Amakye Dede (middle) in a pose with foemer President Kufuor and Nana Konandu Agyeman Rawlings
Thousands of music enthusiasts who trooped to the Accra International Conference Centre last Saturday for the second edition of the Legends and Legacy Ball concert, which was to honour Ghanaian highlife legend Dan Abrantie Amakye Dede, were given more than their money’s worth as they were treated to a show of a lifetime.
Dignitaries from all spheres of society attended the show, including former President John Agyekum Kufour, former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Barima Azumah Nelson, Nana Akuffo-Addo, presidential candidate of the New Patrotic Party (NPP), ACP Kofi Boakye and a host of others.
The event organized by Imajin Advertising, was aimed at honouring Ghanaian living legends and promoting excellence in the entertainment industry.
With performances from artistes like Samini, Okyeame Kwame Nacy (No Tribe), Kwabena Kwabena, Eazzy, Becca, Nana Ama Mc Brown, Daasebre Ahofe Dwamena, Steve Bedi, Meiway and Abrantie Amakye Dede himself, it was one gigantic party and patrons boogied the night away amid loud cheers and applause.
All the supporting artistes who performed at the event did not sing their own songs, but performed their own renditions of songs from the honouree of the night, Amakye Dede.
Patrons were also tickled by an extraordinary performance from the Ghanaian actress, Nana Ama Mc Brown, whose act brought some more excitement into the show. She set the auditorium on fire with her silky voice and unique style of delivery.
Abrantie Amakye Dede receiving his award from Boakye Owusu-Asante, MD of Imajin Advertising
Eazzy, who performed two of Abrantie’s songs, impressed patrons with her stagecraft and dance moves.
The sensational gospel music star, Nacy mounted the stage with fire and was consistent as he thrilled the audience with his style of performance and stagecraft. His delivery was extraordinary as patrons stood on their feet dancing to show appreciation.
The creative skills, stagecraft and style of performance of Samini shot his image to another level. Apart from exhibiting his usual vocal abilities and dancing skills, Samini got the entire audience singing along.
Okyeame Kwame and Becca’s performance on stage also attracted the needed attention, as a number of patrons waved their hands to signal their involvement and satisfaction.
Daasebre Dwamena, Kwabena Kwabena and Steve Bedi put up a spirited live performance as always, with an intricate stagecraft. They did not disappoint the fans, as they thrilled them with some of their hits and exquisite stagecraft to the extent that fans kept asking for more from them.
Meiway, who mounted the stage after patrons had witnessed performances by a number of stars, was consistent and controlled the crowd.
He also delighted music fans with one of Abrantie’s songs, as well as some of his some of his hit songs, which were embedded in the hearts of Ghanaians.
It was quite a spectacle as the prolific musician treated the excited patrons to some serious dance moves on stage.
Fans moved and grooved to his style, with the girls literally swooning. No one was seen sitting; everybody was standing.
The girls were winding and grinding their waists, with those with well-endowed buttocks and boobs shaking ‘what their mama gave them’ like nobody’s business.
The stage had been well prepared for Dan Amakye Dede’s performance which was much anticipated and when he mounted the stage in his military attire, the cheers were thunderous.
For well over an hour, he delighted the audience with some of his hit tracks like ‘Iron Boy’, ‘Dabi Dabi Ebeyie’ and many others.
Abrantie Amakye Dede surprised the audience with his energetic performances while interacting with them.
Before he mounted the stage to perform, Abrantie was presented with a 24-carat gold medal worth $28,000. The presentation was done by the organizers of the event, Imanjin Adevertising.
In addition, the Musicians Union of Ghana, MUSIGA also presented a plaque to Abrantie. MUSIGA congratulated Abrantie on his honour and commended him for his immense contribution towards promoting the Ghanaian music industry both home and abroad.
Soon after the presentation, Abrantie, whose live musical performances have won the hearts of many music lovers in Ghana and beyond, treated the music fans to an unforgettable live musical performance.
He was consistent throughout his stage performance and managed to control over 3000 fans that screamed and yearned for more.
He thrilled music fans to their satisfaction, took everybody by surprise and the whole auditorium hailed him. His attitude and dancing skills on stage were exceptionally good.
Amakye Dede did not need to do anything extraordinary to get the entire house up and dancing as everyone was simply in tune with his decades-old household songs. It was dance time and nobody wanted to be left out.
Defying the notion that highlife songs were ‘kolo’ and ‘archaic,’ the highlife king led the enthusiastic fans to sing and dance infectiously, much to the admiration of all.
Backed by his traditional live band, Apollo High Kings, Amakye Dede’s performance was without doubt the most thrilling.
Abrantie expressed his appreciation to the organizers of the show, Imajin Advertising, and to Ghanaians for the honour bestowed on him and for supporting him to achieve the heights he has reached.
By George Clifford Owusu