(DA GHANA BWOUY)
The multiple award winning Ghanaian musician goes by the birth name Desmond Kwesi Blackmore , better known in showbiz as D-Black (Da Ghana Bwouy), Ghana’s premiere Anglophone hip hop artist. D-black is a music business entrepreneur, executive producer, marketer and movie director. D-Black is acknowledged by his philosophy in life, "PHD", meaning Prayer, Hardwork and Dedication
Early Life
Born in January 12, 1986 in Accra, Ghana to a father, John Derek Blackmore, who was a businessman and a mother who was a public servant. D-Black, nevertheless, grew up in a single parent home. He has a total of nine siblings, eight of whom are half-siblings.
His mother was one that did not really like Hip-hop music being played but he found a way to be introduced to stars like Jadakiss, Nas, Dr. Dre, Notorious B.I.G and Tupac. By High School, D-Black had begun writing his own lyrics and performing them, informally to his schoolmates. When he was in S.H.S, he was kicked out of Pope Johns Senior High School. He used to run out of school to Accra and record and do other things. He was sacked when he was caught the third time that was like three months before S.S.C.E. With this reason, he registered Nov/Dec as a private student he passed against all the odds.He attended University of Cape Coast (UCC) because of the influence Accra had on him. He was studying Economics at UCC. In the second year, he told his mother his dream of film directing and study music and she asked him to opt for National Film and Televison Institute (NAFTI) instead. He convinced his mother to be transferred to Legon and do Theater Arts. During the year at home, before coming to Legon he met Reggie Rockstone and Peer Pressure. After that year he attended University of Ghana, Legon.
Music Career
After two years D-Black and Kwaku-T recorded five tracks together. They decided to release a group album because they were the prominent group rapping in English then. So they contacted Jayso and recorded ‘Move Back’ and ‘Breath. They wanted to become popular so they named the project ‘Target Practice’ in 2008 so that they use the fame to continue. After the release they were noted by Africa so they were nomination for Channel O even before they were getting to perform at paid shows. GYO of Phamous Film shot ‘Breath’ video forthe duo for free because of a problem D-Black aided his sibling in.
However, D-Black went solo in 2010 with the Music, Love and Life album. His did well on the market as singles like ‘Somebody’ ft Kwabena Kwabena, ‘Get On The Dance Floor’ with DCryme and others were all getting him known in Africa. After tasting success with his debut album D-Black came back hungry for more success with the ‘Revelation’ album. The sophomore record had top class acts from Africa and other talented artistes all featured on it. The 20 track-list produced album did not disappoint. It swept awards from Ghana and Africa as a whole with songs like ‘My kinda Gal’ and ‘Vera’ earning nominations. D-black has performed on the same stage as Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Omarion, Ja Rule, Sway, Tinchy Stryder, Donaeo, K'Naan from Somalia, Wyre from Kenya, Tear Gas from South Africa, Dama Do Bling from Mozambique, P-Square, Banky W and 2 Face Idibia from Nigeria and more. In December 2009, his influence in the music industry got him appointed as United Nations (U.N) Celebrity Ambassador in Ghana for the cause of Environmental degradation. D-Black collaborated with 2Face Idibia (Nigeria), J-town and Kwaku-T on “STOP IT”; a song delved around the realization of the United Nations Millennium Developmental Goals.
Entrepreneurship
D-Black runs his own marketing and advertising firm called “Black Avenue Works” that specializes in corporate product advertising and marketing as well as corporate social events. For now the can boast of the widely known movie, "Why Should I Get Married" which involves actors and actresses like John Dumelo, Princess Shyngle, Efya, Maria Nepembe, Prince David Osei, TooSweet Annan, Funny Face, E.L and Hip-Life legend Reggie Rockstone. Black Avenue Muzik Record Label and Distribution outlet under Black Avenue Works in Ghana. The record label mostly signs young and talented artiste, with Joey B making headlines under the leadership of the label, his objective is to put Ghanaian hip-hop music on the international platform so music in Ghana will be appreciated. With this firm, he has created employment for his childhood friends and the public. As an entrepreneur, he pushes his benefits to enrich others. D-Black also has a clothing line " Black Avenue Clothing" which was founded in 2012.
He is part of the Peer Pressure Crew out here that’s made up of like-minded individuals that share the same goals and vision. The artiste has acquired a plush nightclub named ONYX in Accra, precisely the Airport Residential Area.
Albums
Target Practice (Collaboration with Kweku-T)
Music, Love and Life (2011)
The Revelation (2012)
Hit Songs
Somebody
Conference Call
Son of God
Red Card
Personal Person
Carry Go
Vera
Change your Life
Get on the Dancefloor
Woara
Asabone
Black Clouds
Ma Kinda Girl
Setewaa D3nky3
Ha Mi Shoulder
Collaboration
Sarkodie
Dcryme
E.L
Davido
Waje
Kwabena Kwabena
Reggie Rockstone
Shatta Wale
Joey B
Kesse
Bisa K'dei
K.K. Fosu
Kofi Nti
X.O. Senavoe
Efya
Samini
Cassper Nyovest
Stonebwoy
Desire Luzinda
Young Dapper
Mo Cheddah
Wyclef Jean
Buffalo Souljah
Ayigbe Edem
HHP
Kwaku-T and more
Awards and Nominations
Awards
2010
Ghana Music Awards: Best Video of the Year
4syte Music Video Awards: Best Storyline, Best Collaboration
2011
Ghana Music Awards: Hip-hop Song of the Year
2012
Channel O Music Video Awards: Most Gifted African West Music Video
Nominations
2009
Channel O Music Video Awards: Best West African Video ( Collaboration)
2010
Museke African Music Awards: Best African Video
Channel O Music Video Awards: Best African Video, Best Hip-Hop Video
SoundCity Music Awards: Best Collaboration Video
4syte TV Music Video Awards: Best Group Video, Overall Best Video, Best Directed
2011
BET Awards: Best African Act
Ghana Music Awards: Album of the Year, Hip-hop and Hiplife Artist of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Song writer of the year
2012
Ghana Music Awards: Best Music Video of the Year
2013
Ghana Music Awards: Vodafone Song of the Year, Hip-hop Song of the Year, Hiplife Song of the Year, Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year, Album of the Year
4syte Music Video Awards: Best Hiplife Video
2014
4syte Music Video Awards: Most Influential Artiste, Best Edited Video, Best Hiplife Video, Best Hip-hop Video, Best Special Effect
Endorsements
Ciroc Vodka
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