Taking a glimpse at 10 unexpected stories that rocked the showbiz industry in 2023
No year goes by without stories revolving around notable celebrities since they are always in the news on good or bad records.
Although the year 2023 was packed with positive vibes for those in the entertainment industry, some of the industry players were crippled with some challenges which in one way or the other nearly tainted their brand.
Other celebrities have to cancel their most anticipated shows due to ill health and other circumstances beyond their control.
Within the same year, the entertainment industry lost renowned celebrities who will forever be remembered due to the pivotal role they played in the Ghanaian arts and culture space.
The Ghana Report highlights some of the unexpected stories which made headlines within the entertainment space in the year 2023.
- Black Sherif arrested and sued for breach of contract
Ghanaian Hip-Hop artist Mohammed Ismail Sherif, popularly known as Black Sherif was arrested at the Kotoka International Airport(KIA) on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, for allegedly breaching a contract.
The ‘Kwaku the Traveller’ hitmaker was contracted by Cruise People Limited to perform at the second edition of their musical cruise onboard a cruise ship, themed Afro Cruise Jam, on August 19, 2023, in Greece.
The company disclosed that Black Sherif charged a total amount of US$40,000 for the show, and he received half the payment upfront.
The two parties agreed that the remaining US$20,000 balance would be paid after the event.
However, Black Sherif refused to honor the request by Cruise People Limited.
Consequently, the company reported the case to the police, which led to his arrest.
The Cruise People Limited later filed a lawsuit against him for breach of contract.
In a writ of summon at the High Court, the Cruise company indicated that Black Sherif dishonored the agreement between them leading to the cancellation of the Afro Cruise Jam concert that was scheduled for August 2023.
Cruise People Limited noted in the suit that after booking Black Sherif for the cruise and paying half of his booking fee ($20,000), the ‘Second Sermon’ hitmaker was expected to make a video confirming his participation in the event in Greece.
The Plaintiff claimed that after assurances that Black Sherif would send the video ahead of the media launch on May 19, the company paid $18,000 to secure cabins on the cruise and paid GHS65,000 to Joy FM for the launch on Drive Time.
They added that this conduct constitutes a fundamental breach of the agreement executed on the 18th of April 2023, and defeats the agreement in its entirety.
The Afro Cruise Jam organizers urged the court to direct Black Sherif to make available the $20,000 booking fee he was paid. They also requested $18,000, the money lost in securing the cabins in the cruise chip.
The Accra High Court in November 2023, struck out the case brought against Black Sherif, by Cruise People Ltd.
The judge emphasized that none of the addresses provided by the party engaging the artist were situated in Ghana. As a result, the court had no alternative but to dismiss the case against the acclaimed music star.
- Sarkodie and Yvonne Nelson’s brouhaha
Renowned Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson revealed in her book titled, ‘I am Not Yvonne Nelson ’ that, she aborted a pregnancy for famous Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie after a short relationship in 2010.
The actress disclosed that she took the difficult decision to abort the pregnancy following Sarkodie’s refusal to accept responsibility for the pregnancy.
Narrating the incident on Chapter 8 from pages 88-95 of her book launched at Peduase Lodge on Sunday, June 18, 2023, the ‘Sin City’ actress said Sarkodie and his manager accompanied her to a clinic at Mamprobi to get the fetus removed after a failed attempt with some pills recommended by a friend.
However, Sarkodie denied claims as he used his gifted talent to also narrate his side of the story.
Stating his side of the story in a new song, ‘Try Me’, which went viral after it was released on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Sarkodie disclosed that even though he wasn’t prepared at the time, he wanted her to keep the baby but Yvonne refused on grounds of being in school.
With his emotions highly visible in the song, Sarkodie talked about how he was deeply in love with Yvonne Nelson but turned out he was probably just one of the many guys in her life at the time in the 3:16 minutes song.
He mentioned that he didn’t want to disclose that side of his life till death but has been forced to come out since Yvonne Nelson told a story that favors her.
- Hajia4Reall romance scam saga
Socialite and social media influencer, Mona Faiz Montrage popularly known as Hajia4Reall was extradited from the United Kingdom (UK) to the US for her alleged involvement in romance scams.
Hajia4Real was put before a Manhattan federal court on Monday, May 15, with prosecutors stating that she received over $2 Million in fraud proceeds and pretended to marry one victim to further the fraud scheme.
She was arrested in the UK on November 10, 2022, and was extradited from the UK on May 12, 2023.
Documents released by the United States Attorney’s Office (Southern District of New York), announced a six-count indictment charging Mona Faiz Montrage for her role in a series of romance schemes and for laundering the proceeds of those schemes.
However, Hajia4Reall is very confident that she will be vindicated at the end of the legal process in the US.
- Mona Gucci hauled in court over alleged visa fraud
Monalisa Abigail Semeha, popularly known in the entertainment industry as “Mona Gucci” was put before an Accra Circuit Court over an alleged visa fraud.
