Rapper Denning Edem Agbeviadey, known on stage as Edem bagged GHc110,000 within 24 hours after he launched his much-anticipated album ‘Book & Rhymes’ at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Accra on November 12.
The launch, which was attended by persons in the entertainment and corporate world, saw the award winning artiste release his third album under his label, Volta Regime Music Group, VRMG.
Some tracks on the album, which was tagged as the rapper’s biggest musical work yet prior to its release, have enjoyed massive airplays in the country. Notable among them is ‘Koene’ and ‘The One’.
Edem, speaking in an interview said he was really impressed with the outcome of the launch. The huge investment and interest is very humbling, he added.
He disclosed that the first copy of the album was bought by Kojo Sarfo Jr of Kantanka Group of Companies for GHc26,000 while the second copy was bought by George Afful of Unicorn Investment Limited for GHc10,000.
Other persons who bought the initial copies of the album include Nana Kwaku Donkor of Zaklag Gold Limited for GHc10,000, Clement and Richard for GHc5,000 while radio presenter Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD) paid GHc1,000 for his copy.
According to the rapper, he made GHc60,000 on the night. An anonymous businessman, who was supposed to be at the event paid GHc50,000 for a copy. In all Edem bagged GHc110,000 within 24 hours of the album’s launch.
He explained that “what we actually sold was a vinyl version of the album that has been framed in addition to the CD,” and that as an artiste, “is very humbling.”
“At one point in time I’m doing an autograph session at the mall, at another point my second album I have it at a night club. The next time I want people to see the growth of the artiste so I invite corporate Ghana for them to know that it’s not just a bunch of kids putting words together and rapping but it is a serious business,” Edem said.
The VRMG CEO revealed that it took him two years to finish ‘Book & Rhymes’ and he has already shot six music videos from the album. He preparing to shoot more videos for the album and will soon launch it in Nigeria.
The rapper disclosed that he has lined up a number of activities – including a mammoth concert later this month and a school tour – to help market the album to Ghanaians and the world.
‘Book & Rhymes’, which has 26-tracks, features 16 of Africa’s hottest acts, including Casper Novyest, Ice Prince Zamani, Samini, M.I, Black Prophet, Obrafour and Ice Queen Cleo.
Edem says he is unperturbed by low patronage of CDs in Ghana and believes that his album, through innovative means, will break the jinx and make sales.
JFM