Tamale erupted on Saturday, November 26 when musical stars Edem, Tinny, Fareed and Iwan invaded the city to sell the sound of Southern Ghana to a teeming local crowd at the Tamale Sports Stadium. The concert, dubbed “Operation Suhudoo (Dagbani for ‘Peace’)” was a night of unstoppable music, excitement, love and peace.
The show, which started around 12am – apparently the norm of those parts – had a vibrant curtain raiser featuring some fledgling artistes as well as other fairly popular Tamale artistes like Flower Gaskia, Dabba, Young Gully, Choggu Boys, Don Sigli, Lil K, Nandos, Ataaka and Trinity.
Carrying a buoyant, high spirited aura, Edem stole the show with a stunning performance, going on to advice Tamale artistes to “stay united because, at the end of the day, it’s about Northern region reaching the world.” His lineup of performances included his hit Hip-hop song “Heyba” as well as some of his first hit songs under The Last 2 Music Group. He ended his performance with the sample of Pat Thomas’ “Sika Ye Mogya”.
Edem handed over the baton to fast rising Hip-hop star Fareed, by premiering the duo’s latest song together called “Goga”. Before Edem vacated the stage, Fareed knelt before him, as if to receive blessings. Fareed then took the microphone to render a heated freestyle that got patrons yelling with gusto. This was followed by his breakthrough hit “Hip-hop Alhaji”, then followed by his latest single titled “Zaafi” – capping a memorable performance.
Acclaimed Ga rapper Tinny was next on the bill. He started with some old songs from his first album “Kaa Bu Ame” to a rapturous response from the crowd, ending his time under the spot light with some of his latest songs.
Gideon Force front-man, Iwan, then hijacked the stage, setting it ablaze with some of his old and new classics.
However, the show didn’t end as planned. Fans and management of two of Tamale’s biggest stars, Fancy Gadam and Macassio, who were billed to close the show in grand style clashed after Iwan’s performance, forcing the show to an abrupt end.
Bamba Records, the organisers of the concert, said they are looking into the issue to ultimately reach a resolution.