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Nollywood and the Sequels – by Aliyu Daku

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nollywoodOne of the first Nollywood movies that actually caught my attention was a drama about a cheating wife. African movies weren’t really my thing back then, but I was at a friend’s house and I began to realize the interesting Nigerian content I had been missing out on. I thought, the movie was the perfect depiction of present day reality in a typical Nigerian marriage. Cheating spouses, “runs girls”and how almost everything is now about the money. Speaking of money, it really became about the money when the movie ended before “the end” and credits began to roll just as the husband was about to walk into his wife in bed with their teenage house boy. I was so anxious to see what would happen next and the next thing I saw as the credits began roll was “Go and buy part 2 to see the remainder of this movie,” not in those exact words though. My reaction was, “Nollywood, seriously?” “This is a rip-off, is this even legal?” I asked my friend. As I watched more Nollywood movies over time, I came to realize that it’s an old time Nollywood tradition to sell a mini-series as a movie and with a movie title. A typical Nollywood movie would be filled with minutes upon minutes of background sound (the whole industry uses thesame background sound for this) while a character is shown thinking, doing the laundry or even sleeping. If only these time-killing scenes were not in the movie, the whole story would have been told in a one-part movie,  instead, they’ve managed to stretch it to 3 or 4 parts. Rip-off! At the time, I was planning an African entertainment site which turned out to be launched as http://africamars.com a few years later. So walking home from my friend’s house that night, I started thinking to myself how much disk space would go to waste from the unnecessary parts in every Nollywood movie. The secret to streaming online video success is to keep it short and sweet,so as to save the viewers streaming time and bandwidth and also to save yourself money on server storage space. With all these in mind, I concluded that building a Nollywood  TV startup would be too expensive and may even be destined to fail from the start. I thought online viewers would be bored and turned off because the online experience is totally different from the TV/video experience. Online viewers are impatient and every second of boredom is a chance for them to click away to the next site. I later found out that my assumptions were wrong and online users actually love Nollywood, but that’s another story. Back home, I finally realized why most Nollywood movies were made almost thesame way. And the answer, “lack of creativity”. Yeah I said it, most of Nollywood lacks creativity. There is nothing wrong with selling 3 to 4 parts of a single movie title, but you really have to be creative so it doesn’t look like a series. You have to be creative with most especially the endings. Instead of cutting off part one in the middle of suspense, finish up the story and creatively revive the story to create part 2 so you could sell more dvd boxes and make more money ;). Look at and learn from how Hollywood blockbusters do their business. Look at Spider man, Lord of the rings, Hangover, Transformers and more, they all have good endings where everything ends and the title keeps coming back like the terminator. Also, not every title must have sequels. In the long run, creativity in movie making and storylines would determine if Nollywood would actually become the truely global entertainment industry it’s been long anticipated to become, or it would actually end up looking just like another rip off industry tring to maximize some easy profits.  ]]>

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“COVID-19” inspired my “Aseda”single – Michael K. Okyere recounts

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Versatile musician Michael K. Okyere has recently released a single titled “Aseda,” which was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. The article explores the meaning behind the song and how Okyere found inspiration during this challenging time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably affected people’s lives across the globe. From the devastating loss of lives to the economic downturn, it has created an unprecedented situation for everyone. However, amid the chaos and uncertainty, many individuals have found solace and inspiration in unlikely places.

One such person is Michael K. Okyere, a talented and versatile musician known for his ability to captivate audiences with his unique fusion of various music genres. When the pandemic struck, Okyere found himself reflecting on the prevailing circumstances and sought a way to channel his emotions into his art.

The result was the creation of his latest single, “Aseda,” which means “thanks” in the Akan language spoken in Ghana, Okyere’s home country. The song serves as a tribute to the resilience and gratitude of individuals during these challenging times.

Okyere shares that “Aseda” was born out of his desire to express his deep appreciation for life and the strength of the human spirit. He witnessed people coming together, supporting each other, and finding joy in the simplest of things despite the hardships they faced. The song aims to inspire listeners to focus on gratitude and appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed.

The upbeat and catchy melody of “Aseda” mirrors the message of hope and positivity that Okyere intends to convey. By merging traditional Ghanaian rhythms with contemporary sounds, he manages to create a musical fusion that resonates with a wide audience. The song’s infectious energy invites listeners to immerse themselves in the celebration of life and their ability to overcome adversity.

While the pandemic has presented numerous challenges for musicians and artists, Okyere has channeled his creativity into creating meaningful and inspiring content. He believes that music has the power to uplift souls and connect people, even in the toughest of times.

Through “Aseda,” Michael K. Okyere hopes to remind listeners that amidst the chaos and uncertainty, there is still much to be grateful for. The song serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of gratitude in finding solace and joy even in challenging circumstances.

As an artiste, his ability to find inspiration in difficult times demonstrates his dedication to his craft and his commitment to spreading positivity through music. “Aseda” is a testament to his versatility and talent, showcasing his ability to merge different musical styles to create a vibrant and captivating masterpiece.

Enjoy the song below

https://youtu.be/vInPF-NKMic?si=mFS0mfw8CAX0YEtd

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Pizza Inn the Bridge at Adjiriganor is giving free Pizza Pies this Christmas season

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Ghanaian Pizza brand, Pizza Inn has opened a new branch in East-Legon and has FREE pizza pies and more to share this christmas season. (more…)

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Watch: Stonebwoy gives update on legal action against Kelvynboy

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Dancehall act, Stonebwoy has hinted that his legal team is taking serious action against his former signee Kelvynboy for comments he made after he was attacked in Ashiaman recently. (more…)

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Watch: Michael Blackson hosts AY Poyoyo on IG live: Snoop Dogg reacts

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Internet sensation and “King of Gh Rap”, AY Poyoyo has caught the international audience with his unique style of music. (more…)

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Justin Bieber denies sexual assault allegations, plans to take legal action

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Canadian singer, Justin Bieber has reacted to the sexual assault allegation made against him by a Twitter user identified simply as “Danielle” with evidence. (more…)

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Arnold Asamoah Baidoo goes hard at eShun, labels her untrustworthy and a liar

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Showbiz pundit, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo has articulated his disappointment at eShun’s actions as a professional artist over the years.

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