Ball J

Ball J

Ball J performing at the Conference Centre Dome, Accra.

Ball J performing at the GMN Concert in 2012
Background information
Birth name Albert Ayeh-Hanson
Also known as Ball J Beat
Born (1984-11-08) November 8, 1984
Accra, Ghana
Genres
Occupation(s)
Years active 2006–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website Official website

Albert Ayeh-Hanson (born November 8, 1984), know by his stage name Ball J or Ball J Beat is a Ghanaian hip hop rapper, sound engineer, record producer and entrepreneur from Accra.[1] He spent most of his formative years in California–USA. Ball J is the CEO and founder of Nu Afrika Records.[2][3]

Ball J was a pioneering member of the Skillions Records[4] when it began on the campus of Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School–Legon (PRESEC). He worked tirelessly with Jayso, the label's founder and formed a genre they called GH Rap[5] (hip hop made in Ghana).

Besides being a rapper, Ball J is also one of the best hip hop, hiplife and azonto sound engineers[6] in Africa with Weiyɛ Ball J Beat[7] (this is Ball J's beat) as his signature. He was nominated for Best Producer of the year in Ghana Music Awards 2015.[8] He holds a Degree in Business Management from the University of Professional Studies (UPS).

Early life

Early Career / Education

Albert Hanson, also known in the music industry as Ball J, was born in Adabraka in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, on the 8th of November, 1984. He spent most of his formative years in California–USA.[9] He had his basic education at North Ridge Lyceum at Kanda. He went to Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School–Legon (PRESEC) for his high school education where he joined a Hip Hop group called Skillions, of which he was an active member. After High School, he furthered his education to study Software Programming and Computer networking at Atlantis Computers, Asylum Down–Accra. He then went to the University of Professional Studies (UPS) to pursue a Degree in Business Management. Despite his busy schedules on campus, he was still committed Skillions and was always present for shows, productions and meetings. Music was a natural thing for him, besides, he spent hours listening to his father play music.

Ball J classifies himself as a Hip hop rapper. The rapper's musical lifestyle was influence by several artists such as Jay Z, Nas, Mase, The Notorious B.I.G and Eminem. Not only is he known in Ghana as Ball J or Ball J Beat but some also call him Ghana's Jay Z because he sounds like Jay Z when he raps. According to Ball J, he had no choice than to learn beat making since there were no particular institutions in Ghana that focused entirely on Hip hop music production to produce the kind of beats he needed as a Hip hop artist. After School, Ball J decided to have a full-time career in music production with the aim of making Hip hop beats for himself as an artist. Around 2006, Ball J started making beats and demo records in his room with his close friends. He then formed Nu Afrika Records. Around 2008, he decided he needed to be more serious and make masters. He then had to rely on books and seek advice from pioneers in music production such as Kwame Twum, a former bass guitarist for the legendary Kojo Antwi. He consulted Hubert who is also well acclaimed and good in sound mixing and mastering. Ball J also trained with a bass guitarists friend, who had a studio in Lapaz–Accra. All this time, he was studying the general understanding of music production such as the dynamics, compressions and mastering. While learning the trade, he made his first professional hit "Temperature" which he featured some of his friends who were part of the Nu Afrika Records; Shao Qan, Krynkman and Screech. He had a few challenges becoming an artist and a music producer. Some of these challenges were the fact that Ghanaians were not much into Hip hop songs. Hit songs in Ghana are mostly songs you can dance to (e.g. Hiplife and Azonto), so this made it very difficult for Hip hop artist such as himself to make a hit song in Ghana. Without forgetting about hip hop, Ball J started fusing his hip hop style of beatmaking with faster beats, which was purposely to fulfil the demands of artists coming to his studio (Nu Afrika Records). His first significant hit he produced was Kwawkese's Killa Bewu Last Show in 2010. After that, Ball J produced a lot of songs for both the underground and known artists, but his major milestone was Lapaz Toyota by Guru. The song put Guru on the map in a big way, and significantly improved Ball J's music studio business. As the song blew up, all kinds of artists came to Ball J in the hopes of reproducing Lapaz Toyota's success.[10][11]

