Known to surface the main stream with the banger, ‘Swagger’, Ruff and Smooth, the popular duo which comprise Ahkan and Bullet will be very mad at anyone who tries to remind them of the Unity Beach Jam which nearly took them to an untimely death. This memory will forever linger in the hearts of the duo as it was more ‘Ruff’ than ‘Smooth’.
The duo who is known in Ghana and across the world with exceptional talents nearly joined the Birth and Death Registry’s records of departed souls in the country. The organizers of the beach show (Unity Beach Jam), Hype Records, of which Ruff and Smooth was formerly signed on to, in a misunderstanding about the charge for the duo’s performance resulted in brutalities. Initially, the duo had agreed to be on the stage of the Jam with a charge of GH4, 000, only to their surprise of being quoted GH1, 000 for their performance; a fee they would not have accepted even during their ‘underground time’.
Being an ‘ex friend’ to Hype Records, the duo sympathized to perform with the agreement of sorting out the monetary issues later with management. Just as the names of the performers were mentioned by the MC, Akhan in his usual acoustic sound alike voice was rehearsing in soliloquy whilst Bullet was practicing in his vocal cords on how to trigger his amazing ‘hooks’ to his fans when he steps on stage. Akoo Nana, Iwan and other artistes who were on the gig performed without Ruff and Smooth granted access to the stage.
Mr. Frederick Appiah, the manager of the group in his inquiry about why his progenies were not allowed to be on that stage ‘magneted’ barrage of insults from the organizers. Mr. Appiah then asked that, the organizers convey them back to their residence in Spintex. This resulted in Machomen (muscled men) together with the C.E.O of Hype Records, Mr. Opoku Asafo Adjei Agyeman; subject the trio (Ruff and Smooth and manager) to excessive beating. Ahkan and Bullet, who are not known for any Tae Kwan Do tactics, fled the scene of brutalities for their lives. The cab which was conveying them back was intercepted by the C.E.O of Hype Records and together with 5 machomen, got the group from the cab and subjected them to beatings similar to WWE’s Royal Rumble. Those around came to their rescue, other than that, Ruff and Smooth would have been mentioned with sobbing voice and the families of Clement Baah Foh (Ahkan) and Ricky Osei Agyeman (Bullet) would have taken out their pens scheduling funeral dates.
Ruff and Smooth has left the case in the care of STC Police in Kasoa.
The duo who are currently in Sweden when contacted by this reporter had acrimony in their talks. Ahkan, who narrated this story to this reporter, assured that, they will never allow this to be a ‘foolish case’ as their lives was threatened. “Currently we are having our European tour dubbed ‘beautiful tour’ and we will surely visit this case when we are done with the tour. We will never allow it to die just like that. All those involved will have the law visiting them soon”, Ahkan, the outspoken member of the group told this reporter.
The law should take the side of these songsters and those involved should be dealt with in the garden of the law without allowing any clause worth holding the pants of these ‘bullies’ overlooked.
Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson