One Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia, I happened to stop by an African market; Gold Coast Market, run by an old school mate, Martin Karikari. During my visit, Nana Acheampong, a Ghanaian artist?s DVD was playing on the TV screen and his music was showcased at the store counter; with other various Highlife/Hiplife CDs. One CD caught my eye by a renowned artist; Batman. This was his debut CD entitled ?Dankwansere?.
Batman calls himself BEST of ALL TIME (BAT). His voice is similar to Mark Anthony Myrie, the Jamaica?s don dada of dancehall reggae and also described by The Reggae Movement as the voice of Jamaica known around the globe to Reggae fans as Buju Banton.
Batman, known as Emmanuel Samini Andrews in my book is the master of all ?collabos?. (Collaboration) I first heard about this master of ?collabos? on the hit with King David, ?Aye Fe Notse?, I just could not believe that voice when I heard that song. It is dynamite and I thought to myself, perhaps, Buju has added his voice in this track.
The third ?Collabo? I heard featured KK Fosu, Bat and Tiny?, was a funky tune which he raps ?This is the remix from KK, alongside Batman and alongside Tiny ???..?. It is from the remix of KK Fosu?s track ?Sodwe, Sodwe?.
The best ?collabo? of all time is the hit song ?Konkontibaa? with Obour. Batman is credited with collaborating with artists on over 50 tracks.
As I listened to the Dankwansere CD, I was impressed with certain tracks and the message of encouragement. My favorite track is ?Do Something ?with the catchy chorus; Eto da na obra no aye den, eto da na aye adwendwen, mempa aba gyena penten, do something before you die, gyena penten, do something before you die? (The song is funky so get the CD and check it out). Sometimes, we get depressed and sometimes life situations make things unbearable but, chill out because life is indeed too short and we should enjoy ourselves to the fullest before we go six feet under.
Batman?s CD is a fusion of Hiplife and Reggae. His Jamaican Patoise is extremely ?wicked? and not to be taken lightly. I applaud his talent, style and creativity.
The whole idea of music is to send a message of hope and Batman?s voice is heard on the song ?Kokromoti? which denounces war and violence. It advises fellow countrymen to think about their country. Think deeply and let the country?s problems be our problems. A time will come when we will elect a president and our evidence of taking part in the election is the thumb, hence ?kokromoti?.
Batman, ?BEST of ALL TIME? is a genius and the music industry has a place for his ingenuity. Even though the famous track ?Linda? was not nominated for an award, Batman is such a talented young man who is not only the master of all ?collabos? but also a talent in his own right.
If an artist would like to get a hit record, ?Ya betta hook up with Batman ya ear dat?. I would like to share with our worldwide audience the positive vibe (lyrics in Jamaican Patois) Batman gave on the intro of his track ?Do Something? featuring Amingo;
??? Seh me tell ya, good life is our man make it, and if things no smooth betta sit down and check it, any hindrance, you will direct it. Well me tell ya seh what, the name BAT stands for Best of All Time. And if I and I can?t live to become the best of all time then me need to do something before me gone. So man fit do something before you die ya ear me, booey, booey?.
?Dankwansere? is a masterpiece and also a work of art. I hope Batman has more hits lined up for his worldwide fans because his adoring fans in the USA are dying to see him perform live on American soil and surely it will happen soon.
Mr. CNN says ?Big up Batman, Big up your chest me brethren and nuff respec?. Congratulations once again on your award as the Best Male Vocal Performance of the Year. You deserve it because you sacrificed, dedicated and proved to naysayers that you can be your own artist and with your own album. Keep your head up!!
