He needs no introduction, as he is one of Ghana’s best artistes ever produced, worked his way into stardom out of controversies and still swimming in one. During the days of Nana King (Ashanti international) Batman now called Samini was fast becoming a super star whose roots were never seen growing. Part of the group “Trinity” which comprises of Kokoveli, K K Ofosu and himself, the group broke the jinx of Ghanaians with the hit “ZANZA”, a popular song that will be hard to throw away. The song shot the TRINITY into massive stardom and gained the love form the masses in the country especially Secondary schools because of the popular dance that came with the song.
During that time he was known in the hip life game as “BATMAN”, whose voice could not be missed on a song. He was then the most featured artiste in the hip life game as many of the hit songs during that era had his voice on. The popular sign in tune of Batman “PAAAH” generated a lot of controversy as it was carried out that any time he does the sign in tune it called for a specific amount and hence the more says it the more the artiste pays. Whether it was true or not, that never disturbed others from calling for his services, songs from Paa Solo, and King David with his first break through song “Ayefe Notse” which became a hit with contribution from Batman, his verse and hooks on that song was all part of his success stories.
Batman then broke his virginity with his hit single “ODO” after so much controversy has been generated already with his break away from the ‘TRINITY’. I remember the song from K K Ofosu “Oyga” (which means Boss) was said to have directed towards the then upcoming super star Batman, with a cool heart he maintained his composure and paid little attention to that song. Still swimming in the pool of controversy, batman was faced with another one from the song “GYE SHI” on the “ODO album, many critics was on him for promoting bad social vices both Weed and Alcohol.
[In short Samini is the only artiste who has grown from strength to strength out of controversies, but the story continues….]
During that time the “ODO” (Love) album had gained massive air play across the length and breathe of the country with Batman spear heading Lovers Rock songs produced in Ghana, before him were the likes of Yoggy Doggy and Bacteria. Even though during that era Ghanaians where not moving with the heavy base deep voice swagger then called “Raggar” Batman was able to win the heart of Ghanaians with the first solo album “ODO”.
Little did we know that the road to victory has started, his first endorsement was to sign for the best telecommunications network then SPACEFON, now called MTN as the networks ambassador. He was the first artiste to be signed to a huge endorsement deal in the country. This built his confidence as he won more heart of Ghanaians with that deal and from there Batman was seen on recharge credit cards from then till now.
Growing in the game he recognized his true identity and hence pushed for his artiste name to be changed from Batman to Samini (meaning Rain God) NB: the first artiste to change artistic image and name. The name doubles as his real and showbiz name giving him strong originality in his career. With the change in name came his second album “Dagaati”, which was also a success, wining him the GMA artiste of the year plus the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) award for the Best African Act in 2006. From there Samini gained so much respect in and outside Ghana.
Being able to perform Live to a Live Band set up, Samini was seen as an artiste with a purpose and one that says that “I WANT TO DO THE MUSIC BUSINESS ”. He played on a lot of stages both locally and internationally due to his ability to play Live. Another glory came begging from the MTVs, Samini won the best African Performer during the MTV Mama Africa Awards held in Kenya, and recently he added the IRWS award.
Now to add to his achievements Samini is recognized by Wikipedia, an online source of information that recognizes only renowned and historic acts from all mediums. It provides a biography and all other relevant information about the artiste in question and it is accessed by all kinds of people in the world including those in the hinter lands. It is the quickest way to search for information about someone.
Samini becomes the second artiste from Ghana to be recognized by the online information center Wikipedia, the first to be recognized was the grand papa of Hip Life Reggie Rockstone. So the next time you want to know the newest thing about the ever growing super star Samini just long on to Wikipedia and you will have it.
As to whether the second meaning to his name is Controversies and Recognition Samini is now facing the problem many describes as “Polygamy” that is marrying more than one woman. With the whole hullaballoo surrounding his newly found wife at Canada and already engaged wife in the country, Ghana one cannot tell if Samini’s survival in this industry depends heavily on controversies and to crown it all he releases “Sweet Mistake”. As to whether the song is to confirm or kill the controversy only Emmanuel Andrews Samini can tell, but trust Entertainment in Ghana to bring you the real deal.
Story By Nana Yaw Wiredu.
