Let me take this opportunity to apologise to my followers living outside of London. All 20 million and 6 of you. 20,000,006? Where do I get that number I hear you ask?! Why that’s two diamond albums! For my source see below…Ere –follow this footnote thingy*
To all of you in London that keep asking me what ‘What Do You Call It?’ is about and why I called it ‘What Do You Call It?’ this is your first opportunity to find out.
THE PLAYHOUSE CLUB’S PERFORMANCE PARTY
Wednesday 7 April 2010 @ Gate Bar, Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 3JZ
It starts at 7pm and costs £6 on the door but
www.theplayhouseclub.co.uk http://www.theplayhouseclub.tk/
I’ve only been given 5 minutes here and I'm still deciding on the right brand of explosive/humour chapter to read in that time and to that audience.
I WAS going to post all my appearances on (what in a blatant attempt to ‘let’ the paying masses think I’m actually an R&B hitmaker I’m calling) ‘The ‘What Do You Call It?’ Tour’ here all at once but I’ll do them one at a time I think.
THAT way I force myself to keep followers of my blog interested until my second appearance approaches. Oh alright then: Here’s my second appearances info: CLOSE-UP
Tuesday May 4 2010 @ 8.30pm @ The Old Queen’s Head, Essex Road, London N1
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=295236947276&ref=ts#!/search/?ref=search&q=VANESSA&init=quick
but that’s all you’ll get from me!
I’m still in the infancy of what Hackdongā will soon become but I’ve already got a lot of shouts from loads of you and I’m grateful.
Russell and Geoffrey Odartei at Ment2Excel http://www.ment2excel.com/ Eddie Danso - http://www.eddiekd.com
*Source: Hackdonga Informations Systems
one in Australia (big up shout out to
Evelyn Oteng Pabi in Canada http://pastexotic.wordpress.com/
Abena Mintah (AKA Ribena girl AKA Valerie)in Nottingham, who I think is mad at me right now but will forgive me when I thank her here AND my in my second book's acknowledgements for single-handedly pioneering my marketing in the wilds of Nottingham!
Jose Torso and the peeps at XSClubbin – A St.LucianBritish company http://xsclubbing.com/blog/?cat=21
Nii in Leeds (http://www.q-nii.co.uk/) Gilean Opuku in Australia http://afroklectic.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-do-you-call-it.html
The rest of the number of my fans is the approximately 20,000,000 population of Ghana because I’m Ghanaian and I’m about to make Ghana very popular when ‘What Do You Call It?’ drops!
Wednesday 31 March 2010
Monday 22 March 2010
Neither Losing or Loosing!
I went to the theatre yesterday and learnt a lot from it. Not from the actual show –you understand. The female characters were all crazy and the male characters contemptible. They were all cold, amoral, weak…and not in the good way. In short I enjoyed the show immensely BUT if I had learned something from it that would make me a very mixed up individual –in need of prayer and therapy…electroshock therapy.
What I learnt from was the production itself. If I’ve got my count right this performance was rescheduled once and relocated three times. I ‘m not going to ask what was behind all the chaos in the build-up all it will take the sheen off what I’m hoping happened. What I was hoping had happened was the powers that be (THEY) felt the subject material was going to be too powerful and revolutionary for US to see. There was some confusion between the Facebook events pages and invites as to whether the play was called ‘Love Is A Losing Game’ or ‘Love Is A Loosing Game’. Either way –you can understand I had to go see THIS show! Eventually after wavering between whether this play would be shown in west, south London they determined on north so with my sister in tow that’s where I headed.
Star of the show was–Vanessa Vanderpuye –this woman is so stunning –she makes you want to re-evaluate your life! (her link this: http://www.starnow.co.uk/vanessavanderpuye it’s sort of a beautiful people’s Facebook.
