I won’t shut up; Sarkodie not first at Apollo

Musician and radio presenter, Quophi Okyeame, is defiant in his criticism of ace hiplife/rap artiste, Sarkodie, and says he won’t be cowed into submission by personal attacks and bashing he’s been receiving from some Ghanaian artistes in reaction to his comments on Sarkodie’s History in the Making concert which took place last Saturday at the famous Apollo Theatre in the United States.

“I won’t shut up and I am not shutting up,” was the Rainbow Radio presenter’s counter-punch, an indication of his preparedness to defend his comments which have been interpreted as a personal attack on Sarkodie.

Formerly known in showbiz circles as Okyeame Quophi during his heydays with the defunct music group Akyeame, Quophi Okyeame incurred the wrath of fans of the ‘Rapperholic’ star as well as Reggie Rockstone who have questioned the motive for a message on his Facebook wall which sought to downplay the historical significance of Sarkodie’s performance at New York city’s iconic arena.

“Akyeame was the first Hiplife duo to play at the Apollo Theatre to a mixed crowd so huge the police came to stop the show. This was in 2000 with Daddy Lumba.

Don’t distort the history. Which history is in the making?” wrote Quophi Okyeame, who presents Away Bus on Accra-based Rainbow Radio.

He explained that his post on Facebook in reaction to Sarkodie’s concert was not to undermine the latter’s success but “to save history from being distorted”.

“What I’m saying is a fact that doesn’t need defence. If those criticising me don’t know the facts, it doesn’t mean it never happened. Well, I am not ready to shut up and I am not shutting up because this is my legacy,” he told Showbiz in an interview on Tuesday.

Rockstone, the man credited with the birth of hiplife in Ghana, took a swipe at Quophi Okyeame’s comments, describing it as one that smacks of jealousy and hatred for Sarkodie’s success.

But the man in the eye of the storm disagrees with the ‘Hiplife Grandpapa’, as he sought to state the facts more strongly about his earlier romance at the Apollo Theatre.

“I am not stealing Sarkodie’s shine. Besides, I am an ordained pastor and I don’t need any shine for anything but the facts must be stated. Somebody cannot take the glory for something that he hasn’t achieved.

“The records are there for anyone to verify. I even stated 2000 in my post but it was rather in 1999. Akyeame and Lumba headlined that concert in 1999 and Ofori Amponsah was part of the performers on the day. KKD was the MC for the night so; there are people alive today who can confirm or deny what I’m saying.

“Reggie Rockstone himself was billed to perform but couldn’t make it because he had some few challenges with the organisers. Why would I lie about this?

“This is my legacy and I have told my children what I achieved as a musician. Do you want them to see me as a liar?” he queried. “Nothing will stop me from speaking the truth. Without a past, there cannot be a present so let us present the truth and nothing else,” he stated.

Quophi Okyeame, who could not hide his pride in the achievements of Akyeame, a duo that featured Okyeame Kwame, recounted how in his heydays they staged shows at some of the popular event centres around the world, including the Oval Hall in the UK, Howard University in Washington and the Apollo Theatre, among others.

For him, it was surprising how people assumed it wasn’t the right time for him to come out to challenge the accuracy of Sarkodie’s claim.

“Well, I want to know what time will be best for me to do this. In 20 years when Sarkodie isn’t reigning anymore? I should be the biggest fool to do that.

“As I said earlier, this is my legacy which I must protect and no amount of insults or vilification will make me shut up. Besides, I don’t even care about what they say or write because I have also adopted the ‘dead goat’ syndrome. Let’s just put history where it belongs,” he added.