Scratch Studios lays out 2014 plans
Scratch Studios, the one-stop music outfit headed by Kofi Amoakohene and based at East Legon in Accra, has been talking about some of its plans for this year.
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Apart from a spacious auditorium for live music, the Scratch complex includes a recording studio, artistes on its label, a distribution outlet, a publishing arm, a photography and video production unit and a magazine dedicated to entertainment.
In an interaction with Showbiz earlier this week, Amoakohene pointed out that Scratch would intensify its efforts to help make Ghanaian music more visible on the world market.
Scratch was represented in Cannes, France last year at the big global music fair, Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale (MIDEM) where it showcased music from Ghana.
Scratch staff also participated in the 2013 World Music Expo (WOMEX), an important international professional market of world music of every kind, in Cardiff, Wales.
“There are more opportunities this year to make the world aware of music from here and we would work hard to push that agenda,” Amoakohene said.
The outfit’s major concern on the local front in the first quarter of this year, would be the presentation of the third Dream Child Foundation concert at the National Theatre in March.
The Dream Child Foundation aims to empower underprivileged African children to play important roles in the continent’s socio-economic development.
It does that by raising funds through a major concert each year and donating the money to a specific organisation working in children’s interests.
Proceeds from the first concert in 2012 went to the children’s unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Money was raised for the Child Development Centre at Apam last year.
Hopefully, this year’s philanthropic initiative will benefit Orphan Aid Africa which works to put orphans in foster cater instead of institutions.
“We recognise that music is a powerful tool in raising funds for all sorts of causes. Since music is our business at Scratch, we want to continue using to help our children,” Amoakohene said.
“The first concert introduced Steve Bedi to music fans. The second show was headlined by Osibisa but it also showcased the Francophone guys on our label such as Lelo from Congo and Oswald Kouame and Maddys from Cote d’Ivoire”
According to the Scratch Studios CEO, this year’s bash will highlight other artistes on the Scratch label such as Elivava, Paul Bilson and Ralph Karikari.
It will, however, be a night of varying music with acts like Osibisa and Becca as well as Kunle Ayo, Yinka Davis and Gloria Ibru, all from Nigeria.
There will also be a fashion show to unveil Scratch Wear which is everyday wear at affordable prices. Top designers from Ghana and abroad are expected to show their clothes at the event.