4x4 (band)

4x4 is a Ghanaian hip hop musical group formed in 2000 by Captain Planet (Sylvanus Dodji Jeoffrey) and Coded, formerly Abortion (Russell Edem Avornyo) with the help of Ronnie Coches and Bright Bling Sparkles (Buk Bak).[1] They are reputed to have brought crunk to Ghana. In 2007, Captain Planet and Abortion were joined by a new artist named Fresh Prince (Prince Tamakloe).

4x4
OriginGhana
GenresHiplife
Years active2000 (2000)–present
LabelsX4 Records
MembersCaptain Planet
Coded (formerly Abortion)
Fresh Prince

Background

Early career

Jeoffry and Avornyo were discovered by Buk Bak as participants in the Kiddafest TV programme showcasing young musical talent.[2] The name 4x4 reflects the four people who led to the creation of the group (Ronnie, Bright, Abortion, and Captain Planet). The duo released their debut album Siklitele under Buk Bak in 2003. In 2009 4X4 Featured Prince Tamkole (Fresh Prince) in a record call "HotGirls.com. Later that year he was admitted to that group.

Contestant #1

4x4 released their second album Contestant No. 1 in 2007, with the single "HotGirls.com" featuring a new artist, Fresh Prince (Prince Tamakloe). The song is reputed to have introduced crunk to Ghanaian culture,[3] and earned the group a Ghana Music Award nomination in 2008. "HotGirls.com" was a success, and Fresh Prince eventually joined the band.

World Trade Centre

In 2009, 4x4 released another album World Trade Center.[4] which went platinum. The title song went to number one on the singles chart in Ghana and is the first and currently only Ghanaian song to make the Urban Charts in Africa. The single "Waist and Power" has also received over 600,000 hits on YouTube.[5]

Musical style and influences

Captain Planet claims to have pioneered Ghanaian vernacular rap, using Akuapem Twi rap, Ga, Ewe, and Pidgin English. Abortion contributes a ragga or dancehall style, which fuses singjaying and deejaying with Captain Planet's rapping to create an innovative form of hip life. The group was and continues to be mentored by Ronnie Coches and Bright Bling Sparkles (Buk Bak).

Discography

Albums
  • Siklitele, 4x4, 2003
  • Contestant No. 1, 4x4, 2007
  • World Trade Center, Paradise Entertainment, 2009

Singles
  • "HotGirls.com" (2007)
  • "World Trade Center" (2008)
  • "Waist and Power"

Awards
Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs)
YearAwardDetailsResult
2008[6][7]Pop Song of the Year"Hot Girls dot com"Nominated
2010[8]Afro Pop Song of the Year"World Trade Center"Won
2011[9][10]Afro Pop Song Of The Year"Miss Doctor"Nominated
2012[11]Artiste of the YearNominated
Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of the YearNominated
Hiplife Song of the Year"Yesi Yesii"Nominated
Best Group of the YearWon
Album of the YearWaist and PowerWon
Hiplife Song of the Year"Yesi Yesii" (Director: Phamous Philms)Nominated

References
  1. "4x4". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  2. "4x4". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  3. "4X4". Ghanapromo.com. Archived from the original on 2012-08-11. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  4. "4X4 - World Trade Center | GhanaMusic.com Video". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  5. "4X4 - Waist And Power (Official Video)". YouTube. 2011-04-02. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  6. "2008 VGMA nominees". Ghana Base. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  7. "2008 VGMAs: Winners". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  8. "2010 Ghana Music Awards Winners". Ghana Music. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  9. "2011 VGMA Nominees". GhanaCelebrities.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  10. "2011 VGMAs: Winners". GhanaCelebrities.com. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  11. "2012 Ghana Music Awards Nominees". Ghana Music Awards. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.


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