Codename: GH

This is Ghana our motherland. Where the fathers dominate and the reverend ones procreate. In this land of misleading leaders, we traded our law-makers for money takers, sold out our oil and left the economy in turmoil. Religiously covered in sin yet everyone is a preacher, we reach out to all but the needy. Everybody is a coach when no one is playing. To heal their pockets, our Doctors are always on strike but actually have more patience than patients. Boys and old men are in an unending and unyielding tug of war with the girls stuck in the middle. Bearded meat! We speak more English than the British, kiss longer than the French and curse better than the Yankees. #GhBaby

Credit: Dean Sonaa

Lost In Our Own Home

Gone are the days when the affairs of a nation were controlled by people from faraway lands, now we can proclaim that we are liberated and more confident as a people. From every corner of the nation, on that fateful Wednesday the 6^th day of March 1957, there was joy and a feeling of nationalism that transcended every tribal and family affiliation. For once we had a sense of national pride and hope of achievement that we as a people were entitled to the right of freedom and justice. Finally the ‘Blackman’ was good enough to manage his own affairs and ceased to live under the shadows of the master. This immense feeling brought about opportunities of achieving something that we can proudly possess and wield in our hearts as individuals and a nation as a whole. Truly, freedom and justice was at its peak and so was patriotism and hard-work, the tools to propel this nation into the future we had long sought-after. Ghana had finally taken her spot in the league of independent nations and this sheer action heralded a revolution all across the continent. Things were looking good and the future, brighter than the Sunday afternoon sun. Our country was the golden gateway to Africa.

Fast forwarding to more than five decades later, can we honestly claim that we have arrived at the place we anticipated? To deliberate on this question will take volumes of writings of contrasting human opinions and analytic contributions. A rather major concern is whether we have failed our nation as a people or has the nation failed us, the people. I think we should put as much emphasis on what we can do for our nation as we do on what the nation can do for us. In the wise words of former American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, “Think of what you can do for your nation, not what your nation can do for you”. Those words are the blueprint to the crafting of the fortunes of any nation that wishes to achieve a utopia or something close to that. These few words are rooted to the spot with inspiration. Ghana has extensive natural resources at its disposal and a decent human resource base which is highly underdeveloped. Yes, the human resource is the most important to us as a nation and any nation on the globe since human resource is ever increasing with respect to mineral deposits which are depleting at an enormous rate due to their high demand on the world markets.

The populace, their mentality, zeal, customs and traditions and their tolerance towards each other contributes to the progress of a nation and its existence as well. Therefore a nation that is determined to develop its human resource shall prevail in all its endeavours and proceed to the land of milk and honey. The most influential part of this resource is the youth who have in their hands the ability to hope and the strength to work harder for the actualization of this bright future that every nation dreams. An educated people well aware of their heritage and propelled by a will of definitive purpose shall leave a lasting legacy for their own selves and generations to come. There is the emergence of fast growing technology which has made many things much easier than they used to be, a great tool to herald this nation into a new era with the youth playing an integral role. Have we wondered the kind of feats that would have been accomplished if the technology we have today was at the disposal of our earlier generations?

