DENNING EDEM HOTOR
(EDEM)
Denning Edem Hotor (born 21st May 1986) is a Ghanaian recording hip-hop, hip-life artist and entertainer who performs under the name Edem. According to Hammer of the Last Two who groomed him. He raps in Ewe and is the premier rapper in that language.Edem's uniqueness is in three-fold: language, rhythmic quality and depth of lyrics. . In February 2011, the rapper became a father after the birth of his daughter and is now married to Stacey Osekere.
Early Life.
He is the only son of his parents with his sister, Wendy Sefakor Agbeviadey.The young Edem spent most part of his life in Accra and Aflao, eventhough he was born in Dzodze. He started his primary and junior high education at the Amazing Love School. As a product of the secondary school system in Ghana, he proceeded to his senior high school education at Bishop Herman College in the Volta Region of Ghana. He lost his parents (father who was a lawyer and his mother) in his teens. His immediate family now is his sister whom he loves so much. He grew up listening to all genres of music and that influenced him to become the great artiste he is now. He took off with his first music group in junior high. In senior high, he formed a 6 member group named the Ringmasters. They performed at entertainment programs as well as at funfairs held in other schools. The Ringmasters were into rapping, singing, and dancing. After completion of Bishop Herman College, he continued with his quest to build a commercial career of greatness in music. He recorded uncountable songs in the underground with the likes of Trigmatic, Kokromoti, Vyroz, Osibo and Nival.
Music Career
"WOTOME WOSHI" which translates as "we came and they run", his first radio hit single was released in 2006. It gained popularity in his region and his underground reputation was made a talent to look out for. It was in this same year that he got together officially with The Last Two headed by the hit maker Edward Nana Poku Osei, also known as Hammer. He did a lot of collaborations with other artiste, the major one was with Obrafour for a TIGO Telecommunications promotion. He went on a national tour with him, sponsored by TIGO. After spending two years in the studio (2006 December to 2008 December), he came up with his first single "bougez" which received a lot of airplay from radio stations across the country. He later came up with his first album which featured a lot of new as well as established acts such as Tinny, Kwaw Kesse, Sarkodie, Obour, Asem, K. K. Fosu, Tuba, Samini, Jayso, Trigmatic, EL and Gemini. Edem has appeared on major shows like Stars of the Future Season 3 Finales, Ghana Music Awards (2009) and all major university concerts.
He has become a household name in neighbouring Togo because of his distinctive style of music.His Debut Album 'The Volta regime' was released in late January 2009. The 13-track album with an introduction on the origin of the Ewes and skits to each cut and has lyrics in English, Ewe, Twi and Ga.
Mass Production his next album was released on 29 October 2011 which was a mixture of unique beats produced by various engineers including Hammer. The intent of this album was to make music for fans who supported him. His favourite song on the album was "Kate" which is the only song produced by Hammer of The Last Two on his album.
Mass Production his next album was released on 29 October 2011 which was a mixture of unique beats produced by various engineers including Hammer. The intent of this album was to make music for fans who supported him. His favourite song on the album was "Kate" which is the only song produced by Hammer of The Last Two on his album.
He claimed removal of the 'Ayigbe' had everything to do with growth of brand not the image as the public were speculating. 'Ayigbe' is a local Akan word which refers to the Ewe ethnic group that occupies most part of the Volta region of Ghana.He said he wanted people to have the pride in the ethnic group that's why he formally used the name
Edem is one the artistes in Ghana who have mind-blowing videos with superb directing and editing. To his brand, he has videos like Delaila ft M.I, The One remix ft Sway , Only in Ghana, Wicked and Bad ft Coded (4x4) , Koene, Over Again remix and Not on my level (heyba) which featured on BET's 106 & Park, Channel O TV and Trace TV, Not on My Level has reached 49th position on Reflex FM Urban Top 100 chart in Netherlands, Edem worked with Grammy Award winner and producer JAZZWAD on which couldn't make it to his recently released album Books 'N' Rhymes in September 2014.
Artistes featured on the ‘Books ‘N’ Rhymes’ album include, Raquel, M.I, Lil Shaker, Samini and other musicians.
Discography
Albums
The Volta Regime (2009)
Mass Production (2011)
Books ‘N’ Rhymes (2014)
Sway
Raquel
M.I
Tinny
Kwaw Kesse
Sarkodie
Obour
Asem
K. K. Fosu
TubaJayso
Trigmatic
EL
Gemini
Books ‘N’ Rhymes (2014)
Collaboration
Lil ShakerSway
Raquel
M.I
Tinny
Kwaw Kesse
Sarkodie
Obour
Asem
K. K. Fosu
TubaJayso
Trigmatic
EL
Gemini
Ice Queen and more
Hit Songs
The OneKoene
Wicked and Bad
Ohene
Zero to Hero
I Am Blessed
March
Delaila
February
Weed and Liquor
Girlfriend
Gogaga
Bakowa Bani
Angels and Demons
Badder dan dem
Best Rapper
January
Latex
Go Harder
Belembe
Ghetto Arise
Love jeje
Heyba
Koowa da Koowa
City Gyal
Give it 2 me
Sika ye mogya
Emmre sesa
De afor tome
Lorlortor
Menye wokoe
Lorm nava
Heyba
The Volta Regime
Bougez
Bra fremi fremi
Give it up
Nyornuviade
Awards and Nominations
Awards
2010
- Ghana Music Awards Hip-hop/Hip-life Song of the Year
2013
4syte TV Music Video Awards: Special Effects
2014
- 4syte TV Music Video Awards: Best Photography, Best Directed Video and Most Outstanding Video.
Nominations
2010
Ghana Music Awards: Discovery of the Year, Best Collaboration, Record of the Year, Album of the Year
4syte TV music Video Awards: Best Special Effects
2012
4syte TV music Video Awards: Best Male Video
Ghana Music Awards: Best Rapper of the Year, Hip-hop Song of the Year
2013
4syte TV Music Video Awards: Overall Best Video/ Most Influential Artiste, Most Popular Video, Best Hip-Life Video, Best Male Video
2014
4syte TV Music Video Awards: Best Collaboration, Best Hip-Hop Video
ENDORSEMENT
*As of 2011, Edem to started a Volta Regime Foundation which is a full-time charity organization.Before he became this popular, Edem promised himself and God that should he make it, he will make it a point to help those in need. In his own small way, he has done a number of philanthropic works and is fast gaining ground as one artist in Ghana with a passion for charity.Following this passion, on Monday 7 September 2009, he made donations to the maternity ward of the Mamobi Polyclinic in Accra.Edem was at the Weija Leprosarium (10 October 2009} and in the spirit of charity, he has made donations. He made donations to Michelle Koranteng, a 4 month old baby who was suffering from a congenital brain disorder. This was on 3 December 2009. On the same day, he travelled to Hohoe in the Volta Region and made yet another donation to the maternity ward of the Hohoe General Hospital.
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