Edem - Meeting one of Ghana's Conscious Rappers

I absolutely love Edem!

Edem's music is one that's proud of being African. He started out as 'the Ewe rapper' or 'Ayigbe Edem' when he hit it big in between 2006 and 2008. The amazing thing about his prolificity is if you were not Ewe, or you did not understand his Ewe rap,  his charisma and power is diffused through the music. He spoke the powerful language of music and we heard and understood. In 2014, Edem's latest Abulm, Books N' Rhymes is a testament to the versatility of his talent. Edem explores with his art and his rap is not simply how we have known it to be previously. He pushes the boundaries to establish a new sound in every song on the album. It's a mix of hiphop, reggae, House, dancehall, etc.

Despite being in an industry that glorifies the commercial, shallow and fleeting, Edem does not bend to the pressure. He remains a conscious rapper passionate about Africa, passionate about sharing with the rest of Africa and changing the narrative through his art. While other musicians may make music for just Ghana and for just a moment in time, He makes music for Africa and beyond, and strives to make it timeless.

His latest album, 'Books N' Rhymes', is out! It's a definite must-have!

ABOUT BOOKS N' RHYMES
"We created an album that will change the industry that will make people want to rethink their creative process"~ Edem on 30Minitz

"Books and Rhymes are the basis of human's life. Books are what takes us through life, takes us to the greatest of places, gives us power and knowledge; and rhymes are the basis of our childhood where you are taught to learn 'twinkle, twinkle little star', etc to be able to speak properly. So I thought it would be creative for me to use this album to gravitate the African continent towards schooling themselves. I rap more in Ewé because I need to sell the sub-region where I am coming from even though it is very difficult to do it because you have to kick away the stigma of people saying it cannot stand the test of time and you have to do it so well from a marketing perspective." ~ Edem on BBC.


Check out my interview with Edem on 30Minitz! In this, Edem speaks about his hit tracks, 'Only in Ghana,' his humorous documentation of Ghanian quirkies, and 'The One' which dares to reference Ghana's slave history. 

Were you at the Gird Writing Camp for Creative Writing? It was superb, wasn't it?!

The Gird Writing Camp for Creative Writing took place last week Saturday and for all writers who showed up, it was an amazing experience!

Moderated by Dr. Mawuli Adzei and Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo, writers had a lively discussion about writing, their work and a few writing deadlines under their belts.

It began with writing exercises conducted by Billie McTernan, where writers learnt to write freely without the hindrance of thinking too much (guilty on all accounts!).

Participants tackling some writing exercises

Moderators, Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo & Dr. Mawuli Adzei

 Dr. Mawuli Adzei took over, commencing with the art of Fiction, tackling the topics such as: How to get started, Developing Creative Ideas, writing style, language and the use of Ghanaianisms. The discussion was later driven towards the contentious issue of writing for the Writer or writing for the Reader, and in Dr. Mawuli Adzei’s apt words, it was agreed that, ‘Writers, just write. Do not inhibit your self thinking of the reader. Your role is as the story teller”.

Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo took over the next session, and she began wonderfully by reading her latest piece, ‘GraviSearch’- a rumination of the origin of the names of certain Ghanaian foods, which became a philosophical contemplation of Africa and its diaspora, Africa and its passive yet turbulent relationship with the West. 

An extensive Q & A session followed where the participants traversed topics such as the challenges of publishing, Ama Ata Aidoo’s writing style, her influences, her choice of topics and so much more.

The camp's final session was on non-fiction, moderated by Dr. Mawuli Adzei.The styles and choices of autobiographies were examined, as well as the style, tone, mood of essays were also discussed.

Up next in the Gird Writing Camp is the Academic Writing Module of the Gird Writing Camp which is set to take place this Saturday, October 25 at the Goethe Institute, in Accra. 

Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo, Dr. Mawuli Adzei and participants

 

With four (4) days more to the start of the Academic Writing Module of the camp which supports students and researchers, with their academic projects and research work, the camp promises to increase participants’ knowledge and propel them to impact meaningfully in academia. 

Prof. Helen Yitah, a Scholar and the Head of the Department of English who is currently leading the research team for the Nation and Narration project and Dr. Kweku Ainuson, a Lawyer and a Lecturer who has worked on an admissions board, supervised graduate thesis and currently is a reviewer for 3 academic journals will be teaching the Academic Writing Module of the camp.

They will address a range of topics including types and forms of academic writing, how to write effective summaries, personal statements, journal articles, grant applications, thesis and proposals. The class admits up to 20 participants only.

You can register online by clicking here We are currrently running a discount promotion. If you're interested in getting a discount to attend the camp, please call or text 020152656 or 0263144621. If you would like to offer some form of sponsorship so we can further subsidize the cost for students, please call:  020152656 or 0263144621 or email: info@girdcenter.org.

The Desiderata

I thought I'd post the Desiderata today. Something in the universe is 'vibing' me with these words right now, and as always, I am humbled with their wisdom. Hope it speaks to  you too!

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.