Culture

Egyptian Musicians Union bans Travis Scott’s ‘Pyramids of Giza’ concert

Published

1 year ago

July 19, 2023

The Egyptian Musicians Union (EMU) has banned a planned concert by American rapper, Travis Scott which was scheduled to hold in the Giza Pyramids Complex in Cairo on July 28.

The much-publicised concert was planned to coincide with Scott’s release of his new album, “Utopia” and had garnered social media buzz with the tickets sold-out in a matter of a few hours.

However, on Tuesday, the Music Professions Union in Egypt announced the cancellation of the upcoming concert following public outcry, after some people launched a campaign of boycott against Scott, calling him ‘controversial’, as well as linking him with Afrocentrism, a trend which is staunchly opposed by Egyptians, while another group made links between the American artist and satanic rituals.

The union justified the decision to cancel the concert citing the artist’s performances as conflicting with “Egyptian traditions.”

A statement released by the Music Professions Union, a body which has the authority to supervise concerts and music broadcasts in the North Africa country, said though it welcomed all forms of art and concerts, it set conditions and regulations to ensure they did not violate the country’s inherited customs and traditions.

The union further stated that based on observations and opinions of social media users and information that had been widely shared, the concert by Travis Scott allegedly involved strange rituals during his performance that conflicted with the genuine social values and traditions of the Egyptian people.

“Consequently, the union decided to revoke the license for this type of concert, which is deemed inconsistent with Egypt’s cultural identity,” the statement said.

The statement did not, however, specify the nature of these alleged rituals attributed to Scott who is one of the most prominent figures in American hip-hop music and is currently on a global tour.

The Giza Pyramids Complex has regularly hosted concerts by international music stars, including the American hip-hop group, The Black Eyed Peas who performed there in October 2021.

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Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.

Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.