Chicago To Make A Headway

Patrick Gogoh is known in showbiz circles as Chicago. He launched his successful entry into show business when his contribution Daavi Mede kuku to Ex-Doe?s album in a collaboration became the title track and an instant hit.

However, because the album was not his, his benefits were minimal but the album?s success was a tremendous push in his entry into showbiz and the music Industry.

Once he got into the industry, he worked very hard and within four years he had come out with Dzibodzi, Wobeko and Daben, all under the Yakabams / Sweat Pea record label which was managed by Sly Amoako.

Most of his songs, especially those on the Dzibodzi album, became hits and enjoyed a lot of airplay and sales in cassettes and CDs were brisk, making it good business for both the producer and the composer.

In the closing stages of 2002, Yakabams folded his business and traveled to America where he has been ever since. ?His journey to America changed the fortunes of my musical career.

It was as if his departure had put a freeze on the sturdy progress I had been making in the industry,? the musician said.

?Every day, since then, I have had to comb the whole of Accra and elsewhere looking for new record label or a manager and since these are not easy to come by, I went home with nothing most of the time,? he added.

The musician said for the four years he had had to live on royalties from his old album and the proceeds from a provisions store he established for his wife.

?Life has not been easy in these trying times, especially when it comes to settling petty bills, but I have managed to somehow do the kind of things I love to do,? he said.

According to Chicago, he and a group of friends had formed a cultural group for music and dance and through it he had learnt to play the flute and the keyboard.

He intends to develop this cultural group into what he calls the Efo Music Academy where beginners will be trained to become accomplished musicians.

Chicago has, on the quiet, also completed a new project of a 10-track album which he recorded at the Best Brain Studio.

The 10 tracks on the new project which have very danceable tunes include 'Sheff Judge', 'The Pain', 'Na Wao', 'Woakye', 'Sobodzi', among others.

The hiplife artiste, whose maiden song 'Daavi Mede kuku' became an instant hit and was loved by the Anlos because they understood the lyrics of that song, told Showbiz that he was concluding talks with Goodies Music Production Company to manage him.