VIP, Others Missing In Action

V.I.PReports reaching Beatwaves indicate that the members of one of Ghana’s popular hiplife groups, Vision In Progress (VIP) have abandoned their musical career following the incarceration of their producer, Isaac Abiedu Aidoo for attempting to smuggle cocaine from Ghana to the United Kingdom in April last year.

The disappearance of VIP from the music scene was soon after the arrest of Isaac Aidoo, the chief executive officer of Goodies Music Productions.

The whereabouts of VIP, made up of Abdul Hamidu Ibrahim (Lazzy), Emmanuel Promzy Ababio (Promzy), and Joseph Nana Ofori (Prodigal) is presently not known.

Some of their colleagues who spoke to Beatwaves expressed concern about the disappearance of VIP from the music scene.

One artiste, Slim Busterr, told Beatwaves that he believes VIP was working behind the scenes and would soon announce its presence again.

He debunked the allegation that the group had been dissolved due to its inability to get a producer, and added that the group was still in good form and could come out pretty soon.

A leading music production house, EKB Records, recently showed interest in signing on the group but found it difficult to trace the members in order to bring them on board.

A source at EKB Records told Beatwaves that although there were lots of music groups, EKB Records sees VIP as a focused group, united and ready to work to meet the challenges ahead.

Reports also indicate that Lazzy, a member of the group left the shores of Ghana for the States to seek greener pastures immediately Goodies was arrested.  

Promzy, according to sources, was recently spotted in Accra looking dejected. The leader of the group, Prodigal, according to sources, was also finding it difficult bringing the group back onto the music scene.

VIP was nominated during the Ghana Music Awards 2002 in the category of Hiplife Rap Music Group of the Year. Many people have marvelled at their performances on stage. They have also gone on tours with the great Osibisa Band.

Swimming in fame, they have won several awards such as “Artiste of the Year”, “Song of the Year”, “Hiplife Artiste of the Year”, “Hiplife Song of the Year” and “Hiplife Album of the Year”, all during the 2004 Ghana Music Awards.

Their hit song “Ahomka Womu” also won the “Best Music Video Directing” which went to Felix Dakat. Having grabbed the prestigious “Artiste of the Year Award”, Lazzy, Promzy and Prodigal – making up the VIP crew – represented Ghana at the 2004 Kora Awards in South Africa where they really made Ghana proud, and performed alongside renowned Malian musician Salif Keita among others.

Other musicians who also seem to be missing in action are Okomfo Kwadee, Etuo Aboba, TH4 Kwages, Osaman Kwakwu, T-Blaze and Nkasei.

Others are Omanhene Pozo, Sass Squad, Yogi Dogi, Kofi Debra, Mr Oduro.

The rest are Esther Amoako, Dorcas Appiah, Jude Lomotey, Pastor Joe Beecham, Mac Abraham, Prof. Kofi Abraham, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Suzzy and Matt among others, who are purported to have abandoned their musical career due to the keen competition in the music industry.

Beatwaves’ investigations revealed that T-Blaze and members of Nkasie of ‘Tuobodom’ fame are currently working in London.

By George Clifford Owusu