What is GH¢15,000 per performance? - Amakye Dede

Highlife living legend Abrantie Amakye Dede is wondering why there are speculations in the media about how much he charges per performance and who is fuelling the false information.

Amakye Dede, who was responding to questions from the media about how much he charges for a show, said "Do you know how much I pay the man who plays violin for every show?

Even though the “Iron Boy” singer did not mention exactly how much he charges, he said he definitely takes more than GH¢15,000 per performance. He disclosed this at the official launch of the second edition of the “Legends and Legacy Ball” at Erata Hotel on Friday August 17, 2012 in Accra.

The Highlife maestro was unveiled to the media as the next artiste to be accorded that honour at a brief ceremony.

In his address, the hugely talented highlife musician said he was very humbled by the honour and the realization that Ghanaians appreciate what he has been doing all these years.

“It is going to be ‘seeeeriousss’ on that day”, he stated and thanked organizers of the event for the initiative.

Communications Director for Imajin Advertising, organisers of the event, Fiifi Banson, also commented on the reports of how much Abrantie charges as his performance fee saying if foreign musicians can be paid thousands of US dollars to come and perform in Ghana, then he believes Amakyi Dede even deserves GH ¢100,000.

The “Legends and Legacy Ball” is scheduled to come off on September 15, 2012 at the Accra International Centre. Other musicians expected to perform on the night include Samini, Okyeame Kwame, Becca, Eazzy, Kwabena Kwabena, Daasebre Dwamena, Steve Bedi, a Saxophonist and Abrantie’s close pal, Freddy Meiway. All the artistes will perform some great tunes of the “Bebrebe yi” hit maker.

Present at the press launch were Mr Mike Gizo, former Minister of State, Satirist and Actor KSM, ACP Kofi Boakye, MUSIGA President, Bice 'Obour' Osei Kuffour, Tic Tac, Daasebre Dwamena, Steve Bedi, Charles Amoah, Kwabena Kwabena and Ben Brako.

Daniel Amakye Dede began his musical journey in 1973 when he joined Royals Kumapim Band owned by Akwasi Ampofo Agyei of blessed memory.

As a composer and a vocalist, he travelled to Nigeria to seek greener pastures and was blessed with the hit song ‘Jealousy Go Shame’.

Amakye later formed his own band, Apollo High Kings in 1980 and has since released hit after hit. He has over 28 albums to his credit.

Imajin Advertising, an Event Management and Advertising company based in Accra came up with the Legends and Legacy ball (LAL Ball) which seeks to celebrate the musical achievements and legacies of Ghanaian music legends.

The Legends and Legacy Ball celebrant would have his own songs performed to him by some selected musicians in Ghana as he sits and watches. The honoree will then climax the night with a historic performance after he is decorated with a gold medal, presented with a number of citations and among other goodies.

Daddy Lumba was the first recipient of this honor. Last year at the same venue where the show was held, it brought together Ghana's two former presidents, Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kuffour, who were later seen sitting and dancing together.