The accused allegedly took GH¢103,400 from a trader under the pretext of securing her a United States of America visa.
Mona Gucci allegedly failed to deliver the said USA visa.
Charged with defrauding by pretense, Mona Gucci, a travel consultant, pleaded not guilty.
The court presided over by Isaac Addo admitted her to a GH¢200,000.00 bail with one surety.
- The demise of Kwadwo Akwaboah
Legendary highlife musician, Kwadwo Akwaboah passed away at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi in the early hours of Tuesday, May 16, 2023, after some short illness.
The late Kwadwo Akwaboah was a passionate organist and a singer from the early 90s known for his popular song, ‘Awerekyekyere’.
The veteran highlife legend and record producer went blind in the middle of his career whilst living in Amsterdam, Holland. He later moved to Ghana to join his family.
- Death of OJ Blaq
Ghanaian rapper Andy Nii Akrashie known in showbiz as OJ Blaq sadly passed on in the early hours of Thursday, August 17, 2023, at age 40.
It was not clear what could have caused his sad death.
OB Blaq began his music career in the early 2000s and released his debut album, “The Blaq Mixtape” in 2006.
He became popular in the music circles when he released the hit song ‘Chalewote’ which featured Asem and Captain Planet.
The secular artiste later switched to become a gospel musician.
OJ Blaq also starred in some Ghanaian local movies.
Fans and entertainment pundits from various record labels expressed their condolences to his family for the great lost to the entertainment industry as well.
- Akosua Agyapong’s fierce attack GHAMRO
Renowned female highlife musician, Akosua Agyapong, was in the news for voicing her opinions on the alleged poor management of welfare conditions by executives of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) last year.
In one of her speeches, she warned the chairman of the GHAMRO interim management committee, Rex Omar to desist from attacking her personality in her call to get the right things done at GHAMRO, otherwise, she will reveal his secrets.
“I want Rex Omar to know that I have a lot of secrets about him and if I start talking, he cannot stay in Ghana. I said there is no transparency at Ghana Music Right Organisation (GHAMRO) and if you don’t agree with me, the best thing is to prove me wrong and not attack my personality. Is Rex Omar’s name GHAMRO?
“There was a time he told me that my actions are influenced by menopause but such remarks are not relevant to the issues at hand. I need transparency about our welfare and if you don’t have any better answer, attacking my personality is not right.
“Rex Omar, I have so many secrets about you so stop attacking me,” she noted.
Their impasse follows the allegation made by Akosua Agyapong, saying the late Kwadwo Akwaboah contacted GHAMRO for financial support for medication at a time, but he was given only GH¢250.
However, Rex Omar refuted the claims that GHAMRO neglected the late Kwadwo Akwaboah when he was ill.
- Gyakie postponing the UK and France tour due to ill health
Ghanaian musician Jackline Acheampong, known professionally as Gyakie had to postpone her United Kingdom(UK) and Paris tour in 2023 due to illness.
Powered by Live Nation and Flip The Music, Gyakie Live in UK Tour was scheduled for May 18th at Gorilla Manchester, and continue on May 19th at LaFayette London, May 20th at O2 Institute Birmingham, and conclude on May 26th in Paris.
“My lovely people, your girl is not well, fighting everything to get better for my shows this week but I can’t fight myself no matter how hard I try. Hate to postpone but all purchased tickets are valid for the new dates which will be communicated in no time,” she revealed on social media on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Fans in the United Kingdom(UK), Paris and other parts of the world anticipating to watch her performance on various streaming platforms had no option but to conform to her announcement.
- KiDi Postpones North American Tour Due to illness
Award-winning Ghanaian artiste Dennis Nana Dwamena known in showbiz as KiDi also had to postpone his North American Tour due to illness.
The tour which was aimed at promoting his latest album ‘Golden Boy’ was scheduled to commence in Boston, MA on Wednesday, March 1, and end on March 19 at Madam LOU in Seattle.
- Shatta Wale cancels Freedom Wave Concert after stadium clash with Stonebwoy
Award-winning Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale and his management team cancelled the 2023 edition of the annual Freedom Wave Concert, which was scheduled to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, December 25, 2023.
The decision to cancel the well-patronized concert comes in the wake of a clash of dates and venues after Stonebwoy also announced his Bhim concert on Saturday, Friday, December 22, a few weeks after Shatta’s.
Shatta Wale in a Facebook live video, accused Stonebwoy of trying to sabotage his concert.
He also criticized the National Sports Authority(NSA)and its boss, Prof Peter Twumasi, for agreeing to give the stadium to Stonebwoy despite knowing he also had a concert at the same venue.
Moreover, Shatta Wale attacked President Nana Akufo-Addo’s daughter, whom he accused of lobbying on behalf of Stonebwoy.