In one night in Archway, I re-established a few things that are always good to establish and re-establish: 1)Black talent in London is alive, LIVE and very healthy. Did I mention that the other actors supplied plenty of electricity and humour and vibrancy to the whole thing. I was especially able to pay attention to them when Ms.Vanderpuye wasn’t on stage. Yup, they were talented and they mightcould all be going places 2) Black people support each other’s art. 3) We don’t need bouncers everywhere we go. Like I said the mostly packed out audience was mostly a Black crowd and the only security on the night was a shady looking brother in combat trousers and a doo-rag. We’re in 2010. A doo-rag? Really?
My St Lucian connection Jose Torso and his xsclubbin production company (http://www.xsclubbing.com/)are trying to do in the West Indies what Gbontwi Anyetei (that’s me) and his Hackdongā movement is trying to do right here in England then later America. First up is a soap to be followed by a theatre set that will tour England starting and or ending in London. In collaborating with him I’ll have to learn from the talented and young people that put on yesterday’s WICKED performance.
ANYwaaaaay, I’ve decided I need to be going to the plays more. I understand there’s a lot of unsuspecting available Black women there that are impressed with any Black man that is upping his culture and not off shooting police.
What I learnt from was the production itself. If I’ve got my count right this performance was rescheduled once and relocated three times. I ‘m not going to ask what was behind all the chaos in the build-up all it will take the sheen off what I’m hoping happened. What I was hoping had happened was the powers that be (THEY) felt the subject material was going to be too powerful and revolutionary for US to see. There was some confusion between the Facebook events pages and invites as to whether the play was called ‘Love Is A Losing Game’ or ‘Love Is A Loosing Game’. Either way –you can understand I had to go see THIS show! Eventually after wavering between whether this play would be shown in west, south London they determined on north so with my sister in tow that’s where I headed.
Star of the show was–Vanessa Vanderpuye –this woman is so stunning –she makes you want to re-evaluate your life! (her link this: http://www.starnow.co.uk/vanessavanderpuye it’s sort of a beautiful people’s Facebook.
In one night in Archway, I re-established a few things that are always good to establish and re-establish: 1)Black talent in London is alive, LIVE and very healthy. Did I mention that the other actors supplied plenty of electricity and humour and vibrancy to the whole thing. I was especially able to pay attention to them when Ms.Vanderpuye wasn’t on stage. Yup, they were talented and they mightcould all be going places 2) Black people support each other’s art. 3) We don’t need bouncers everywhere we go. Like I said the mostly packed out audience was mostly a Black crowd and the only security on the night was a shady looking brother in combat trousers and a doo-rag. We’re in 2010. A doo-rag? Really?
My St Lucian connection Jose Torso and his xsclubbin production company (http://www.xsclubbing.com/)are trying to do in the West Indies what Gbontwi Anyetei (that’s me) and his Hackdongā movement is trying to do right here in England then later America. First up is a soap to be followed by a theatre set that will tour England starting and or ending in London. In collaborating with him I’ll have to learn from the talented and young people that put on yesterday’s WICKED performance.
ANYwaaaaay, I’ve decided I need to be going to the plays more. I understand there’s a lot of unsuspecting available Black women there that are impressed with any Black man that is upping his culture and not off shooting police.
Saturday 20 March 2010
The Writing Levels are Going Up!
Last night, I read a chapter from my book ‘What Do You Call It?’ at an event called the ‘African Writer’s Evening’ in Covent Garden, West London. I happen to believe that in ‘What Do You Call It?’ I have written a book that will revolutionise African/Africa Diaspora literature. It’s funny and it features crime but none of it armed robbery/cocaine/civil war related. ‘What Do You Call It?’ is a wildly original book that deserves a reading where the voice of my characters explode with colour and the voice of my narrative oozes with style and humour.
My reading was RUBBISH! The people there argued that I was actually quite good but I know the truth. I didn’t do my book justice kraa.
Now, I probably shouldn’t be telling you this because I will soon be inviting you to events where I'll be reading (starting next month) and I hope to see you London based friends and followers there. I know writers ain't in fashion right now but we're coming back!
