Edem (rapper)

Edem
Born Volta Region, Ghana
Genres Hip hop, Reggae / Dance Hall
Occupation(s) Rapper, executive producer, entrepreneur, singer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2009–present
Labels Volta Regime Music Group
Associated acts Hammer of The Last Two, Kwaw Kese, Trigmatic, Sarkodie, Obrafour, Tinny, Asem, EL, Black Rob, I-20, Nuru, Ice Prince, Ice Queen, Sway, Gemini
Website Official website

Denning Edem Hotor is a Ghanaian recording artist and entertainer who performs under the name Edem.

Early life

Edem was born in Dzodze in the Volta Region of Ghana. Of two kids, Edem is the only son and Wendy Sefakor Agbeviadey. The young Edem spent most of his youth in Accra and Aflao. He completed his primary and Junior High education at the Amazing Love International Schools. As a product of the secondary school system in Ghana, he enrolled in Bishop Herman College for his senior high school education. He lost his mother at age 13. He was left with his dad, a lawyer, and his sister. He lost his dad at age 16. His only immediate family at the moment is his sister. He grew up surrounded by music, ranging from hip hop to dancehall, reggae and hi life.

By age nine, Edem was usually caught pounding on tables, empty tins and any item that could produce good rhythm. He joined his first music group in junior high. In senior high, he formed a 6-member group called the Ringmasters. They performed at the school as well as at funfairs elsewhere. They usually sang, rapped and danced. After senior high school, he proceeded with his quest to build a commercial career in music. He recorded in the underground with artists including Kokromoti, Nival, Trigmatic, Vyroz, M.O.B and Osibo .

Music

Edem appeared on Voice of America where he talked about his "Nyedzilo" video, which features Mavin Records very own Reekado Banks, and his videos such as "The One", featuring Sway that talks about Africa's liberation and his award-winning song Koene that were previously featured on Music Time Africa by Heather Maxwell and Vincent Makori.[1]

In 2006 he released his first radio hit single "Witine Woshi", which translates as "we came and they ran". It gained much popularity in his region and added to his underground reputation. That year he got together officially with The Last Two Entertainment Group, headed by the hit maker Hammer of The Last Two. This label is responsible for artists including Obrafour in 1999, Tinny and the madman Kwaw Kesse in 2005.

Edem appeared at live shows, significantly as the opening act for the John Legend concert at the International Conference Center in Accra in 200. Before his debut album, he collaborated with other acts, especially with Obrafour. He went on a national tour with Obrafour.

After two years in the studio (2006 December to 2008 December), he came up with his first single "Bougez". It received airplay across the country. His first album featured new as well as established acts such as Tinny, Kwaw Kesse, Sarkodie, Obour, Asem, K. k. Fosu, Tuba, Samini, Jayso, Trigmatic, El and Gemini.

Edem appeared on shows such as Stars of the Future Season 3 Finales, Ghana Music Awards (2009) and all major university concerts. He has been a part of the University of Ghana’s Commonwealth Hall week, Akuafo Hall week, Evandy Hostel(Legon) week celebration, Pentagon Hostel week celebration, Miss WA Poly, Miss Ho Poly, KNUST’s Unity Hall week celebration and University Of Cape Coast's Kwame Nkrumah Hall Week 2013.

Debut Album: Volta Regime (2009)

His Debut Album The Volta regime was released in January 2009.

This album is a result of two years of recordings in Accra. All the lyrics were written by Edem. The compositions were produced by Hammer of The Last Two who doubled as the executive producer.

Second Album: Mass Production (2011)

Mass Production was to be a transition from his first. The album, he said, holds a mixture of unique beats produced by various engineers including hammer. Edem says, "...It basically is a transition from me being an artiste with a first album and now trying to put music out that will be appealing to everybody that has supported me. Now the album is Mass Production because it is going to be made easily available and affordable to everybody in a sphere of life in the country." In an interview with Peacefmonline.com, Edem disclosed that his favorite song on the album is "Kate" the only track produced by Hammer of The Last Two. "Anytime I hear that song it reminds me of my beginning", he said. On why he decided to drop Ayigbe from name he said "This has nothing to do with image crisis."

"The intention of Volta Regime’ as an album was to make a statement for my region to be respected…this statement was to make everybody know that you can use your dialect and sell anywhere across the world and in doing that I wanted to also make sure that the people from my region take pride when they are derogatorily called Ayigbe people or anything."

"Two years along the line after executing ‘Volta Regime’, I know a lot of people who take pride in the name now", he explained. He said the purpose of using Ayigbe has been fulfilled hence his decision to stick to only Edem which is still an Ewe name.[2]

His videos include "Delaila" ft M.I, "The One remix" ft Sway, "Only in Ghana", "Wicked" and "Bad" ft Coded (4x4) , Koene, "Over Again remix" and "Not on my level (heyba)", which featured on BET 106 &Park, ChannelOTV and TraceTv. "Not on My Level? reached 49th position on Reflexfm Urban top100 chart in Netherlands.

