Alternative Ghanaian music to come alive at ACCRA [DOT] ALT

On Saturday, December 18th, 2010 Accra will have a few more alternatives to consider. Redd Kat Pictures, presents the first annual ACCRA [dot] Alt showcase at Alliance Française from 7:00-11:00pm. ACCRA [dot] Alt showcases the cultural innovation of Ghanaian artistes on the margins. Each artiste selected to participate is cutting edge, bold, colorful and trendsetting. This dynamic event will feature a fashion preview, live concert performances, experimental short film screenings and photography exhibitions, interactive art installations, and deejaying. There will also be a crafts marketplace filled with beautiful and interesting handmade goods for purchase like beads, limited edition ACCRA [dot] Alt T-shirts, paintings and organic body butters. The gate admission fee is 10 cedis.

These artistes, without a doubt, represent the future of Ghana in music, fashion, digital media and performance. Awushie Akaba is an up-and-coming fashion designer who’s unconventional mix of colors, textures and materials will garner her acclaim for pushing Ghana into a new age of fashion. Akaba’s inspiration comes from the country’s rustic landscape and her new line is themed after natural elements of metal, clay, wood, water and fire.

Efya represents new school Ghanaian soul—with raw energy and explosive vocals—she has captivated crowds from Stars of the Future to the National Theater to Alliance Française. Wanlov the Kubolor + His Afro Gypsy Band are already international celebrities performing new music together in South Africa, France, New Zealand and Nigeria. ACCRA [dot] Alt marks the first time Wanlov will play with his band in Ghana. With this year’s release of the first-ever pidgin musical, Cos Ov Moni, Wanlov and M3NSA have exposed global audiences to experimental Ghanaian youth culture.

Trigmatic is a born lyricist—the hip hop artiste has collaborated with the Who’s Who of Ghana’s rap legends and is currently a radio presenter on YFM. JaySo is Ghana’s most notable hip hop producer working with Wyclef Jean and 2 Face Idibia among others. He’ll rock our stage with rappers Lil’ Shaker and Edi-Young of Skillions Records. Knii Lante blends R&B, reggae and higlife music into a lovely sound. His velvety tones over live ragga beats will surely have the whole place jumping. African Relaxation Techniques (ART) is a fusion of electronica, dubstep, rock, hip hop, Ghanaian folk and highlife music.

Chuxx and Anas, the future of African new school soul music, will be featured on the album. The Canz are an Atlanta-based Ghanaian hip hop duo who created a buzz recently after opening for platinum U.S. hip hop artistes Rick Ross and Gucci Mane. Hip hop sensations, J-Town and Yaa Pono, will perform alongside The Canz as special guests. Mutombo is an exceptional spoken word artiste whose lyrical fluidity and lightning quick tweets has earned him a cult following throughout Accra.

Kobby Graham, a writer/blogger/musicologist moved to Accra from the U.K. five years ago and works with Amplified and Soul N’ Motion. Kweku Ananse is a venerable institution in Accra for his fusions of AfroBeat, African folk, soul, hip hop and electronica. DJ Nth Degree is a Virginia-based artiste whose soul, R&B, hip hop and AfroBeat sets have rocked audiences throughout the East Coast of the US