Anyway, where was I?...Darzzit! I was rubbish! Seriously, I have to give BIGGG up Author Eddie K Danso (check out his work in progess website: http://www.eddiekd.com/)who makes his entertaining David J type book readings look TOO easy! I have got much to do so that people know what I know they should know. They NEED to buy a copy of ‘What Do You Call It?’ when it comes out and waste no time about it. I make no excuses...actually I do; It was only the second time I have ever read aloud from my book in front of people AND I wasn’t scheduled to read (I caught the host slipping! ( ; ) and I had come there straight from work so I was in work clobber (that’s ‘clothes’ for you Americans and Ghanaian Ghanaians). That’s not to say I wasn’t looking good. I always try to look good but a whistle and flute. That’s rhyming slang for ‘suit’. I haven’t figured out what my writer uniform will be but last night’s...wasn’t it.
Abada and dashikis-ELIMINATED
LRG type US urba*nwear (Talib Kweli style) –MAYBE,
Blazer, funny+style tee, Yessir Arafat scarf, Ghana coloured trainers –PROBABLY
But don’t worry, I'll be practising the whole reading thing at a bunch of small writer events starting 90 minutes after I post this at a writing group called ‘Utter’ in Haringey. The first time I read there which was the very first time I had read anywhere I had tonsillitis and I STILL tied with the eventual winner as the writer the attendees would most like to see read at bigger £10 per head event in King’s Cross...sooo maybe I'm not that bad.
What can I say - The writing levels just went up!
Sorry if got too deep and necessarily introspective on you. I'm thinking there’ll be a few of these as I navigate new phases in this writing journey of mine...but mostly don’t worry-I'll keep supplying you blogs . (http://hackdonga.blogspot.com) with the humour to which you’ve become accustomed.
Apart from that it was hustle as normal -I gave my book/blog flyers to everybody who attended, collected cards and otherwise made the acquaintance of potentially useful peoples. So, it continues!
My reading was RUBBISH! The people there argued that I was actually quite good but I know the truth. I didn’t do my book justice kraa.
Now, I probably shouldn’t be telling you this because I will soon be inviting you to events where I'll be reading (starting next month) and I hope to see you London based friends and followers there. I know writers ain't in fashion right now but we're coming back!
Anyway, where was I?...Darzzit! I was rubbish! Seriously, I have to give BIGGG up Author Eddie K Danso (check out his work in progess website: http://www.eddiekd.com/)who makes his entertaining David J type book readings look TOO easy! I have got much to do so that people know what I know they should know. They NEED to buy a copy of ‘What Do You Call It?’ when it comes out and waste no time about it. I make no excuses...actually I do; It was only the second time I have ever read aloud from my book in front of people AND I wasn’t scheduled to read (I caught the host slipping! ( ; ) and I had come there straight from work so I was in work clobber (that’s ‘clothes’ for you Americans and Ghanaian Ghanaians). That’s not to say I wasn’t looking good. I always try to look good but a whistle and flute. That’s rhyming slang for ‘suit’. I haven’t figured out what my writer uniform will be but last night’s...wasn’t it.
Abada and dashikis-ELIMINATED
LRG type US urba*nwear (Talib Kweli style) –MAYBE,
Blazer, funny+style tee, Yessir Arafat scarf, Ghana coloured trainers –PROBABLY
But don’t worry, I'll be practising the whole reading thing at a bunch of small writer events starting 90 minutes after I post this at a writing group called ‘Utter’ in Haringey. The first time I read there which was the very first time I had read anywhere I had tonsillitis and I STILL tied with the eventual winner as the writer the attendees would most like to see read at bigger £10 per head event in King’s Cross...sooo maybe I'm not that bad.
What can I say - The writing levels just went up!
