After lots of anxious wait
and publicity, the countdown to the ‘Okyeame Kwame Versatile Show’ has finally
begun as the reality series that comes with the Album launch cum staged event
hit the TV screens.
Dubbed the "The
Versatile Show Countdown", it gets to throw light on preparations toward
the show right from audition, rehearsals to the main event on December 14,
2012. The Countdown will showcase the fun times during rehearsals, stressful
times and emotional moments when O.K can't carry on but
must dance his way through.
In the very first episode
which aired on Gh One, Okyeame Kwame was on to warm viewers and fans alike
about what to expect with the reality series. The 21-minutes reality show shot at
the Oak Plaza in Accra segmented the maiden episode into Okyeame Kwame
yesterday, now, and in the future.
The first episode caught the
CEO of Roverman Productions; James Ebo Whyte affectionately called Uncle Ebo
Whyte, who is handling the Theatre aspect of the event.
For someone so enthused
about helping to give the creative industry of arts a facelift, Uncle James
told of his willingness to join the train upon hearing what it was all about.
One person beside herself
with joy was the Production Executive of Roverman Productions, Effie Nkrumah. Although
elated she keep her cards to her chest by saying to the cameras to expect a big
surprise from O.K on the event night. She said it will leave patrons with
memories to cherish for a long time to come.
"I like his passion and
commitment to his art and his craft. I like the fact that he was committed to
self-improvement, the fact that he always want to challenge his comfort zone
and to push his boundaries as far back as he could", was how Uncle Ebo
Whyte’s described Okyeame Kwame.
Uncle Ebo Whyte, Okyeame
Kwame revealed, The Roverman Theatre Group’s contribution to the show is free
of any charges which motivates him to give out his best.
Apart from Theatre,
organizers also told viewers on the show, the School of Performing Arts will be
giving classic contemporary dances on the event night. This, they said, won't
leave out street dancers which also include acrobats, stunt men (fireworks) and
skaters all on one stage.
"What has kept me in
this game for 15 years is God," Okyeame Kwame intimated on TV when it was
his time to feature. The maiden episode had O.K talk about his current status
in his musical career. To him, the journey has not been easy but one with lots
of ups and downs.
"As a poet you are a
vessel of words that the people must hear and God chooses people to do His work.
So I believe that my work is not done and that is why I am still relevant"
is what he says he believe is the reason why he is still in the
"game".
The Rap Doctor who associates
his success to his fans support took time to thank all for being the reasons
why he is still in the industry. Behind the music, however, O.K is "a very
competitive, knowledgeable, strong, focused entertainer and rapper who is taking
the bull by the horns and wrestling it hard to succeed" he said.
O.K’s inspiration comes from
his parents, classrooms, what happens on the streets and the fact that God
gives him the ability to “say things to put His people at rest".
Other artistes who have also
shaped his thoughts, he said, includes Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Michael Jackson,
2Pac, Steve Wonder, Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede, Rex Omar, Nana Ampedu, AB
Crentsil, Reggie Rockstone, and many more artistes that he find intelligent,
interesting and musically sarvvy.
To complete the episode, Okyeame
Kwame highlighted on his musical journey right from the group Akyeame, their
separation through to his solo career. He stated that he started rapping in
1991 with co-artiste Okyeame Quophi. Akyeame came out with their first album,
"Nyansapo" in 1997 when other hiplife artistes making waves then were
the likes of Nananom, Reggie Rockstone, and Ex-doe.
Two years and two albums
after their first album, Akyeame sojourned in the United States of America for
three years. Whilst there, O.K admitted he did several jobs to survive including
selling oranges.
What led to the separation,
Okyeame Kwame revealed stemmed from the differences of interest which was far
from the groups’ aspirations and larger interests were. While Okyeame Kwame
would stop at nothing to perform at shows, Okyeame Quophi had gained interest
in making beats in the studio after the two returned from the United States of
America.
The idea of the Versatile Show,
O.K said came to him some seven years ago when he started nurturing the urge
that he would organize his own shows. Bringing theatre, dance and music
together, he remarked contributed immensely to Broadway and the achievements of
rap will be undeniable.
The Okyeame Kwame Versatile
Show Countdown reality series airs on Gh One at 3pm on Sundays.
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