Judge Steven O’Neill moved jury selection to April 2 instead of March 29 as originally scheduled, to hear outstanding pre-trial motions on March 29 and 30.

Cosby’s defense team, headed by Tom Mesereau, the celebrity Los Angeles attorney who got Michael Jackson acquitted of child molestation in 2005, had requested a longer delay of 90 days, which O’Neill denied.

It marks the second time that 80-year-old comedian will go on trial, accused of drugging and molesting a former university basketball official at his Philadelphia home in 2004.

In June, O’Neill declared a mistrial when the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on three counts of aggravated indecent assault in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

The trial irrevocably damaged the once towering icon of US popular culture, loved by millions as “America’s Dad” and best known for his seminal role as a father and obstetrician on hit 1984-92 TV series “The Cosby Show.”

Around 60 women have publicly accused the Emmy-winning actor of being a serial sexual predator, but most of the alleged abuse happened too long ago to prosecute, meaning that the trial last year concerned only one of the alleged victims.

The Pennsylvania judge ruled last week that five additional women who claim to have been sexually assaulted by Cosby can testify at the re-trial, having last time ruled that only one other accuser could take the stand.

Cosby, now frail and isolated, risks spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted.

The actor denies the charges, saying his relations with Andrea Constand were consensual.

The Canadian has said Cosby gave her pills that left her semi-conscious, then made sexual advances — a story similar to those recounted by many of the other accusers.

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Source: AFP

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The programme which was held on Saturday had in attendance relatives and close friend of the couple.

Born in December, 2017, the baby was christened Catherine-Jiluda T. Satekla. She was named after Stonebwoy’s late mother, Catherine Satekla.

Stonebwoy and Louisa got married on June 16, 2017.

See photos below:

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Stonebwoy names daughter in private ceremony [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

She said she was asked by a director to show her breasts.

“But did I do it? No, I did not.”

“When I did speak up, I was terrified. I remember my heart beating out of my chest, thinking, ‘What did I do? This man is hiring me!’,” she said.

“It was one of my first movies. But in my mind I knew the behaviour wasn’t right,” she added.

The 48-year-old, who currently stars in the cop show Shades of Blue, has not revealed the name of the filmmaker.

She made the revelation in a new interview with Harper’s Bazaar magazine.

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Source: BBC

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According to the singer, even though she had earlier expressed her disappointment with the awards, she is not going to relent in her effort to pursue her music career.

“What’s the guarantee that when an artiste gets a nomination they will win that category?” eShun quizzed on her Facebook Page.

“I didn’t ever say anywhere that I will quit music. I won’t quit for any other award scheme in the world for that matter. It’s important to know what you have and where you are headed,” she added.

This comes on the back of a post she made on Facebook when the VGMA nominees were released and found out she was not nominated.

“I put everything into this journey, a brilliant performer, an awesome vocalist I am very discouraging these things that are happening. I QUIT,” she had posted.

The sassy songstress further stated that her music journey is bigger and that it doesn’t make sense for her to quit music just because she didn’t get nomination.

In response to a question by one of the viewers concerning what the UNCHR High Level Supporter against Statelessness – West Africa, eShun  hopes to achieve in her career, the electrifying songstress  said she believes she has the best voice in Africa and that she wants to inspire minds and hearts of Africans in particular and the world at large.

“I want my brand to be known and loved by about 50 percent of Africans by the seventh year in my music career, so help me God,” she said.

The Quophimens Musiq artiste, is working on her debut album ‘Untamed.’

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The manager of the deceased dance hall artiste who vented his spleen on the matter, described the artistes in question as ‘hypocrites.’

According to Bullet, because of the huge attendance at Ebony’s one week commemoration and the heavy media presence, the musicians came in their numbers and used the platform to interact with their fans.

