D-Black
Desmond Kwesi Blackmore (born January 12, 1987), known by his stage name D-Black, is a Ghanaian anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from.[1] Forbes Africa described him in their May 2019 issue as one of Ghana’s most successful music moguls and "a creative in the numbers game”.[2]
D-Black | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Desmond Kwesi Blackmore |
| Also known as | Da Ghana Bwouy |
| Born | 12 January 1987 Accra, Ghana |
| Origin | Accra, Ghana |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Black Avenue Muzik |
| Associated acts |
|
| Website | Dblackgh.com |
Early life
Born Desmond Kwesi Blackmore on 12 January 1987 to Ghanaian & English parents, Blackmore attended Ridge Church School then to Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary before the University of Cape Coast to study B.A Economics and University Of Ghana, Legon to study BFA Theatre Arts / Music.
Career
In 2009, D-Black began his career as an independent artist in the group D-Black & Kwaku T releasing a group album ‘Target Practice’. In 2010 D-Black and his rap partner both went solo. He went on to release three albums (Music, Love and Life, The Revelation, Lightwork’ 1 E.P (Smoke and Mirrors) and 1 mix-tape (Hunger & Thirst) over the years. He has been nominated for numerous awards and won several, including the 2011 BET Awards.[3] D-Black is a former United Nations Celebrity Ambassador and is currently Ghana’s Tourism Ambassador.
He has collaborated with some of African acts including Davido, Mayorkun, M.I, Phyno, Ice Prince, Seyi Shay from Nigeria, Cassper Nyovest, Bucie, HHP from South Africa, Stanley Enow from Cameroon, Stella Mwangi from Kenya and Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania as well as Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, StoneBwoy, Castro, Bisa Kdei, Efya, King Promise, Kuami Eugene E.L, Kwabena Kwabena, VVIP and more from his homeland Ghana.
Black Avenue Muzik
D-Black is the CEO Black Avenue Muzik record label. Under the record label is D-Black himself, producer of the year at the 2015 VGMA's DJ Breezy, Sefa and other acts including Ms. Forson, Osayo & rapper Nina Ricchie, as well as music producer Rony, Turn Me Up. Black Avenue Muzik was also home to Joey B as well as other acts whose agreements with the label were annulled after a year in 2019 including Freda Rhymz, Dahlin Gage & Wisa Greid.[4] Black Avenue Muzik won record label of the year at the 2018 Ghana - Naija Entertainment Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.[5] and were nominated for the record label of the year at the 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards in New York.[6]
Other ventures
Black Avenue Clothing
Founded in 2012 with its next line out soon, Black Avenue Clothing is a design company, marketer and importer of men and women's apparel that D-Black owns.[7]
Livewire Events
D-Black is also the CEO of Livewire Events, an events management company founded in 2015 that produces social and corporate events. Livewire Events in 2015 produced one of Ghana’s biggest Boxing Fights at the Kumasi Sports Stadium between Bukom Banku vs Ayittey Powers with performances from Ghanaian acts Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and Efya.[8] Livewire Events flagship events include the annual Celebrity Soccer Weekend. They have also put together festivals including the 2018 Kundum Festival Jam in Axim for the Ministry of Tourism.[9]
Black Avenue Films/TV
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D-Black invested in Black Avenue TV / Film Inc, producers of ‘Why Should I Get Married’ movie starring John Dumelo (Ghana), Maria Nepembe (Namibia), Princess Shyngle (Gambia), Eya (Ghana), Prince David Osei (Ghana). He also executive produced ‘THE EFGH SHOW’ hosted by Peace Hyde in 2015.[10]
