Interview with Ofori Amponsah

He can be best described as Ghana's biggest artiste at the moment,releasing hits after hits every year for the past eight years.He is adored by numerous of fans worldwide and has established himself as one of the names to be reckon with in the music industry in Africa.Mr Ofori Amponsah aka 'All 4 real' has indeed made Ghana proud and we caught up with him recently on his European tour for a one on one chat. GE:A warm welcome Ofori,how are you doing?

OA:Am good ,thank you.

GE:Lets talk about your background,where were you born?

OA: i was born in Agogo in the Ashanti Akyem district about 33 years ago.

GE:So you dont even need to mention your age to us?

O:yeah

GE:Where did you schooled?

O:I went to primary school at Agogo primary and secondary school at Konongo Odumasi from form one to upper six.But unfortunately i couldn't go to university because i was dismissed from school for going out to sing.But its all good because am doing what i do best and that's singing and loving it too.

GE:How long have you been in the music business?

O:Its way back like 15 years ago,but it took me like 6 years to get a producer to help me come out.I recorded my songs back in 1993 with Daddy Lumba but it couldn't come out until 1999,that we came out with 'woho kyere' and that was the begining of the story.

GE:So who discovered ofori Amponsah?

O:Actually what i can say is that a whole lot of people along the way to this position helped me,but first and foremost i thank GOD because there are so many people who have talent but can't come out.But it was through Daddy Lumba that my first album came out.He was like the pace setter,he started the way for me.

GE:How many songs did you do with Daddy Lumba?

O:Actually it was a collaborational thing,i came up with seven songs and he also brought two to it.

GE:So you basically wrote seven songs and he wrote the other two,and how was it like working with Daddy Lumba?

O:It was something that i was dreaming about, because i was searching all over.Working with Daddy Lumba a huge star like that was something that gave me the push to write songs that was up there,because he was already up there,so i had to train myself to get up there too,so through him i was able to come this far.

GE:You know we Ghanaians like gossiping alot,i heard rumours that you and Daddy Lumba have a beef,how far is this true?

O:I dont even want somebody to talk about this because it would bring a curse on myself, if i go somewhere to talk bad about him.He is my mentor,he is my star,i call him Daddyoo Daddy,i still love him so much.It was just that a time came that i had to go solo to pursue other things,but that doesn't mean i have a beef with him,we still ok.

GE:So do you plan on doing another collaboration with him?

O:I hope so because after this album am going to rest for like three years and afterwards if God permits and Daddy is free,we will try and do something together.

GE:How many albums have you got so far?

O:So far its like eight years with eight albums,i did one with Kofi Nti,two with Kofi B and five to my credit.

GE:Wow,eight albums in eight years and basically all the albums that have come out from you are all hits songs.So of the eight albums which one of them is your favourite?

O:I think they are all good albums,but i think 'asew' was a great album even though we have all forgotten about it.

GE:Yeah 'asew' was great,but what about Otoolege?

O:Comparing 'asew' to 'otoolege' will be very difficult but i will go for 'Otoolege' because it was very massive.

GE:When is your next album coming out?

O:It should be out by the middle of september and it features Batman Samini,Kofi Nti,Richie Rich and alot more.This new album is a very different one altogether.

GE:What is the title?

O:'odwo te se nsuo nwinu'

GE:After this album,what next?

O:Actually i just sat down to analyse things and i think am getting a bit tired when it comes to writing music and in the arts there are other ways that i can go like film and videos.

GE:So are we going to see Ofori Amponsah the actor very soon?

O:yeah,my fans are going to see the other side of me,plus am going to produce some gospel artistes too.

GE:So its like you are taking a little break?

O:I cant go out of music,its impossible for me,but its kind of eating into my time and everything,am very tired seriously because after years of hits albums,i really need a break and get into other things and after sometime,i will come back.

GE:What inspires you to write these wonderful,soul touching songs?

O:The inspiration comes from ordinary people that i work with and day to day life.

GE:Talking about inspiration,apart from Daddy Lumba which other artistes have inspired you to reach this stage of your career?

O:I think Kojo Antwi and also i like Michael Jackson for his music talent.They are the artistes that i used to listen to growing up.

GE:We would like to extend our condolences to you for the loss of your manager Mufty Dabre

O:This is what people dont realise that in life everything has a begining and everything has an end.So we dont need to sit down and boast about tomorrow.Wherever Mufty is I pray that GOD keeps his soul.May his soul rest in peace.

GE:From us here,we just want to wish you the very best in your future projects,we hope you are coming back into the music scene soon,because we can never do without Ofori Amponsah.

O:I know that is why am giving my fans this latest album,then i will take a break and do other things like working on my farm and the movies,plus producing gospel music.Because i started with gospel music and am a christian so its like reaching out and going back to my roots.

GE:On your last album which was titled'emmanuela',was it about a very special lady in your life?

O:The name emmanuela sounded rythmic,it was such a nice name and wanted to use it.I dont know anyone by that name,i just used it to write a song and that is it.

GE:Is Ofori married?

O:yes i am

GE:Any children?

O:I have four kids.

GE:You have inspired alot of people with your songs ,are you looking forward to continuing with your inspirations into your next future projects?

O:Like i said earlier am moving into movies and music productions and i want to be an inspiration to so many.I want to be somebody that people talk about positively not negatively,because there are things that came out to taint my image.Some people tried to assasinate my character like using my name in shows which didnt concerned me and fans believing that i was going to turn up for those shows and it really did hurt alot.I have discussed this situation with my lawyer and the next time someone uses my name in any show without my concern,i will sue that person,because its killing me.

GE:Finally any words of advice for the up and coming artistes who wants to follow in your footsteps and your numerous fans out there?

O:They have to listen to themselves not to other people,because there is something special in every person.Just keep on listening to yourself and something great will come out.And to my fans i love them for every cd they have bought,i want them to keep the original cd and stop the pirating because,its killing the music industry.I love them all and promises to be back soon.

GE:Thank you very much Ofori for your time.

O:you are welcome and keep up the good work Ghanas entertainment.