“Some of our Ghanaian artistes are very hypocrite, you came to Ebony’s one week observation because the numbers were there and again it was being telecast live on air so some of you came there to use the platform. Now you’re asking me to pay you for her tribute concert. I thought you loved her as you claimed on stage at her one week. This is pure hypocrisy. Big thanx to every artistes who has decided to support us. We are grateful,” the post reads.

However, Bullet did not mention which artistes had demanded money to perform at the concert.

On the eve of the day for Ebony’s funeral, 24^th March, 2018, the management of Ebony and the Musicians Union of Ghana will hold the vigil concert at the Trade Fair Centre in Accra. It is expected that musicians would perform at the programme in honour of the late artiste.

Stonebwoy, Becca, Sarkodie, Edem, VIP, R2Bees, Edem, Shatta Wale, Kofi Kinaata and Efya, Samini, Kwabena Kwabena, Tic Tac, Nana Yaa, Obour, Barima Sidney, MzVee, Teephlow, and other musicians are billed to perform at the concert.

The final funeral rites and burial service will be held on March 24 , 2018 at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Recently, rapper M.anifest told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in an interview that he had not received a penny from the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) as royalties since he started music.

“Shout outs to GHAMRO. I know you people are working but please work hard so I can get my royalties. I haven’t received a single penny from you guys,” he said.

However, the Chairman of GHAMRO, Rex Omar, told Citi Showbiz that M.anifest had not assigned his works to GHAMRO – which means he was not a member and could not take his royalties from them.

M.anifest responded to Rex Omar’s position on the matter after Starr FM had tweeted a similar statement Rex Omar made on their station.

According to the ‘godMC’ rapper, even though he has not registered with the South African Music Right Organisation (SAMRO) and UK’s Performing Rights Society (PRS), he gets royalties from them.

“I am not a member of samro or prs but s.a. and u.k. royalties have been flowing. Thanks for understanding. You’re a legend BTW. Much respect,” he wrote.

In the meantime, Rex Omar has stated that GHAMRO is bent on employing the best strategies to collect royalties due its members.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He posted on his Facebook timeline detailing all the achievements of the company since it started operation in the country about a year ago. He also bemoaned criticism by the public on recent controversies about his company.

According to him, it is unfair to assert that Zylofon Media has not contributed to the entertainment industry in the midst of the Stonewbwoy-Zylofon brouhaha.

He mentioned among other things, concerts Zylofon Media organized for Stonebwoy and Becca, Zylofon Arts Fund, Zylofon’s Sales and Distribution outlets,  Zylofon Cash, as some of the companies achievements so far.

Read the full post below:

“A year ago, Ghanaians were screaming everywhere, there is no investment in music, our entertaiment industry is dead. No money for artistes to do shows and travel to promote their music, movie is dead..talents are not getting investments.

8 months ago, Zylofon signs 5 movie stars and 5 musicians including top guys Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy. Gives them cars, houses, pays for their travels to promote their music all over the world.

Zylofon organizes two major shows for Stonebwoy, Ashaiman to the world and Bhim concert. All paid for by Zylofon. No sponsors. Another big show for Becca as Zylofon paid and recorded her album..launched it and paid for marketing in Europe and everywhere. Spends over $4M to get Wizkid, Davido, MI, name them all to come to Becca’s show.

2 months ago Zylofon put down $1M arts fund for all player to access to invest in there creativity.

Zylofon has set up a fully paid A&R department, Sales and Distribution with outlet all over Ghana for artiste to sell their albums. Sets up online monetisation for all creative people.

To expand the conglomerate Zylofon buys space and has constructed a state of the art auditorium for performers.

They have invested in new branches in the UK to help GH artistes connect to Europe with their materials.

Zylofon has full time road managers, PROs, Video directors, etc..to help their signed artistes. Well they have opened TV and radio also to employ and create more platforms.

Well, they have a chopper and private jet for record labels operations.

In all these. Ghanaians are asking for Zylofon Music’s achievements in the one year they have been in existence. Ghanaians are saying..what have they done?

Yes, Kwame NKRUMAH came to Ghana. These same people. We are and forever be Ghanaians.