Club Onyx and Oasis Lounge
D-Black founded a nightclub in the city of Accra,'Club Onyx'.[11] The nightclub is located in Accra in the Cantonments neighborhood across the Presidential residence (Flagstaff House), Club Onyx has hosted numerous of Ghanaian, Nigerian, Southern African celebrities.[12]
By 2018, D-Black had also opened up ‘Oasis Lounge’ a pool and shisha Lounge located in Cantonments[13]
Discography
Albums
- Target Practice (2009)
- Music, Love & Life (2010)
- The Revelation (2012)
- Lightwork (2016)
- Hunger & Thirst Mixtape (2017)
- Smoke & Mirrors E.P (2019)
Singles
- "Move" w/ Kwaku T (2009)
- Breathe" w/ Kwaku T (2010)
- "Somebody" ft. Kwabena Kwabena (2011)
- "Get On the Dancefloor" ft. D Cryme (2011)
- "Ma Me Five" (2011)
- "Asabone" ft. Reggie Rockstone (2011)
- "My Kinda Girl" ft. Sarkodie (2012)
- "Change Your Life" ft. E.L (2012)
- "Vera" ft. Joey B (2012)
- "Black Clouds' ft. Waje (2013)
- "Conference Call" ft. Kwaw Kese, Sarkodie (2013)
- "Woara" ft. Kesse (2013)
- "Setewaa D3nky3" (2013)
- "Party Gbee" (2013)
- "Carry Go" ft. Davido (2013)
- "Personal Person" ft. Castro (2014)
- "Seihor" w/ Castro (2014)
- "Kotomoshi (2015)
- "Champ" ft. M.I Abaga (2016)
- "Omega" ft. Sarkodie (2016)
- "Bottles" ft. Medikal (2017)
- "Julie" ft. Bisa KDei (2017)
- "Makoma" ft. Mayorkun (2017)
- "Nobody" ft. King Promise (2018)
- "Badder" ft. Kuami Eugene(2019)
- "Dat Ting" ft. Joey B (2019)
- "Obiba" ft. Kidi (2019)
- "Miracle" (2019)
- "Falaa" ft. Medikal (2019)
- "Heaven Or Hell" ft. Sefa (2019)
- "Stay" ft. Simi (2019)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Award | Song | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Best West African | Move | Nominated |
| 2010 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Hip-Hop / Hip-life Song of the Year | Breathe | Nominated |
| Music Video of the Year | Breathe | Won | ||
| Museke African Music Awards | Music Video of the Year | Breathe | Nominated | |
| African Music Awards, London | Music Video of the Year | Breathe | Won | |
| Channel O Music Video Awards, South Africa | Best Hip-hop | Breathe | Nominated | |
| Best Music Video | Breathe | Nominated | ||
| Sound City Music Awards, Nigeria | Best Collaboration | Somebody | Nominated | |
| Best New Video | Believe | Nominated | ||
| 4SYTE Music Video Awards | Best Overall Video | Breathe | Nominated | |
| Best Storyline in a Video | Breathe | Won[14] | ||
| Best Directed Video | Breathe | Nominated | ||
| Best Collaboration in a Video | Breathe | Won | ||
| Best Group Video | Breathe | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Ghana Music Awards | Hip hop/ Hip-life Artist of the Year | None | Nominated |
| Hip hop Song of the Year | Get on Da Dancefloor | Won | ||
| Songwriter of the Year | Somebody | Nominated | ||
| Collaboration of the Year | Somebody | Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | Music, Love & Life | Nominated | ||
| BET Awards | Best International Artist of the Year (Africa) | - | Nominated[15] | |
| Ghana Gospel Industry Awards | Alternate Gospel Song of the year | Somebody | Nominated | |
| Alternate Gospel Video of the year | Somebody | Won | ||
| Channel O Music Video Awards | Best African West | Get on Da Dancefloor | Nominated | |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Best Photography in a video | Somebody | Nominated | |
| Best Hip-hop Video | Get on da dancefloor | Nominated | ||
| Best Collaboration in a video | Somebody | Nominated | ||
| Best Edited Video | Get on Da Dancefloor | Nominated | ||
| Music Video Awards | Best African Act | Get on Da Dancefloor | Nominated | |
| Ghana Hip-hop Awards | Male Hip-hop Artiste(of the Decade) | - | Nominated[16] | |
| The Next Big Thing Award | - | Won | ||
