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Nobantu Shabangu

Nov. 03, 2020 05:35AM EST

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Master KG's 'Jerusalema (Remix) Reaches Diamond Status in France

Master KG's 'Jerusalema (Remix)' Reaches Diamond Status in France

Master KG scoops yet another win with his wildly successful song 'Jerusalema'. The remix, featuring Nomcebo Zikode and Burna Boy, has recently been certified diamond in France.

South African hitmaker Master KG has reached diamond status in France for his "Jerusalema" remix featuring Burna Boy. The sensational house DJ continues to be a trailblazer after the success of original hit song "Jerusalema" featuring Nomcebo Zikode. Nigerian superstar Burna Boy jumped onto the track shortly after the viral #JersalemaChallenge. The news of the diamond certification follows the release of the remix in June of this year. Master KG recently shared the news on Twitter.

Read: Interview: Master KG Talks 'Jerusalema' and Taking Bolobedu House to the world

This is a big win for Master KG as diamond status is admittedly difficult to reach in France. Snep, France's record industry organisation, requires 35 million streams for a single to be certified diamond. Initially, record sales of over 250k were the criterion for diamond status but this has changed due to the increasing digitisation of music. Snep counts 150 stream as equal to 1 sales. While the USA combines sales and streams of over 10 million for diamond certification.

According the RiSA (Recording industry of South Africa), diamond status does not exist as the organisation does not qualify streams on iTunes or any other streaming platform. Conversely, according to YFM, AKA reached multi-diamond status after selling over 1.7 million singles for "Dreamworks" and "One Time" in 2019. Fans have celebrated with Master KG on Twitter while others showed surprise at the diamond status as seen in the funny interaction below.

"Jerusalema" quickly became a hit after its release in December 2019 where it burnt up the radio charts to number one. Master KG has been making silent but powerful moves with hit singles like "Skeleton Move", "Waya Waya" and "Di Boya Limpopo". The South African music scene is known for its legacy of house hits but Limpopo has been in the background for a while. Master KG, however, is one of the few successful Limpopo house DJs who belong to a subculture of house music called "Bolobedu House". The distinct sound is produced with electro beats, upbeat drum syncs and traditional deep house.

In a recent interview with OkayAfrica, Master KG, explained that he was taken aback by the international success of "Jerusalema". His focus was on the South African music scene but like Nigerian Afrobeats, the world has taken a liking to the sound. A collaborator at heart, Master KG has indicated to wanting to do more collaborations and working on a Jerusalema deluxe version.

The original "Jerusalema" featuring Nomcebo Zikode boasts over 200 million views. Master KG has been nominated for "Best African Act for the 2020 EMAs. Watch "Jerusalema" featuring Nomcebo Zikode and Burna Boy on YouTube:

Master KG - Jerusalema Remix [Feat. Burna Boy and Nomcebo] (Official Music Video)www.youtube.com

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Black Sherif, Africa’s Young Bright Black Star

We trail the Ghanaian superstar as he plays his first sold-out show in New York City.

“I leave my art to breathe. I don't apply no pressure,” Black Sherif shares one of his many philosophical principles with me in the OkayAfrica offices. The 21-year-old Ghanaian newcomer has only been professionally releasing music since 2019 but he has already become the youngest singer to win Artist of the Year at the 2023 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

He reacts to the news with a boyishly shy grin: “It’s mad.”

Last October, his breakthrough album The Villian I Never Was cemented him as a rising talent to watch. The sonic palette of his debut showcased an eclectic fusion of drill, Afrobeats, reggae, and hip-hop. Critical acclaim abounded, as well as collaborations with the likes of Popcaan and Burna Boy.

For as long as the West has smeared Africa with allegations of archaic laws and culture, Black Sherif has become the young bright Black star of what has been derogatorily referred to as the “dark continent.”

Uniting the Diaspora

Three nights earlier I had the opportunity to witness his electrifying stage presence firsthand. Palladium Times Square, New York City — stop number one of Black Sherif’s headlining tour and a long way from Konongo. Usually, concerts will open with a lesser-known artist from the same label, this one had about 20 acts.

From Nigeria and Ghana to Liberia and New York City, the diaspora united on and off stage. No one quite knew when the main act would arrive but the audience was too pleasantly tipsy to notice how much time had passed. At one point it seemed like the hosts were plucking attendees from the audience to perform — a real communal affair. Still, the crowd became restless waiting for Blacko, whose name they cheered in between pulls of smuggled cigarettes and blunts. When he burst on stage with a raucous performance of “Kwaku the Traveller,” the security guards were too enraptured to catch those health code violations.

Even without the pyrotechnics, Black Sherif commanded the stage with the combined energy of the 20 preceding artists.

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Photo by Mohau Mannathoko on Unsplash.

Fun Places in Accra, Ghana to Visit This Weekend

From Happy Hour at Front/Back to “Special Sunday Mukaasie” at The Hangout, Accra is packed with places to have fun.

