On Friday, November 14, one of Ghana’s young and most prolific musicians, Samini will launch his third album under the theme of a peaceful election 2008. The 21-track album, titled ‘Dagarti’ takes Samini back to his roots in the deeply troubled Northern Region of Ghana. He hopes that the album will unite and inspire the youth from that part of the country into achieving greater heights.

One of the songs on the album is dedicated to maintaining peace before, during and after the upcoming general elections. Samini used the occasion of his press launch on Wednesday November 12 to extend an invitation to all presidential candidates or their spouses to the main album launch on Friday, as a show of their commitment to peace during the electioneering period.

‘Dagarti’, which took 28 months to produce, promises to be another masterpiece for the fast growing African music icon. Samini says that the concept for the new album is to direct the masses to know their roots. “You have to know where you are coming from to know where you are going. ‘Dagarti’ promises to take the whole world by storm”, he added.

In 2006, Samini won the MOBO Award for African Act of the year and the following year he won the Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the year. He has also been nominated for best Live Performance in the maiden edition of the MTV Africa Music Award. Samini says he is confident that he can win the MTV Award in Abuja come November 22.

Samini digs into his roots on third album

On his sophomore effort, he changed his name from Batman to Samini to carve a true African identity for himself as well as to reflect his coming of age as a musician. As if Samini wasn’t true to his roots enough, he digs even deeper into his roots on his upcoming third album, ‘Dagarti’.

The 21-track album explores the music and culture of the people of Dagarti in the northern part of Ghana, where Samini originally hails from. Samini’s modern take on the traditions of his people results in a masterful artistry especially on his title track, ‘Dagarti’. ‘The concept behind this album is driving the masses to know their roots. You have to know where you are coming from to know where you are going. ‘Dagarti’ promises to take the whole world by storm!”…he describes his new album.

The album is a masterpiece culminating from 28 months of hard work and a determination to give fans nothing less than the best. While a 21-track album may be exhaustive for many of his contemporaries, Samini is blazing the trail as a truly consummate music genius. The album features collaborations with artists from Africa and the Diaspora, including Eterna, Steel Pulse, Sway, Faze as well as a production by UK beat maker, Richie Pitch. Some of the tracks to look forward to include: Movement, Sweet Girls featuring Nameless, Dagarti, Yen Sa featuring Kwaisy Pee, Agoro featuring Sway; and my personal favourite at the moment, Where My Girl Dey.

The 2006 MOBO Award winner for best African Act says he is looking forward to winning the Best Live Performance award in the maiden edition of the MTV Africa Music Award in Abuja come November 22. ‘We are looking forward to see who picks it…I would be very glad if my electrifying live performances are noticed”, he concluded.