Books & Rhymes

His next album was Books & Rhymes.

Recognition

Edem won the Best International Act-Africa at 2015 Black Canadian Awards. The ‘Koene’ hit singer beat Mafikizolo (South Africa), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Davido (Nigeria), Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Oritse Femi (Nigeria), and Teeyah (Ivory Coast) to win the award. The rapper thanked God and Ghanaians for their support which he said helped him emerge victorious at the event.[3]

Edem won 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Album of the Year Books and Rhymes, Afropop song of the year with "Koene" and Video of the Year with "The One" video featuring SwayUk [4]

Edem topped the 2014 4syte TV Music Video Awards with 3 awards for Best Directed, Best Photography and Most Outstanding Video for "The One" featuring SwayUK directed by Gyo Gyimah.[5]

When the nominations list for the 2010 Ghana Music Awards was released, Edem's maiden album had earned seven nominations.[6][7]

Philanthropic work

Before he became popular, Edem promised God that should he make it, he would help those in need. In his own small way, he contributed to philanthropic works and gained ground as an artist a passion for charity.

Following this passion, on Monday 7 September 2009, he made a donation of various items and a cash amount to the maternity ward of the Mamobi Polyclinic in Accra.

After hearing Father Campbell, the priest in charge of the Weija Leprosarium calling for help, Edem went to the Weija Leprosarium on 10 October 2009 and in the spirit of charity, he donated items and a cash amount. He offered a short speech at the presentation, he told Father Campbel that he felt responsible to help them. In an interview with Myjoyonline, Edem said, "I was touched by what I saw on the TV some weeks ago where Father Campbell spoke about the plight of the Leprosarium...."my priority is making people who need help get help. People do not have to be rich before they can donate and help the needy in society."[8]

While watching and listening to the prime time news on TV3, he sympathized with the parents of Michelle Koranteng, a 4 month old baby who was suffering from a congenital brain disorder. Her condition touched him enough to make another donation. On the same day, he travelled to Hohoe and made a donation to the maternity ward of the Hohoe General Hospital.

He expressed his displeasure over government’s inability of providing adequate malaria health care to the many Ghanaians.[9]

Personal life

Edem is a student of the Meridian pre-university. In February 2011, the rapper became a father after the birth of his daughter and claims to be in a committed relationship with marriage plans.[10]

List of awards received by Edem

WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2016 Nyedzilo African Video of the Year Nominated [11]
Best African Combo Video Nominated [12]
Best African Dance Video Nominated [13]

Discography

References

Denning Edem Hotor shortly known as Edem as his stage name is a Ghanaian recording artist and entertainer. Edem started music in high school where he formed a 6 member group called Ringmasters, he is the only son to his parent who are both dead and was born in Dzodze in the Volta Region of Ghana. Edem rose to fame in 2006 with his first hit single "WOTOME WOSHI" and he got signed to The Last Two Entertainment Group that same year. http://www.newsjit.com/top-10-richest-musicians-in-ghana-and-their-net-worth-latest-list/

  1. ↑ "VOA Music Time". Archived from the original on July 13, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
  3. ↑ "Ghana News - Edem wins Best International Act Africa at 2015 Black Canadian Awards". myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Edem Wins 3 Awards".
  5. ↑ Mawuli, David. "Full List Of Winners MTN 4syte Music Video Awards, 2014 - Music". Pulse. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Ghana Music•com™ • Sarkodie, Ayigbe Edem, Wutah & 4x4 dominate GMA 2010 • TOP STORIES • NEWS". Ghanamusic.com. 2010-02-27. Archived from the original on 2012-11-23. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  7. ↑ "Nominations For This Year's Ghana Music Awards Ready | Entertainment 2010-02-22". Ghanaweb.com. 2010-02-22. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  8. ↑ "MyJoyOnline.com". Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Ayigbe Edem calls on government to do more to curb malaria". Archived from the original on February 4, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Ayigbe Edem Is A Dad | Entertainment 2011-03-10". Ghanaweb.com. 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  11. ↑ http://www.wazobiaforum.com/post/24957/yemi-alade-wizkid-cassper-diamond-rihanna-shatta-wale-nominated-for-2016-watsup-tv-africa-music-video-awards
  12. ↑ https://www.monteoz360.com/2016/10/wamva2016-full-nominees-list-of-2016-watsup-tv-africa-music-video-awards/
  13. ↑ https://www.bellanaija.com/2016/10/yemi-alade-wizkid-diamond-platnumz-cassper-nyovest-others-nominated-for-watsup-tv-africa-music-video-awards-set-to-hold-this-december/
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