Can you imagine Zylofon being Nigerian??”

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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In a post he made on his Facebook page on 5^th March, 2018, the ‘Moko Be’ singer said some gospel musicians were embarking on a campaign called ‘Play Ghana’ to encourage the play of more Ghanaian songs.

Play Ghana, he stated, is a campaign initiated by an Association of Christian Musicians in Ghana to inspire a cultural change as regards music made by Ghanaians.

“Though this campaign well extends beyond the area of music, we believe we can inspire this change from our area of influence well into the total social fabric of Ghana,” he wrote.

He further lamented that even though Ghana has a lot of talented musicians, just a handful are able to excel.

“Ghana is blessed with many gifted musicians and yet only a notable few are able to get their music played. We reckon that there’s a general neo-cultural affinity for foreign or imported goods and sadly our music is not spared either,” he added.

According to him a similar campaign like AGOA (Friday Wear) which they championed has redeveloped interest in the Ghanaian fashion and clothing industry, and hopes if all stakeholders of the music industry put their hands on deck, ‘Play Ghana’ will be fruitful.

He also acknowledged the fact that efforts have been made by several stakeholders to engage the issue but a lot is still left to be done for music produced by Ghanaians to be played by Ghanaians.

Nii Okai is known for songs such as ‘Gye W’ayeyi,’ ‘Makpasa Le,’ ‘Okokroko’ and ‘Yesu Hi.’

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nii Okai spearheads ‘Play Ghana’ campaign appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the organization, Prince Tsegah, he explains the delay in the royalty distribution is due to circumstances beyond their control.

According to him, “the total sum of One million five hundred and sixty two thousand, seven hundred and ninety five Ghana cedis eighty five pesewas (GHC 1,562,795.85) was allocated to GHAMRO as payment for the statutory 20% Blank Levy as second tranche payment of 2017 and same was paid to GHAMRO on February 25th, 2018  by the Registrar General’s Department.”

He further states that “in line with section 19 of the Copyright Regulations of 2010, Legislative Instrument 1962 which provides for the statutory distribution percentages of 60% for distribution, 30% for administration and 10% for the welfare, the total funds for disbursement to members is GHC 937,677.51.”

The 30% administrative allocation is to be used for the day to day running of the society and the procurement of the necessary logistics for the efficient pursuit of the mandate. Management is therefore happy to inform members of the acquisition of two saloon cars, namely Toyota Corolla and Toyota Yaris, to help facilitate and enhance administrative activities of the society.

From 30^th June, 2018, GHAMRO will start the distribution of royalties based on frequency of airplay i.e. (Title Specific Distribution).

As GHAMRO prepares to implement the Title Specific Distribution, members are therefore requested to kindly update and appraise their records with Society before the due date.

For further enquiries please call our hotlines on 0540122325 / 057316811.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post December 2017 royalties to be paid this month – GHAMRO appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) said that“Divide,” which was released in March 2017, went multi-Platinum in 36 nations.

Sheeran’s pop ballad“Shape of You” was also the best-selling single globally of 2017 and has been certified as multi-Platinum in 32 nations, the organization said.

The IFPI said it was the first time that a recording artist has had both the best-selling album and single of the year.

Sheeran, 27, first found success in England in 2009 and 2010 by self-releasing his music online.

“Ed is truly an incredible songwriter, vocalist and performer, whose ability to tell stories and make people feel is what stands him out from the crowd,” Max Lousada, chief executive of recorded music for Sheeran’s Warner Music Group record label, said in a statement on Monday.

Sheeran, known for his ginger hair and shy demeanor, delighted fans last month by announcing his engagement to his childhood friend Cherry Seaborn, who he has known since he was 11 years old.

Canadian rapper Drake and his album“More Life” was named the second biggest seller globally for 2017 and the IFPI said Taylor Swift’s“Reputation” was third, despite being released only in November 2017.

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Source: Reuters

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