide stardom soon to come. These recent releases arrive on the heels of a career-defining year in 2023 that closed with the production of PinkPantheress“Nice To Meet You” (feat. Central Cee), which debuted at #20 on Billboard Hot 100 (he also starred alongside her in a nationally-syndicated Apple commercial for the new MacBook).

This was preceded by producing Drake’s “Calling For You” (feat. 21 Savage), which debuted at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, DJ’ing at Travis Scott‘s Cactus Jack x Audemars Piguet event, and releasing his critically-acclaimed debut solo album Pretty Girls Love Slizzy with Giant Music.

Please find links to stream the new “Fisherrr” Remix (feat. Ice Spice) below, and stay tuned for more announcements:

“FISHERRR” REMIX (FEAT. ICE SPICE) – OUT NOW
WATCHLISTEN
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Diana Asamoah Takes Legal Action Against Assistant Pastor for GH₵4K Theft

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Contemporary gospel musician and evangelist, Diana Asamoah has taken action leading to the arrest of her assistant pastor, Reverend Kwame Asante, for an alleged theft of GH₵4000 from her mobile money account. (more…)

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