Organizers of the biggest musical event in 2011, the “FAMOUS 5” refused to 'pay' solidarity, popularly referred to as “Soli” to the media present at the launch of the maiden edition of the event, held at the Coconut Groove Regency Hotel, in Accra on Tuesday, February 22, 2011.
As a usual tradition at events, media men who were invited to cover the programme were awaiting patiently for their white envelopes after the Vote of Thanks, only to be told that organizers did not make provision for “Soli”.
Invited members of the press had high expectations because the event was being organized by two media gurus Kwasi Aboagye and Fiifi Banson both of Peace FM, but they unfortunately went home disappointed with just a press kit and some bottles of soft drinks and pastries.
The disgruntled journalists openly expressed their disappointment at the turn of events, but all their efforts to squeeze money out of the organisers proved futile as most of the pressmen were seen leaving the premises with a straight face.
The “FAMOUS 5” organized by Events and More in collaboration with Peace FM, is an event bringing together 5 of the greatest stage performers in Ghana to perform on one stage on the same night.
A college of professionals in the music industry namely: Nana Benyin Dadson( Graphic Showbiz Editor), Carlos Sekyi (Musician and Copyright advocate), Diana Hopeson( MUSIGA President), Appiah Dankwa aka Appietus (Music Producer), Fred Darko (Event Producer), Kwasi Aboagye (Peace FM), Whitney Boakyi Mensah (Event Planner and Journalist) and Fiifi Banson (Peace FM) have critically selected 15 of the most prominent artistes based on their presence, in terms of releases or public performances and how much impact they have made on their audience within the last 12 months, irrespective of their music genre.
Out of the great list of 15, the general public will have the sole power to choose their FAMOUS 5, by texting their favourite 5 out of the 15 to short code 1962 (All Networks) and at the end have an opportunity to party and jam with all five, in a grand concert on the 22nd of April 2011 at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The selected final 15 artistes include: Amakyi Dede, Kojo Antwi, Ohemaa Mercy, No-Tribe, DL(Daddy Lumba), R2Bees, 5Five, Ruff & Smooth, Wutah, Samini, Kofi B, Sarkodie, Castro, Cecelia Marfo and Kwabena Kwabena. Voting for the FAMOUS 5 began on Tuesday February 22 immediately after the official launch and voting will be closed exactly a month later, on March 22, 2011.
In an interview with Mr. Fiifi Banson who is a Managing Partner and Communications Director for the event, he expressed his satisfaction so far, and said he expects it to be the biggest musical event on the entertainment calendar, as it is going to be an annual affair after the maiden event this year.
He dismissed suggestions that this is might create competition amongst the musicians, and asserted that it will rather challenge them to improve on their stage craft.
The event, aimed at raising the standards in stage performance in Ghana, will afford the various artistes a unique opportunity and platform to perform and interact with their fans.
So who are the FAMOUS 5 artistes you will love to see on one stage? The magic code is 1962. The event is put together by Events and More and sponsored by Peace 104.3 FM, Okay FM, This Way Chocolate Drink, and produced by E-Volution International.