Ball J performing at GLITZ Africa Fashion Week 2011, Accra

He then started working with artists like Kojo Antwi, Guru, Obour [the current president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA)], Tic Tac, Sarkodie, Kwawkese, Stay Jay, Gasmilla, Okra, Nhyiraba Kojo, Obrafour, Castro and the list goes on. Since then he has been recognized as one of the best music producers in Ghana, with songs like Lapaz Toyota, Let Me Do My Thing, Twaa Me Lala, Non-fa, Innit, Masa I Beg, Pooley and many more as his claim to fame; making hits in Ghana and the world at large. Ball J was nominated for the Best Producer of the year in the Ghana Music Awards this year. On the 21st of December, 2012, Ball J released his first Hip hop single “All Eyes On You”[12][13] from his upcoming album “Home and Away” which received credible response and air play from both Africa and the Western. 29 March 2013, Good Friday, saw the release of another banger, Afrobeat/Azonto tune "Togo Bikini".[14] He Co-Produced Kwasese's new hit single Yakubu which features Sarkodie and he himself. "Weiyɛ Ball J Beat" (this is Ball J's beat) is his signature phrase which is now a household name.

Musical Style

Ball J is regarded as one of the best rappers in Africa when it comes to hip hop music.[15] He is very good at rap freestyles. Most of his songs online are freestyles, what he calls unwritten freestyle. Ball J has contributed a lot to the Ghana Music Industry, he can be named among top 10 famous Ghanaians who made the Azonto genre and dance popular worldwide.

Personal life

Ball J comes from a family of five; his mother Beatrice Richardson, his father Emmanuel Ayeh-Hanson (late), He and his two siblings; Norris Nii Noi Ayeh-Hanson (brother) and Nancy Nana Atei Ayeh-Hanson (sister). He is a bachelor with two children; Connel Ayeh-Hanson (boy) and Emmanuella Ayeh-Hanson (girl).

Entrepreneur

Nu Afrika Records

Nu Afrika Records Logo

Nu Afrika Records was founded by Ball J in the early 2006. Nu Afrika Records is an artist management and recording studio located in Spintex–Accra. For the past 9 to 10 years they have been producing, recording and managing most of Ghana's prominent Hiplife and Hip hop musicians like Guru, Kwawkese, Nhyiraba Kojo, Sarkodie etc. Nu Afrika stands for New (Nu) Africa (Afrika). Most songs produced by Ball J or owned by the record label has the phrase "Take Y'all To Nu Afrika" at the beginning or at the end of the song. The record label has Ball J the owner of the label signed to its credit. It also has a video editing, graphic designing and production house called 36 Men and Two Radio Shows, The World African Show and Rap360 airing online and on radio respectively. Nu Afrika Records is also an event organizing and promotions company.[16]

The Nu Afrika Hip Hop Cypher

The Nu Afrika Hip hop Cypher Volume 1 was one of Ghana's first if not the first cypher's to be recorded in Ghana. It was recorded in 2007. Ball J was able to put together a lot of Ghana's top rappers and underground rappers on the cypher. The cypher is in two different versions; the English version and the Twi version. The full English version is about 24 minutes long and the full Twi version is about 23 minutes long. On the 4th of January, 2014, Ball J released short versios for both the English and Twi cypher.[17][18] Both the full English version and the full Twi version are yet to be released. Both the full English version and the full Twi version are yet to be released.