From a typical example of the Great Roman Empire that rose from the ashes of mediocrity into a dominating force that influences the world today. The Romans championed a purpose and instilled it into their young ones which they augmented in later generations but fell when the principles were taken for granted and eventually became oblivious. Though we live in a global village where cultural exchange is very eminent, the culture that we pride ourselves with as our prime identity is constantly fading and being replaced with western culture. This however diminishes our sense of nationalism and pride as a people with a great heritage and culture. That is not to say that western culture is a bad grain invading our society but the adoption of certain forms of it is devouring our culture and principles and can be very dangerous to our heritage and its continuity in times to come. A people without a sense of identity are like a ship without a rudder which will move in no desired direction but will be carried along with the tides into destruction. The lost purpose has brought an increase in social deviance which is setting our great nation back in terms of development and achievement. Young people are more interested in doing what they see on the television and the internet than they are in maintaining our heritage and adopting progressive attitudes from developed nations. It is about time a lesson is learnt from other countries that have risen to heights of success by infusing their cultural purpose into the modern way of doing things and are benefiting immensely from this change in attitude. There is a great mandate on the nation to encourage the youth into pursuing activities that will in turn be of great benefit by ensuring widespread education and instilling a sense of national pride. Until there is an understanding that whatever is being done today is for coming generations as others did for us to enjoy today, we as a people will never attain the heights we wish for our beloved country. However the youth should be willing to step up to the challenge of preserving our heritage and working harder to achieve pinnacles individually and united that will last for generations to come. The youth should capitalize on the opportunities available in these modern times that were not at the disposal of previous generations and transform their mentality by embracing our culture and heritage combined with quality knowledge and experiences of developed nations. We should endeavour to ensure that the ‘red’ in our flag which constantly reminds us of the blood and toil of our fathers is nothing less than a source of encouragement to thrive on. This way, Ghana our motherland would forever remain the beacon of African Liberation from colonial control and oppression.

Life’s Not Fair

I don’t think life was meant to be fair for Christians after Adam and Eve. Neither was it meant to be fair for Muslims after 9/11.

“Life’s not fair” – The origin of this phrase is not quite known but for the Christian believer and the traditional skeptic alike, it touches a nerve. From Europe, Africa, Asia, the arid Middle East and the parched sands of Saudi Arabia, the “fairness” of life is questioned. Even by young adults who have nothing to burden their minds with except what they would want to become when they grow up. Just like the less privileged, the filthy rich sometimes use this phrase now turned cliché simply because certain things did not turn out the way they had expected. Maybe they lost a child, spouse, business deal or poor dog. If you ask me, I’d say they’re just not used to disappointment.

Anytime I use this phrase, I sound no different than a disappointed non-believer chanting in a lost language. What happened to pertinacity? Did it suffer a mild stroke? Next time you use this phrase, whatever the circumstance may be, look at yourself in a mirror and watch how soft your mouth goes with self-pity.

In life, disappointments are as inevitable as natural disasters. At the end of the day, be sure that your suffering would be forgotten. People deal with similar circumstances everyday. You would rather be remembered by your ability to turn your disappointment into triumph.

So except you’re an attractive but physically challenged young woman who goes to sleep each night wondering who would unconditionally love her beautiful ugly, please stop fishing for sympathy and be one to see a rainbow in a hurricane.

“Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering”. – Theodore Roosevelt

These Dreams of Mine

Humans with no faces

In my mind’s eye pacing

Threatening on no basis

With guns & knives chasing

So horrible in most cases

I sleep with my soul racing,

Strange people want me dead

 

I weirdly end up in a coffin

Demons crawling into my bed

Me, defenseless quite often

None, I seem to comprehend

Hope the past is not calling,

 

Friends humoring my misery

I can see them in my mind

Wish it would make sense finally

Thought the truth was quite a find

But I only lay, screaming in agony

Lost, in these dreams of mine.

Fricky’s Resume

On his first offering, Fricky undauntedly goes to war, with thought-provoking, witty lyricism serving as his weapon of choice. Each verse is a bullet in the barrel and each hook, the firing pin that sends the song hurtling through your ears. Judging from his love for big bass beats (predominantly provided by Sticky & Miguel), it is clear that the young rapper has little tolerance for quiet.

With over 5000 downloads within 4 to 6 weeks after its release, the first official single off his Resume Mixtape was his “6 foot 7 foot Freestyle”. Released in late 2010, it is still his highest recorded download till date.

Unlike the others, this lad finds as much meaning in writing metaphoric rhymes as he finds in being unhesitant in devouring a beat. The next single “Grinding”, is arguably the most commercial tune on the tape. It was easily the favorite of the masses because of its Afro-pop beat and catchy chorus by Mr. Poa.

His third one was “I Got Next” that features Billy Banger and Drilickxs. Two budding virtuosos, capable of blowing up in a Hip-Hop world marred by overhyped acts and lyrical mediocrity.

