So the juicy news making the rounds in the Ghanaian music scene is that Irene and Jane have split and are going to pursue solo careers. Right when we heard Styl-Plus had released a single celebrating their longevity, another group has fallen apart. I could see this coming though. Right when Irene featured on Richie's Frema remix, I could see trouble. And then later on Richie announced to me Irene had signed onto his Lynx Entertainment label and the news left was that from Charterhouse.

During the fall of 2004, a Kenyan friend sent me some Kenyan CDs. I had requested Nameless' On fire since I had fell in love with his music that year. She also sent me Naleta Action by Prezzo and Necessary Noize's NN II. I knew about these artistes but I didn't know of the group called Sema (mwewe). Their CD grew on me and even though I couldn't hear much about them other than they had won the Coca-Cola pop stars, I felt they were one of the better Kenyan groups. How were they able to remain invisible in the music scene? One of their members Pam Waithaka had some singles that were popular last year. What happened to Sema? And what are their members up to?

No day spent listening to radio is complete . . . not without her. Her excellent taste when it comes to the selection of songs is unparalleled . . . is it African contemporary music? Is it the blues to spice a hot day in the capital or is it dance hall classics that put the lift in one’s steps? . . . Your girl Doreen has it covered. Doreen Andoh is truly the Queen of Brunch Time Radio.

It has been 13 years and still counting of solid presenting and radio listeners in Accra and beyond will attest to her capabilities of keeping listeners entranced for the duration of her brunch time program on Joy Fm. Now with her being on board the Stars of the Future Music Reality TV series as the third Judge, Doreen Andoh is set to captivate TV audiences with her witty and humorous personality.

At the time of posting, Jerrilyn Mulbah, from Liberia. was going strong in MNET's West Africa Idol - a pop contest featuring budding superstars from the West African sub-region.

Here is a touching story about Jerrilyn

Best of luck to her.

A few thoughts on the competition though.

TV 3 Mentor: It's A Prince Thing -
TV Mentor II has come and gone with its perils and excitements.
Another Prince (Henry Lamptey) has won TV3 Mentor II(Ghana). Prince Nana Tuffour won the first edition last year. He emerged victorious from the finale which also had Dee, Joe and Kofi. The contest which features popular musicians mentoring upcoming ones with weekly performances on Sunday on TV3. It also features a reality television part and is arguably the most rated television show in Ghana.
[TV3 Mentor news]

Pop competitions have been the craze lately over the world after the success of American idol. Various countries have established pop contests that are supposed to groom more entertainers and Africa has not been left behind. Many corporate entities have joined the bandwagon and musicians have chipped in as judges as well. Tusker, Kenya's favourite beer is supporting East Africa's Project Fame. Blu3 is a popular rhythm and blues group that has benefitted from this, particularly Uganda's Coca cola real stars competition which has also been expanded to cover all of East Africa.