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The birth of hiplife twelve years ago marked what seemed to be the beginning of the end for Highlife music in Ghana. Young men and women who took to music as a profession started venturing in to the then new hiplife and others started genres of their own or took to genres such as R&B, Soul and Hip hop. Hardly did one hear of any new artistes who did high life music.

Thus 6 years ago when Kwabena Kwabena came into the music scene and decided to stick with and to the tradition and genre of high life it was welcome news. Every one enjoyed and admires his smooth and soothing voice and amazing personality. He almost immediately became the toast of Ghana music. Kwabena then ride not only on his voice and talent but the fame Kontihene had gains over months preceding his introduction into the music scene. Kwabena’s   choice of name Kwabena Kwabena also became a talking point as it was different and the first of its kind showbiz in Ghana had seen.

Over the years George Kwabena Adu has written his name in the good books of Ghana Music and is respected throughout the Country. His professional abilities have earned him respect in the highlife circles made up mainly of very experienced musicians; he has also earned respect in the public eye for his style of dressing, personality and disposition. He fast became the gentleman of Ghana music.

The last few weeks has seen Kwabena’s name mentioned in a negative light in the media due to problems in his marriage. http://www.pinnaclegh.com decided to take a look at Kwabena Kwabena’s life as a professional and issues which have come up over the years; we made very interesting discoveries. It’s easy to call certain artistes Controversial because of the things they say and how they say it but there are others like Kwabena who are not exactly controversial but are surrounded by it.

Soon after the release of Kwabena’s first album which had the hit “Aso”, there were rumours of problems between him and Kontihene who “executive-produced” his first album. To this day the issues are not clear. In an interview on 1800, Kwabena said he wasn’t sure of the issues which cropped up. As to whether their disagreement had to do with money or women like most Showbiz disagreements or other issues other than that we still do not know.

But that was just the beginning of a professional life full of controversies; Kwabena shot a video of his hit song which was never seen on local television because Kwabena thought it was wrong to pay the TV station to play videos. In fact I thought that was a dangerous but respectful stance. Months down Kwabena’s fame lane and he hit the news again with allegations of being poisoned at the best brain studios. As to whether that was true or not we still do not know. Roland (Roro), the engineer at the Best Brain Studios then rubbished Kwabena’s allegations as a bid to gain popularity off him.

Kwabena Kwabena fast became the toast and taste of most Ghanaian woman, he was calm, clean, gentle, respectable, respectful and talented. You can not blame the women who wished they had this handsome young man with such bright future. Kwabena was on all major platforms, recognised in all quarters and won awards. Soon came the silent days, he was no longer as visible as he had been months earlier. Our diagnosis is that he did not earn much with his first album and also thought his reign would never end so did not save for the rainy day; of course after all the spotlights had been on him, the pomp and glamour he couldn’t go back to his trade as a draftsman. Well, we may be wrong.

It wasn’t too long till Kwabena’s voice was heard in lots of songs, songs which saw little success. He featured on as many tracks for other artistes as he could. The feature that gave Kwabena a break and a re-introduction to top level stardom was that of “You lied to me”; Becca’s hit song on her first album. Originally, the song was to feature Highlife Guru Nana Fynn. Kwabena had become a huge star once again. He was seen every where with Becca. It wasn’t too long till the rumours stared flying around. Becca and Kwabena Kwabena “at it”.

Then Kwabena tied the nut amidst yet another rumour, he impregnated his wife before marrying her. Officially he denied the rumour but in other quarters rumour held it that he said he had an Uncle who married and never gave birth so he Kwabena wasn’t going to bear the risk of getting married except and until he was satisfied that his “wife to be” could take seed. As if that was not enough around the same time the rumours held it that Kwabena had impregnated another woman other than his wife.

Kwabena sacked his manger and dissolved his management team right after the launch of his second album “Do no bi” which was planned to coincide with his marriage. Asked why his album launch was not patronised he sang a PR song “It was a private launch”. Soon after the ceremony and management issues Kwabena said on various platforms including on Net 2 TV and 1800 that he had a new label and management. He was now with EKB Records and was been managed by Kiki Banson, Becca’s manager and owner of Emmanuel Kiki Banson Records. There was no official word from the Label with regard to Kwabena’s status with them.

Then came the sham of the decade, Maddhaus Entertainment, guess what! Kwabena Kwabena was there too. He was paraded as one of the top artistes the label had signed on and paid huge monies. Well, how much money he was paid came out a few months later, he was paid nothing. In the end the C.E. O of the label fled the country amidst allegations of staff molestation and fraud.

Kwabena’s 2nd album was still on the low, it was as if he hadn’t released. He started shooting a video of the title track with LXG studios and directed by Kpakpo. Well, Ghana never saw that video. Last time we checked the video was half done and done well. Soon, it was time for politics, a host of musicians mounted the platform to campaign for the New Patriotic Party’s candidate and Oh again Kwabena was one of them. Was it genuine or was he there because of the liquid resources the party committed to her campaign for the presidency?

Where ever there has been the smell of money Kwabena has been present, EKB Records, Maddhaus Entertainment, NPP. Was his bid to campaign for Akuffo Addo’s genuine? Money, commitment, convictions …. Only Kwabena can answer. Kwabena’s year old album has only now begun to makes waves, waves at the back of the movie, Perfect Picture and good old controversy.

Lately it was reported that Kwabena’s months old marriage is near break up. For the sake of his son, we hope the marriage never breaks. Family is family and we will not be drawn into meddling in Kwabena’s family affair. What is worrying though is the fact that most new artistes and members of the general public who looked up to Kwabena may have little to look up to in the midst of all the perceived immorality and infidelity on his path.

Weeks ago he signed up to become a Glo ambassador, one of several artistes. Kwabena’s prim, proper and pious disposition is probably a part of his PR stunt and not real. As difficult as it may sound to accept that, Kwabena Kwabena’s professional career has been built not only on the back of excellence but also made up of controversies; pure, plain and simple.

We are dying for the artiste we first saw in Kwabena and we believe we could still get that out of him. We will keep supporting, endorsing and promoting his good work but like a good parent we will not stop short of pointing out his ills.