This week, relax and unwind with drinks and conversation at Front/Back’s Happy Hour, attend Oliver Twist Shack’s silent party, or make a quick trip to Kumasi for Praise Reloaded by Joe Mettle. Whatever your choice of fun is, here is a list of places to visit this weekend in Accra, Ghana.

Happy Hour at Front/Back

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Front/Back is a club, bar, and restaurant that’s known as one of the most exclusive nightlife spots in Accra, and this week, they’re launching a brand new event - Happy Hour at Front/Back! Pass through from 6pm to 9pm for special discounts on Front/Back’s drink menu for your pre-weekend unwind.

Date: Wednesday, 7th June - Friday, 9th June, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Venue: Front/Back, Osu

'Think Pink, Go West' Museum Exhibition

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The Institute Museum of Ghana is Ghana’s first contemporary art museum, and it’s the host to ‘Think Pink, Go West,’ the debut solo museum exhibition by Nigerian artist Samuel Olayombo. Curated by Fabiola Ondzouga, the exhibition highlights Samuel’s bid to examine the wider construct of gender roles and society’s complex relationship with masculinity through his art. Whether you're a collector, connoisseur, or just an appreciator of art, this event is for you.

Date: Thursday, 8th June - Saturday, 10th June, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Venue: Institute Museum of Ghana

Cost: Free

"Hush Hush" Silent Party at Oliver Twist Shack

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This Saturday, Oliver Twist Shack will be hosting the second edition of Hush Hush - a silent party! In light of the current ban on noisemaking in Accra due to a traditional festival, Oliver Twist Shack have decided to bring back their signature silent party one last time before the ban is lifted. Bring your friends, rent a pair of headphones, and jam the night away in silence as the good people at Oliver Twist Shack provide all the vibes you need.

Date: Saturday, 10th June

Venue: Oliver Twist Shack

Cost: Free entry, GHS30 for headphones

Poetry Night at Porkyto's

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Are you a lover of spoken word? “Fake Faces False Faces” is a night of poetry, music, and art, taking place at Portyko’s Restaurant this Saturday in Accra. Enjoy performances by some of Accra’s best spoken word talents, while enjoying treats from Portyko’s delectable menu.

Date: Saturday, 10th June

Venue: Portyko’s, Osu

Cost: Free

Central Region Daycation by The Get Out Ghana

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Craving a getaway but don’t have time for a vacation? The Get Out Ghana has got you covered. Join them for their “daycation” to the Central Region this Saturday. There’ll be a myriad of activities, including kayaking, quad biking, soft archery, volleyball, board games, mini golf, and more. Book a slot now and join the bus from Accra for a day filled with fun!

Date: Saturday, 10th June, 8 a.m.

Venue: Departure from Accra Mall & West Hills Mall

Cost: GHS595

Praise Reloaded by Joe Mettle

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Award-winning gospel singer Joe Mettle will be hosting his annual gospel music concert Praise Reloaded, this Sunday. The lineup is loaded with some of the best Ghanaian gospel stars as well as top Nigerian gospel singer Prospa Ochimana. If you’re a fan of gospel music and you don’t mind making a quick trip to Kumasi, this concert promises to be one for the books.

Date: Sunday, 11th June, 5 p.m.

Venue: CCC Kumasi

Cost: Ticket from GHS50

"Special Sunday Mukaasie" at The Hangout

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The Hangout is a restaurant and bar located in the Spintex area of Accra and this Sunday, they will be hosting “Special Sunday Mukaasie”, a local cuisine buffet featuring all of Ghana’s beloved traditional delicacies. There will be a live band as well, so catch some vibes while eating to your fill this Sunday at The Hangout.

Date: Sunday, 11th June, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Venue: The Hangout, Spintex

Cost: GHS100

News Brief

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Egypt Expels Dutch Archeologists For "Afrocentric" Exhibit

The North African nation is unimpressed with the group's desire to "falsify history" by exploring the country's influence on Black musicians.

Authorities have banned a team of Dutch archeologists from continuing their excavation activities in the country's abundant Saqqara Necropolis.

On Monday, Holland's National Museum of Antiquities received an email from the head of foreign missions of the Egyptian Antiquities Service stating that the museum's "Kemet: Egypt in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul & Funk" exhibition is "falsifying history" with it's "Afrocentric" approach. Their punishment? The team, who has been working in Egypt's historical tombs since 1975, will no longer be granted access to the historical burial site.

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Image: YouTube screenshot

Watch: Black Sherif Praises Gob3, FC Barcelona, and More

The Ghanaian superstar recently stopped by our OkayAfrica offices to give us a closer look into what keeps him going.

What a joy it is to find out that Ghana's hottest export at the moment, Black Sherif, is a great guy, too. The "Kwaku the Traveller" songster recently stopped by the OkayAfrica offices to share his desire to travel to beautiful Namibia, the heartbreaking relationship he has with football, as well as a look into how he creates a successful hook.

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