BIA (Born In Africa) in the making

Though BIA (Born In Africa) are not done with their much-talked about album, their popularity continues unabated.

Their album catalog, which is recorded in Ghana and USA will be reflecting on the best of what the human voice is capable of doing.

The arrangements that the two members, Dee Jones and Governor Amo made on their upcoming album has never been heard of.

The name “Born In Africa” is forever inscribed in the annals of Ghanaian music.

Read on and find out more about the group from Dee Jones, the leader of the group who made himself available for the interview.

Ghana Music.com: Who is Dee Jones and Governor Amo?

Dee Jones: First and foremost we will like to thank the Almighty God for granting us today and of course you for your time. The group name is BIA which stands for Born In Africa. There are two people in the group, one is Dee Jones, the group leader and the other is Governor Amo. We chose BIA because we were both born in Ghana and Ghana is part of Africa. Being an African is something we are proud of. We believe it is a privilege to be born in Africa contrary to what some people believe.

Ghana Music.com: So how did the journey all begin for BIA?

Dee Jones: The group started first in 2004 with my boy, Wadon by the name W. N. D. - Wadon and Dee Jones but things did not work out. Wadon wanted to do strictly hip-life but I wanted to have a variety of music on the album for everyone to enjoy old people, children, young, rich people, poor people, etc.

Ghana Music.com: So what happened?

Dee Jones: In 2005, I came back to Ghana and met Governor Amo who used to play on my uncle’s band “The Amazing 6 with Kwame Yeboah” and some other talented musicians. I used to leave at Darkuman and go to Mamprobi to watch Amo and the Band practice. I wanted to join but my mom wouldn’t let me. Amo embraced what I wanted to do because he also felt like we can head for greatness with my plans.

Ghana Music: Tell me more about Governor Amo?

Dee Jones: He is more into singing and I am more into rapping and a little bit of singing. With this combination, the sky is the limit for us. He is actually a member of the Mega Star band.

Ghana Music.com: So now to the album?

Dee Jones: The album consists of hiplife, highlife, reggae, and hip hop music. We want to touch all basis, so everyone will have something to listen to. The album itself is complete, with two more songs from Hammer that will be bonus tracks. God willing the album should be in stores early October or latest November. This album is self produced by Dee Jones, so we are looking to have a distribution company to distribute our music. I will be working hard in New York when the album drops to promote it and to have it distributed here.

Ghana Music.com: Any guest appearances. What about the sound engineers too?

Dee Jones: We got production from Jay Q, Appietus, RoRo, and we are looking forward to do two more tracks with hammer. We featured K. K. Fosu, Castro, Nayanka and leaving Bak Tye who will be featured on a bonus tracks.

Ghana Music.com: Your show performances?

Dee Jones: I did a couple of shows in New York including the popular Ghanaian picnic day. My partner governor Amo has performed on a lot of shows in Ghana and Switzerland.

Ghana Music.com: Any artistes you guys take inspiration from?

Dee Jones: Artistes we look up to on the domestic level are Pat Thomas, Paapa Yankson, Kojo Antwi, Castro, K. K. Fosu and the foreign artistes are Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, R. Kelly, Nas, Talib Kwali, and Steve Wonder.

Ghana Music.com: What’s the major step that BIA will take next?

Dee Jones: The major thing right now is to launch the album and I believe the rest will take off itself. We are in a process of making two music videos, one in New York and one in Ghana.

Ghana Music.com: What’s it about BIA music?

Dee Jones: Our music is catchy so it should be easy for DJs to promote it. Talk is cheap; we will not try to convince any one to buy the album without their approval of what they’re hearing. Rather, we are making music that will be enjoyed by our fans and will make them demand for more.

Ghana Music.com: After the album has been outdoored, what’s the next step?

Dee Jones: After the album is launched, we will see the response of our fans and the entire country then we will decide what we want to do next. If our fans like what we are doing, then we will give them more music. That’s all I can say about the future since I can’t tell what the future holds.