| Hip-hop album (of the Decade) | - | Nominated | ||
| Best Collaboration | Breathe | Nominated | ||
| Hip-hop Artiste of the year | - | Won | ||
| 2012 | Ghana Music Awards | Hip-hop Song of the year | My Kinda Girl | Nominated |
| Music Video of the year | My Kinda Girl | Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | The Revelation | Nominated | ||
| HSH Awards | Most Influential Artiste | - | Won | |
| Hip-hop World Awards | Best International Artiste | - | Nominated | |
| Channel O Music Video Awards | Best West Africa video | Falling | Won | |
| MTN 4SYTE Music Video Awards | Best Collaboration | Falling | Won | |
| 2013 | Ghana Music Awards | Artist of the year | - | Nominated |
| Song of the Year | Vera | Nominated | ||
| Hip-life Song of the Year | Vera | Nominated | ||
| Hip-hop Song of the Year | Falling | Nominated | ||
| Hip-hop/Hip-life Artiste of the Year | - | Nominated | ||
| Ghana Music Awards UK | Song of the year | Vera | Won | |
| Collaboration of the year | Vera | Won | ||
| Channel O Music Video Awards | Best Africa West | Vera | Nominated[17] | |
| 2015 | Ghana Music Awards | Hip-life Song of the Year | Seihor | Won |
| 2016 | 4Syte Music Video Awards | Male Video of the Year | Kotomoshi | Won |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Hiplife Video of the Year | Kotomoshi | Nominated | |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Best Directed Video of the Year | Kotomoshi | Nominated | |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Most Influential Artist of the Year | D-Black | Nominated | |
| 2017 | Ghana Movie Awards | Soundtrack the Year | D-Black ft. Efya | Won |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Hiplife Video of the Year | Bottles | Won[18] | |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Male Video of the Year | Bottles | Nominated | |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Photography Video of the Year | Bottles | Nominated | |
| 2018 | 40 Under 40 Awards | Entrepreneur the Year (Hospitality) | D-Black (Club Onyx) | Won |
| 2019 | Ghana Entertainment Awards Awards | Artist / Entrepreneur of the Year | D-Black | Won |
-
References
- "Who Is Desmond Kwesi Blackmore? –News Ghana". Newsghana.com.gh. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- "The Creative in the Numbers Game". 21 June 2019.
- "D-Black".
- "D Black confirms exit of 4 artistes from Black Avenue Muzik -". 21 June 2019.
- https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Black-Avenue-Muzik-emerge-best-record-label-at-Ghana-Naija-Showbiz-awards-699045/
- "D Black signs Wisa, two new acts to his label". 21 February 2017.
- https://newsghana.com.gh/d-black-to-launch-the-trendy-comfortable-and-affordable-black-avenue-clothing-brand /
- "Bukom Banku: I'll stop Ayittey Powers in Round 5". 17 December 2015.
- "Musical concert climaxes successful Kundum festival | Ghana Music | Events". 20 September 2018.
- Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Why Should I Get Married (Movie Trailer Directed by D-Black). YouTube.
- "These are the best 10 nightclubs in Ghana". 6 April 2018.
- https://enewsgh.com/2019/10/02/accras-flyest-nightlife-destination-club-onyx-celebrates-their-3-year-anniversary/
- "DSTV to hosts Money Fight at Club Onyx & Oasis Lounge". 24 August 2017.
- "Good Year For D-Black With Several Awards Nominations" Ghanacelebrities.com
- "Best International Act: Africa". BET Awards 2001.
- Full Nomination list for Ghana Hiphop & R&B Awards 2011...J-Town, Obrafour, Kweku T and more included. Modern Ghana.
- "D-Black shoots world class video for 'Change Your Life' in SA" Archived 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine Ghana Music.com
- "Full List – 4Syte TV Music Video Awards 2017 Winners #4SYTETVMVAs17". 19 November 2017.
