Hip-Life Festival

Ghana's most popular hip-life acts, including Tic Tac, V.I.P. and Kwabena Kwabena, will be performing on 25 August 2007 at London's Coronet.

The second annual Hip-Life Festival will take place on Saturday, 25 August 2007, 10pm - 6am, at the Coronet, 26 - 28 New Kent Road, Elephant & Castle, London SE1 6JT (nearest tube: Elephant & Castle).

The festival is the biggest celebration of hip-life, the Ghanaian version of hip-hop. This year, as it coincides with the Ghana at 50 celebrations and 10 years since the birth of Hip-Life, this event is expected to be even more special.

There will be live performances from the best of Hip-Life artists who will be flying in from Ghana, including V.I.P. , Kwabena Kwabena , Castro & Screwface , Tic Tac , A-Plus , Boli , Abrewa Nana , Nana Antwi , No Tearz ,  Manye Mercy and special guest artist (the Hip-Life Don Dada), as well as the hottest UK-based Ghanaian acts such as Ntatia , Howls of Lords , Kingseyez , Frankyboy , KBK & Triple C , Roman Fathers , Kwarifa & Lady Sledge , plus side-splitting comedy by the funniest man in Ghana,  Agya Koo .  DJs on the night include Alordia & Skooby (Hot 9000) , DJ Abrantee , DJ Makossa (Rainbow Radio) , DJ Billy , French Kiss , Big L (Oops/Manjaro) , Bola Ray (Joy FM) , DJ Invisible , DJ Navada , DJ Jobo and DJ Amita (Rainbow Radio) . MCs are Clarke Pintoa and Daddy Fingers and the night will be hosted by E.D.D.I.E. and Dentaa from OBE TV.

Two of the highlights on the bill are Tic Tac and Kwabena Kwabena:

Tic Tac (aka Nana Kwaku Okyere Duah) was born and raised in Ashanti, Ghana. Recipient of numerous Ghana Music Awards, Tic Tac is now one of Ghana's veteran Hip-Life stars and is undoubtedly one of the best live and energetic artists. He has performed alongside artists such as 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Kanda Bongo Man, Buju Banton and Joe. His latest solo album is entitled 'Accra Connection' and features guest appearances by MOBO award-winning Batman Samini, JJC & 419 Squad, D'banj, Tony Tetuila, Sway and Rhian Benson amongst others. The music video for his current single 'Kangeroo' (taken of 'Accra Connection') was directed by US music director Gil Green and was recently on the top of MTV Base Africa charts.

Listen: Kangaroo by Tic Tac feat. Batman & D'banj

Kwabena Kwabena (real name is George Kwabena Adu) is one of the heart-throbs of the Ghanaian music scene. His first album was one of the best albums of 2005 and he has featured as a guest vocalist on numerous Hip-life tracks such as 'Kiss Your Bride' by Boli and 'Esi' by Kontihene. He is one of the most exciting vocalists in Ghana at the moment and he stole the show at the 2007 Ghana Music Awards, where he performed live with Hugh Masekela and his band.

Listen: Aso by Kwabena Kwabena feat. Kontihene

The Hip-Life Festival is definitely an event not to miss. Tickets are £15 only in advance or £20 on the door (incl. free DVD whilst stocks last). They are available from all Ghanaian stores or for further information, call 07958 520 531, 07970 628 530 or 07908 543 126