Then came the “Enigma Freestyle” produced by Don Jazzy and mixed by Mantis Beats, an established Ghanaian Sound Engineer who is based in the UK. Mantis also mixed about half of the songs on the Mixtape. “You say your money talks, but your wallet never said it/ And I’m so sick, I give painkillers headaches..” he brags. “It is the most lyrically expressive track I have ever done. Some even say it is the hardest flow I have ever spat because it has enough punchlines, wordplay and metaphors. Don Jazzy himself was impressed. He liked it on Twitter.” Fricky explains.

“I Surrender” is the last single he released. Produced by Berni Anti, it is one of his favorites on the Mixtape. This track shows that Fricky has a soft side too. On this pop-rap beat, Syn really showed how well he can sing. His debut album “SYN’D” is one to soon look out for.

As an artist on the come up, Fricky is unsigned but has run into quite a number of recording deals (in Ghana and beyond). After The Resume, Fricky went on a one week music tour in the Volta Region. He has been featured on both the 2010 and 2011 UG Cyphers and has performed at the Face of Volta, Face of Tertiary, Repo Hall Artiste Night, Miss Legon and Face of Legon Pageants. He has also been on ETV’s Mic Check and has been interviewed on several radio stations in the country.

At age 22, Fricky’s achievements are quite remarkable. Lyrically, his dexterity has been compared to that of Fabolous. His yet to be released album, The Collector’s Item, which was originally meant to be a one man show, would feature cats like Felly (@felly2), Braids (@BraidsGH), Buggi (@buggiashley), Looney (@LooneeGH), Lyrix (@ThaLyrix) & Qb. It would basically be a 10 track EP with 2 bonus tracks. “Music” is the first single off the Collector’s Item. This track makes you understand that this kid was meant for this.

His name is Fricky (@frickyc13) a.k.a Mr. Metaphor and here’s his Resume. You can click [here] to join his fanpage.

Fricky’s Discography

Download:

The Resume Mixtape [here] or listen to it [here]

Grinding [here]

Music (Prod by Sticky & Miguel) [here]

I’m ILL (freestyle) [here]

Stay Scheming (freestyle) feat. #c13 (Nova, Fricky, Blu Chip, Tsetse & Buggi) [here]

The 2011 UG Cypher [here]

Fricky’s Tribute to the Late Whitney Houston [here]

Shouts to:

Sketch Matthews for the Album Art (@SktchMatthews)

Mo4AFRICA for the live updates during the launch (@Mo4Africa)

Executive producers of the Tape, Sticky & Miguel

ghanamotion.com (@ghanamotion)

urbanroll.net (@urbanroll)

tunesgh.com (@TunesGH)

bigxgh.com (@bigxghdotcom)

hotnewhiphop.com

D.E.M (@DavidEdem)

JR (@freshelvis)

Mantis (@Mantisbeats)

Sticky & Miguel (@Sticky_beatz)

Ball J (@balljgh)

Tsetse (@NIITSETSE)

Moriah (@moriaHmusic)

Drilickxs (@KwakuDrizzy_UR)

Pages (@BarimaPages)

Billy Banger (@IamBillyBanGer)

Syn (@synpop)

Jolly Roger (@Nel_Magnom)

The Don Sed (@don_sedudzi)

Fortunedane (@fortunedane)

Tricksta (@TrickstaGH )

Braids (@BraidsGH)

Buggi (@buggiashley)

John Foley, Qb, Berni Anti, Mannie Beats, Scarey, Mr. Poa & The entire C13 team.

Solitude

Reblogged from Cristian Mihai:

“Alone, even doing nothing, you do not waste your time. You do, almost always, in company. No encounter with yourself can be altogether sterile. Something necessarily emerges, even if only the hope of some day meeting yourself again.” - Emil Cioran

It's my honest belief that people aren't built to be alone. Most people can't stand silence. The world grows noisier and faster every day.

Read more… 905 more words