Sorry if got too deep and necessarily introspective on you. I'm thinking there’ll be a few of these as I navigate new phases in this writing journey of mine...but mostly don’t worry-I'll keep supplying you blogs . (http://hackdonga.blogspot.com) with the humour to which you’ve become accustomed.
Apart from that it was hustle as normal -I gave my book/blog flyers to everybody who attended, collected cards and otherwise made the acquaintance of potentially useful peoples. So, it continues!
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Oh Nii! The next Gā superstar!
In case you didn’t know there's an internal conflict going on! No -it's not that Black people VS n!ggas blog again! I mean the race is on amongst my Ghanaian tribe to be the first Gā superstar. It has to be said, the Ashantis are and have been leading in this stakes for too long. This Osei Tutu challey gets all kinds of props when he goes abroad that no Gā king equals. The fact that there’s fewer of us is in my opinion is a reason–but not good enough. I believe (and any Ghanaian can correct me here) that the closest we’ve come is Marcel Desailly. World Cup Winner Marcel Desailly you say nodding your head at my decent suggestion. But hold on I hear you say he won the world cup with France! You’d be right! This leaves Tinny (If you don’t know who Tinny is slap yourself once and youtube Cadbury’s Zingola ad…NOW.) and possibly Lethal B whose real surname ‘Ansah’ might qualify him as a Gā but that’s to be confirmed.
The market is wide open so enough with the Masai marathon runners and Yoruba 419ers –The Gā superstar is imminent...“What about you Gbontwi?!” I hear you say now, or are you shouting? Well, look out for books and movies being released near you written by me but a superstar? No. As I’ve written before all I need is a Cedi more than I can spend.
No, the superstar [to be] of whom I speak is none other than Leeds based player who’s rate of hustle may surpass even my own. Let me introduce you to him: ‘Nii’.
Nii-Singer, actor. He can do other things...probably, but it’s the singing and acting that will make him a star and the other things are frankly neither my business or yours. Nii is a Ga name that mean ‘Prince’, ‘King’ or ‘lord’ depending on you ask so you know that. So however you put it Nii is not only a superstar in waiting but established royalty already! I tend to measure a singer’s ability by the amount and calibre of women they attract and the only other king singer I’ve heard of was King David of bible fame and he pulled ALL SORTS of women so we all mustknow what to expect from Nii.
I haven’t met Nii yet but I’ve heard his work and LIKE it. If he’s like me then to hear his work his work is to know the man. As a fellow Prince, King or Lord I’m going to help him film his first music video this Sunday. Look out for me in the video or video outtakes. I’ll be the tall Gā with big eyes, a VIP (very innocuous playa) lanyard and with my arms wrapped around some music video girls. It’s fitting enough on the weekend Ghanaians celebrate the anniversary of the better known kind of revolution –mostly waged in Accra, the city the Gā built!
To check out his music and get bounced around his Facebook and myspace pages check out his website: http://www.q-nii.co.uk/
On top of the singing string to his bow Nii recently landed and filmed a role in a soap opera so Nii just got national exposure. Get involved in the movement. So, again: http://www.q-nii.co.uk/
The market is wide open so enough with the Masai marathon runners and Yoruba 419ers –The Gā superstar is imminent...“What about you Gbontwi?!” I hear you say now, or are you shouting? Well, look out for books and movies being released near you written by me but a superstar? No. As I’ve written before all I need is a Cedi more than I can spend.
No, the superstar [to be] of whom I speak is none other than Leeds based player who’s rate of hustle may surpass even my own. Let me introduce you to him: ‘Nii’.
Nii-Singer, actor. He can do other things...probably, but it’s the singing and acting that will make him a star and the other things are frankly neither my business or yours. Nii is a Ga name that mean ‘Prince’, ‘King’ or ‘lord’ depending on you ask so you know that. So however you put it Nii is not only a superstar in waiting but established royalty already! I tend to measure a singer’s ability by the amount and calibre of women they attract and the only other king singer I’ve heard of was King David of bible fame and he pulled ALL SORTS of women so we all mustknow what to expect from Nii.