The following are names of rappers on the Nu Afrika Hip hop Cypher (Short English version):

The following are names of rappers on the Nu Afrika Hip hop Cypher (Short Twi version):

Advertisement And Voice Over

Amongst Ball J's numerous talents is his amazing voice with which he does Radio and Television commercials, Jingles and all forms of advertisements including branding of products, goods and services. For example, Joy FM's famous radio jingle "Joy 99 point 7" was made by Ball J, another famous radio jingle mad by him is OK FM's "This is OK Fm" or "OK FM! 101 point 7". Almost all jingles on Green FM Ghana was made by him. The following are some of the multimedia company / companies Ball J has worked with; Hot FM, Live FM, Radio Universe, UTV, The Spirited Actor, General Motors Ghana, Kalypo, Y Fm, L.G, Happy Fm, E.tv Ghana, Reality Shows etc. Ball J is currently working with Mr Ivan Quashigah; director for the popular TV series "Things We Do For Love" and "YOLO".

MTN Hitmaker TV Show

Torgbe of Nu Afrika Records taking his award for winning MTN Hitmaker 3, National Theatre

The MTN Hitmaker is an original talent hunt reality show opened to Ghanaians who believe they are bound to be Hitmakers.[19] MTN Hitmaker strives to discover and nurture the great creative potential in Ghana. The ultimate winner of the MTN Hitmaker show wins GH¢100,000 recording deal. Ball J was selected as one of the music producers/sound engineers for the MTN Hit Maker reality show since the show began during the later part of 2012.[20][21] Togbe, winner of the Hitmaker Season 3 was from the camp of Nu Afrika Records. He walked away with the prize of GH¢100,000 recording deal when he emerged winner for season 3.[22][23][24] Because he was once an artiste of Nu Afrka Record, Ball J was his sound engineer. His debut track Number 9 (produced by Ball J) which featured hiplife heavyweight Kwawkese was released a few months ago and is steadily climbing the charts.[25]

Year Show Season Sound Engineer Artist Result
2014 MTN Hitmaker 3 Ball J Torgbe Won

Skillions Records

Ball J (left) with Jayso (right) and Odame (bottom) in Accra (PRESEC), Legon 2002

Skillions started as a rap group in 1999 with Jayso[26] and T-Kube, both classmates in Senior High School. After T-Kube left Ghana for the United Kingdom in 2000, Jayso began recruiting young rappers and singers like himself. For Jayso, the dream was to create an empire; a force that will take over the entire Ghanaian Music Scene.

By 2001, The Skillions consisted of Jayso, Ball J and Jinx Therapy (now Frank P).

Jayso, Ball J, EL and J-Town

Jayso later joined the Haatsville Music Group led by Kwame Barfour Osei popularly known as Kobi-Onyame.

The Skillions continued to make music together with Haatsville, and Jayso continued to recruit talent to ensure the dream was kept alive. EL, J-Town, Midknight, KP and Sandyswiz joined the Skillions between 2002 to 2005. The group worked on the first ever Hip Hop mixtape to come out of Ghana. The 21 track Mixtape did extremely well and provided a platform for each Skillions Member to showcase their versatility.

After the mixtape, the Skillions members decided to pursue solo careers. Jayso went ahead to use his newly gained platform to help younger upcoming artists to also achieve their dreams. He formed the New Generation Skillions, which consisted of Lil'Shaker, Bra Kevinbeats, Joey B, Grafik, Killmatic, Paapa, Rumor, Noble, Padlock, The Third and Gemini. The New Generation Skillions worked on their mixtape and it was a major success under the Skillions umbrella and Ebuzu Media Services. Some members of the New Generation also pursued solo careers after the mixtape.

Skillions New Generation with Jayso

Over the past few years, Skillions has gone through some major changes and most of the old members have moved on to pursue solo careers. Ball J started Nu Afrika Records EL started GH Productions and is now signed to BBnZ Live, J-town signed to Killa1west, Jinx is unsigned, NKP quit rap, Midknight is in Atlanta, Grafik left, Joey B and Gemini signed to Hammer's Last Two, Kevinbeats signed to Cryme Records and Killmatic is signed to Duncwills Entertainment.

