Music of Thursday, 20 January 2005

Source: ghanamusic.com

Mark Okraku Mantey, A Pioneer In The Music Industry

Slip Music is most famous for being famous. Long before other record labels staked their claims and heads out, the Akropong Akwapim descendant had already started making it big in the Ghanaian music industry. But the 30 year old does not need to dwell on the musicians that gets away from his camp but rather keeps on signing hit albums into his empire.

Ghana Music.com caught up with Mark Okraku Mantey better known as Slip at his Avenor office in Accra, Mark who has been accepted by the Ghanaian music industry as one of the successful producers was more than happy to grant us this interview.

His ?production thing? started in 1996 when a guy called Amponsah came to him at Joy FM because he wanted him to play his songs on air since he (Mark) was a DJ, He (Amponsah) later came back and said he was having problems producing his songs So he (Mark) should help him, and that was his (Mark) wake up call.

A few albums that have been under his umbrella are Nana Tuffour?s - 'Tontonte', Kojo Ashkan?s - 'Me Nse Ato Biso', Felix Bell?s ? 'Butterfly', Ohene Kissi's - 'Kabiribiri Kyere Me'.

Many music fans were carried away by Oheneba Kissi?s ?ABC of Love? because it was a hit, It sold over 400, 000 copies,which was followed by Daasebre Dwamena?s ?Kokokoko? also becoming a hit from Slip?s camp. Most of the hiplife artistes left him cos he went off for a whole year, but there were still some loyal ones like Adane Best, Kudjo Sasu, and Felix Bell.

Mark Okra Mantey is also the executive producer of ?Efiewura? a comedy series that is aired on TV3 on Thursdays. Mark said he wanted to do something extraordinary and it was his passion so he brought up Efiewura.

Some few years back he staged some of the biggest street jams at Adabraka and Kumasi,his love for children compelled him to organize the musicians in his camp to perform for children at the Children?s Park, Some of the artistes that graced the occasions for the kids were Adane Best, Dennis Anderson and the God's Family, Lord Kenya, Joe Frazier, Swazzy B and Mr. Solomon.

He later followed it up with albums from Mr. Solomon, Akyeame's 'Brebre Obaa Hemaa', Lord Kenya's 'Sika', Daasebre Dwamena's 'Kokooko', Adani Best 'Rabi' and then the Slip Dance album (all the guys under him came together on this album). He also did a Christmas song called 'Afiehyia pa' in the 90s.

he then shook the music scene again with albums from Nana Yaw Asare (Yewo Nyame), Felix Bell (Next Generation), Lord Kenya (Sika Baa), Adane Best (Bokoo), Jamson (Safoa), Kudjo Sasu (Yesu) and Nana Quame. He also did some singles for Swazzy B and Joe Frazier. After that he started recording for Ohene Ba Kissi.

?I did another compilation featuring artistes like Daasebre Dwamena, Appiah Fordjour, Nana Acheampong, Oheneba Kissi, Ofori Amponsah, Rev Mensah Bonsu 'Nhyira', Nana Tuffour (Abeiku), Nana Owusu (It?s Too late), Adane Best (Maafio), Kudjo Sasu (Eye mea), Slim Busterr (Masherita) and George Jaraah (Yaw Burger)?, he added.

It got to a point in time that Mark did away with all the hiplife artistes. ?Joe Frazier gave the impression that i cheated him meanwhile he's never done a record with me, For now I have a gospel artiste in the pipeline by name Mary Jemime".

Mark Okraku Mantey would acknowledge Mr. Kusi Twum and Ann Annan. ?I will like to say thanks to all those out there who have helped me in diverse ways and hope we will get people to replace us to keep the fire burning."

Mark has the respect of the industry which has brought him the deserved success and will continue bringing hit albums one after the other.