Born Desmond Kwesi Blackmore but known in showbiz circles as D-Black. He has been identified as the King of GH-Rap an African Hip-Hop Star. D-Black is one of the best African Hip-Hop Artistes among the few.
He was born on January 12, raised in Accra to parents, Ms. Adeline Boateng, who hails from Koforidua in the Eastern of Ghana and half British, half Ghanaian father, Mr. John Derek Blackmore, a business man.
Raised in a humble and modest background, D-Black had his Primary and Junior High Education at the Ridge Church School in Accra, he then attended Pope John Senior High School then further went on to the University of Cape Coast studying Economics and after to the University of Ghana, Legon pursuing a degree in B.F.A, Theatre Arts, Film Dir and Music.
D-Black is a music business entrepreneur, executive producer and English language spitting Hip hop artist from Ghana. He loves hearing good music and making great music. He runs his own marketing, advertising firm called “Black Avenue Works” that specializes in corporate & product advertising and marketing as well as corporate & social events. There’s a subsidiary of Black Avenue Works called Black Avenue Muzik. Black Avenue Muzik is an Indie Record Label and Distribution outlet in Ghana.
“I want to be able to put African, Ghanaian hip-hop music on the international platform so the whole of Africa and the world can appreciate and have access to the music we make out here in Ghana” D-Black says.
Peer Pressure
D-Black is a member of the Peer ‘Pressure’ crew, that’s made up of like-minded individuals that share the same goals and vision. Peer Pressure is made up of mostly entertainment industry folks and is focused on liaising with the youth through events, music and social work.
Ready To Release ‘Music, Love & Life’ Album
D-Black is all set to release his debut solo album titled ‘Music, Love & Life’ in August 2010 on his Black Avenue Muzik Label & Distribution Outlet in collaboration with Peer Pressure and Nigerian based label ‘Storm Records’ which is the home for Nigerian artists Naeto C, Sauce Kid and Sasha also.
His first single for Ghana off the album ‘Asabone ft. Reggie Rockstone’ was set to officially be released in May but got leaked out earlier than expected. The second single off the album will follow up before the album’s release in August.
D-Black has since December 2008 dropped three major singles from his joint album ‘Target Practice’ with ex-big brother housemate, Kwaku-T. The self executive produced album which was marketed by D-Black’s Black Avenue Works firm boasted the singles “Move” which was nominated in the Best West African Category at the last Channel O Music Awards in South Africa, “Breathe” ft. Jay So and “Bust Ma Brain” respectively.
This album is hands down the most successful pure hip hop album in the country till date. Rapping in only the English dialect; the D-Black and Kwaku-T duo were the first and only hip hop artists to be nominated for a Ghana Music Award in it’s eleven year history, rapping in English, with their music Video ‘Breathe’ directed by Gyo of Phamous Philms winning the Best Video of the Year Award.
Watch the G.M.A Award wining Video ‘Breathe’
D-Black is on solo project this time with a 21-track album with music he has written and recorded surrounding his life’s experiences and the music he loves hence the album’s title “Music, Love & Life”. The album will last him three years because he wants to concentrate on releasing music from his own labels artists RNB/Soul singer, producer, instrumentalist Sammi Blacc and 18 year old new age MC Dee-Money.
D-Black believes humility and prayer is the key to success in whatever you do. He is from a humble background, knows where he is from and where God has put him now. He know God has a great plan for him and for Ghanaian and African music that’s why he keep making good music for the people.
“Music is the first love of my life and this album is music from the heart, mind and soul, I believe in African unity and collaborations, so this album has a lot of collaborations with artists from around the world” D-Black says.
Artistes Featuring On The Album
Artistes featuring on this album includes international music icon Wyclef Jean, 2 Face Idibia, Sauce Kid, M.I & Darey Art Alade (Nigeria), Jozi Jozi (South Africa), Tay Grin (Malawi), Segal (Gabon), Buffalo Souljah (Zimbabwe) and STL (Kenya).
From Ghana, the originator and hip life grandpapa Reggie Rockstone, Kwaw Kese, Ayigbe Edem, Tinny, Sarkodie, Stonebwouy, Chase, Guru, J-Town, Kwaku-T, Efya, Samini, Kwabena Kwabena, D-Cryme and Bayku.
Producers On The Album
With prominent producers like Bad Boy Entertainment’s Coptic, Kwam1, Piesie of Black Avenue Muzik , Killmatic , Jay Sleek (Nigeria), Sammi Blacc, Jay So, M.A., Q.C Funk, Lil Shaker, Female producer ; Chantelle Myers, Green Gaffacci, Dr. EL, Jounide, D.Evolution and Waxi of Sound Republic working on the album’s production.
United Nations (U.N.) Celebrity Ambassador
Having just been appointed United Nations (U.N) Celebrity Ambassador in Ghana in December 2009, D-Black collaborates with 2 Face Idibia (Nigeria), J-town and Kwaku-T on “Stop It”, a song delved around the realization of the United Nations Millennium Developmental Goals. HIV/AIDS awareness, Poverty and Domestic Violence/Women Empowerment.
D-Black sees this song as his message to society, Ghanaians, Africans and the world as a whole. Joint efforts like this make the world a better place to live in. The Video for this song will be shot and aired later on this year and can be found on the “Music, Love and Life Album”.
Channel O 2009 Music Video Awards
D-Black, the Channel O 2009 Music Video Awards Nominee, Ghana Music Awards 2010 winner, 2010 Museke African Music Awards nominee has graced the stages with a number of international acts. The likes of Jay-z, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Omarion, Ja Rule, U.K. based Sway, Donaeo and Lethal B, Stevie Wonder and more in his 2 year musical career. Promotion of his Target Practice Album with Kwaku-T in 2009 saw him perform in South Africa and in Nigeria also.
D-Black’s album promises to be a face lift for Ghanaian hip hop music on the international scene and his music is a fusion of his lyrical dexterity, right choice of beats and concepts, his life experiences and train of thought.
The Low budget 2009 self directed D-Black video features Chase on Quarter past three (3:15) and is a promo / teaser for the upcoming album “Music, Love and Life”
Watch Quarter Past Three
School & Acting
D-Black is a student, also an actor. He graduates from the University of Ghana, Legon this year where he’s studied Theatre Arts/ Film Directing and Music. He’s featured in various TV series “All that Glitters” and “Home Sweet Home” and is also set to begin filming his first ever Movie “7 P.M” written by Jounide El- Mahmoud, next year.
A Reality Show titled “The Life & Rhymes of D-Black & Kwaku-T” is also in the offspring.
Where To Get The Album
You can now get D-Black’s 2009 album “Target Practice” with Kwaku-T on www.itunes.com, www.amazon.com, www.limewire.com, www.e-music.com for under $10 for the fans outside of Ghana. (You can get the D-black & Kwaku-t album at the “Silver Bird Lifestyle Store” at the Accra Mall in Ghana.)
To receive more free D-Black music become a fan here:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/D-BLACKGH
Myspace.com: www.myspace.com/dblackgh
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/dblackghana
Watch Out for D-Black ‘Music, Love and Life’ Album due out in August 2010
he is channelling the young stevie wonder in that photogragh LOL….anywayz, nice read!
Impressive.
This is the most impressive profile ive ever read from a Ghanaian hiphop artist.Cant wait to hear his album! Kudos D-Black..ur putting Ghana on the map