Currently, Skillions is no longer just a group but a Record Company.[27]

Discography

Selected Singles

Selected Songs Featured On

Selected Songs Produced And Mastered by Ball J

Additional sources:[58][59]

Selected Songs Co-Producer by Ball J

Selected Songs Mastered by Ball J

Freestyle Songs / Cover

Awards And Nominations

Year Awards Category Nominated work Result
2010 4syte Music Video Awards Best Special Effects Video Of The Year Temperature by Nu Afrika Records Nominated
2011 4syte Music Video Awards[67] Best Hip Hop Video Of The Year Ya Tiatia by Nu Afrika Records Nominated
2011 4syte Music Video Awards[68] Best Special Effect Video Of The Year Ya Tiatia by Nu Afrika Records Nominated
2015 Ghana Music Awards[69] Best Producer Of The Year Pooley by Guru Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Adu-Poku, Richmond. "Artist Biography [Ball J]". mordenghana.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  2. ↑ Dela Ernest, Aglanu. "Nu Afrika Records". myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  3. ↑ Dela Ernest, Aglanu. "Nu Afrika Records". ghanamusic.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  4. ↑ "Skillions". ghanamusic.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  5. ↑ Brown, Berry. "GH Rap by Skillions, the group with a million skills". omgghana.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  6. ↑ Darko, Kwaku. "Best sound engineers in Ghana". mordenghana.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  7. ↑ Benjamin, Lebrave. "Africa's Beatmakers ( Ghana's Ball J Beat)". thisisafrica.me. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  8. ↑ "VGMA Nomination List". ghanamusicawards.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  9. ↑ Ghana, Web. "Artist Biography [Ball J]". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  10. ↑ Lebrave, Benjamin. "Lapaz Toyota, one of Ghana's biggest hit song produced by Ball J". thefader.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  11. ↑ Lebrave, Benjamin. "Lapaz Toyota". thisisafrica.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  12. ↑ "Audio: All Eyes On You". urbanely.net.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  13. ↑ Metro, Lyrics. "Lyrics: All Eyes On You". metrolyrics.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  14. ↑ "Audio: Togo Bikini". bigxgh.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  15. ↑ MTV, MTVBase.com. "Kwawkese release Yakubu video featuring two of Africa's best rappers (Ball J and Sarkodie)". mtvbase.com. Retrieved 2015-07-27.
  16. ↑ News, Ghana. "Nu Afrika Records". newsghana.com. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  17. ↑ Ball J, Nu Afrika Records. "Download Link: Nu Afrika Hip hop Cypher Vol 1 (English)". hulkshare.com. Retrieved 2015-07-27.
  18. ↑ Urbanroll, Ghana. "News: Nu Afrika Hip hop Cypher Vol 1 (Twi)". Urbanroll.net. Retrieved 2015-07-27.
  19. ↑ MTN, Ghana. "MTN Hitmaker Show". mtm.com.gh. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  20. ↑ Plange, Naa DeiDei. "Ball J has been named as an Engineer for MTN Hitmaker". enewsgh.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  21. ↑ Morden, Ghana. "MTN Hitmaker Engieers Nemed - Ball J". mordenghana.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  22. ↑ Ameyaw, Debrah. "Togbe of Nu Afrika Records wins MTN Hitmaker 3". ameyawdebra.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  23. ↑ OMG, Ghana. "Togbe Wins MTN Hitmaker 2014". omgghana.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  24. ↑ ENews, Ghana. "Togbe from the camp of Ball J Beat is winner of mtn hitmaker 3,". enewsgh.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  25. ↑ My Joy Online, Ghana. "MTN Hitmaker Togbe releases debut track featuring Kwaw Kese". enewsgh.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  26. ↑ Notion, Africa. "JaySo, Founder/CEO of Skillions Records, Record Producer, Rapper, Singer and Sound Engineer.". notionafrica.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  27. ↑ X-E-Bit, Website. "Biography [Skillions Records]". x-e-bit.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  28. ↑ "Temperature by Nu Afrika Records". ghanamusic.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  29. ↑ "Audio: Take My Letter Away". ghanamusic.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  30. ↑ "Audio: Togo Bikini". bigxgh.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  31. ↑ "Audio: All Eyes On You". urbanely.net.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  32. ↑ Metro, Lyrics. "Lyrics: All Eyes On You". metrolyrics.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  33. ↑ "Official Release of Okumoo" Facebook". Facebook.com. 3 April 2016.
