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Shutdown Franchise Pulls Mammoth Crowd With “Highlife Meets Hiplife” Independence Day Concert In Minnesota

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Revered events hub, Shutdown Franchise has again sold out three shows in a roll in Minnesota in the celebrations of Ghana’s 67th Independence Anniversary.

The shows which commenced on Friday 8th, March, 2024, ended on Sunday 10th March, 2024. The events were in line to mark the 67th Independence Day celebrations of Ghanaians in Minnesota, and in the States at large.

The Goal of the celebrations was geared towards reliving and reminiscing on the art forms, especially music, which we had back in the days up until recently.

The first show, “Ye Wo Abonten”, to wit, “We Outside” which was on the 8th, happened at Rumba, Minneapolis – Minnesota. Although gates were to be opened at 9pm, patrons were waiting in a queue by 8pm, clad in their favorite Ghanaian regalias and flags.

DJ Lyriks, DJ Peaceboii and DJ Soundtainer treated all present to unlimited quality Ghanaian music from before till recent. KMJ, Patrick, Ogkoko and Mr. Mankato kept the party flaming till the very end.

The second Day, 9th March is when the main concert took off. The event happened at the Granada Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Labeled “Highlife Meets Hiplife”, the event had “Bisa Kdei” for the Highlife stance, and “Kwaw Kese” on the Hiplife ticket. Other artistes on bill were, H.Hardy, Raouf Denio, Fenom Vibez, Twin Cities Dance Crew, et al. The fire that rained on stage this day will forever leave indelible trail of emotions on guests, as the name Ghana was lifted up high in Minnesota.

The closing show, “Ye Wo Krom” which happened on Sunday, 10th March, was a straight jam party vibe that saw DJs; DJ Eazy E, DJ Oceeking, DJ Famous and DJ Lyriks treating attenders with the very best of authentic and unadulterated Ghanaian music.

The events became well liked to the extent that the state of Minnesota joined up in the celebrations, and its Governor, Tim Walz proclaimed the weekend as “Ghana’s Heritage Weekend”.

All videos and pictures sprouting from the events really attest that they were indeed the best or part of the best Ghanaian Diasporan events to have happened this year.

Checkout some videos from the events from below.

 

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ENTERTAINMENT

Lecture Hall to Limelight: Dr. Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr aka Bnoskka Nominated for Prestigious RTP Award

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Scholar, Advocate, and Voice of Reason Garners Entertainment Pundit of the Year Nod, Cementing His Unique Role in Shaping Ghana’s Creative Landscape.

Dr. Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr, widely known as Bnoskka, has been officially nominated for the Entertainment Pundit of the Year award at the upcoming 2025 Radio and Television Personality (RTP) Awards. This nomination highlights the growing influence of analytical expertise within Ghana’s vibrant entertainment sector.

Bnoskka is no ordinary commentator. Holding a PhD and an LLB, he operates at the critical intersection of creativity, law, and commerce. As a Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba’s School of Creative Arts and a sought-after Creative Arts Business Development and Intellectual Property Consultant, he has dedicated his career to empowering artists and industry professionals with knowledge often overlooked.

“This nomination isn’t just a personal honor; it’s a recognition of the essential role that structured knowledge, intellectual property rights, and strategic business development play in the sustainability of our arts,” Bnoskka remarked on the news. “The ‘pundit’ space needs to go beyond opinion—it must be rooted in education and advocacy.”

His nomination comes fresh on the heels of winning the National Entertainment Pundit of the Year award at the 2023/2024 Foklex Media Awards, proving a consistent and respected voice in national discourse. Bnoskka’s analysis cuts through the noise, offering not just critique but actionable frameworks for growth.

Bnoskka’s tangible impact is felt through his extensive advocacy. He regularly organizes public lectures, seminars and workshops, demystifying complex areas like trademark laws, copyright, and business models for creatives. His influence extends globally, having served as a National Expert for the prestigious UNESCO-Aschberg Programme for Artists and Cultural Professionals, where he contributed to policies aimed at strengthening the social and economic rights of creators worldwide.

Colleagues and industry observers note that Bnoskka’s unique value lies in his ability to translate legal and academic rigor into accessible guidance for musicians, filmmakers, and visual artists. “He is the bridge between the creative mind and the marketplace,” noted a fellow academic. “He doesn’t just comment on trends; he equips the industry to build lasting legacies and protect its work.”

The public is encouraged to support his groundbreaking work by voting for Bnoskka as Entertainment Pundit of the Year 2025 at the RTP Awards.

Vote for Bnoskka – Where Insight Meets Impact.

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“I’m Tired of the Hypocrisy” – Joseph Matthew Fires Back at Critics Over Romantic Hit “Love in You”

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UK-based Ghanaian gospel powerhouse Joseph Matthew has once again ignited passionate debate across the Christian music scene with his March release “Love in You”.

In the song, Joseph pours out heart-melting vows of loyalty and sacrifice to his beloved, promising to fight every storm and prove his love “till the end of time.” For many fans, it’s a beautiful celebration of covenant love. For others, it crosses the invisible line of what Joseph Matthew stands for. But Joseph Matthew is not backing down.

In an explosive exclusive interview, Joseph Matthew laid it all bare:

“I’m tired of people thinking there’s a manual for gospel artistes to follow. This holier-than-thou attitude is breeding hypocrisy in the industry. We crucify Empress Gifty for being herself and call her controversial. We did the same to me.

In Ghana, if you don’t fit the old mould khaki suit, tie, and organ-backed chorus, you’re automatically ‘worldly.’ How does being authentic and versatile make me controversial? I don’t need controversy to survive. I just need to be me.”

This is far from Joseph Matthew’s first clash with tradition. When he burst onto the scene in 2021 with his signature Afro-Gospel sound which blends high-energy Afrobeats rhythms with unapologetic praise – many Ghanaian gatekeepers dismissed him as “too secular.”

Yet today, that same style has birthed a new generation of artistes: Evans Scott, Kneeded, Kingzkid, and others now dominate playlists and concerts, proving Joseph was simply ahead of the curve.

Beyond defending Love in You, Joseph Matthew is challenging the entire Ghanaian gospel industry to wake up:

“We’re too restrictive. Try something fresh and they slap a label on you. How are we supposed to reach the world if we stay trapped in our church bubbles, afraid to even greet a non-believer?

It’s frowned upon for gospel artistes to collaborate with secular acts. Tell me, how did Jesus reach Zacchaeus, the woman at the well, or Matthew the tax collector? He went where they were!”

With global hits like Halleluyah”, “Nyame Ye”, “My Story”, and “Blessed”, Joseph has consistently proven that music can be both deeply spiritual and culturally relevant, comforting the broken, inspiring the faithful, and reaching souls beyond the four walls of the church.

For Joseph Matthew, “Love in You” isn’t just a song,  it’s a statement. It’s a declaration that love whether directed toward God or expressed through the covenant of marriage is holy, powerful, and worth singing about without apology.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Joseph Matthew is not here to conform. He’s here to transform and if history is anything to go by, the Ghanaian gospel industry will eventually catch up just like it did with Afro-Gospel.

Stream “Love in You” today and decide for yourself:

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