I haven’t met Nii yet but I’ve heard his work and LIKE it. If he’s like me then to hear his work his work is to know the man. As a fellow Prince, King or Lord I’m going to help him film his first music video this Sunday. Look out for me in the video or video outtakes. I’ll be the tall Gā with big eyes, a VIP (very innocuous playa) lanyard and with my arms wrapped around some music video girls. It’s fitting enough on the weekend Ghanaians celebrate the anniversary of the better known kind of revolution –mostly waged in Accra, the city the Gā built!
To check out his music and get bounced around his Facebook and myspace pages check out his website: http://www.q-nii.co.uk/
On top of the singing string to his bow Nii recently landed and filmed a role in a soap opera so Nii just got national exposure. Get involved in the movement. So, again: http://www.q-nii.co.uk/
Monday 1 March 2010
The 'Hackdongā' Ethic/Ethos/Terms Of Reference/Mission Statement
I was inspired to write one of these after visiting the Afroklectic blog (Check it out- http://afroklectic.blogspot.com/ ) My new friend Gilean Opuku has described what her Afroklectic movement is all about and encouraged me to do the same. Forgive the uncertainty in this particular blog's title. When I figure which of the terms above best fits the words below I’ll delete the others. So the first time instead of breaking it down (Hack don Gā)and telling you what makes up the word let me BREAK IT DOWN and say what the word means. If Hackdongā made limited edition trainers these would be the words on the important looking marketing material that convince you that that you've just bought more than 2 pieces of China sewn leather with fancy paint on it:
Africans and people of African descent have invented a bunch of things. This is normal. There is no need to celebrate the phenomenon as something AMAZING and only only at particular times of the year. Black people were the first people on the planet. That means –the wheel, fire, sex, –we did it first. Hackdongā recognises our legacy of great achievements in HISTORY every day and looks to make even more creations of our own for the FUTURE. A sense of African pride should be a permanent institution inside us. It shouldn’t ebb and swell during Black history months or that good documentary on TV.
I got the idea of the ‘Welcome To the African Quarter’ motif because I like that any given city’s foreign quarter has always been identified with being different from the rest in new and different ways. The French quarter in New Orleans and the Latin Quarter in Bacardi adverts are synonymous with culture and fun. The foreign quarter in old spy books all carry a vague danger to strangers and enemies. I like that too. This reminds me of the position of the African diaspora all across the west Europe, America...Australia. (Even in some areas of Mother Africa itself e.g. North and South Africa and Botswana and until recently Zimbabwe the indigenous Black African is the second class citizen). We might account for a quarter of the population if that, or there’s more of us but we have a quarter of your money –that’s OK, our continent will be back and we STILL look good!
Africans and people of African descent have invented a bunch of things. This is normal. There is no need to celebrate the phenomenon as something AMAZING and only only at particular times of the year. Black people were the first people on the planet. That means –the wheel, fire, sex, –we did it first. Hackdongā recognises our legacy of great achievements in HISTORY every day and looks to make even more creations of our own for the FUTURE. A sense of African pride should be a permanent institution inside us. It shouldn’t ebb and swell during Black history months or that good documentary on TV.
I got the idea of the ‘Welcome To the African Quarter’ motif because I like that any given city’s foreign quarter has always been identified with being different from the rest in new and different ways. The French quarter in New Orleans and the Latin Quarter in Bacardi adverts are synonymous with culture and fun. The foreign quarter in old spy books all carry a vague danger to strangers and enemies. I like that too. This reminds me of the position of the African diaspora all across the west Europe, America...Australia. (Even in some areas of Mother Africa itself e.g. North and South Africa and Botswana and until recently Zimbabwe the indigenous Black African is the second class citizen). We might account for a quarter of the population if that, or there’s more of us but we have a quarter of your money –that’s OK, our continent will be back and we STILL look good!
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