  34. ↑ Debrah, Ameyaw. "Music Video: Mr Lover Lover - Kwawkese ft Ball J". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  35. ↑ MTV, MTVBase.com. "News: Yakubu - Kwawkese ft Ball J and Sarkodie". mtvbase.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  36. ↑ Ghana, Music. "Lyrics: Lapaz Toyota (produced by Ball J)". ghanamusic.com. Retrieved 2015-07-14.
  37. ↑ Nana Yaw, Wiredu. "News: Lapaz Toyota (produced by Ball J) wins official song for Easter". mordenghana.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  38. ↑ Benjamin, Labrave. "News: Lapaz Toyota (produced by Ball J)". thefader.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  39. ↑ DJ, Blitz. "Stay J - Twame La La (produced by Ball J)". soundcloud.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  40. ↑ Ghana, Hiplife Music. "Kwawkese - Let Me Do My Thing ft Black Prophet (produced by Ball J)". allghanamusic.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  41. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Gasmilla - iNNt (produced by Ball J)". soundcloud.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  42. ↑ Gold, Handel. "Guru - Kareoke (produced by Ball J)". freetunez.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  43. ↑ News, Ghana. "Castro - Fa No Saa (produced by Ball J)". newsghana.com.gh. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  44. ↑ Ghana, Music. "Preye (produced by Ball J)". ghanamusic.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  45. ↑ The, Hitmaker. "Fiifi Selah ft Stonebwoy (produced by Ball J)". soundcloud.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  46. ↑ Afroholic, Boy. "Greenfield - Carry Day Go ft EL (produced by Ball J)". afroholic.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  47. ↑ Ghana, OMG. "Obour ft Mugeez of R2Bees (produced by Ball J)". omgghana.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  48. ↑ BigX, GH. "Mr Hmhmm - NonFa (produced by Ball J)". bigx.com.gh. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  49. ↑ Urbanroll, Music. "Tictac - Vampire (produced by Ball J)". urbanroll.net. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  50. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Nhyiraba Kojo - Ayalolo ft Screw Face (produced by Ball J)". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  51. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Guru - Pooley (produced by Ball J)". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  52. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Kwawkese - Pressure Pulmp ft Joey B (produced by Ball J)". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  53. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Nhyiraba Kojo Songs produced by Ball J". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  54. ↑ Urbanroll, Music. "Kwawkese - Obunsam ft Obrafour (produced by Ball J)". urbanroll.net. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  55. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Video: Guru - Bossu (produced by Ball J". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  56. ↑ Mawuli, David. "Kwawkese - Masa I Beg ft Ike Wonder (produced by Ball J". pulse.com.gh. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  57. ↑ Mawuli, David. "Guru - Nyame Bɛ Tua Wo Ka (produced by Ball J". pulse.com.gh. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  58. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "List of songs produced by Ball J". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  59. ↑ Ghana, Music. "List of songs produced by Ball J". ghanamusic.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  60. ↑ MTV, MTVBase.com. "News: Yakubu - Kwawkese ft Ball J and Sarkodie". mtvbase.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  61. ↑ MTV, MTVBase.com. "News: Yakubu - Kwawkese ft Ball J and Sarkodie". mtvbase.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  62. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Eminem Not Afraid Cover". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  63. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Open Letter Cover". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  64. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Ball J - They Don't Love You No More (DJ Khaled Cover)". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  65. ↑ BigXGH, Ghana. "Ball J - Hammer Freestyle". bigxgh.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  66. ↑ Ghana, Motion. "Ball J - CMM Freestyle". ghanamotion.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  67. ↑ "4syte TV Music Video Awards Nomination List". Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  68. ↑ "4syte Music Video Awards Nomination List". Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  69. ↑ "VGMA 2015 Nomination List". Retrieved 2015-07-26.

External links

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