Philipa in dilema

The ace gospel icon Philipa Baafi, (now Philipa Kakari), is in a big dilemma. After an impressive last outing of her blockbuster album Me Yie Makyia, the Manhyia born pretty singer is set to release her fifth album after Mogya N’kasa, Kyeresu Nyame, Yesu Ye Me Last Stop and Me Yie Makyia.

But hold on, the gospel diva is contemplating of when she should release her next album, which is almost baked.

According to her after almost two years of releasing the last album her music still reign and continue to enjoy massive play both on air and social gatherings.

“My friends and fans have advised me to excise restrain and come out appropriately. Even though sales is still good I think my fans deserve something new for the Christmas but here you are…I will consult with my dear husband to see what to do” she told Weekly Fylla.

According to her husband Mr. Kwame Kakari who formerly doubled as a Presenter and Marketing officer of Otech Fm, Kumasi but now with the CAN 2008 office in Accra as marketing executive, described the situation as a critical one. “There is the need for us to be circumspect and tactful, more so when we have decided to produce our own stuff. There are so many things we have to put in place and consider”.

“We must listen to our fans and at the same time think of the market too. We have just registered our company Kariphils Company Ltd. and there is the need for us to do things professionally because what she is coming out with is a bomb;” he revealed.

I had the opportunity to listen to some of the songs on her latest album and I cannot help but agree that Philipa has matured since her maiden album. Her style of combining Akan and English seems to have gone down well with her listeners and fans such that she has been accorded that status, as Philipa outlined.

Her use of African beats and rhythm is evident in almost all the songs on the album except one or two reggae feels, the rest have a mid tempo sort of beat and rhythm that have elements of Highlife, Soukus and Adowa. Do you remember the remixed of Nhyira Ba and I Go Dance, which incidentally featured Elder Agyare on both songs?

Go High, is the name of this track that takes its prominence from Philipa the old. If the little I heard is anything to go by then something big awaits her fans and Christians. It is rendered in Akan, Ewe and English.

The hooks-rendition coupled with the Ewe line makes the song unique. This time Philipa decided to feature Celestina an unsung heroine whose voice delivery was just good at where she entered. Trust me it is a danceable tune just like her previous ones.

The rest of the songs on the album are so contagious that it will get the attention of the listener for the first time. Tracks like Nkwan that have South African rhythm and feel is a great song by all standards.

So also is Woa Yeyie Bedosu a praise song featuring Francis Asumadu, Enkakyire in a reggae vein are all songs you would love to listen to. Dan Bustin Studios, Kumasi, and George Forest powered them. If you are in doubt then wait “small” and see what “gonna happen next”.

Philipa Kakari attended St. Monica’s Secondary School where she was the deputy school prefect. At the moment she is married to Mr. Kwame Kakari. She owns a beauty clinic in Kumasi called Philibells (I don’t know whether it will be renamed Karphils…) Health and Beauty Clinic sole representative of Germany Weyergan Health and Beauty Clinic.