D-Black
D-Black | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Desmond Kwesi Blackmore |
| Also known as | Da Ghana Bwouy |
| Born | 12 January 1987 Accra, Ghana |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Black Avenue Muzik |
Desmond Kwesi Blackmore (born January 12, 1987),[1][2] known by his stage name D-Black, is an anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from Ghana.[3] He has been described as "a successful entertainment mogul"[4]
Early life[edit]
D-Black attended Ridge Church School then to Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary[5] before the University of Cape Coast to study B.A Economics and University Of Ghana, Legon to study BFA Theatre Arts/Music.
Personal life[edit]
D-Black was born to a Ghanaian mother Adeline Boateng and a half Ghanaian half English father, John Derek Blackmore. He has 3 children.[6] D-Black has nine siblings. The known ones are Pamela Blackmore, Anthony Blackmore, George Blackmore and Stanley Blackmore.[7]
Career[edit]
In 2009, D-Black[8] 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.[9]
He has collaborated with some 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.[10][11][citation needed]
In 2012, the musician released an album titled "The Revelation," which helped solidify his reputation as both a business mogul and rapper. He collaborated with notable artists such as Sarkodie, among others, further establishing his influence in the music industry.[1]
D-Black, the multi-talented artist and entrepreneur, proudly represents Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka as its official brand ambassador in Ghana. Additionally, he secures a marketing partnership with Black Sun Energy Drink, showcasing his prowess in the beverage industry. With his distinctive style, he fronts his own Black Avenue Clothing Line, embodying fashion and sophistication. Notably, D-Black previously served as the esteemed brand ambassador for The Rlg Brand of VIVA phones in the West African Sub Region in 2013, highlighting his wide-ranging influence and expertise across various sectors.[2]
Black Avenue Muzik[edit]
D-Black is the CEO of record label Black Avenue Muzik,[2] with act including himself, DJ Breezy, S3fa, as well as music producer Rony Turn Me Up and Paul Noun.[12] Former acts include Joey B,[13] Freda Rhymz, Dahlin Gage, Ms. Forson, Osayo & Nina Ricchie & Wisa Greid.[14] It won record label of the year at the 2018 Ghana - Naija Entertainment Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.[15] and was nominated for the record label of the year at the 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards in New York.[16]
Other ventures[edit]
Black Avenue Clothing[edit]
Founded in 2012, a design company, marketer and importer of men and women's apparel.[17]
Livewire Events[edit]
Livewire Events is an events management company founded in 2015. In 2015 they produced the Bukom Banku vs Ayittey Powers boxing match at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. It included performances from Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and Efya.[18] Other notable events include the 2018 Kundum Festival Jam in Axim for the Ministry of Tourism.[19]
Black Avenue Films/TV[edit]
He produced Why Should I Get Married movie starring John Dumelo, Maria Nepembe, Princess Shyngle, Eya, Prince David Osei,[20] and The EFGH Show hosted by Peace Hyde in 2015.[21]
Hospitality[edit]
D-Black as an entrepreneur owns Club Onyx, Oasis Lounge and La Maison restaurant all businesses within the hospitality industry in Ghana.[22]
Discography[edit]
 | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (March 2022) |
Albums[edit]
- Target Practice (2009)
- Music, Love & Life (2010)
- The Revelation (2012)[1]
- Lightwork (2016)
- Hunger & Thirst Mixtape (2017)
- Smoke & Mirrors E.P (2019)
Singles[edit]
- "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)
- "Sheege" ft. Gyakie (2021)
Awards and nominations[edit]
| 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 | [23] |
| 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[24] | |||
| 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 | [25] |
| 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[26] | ||
| Ghana Gospel Industry Awards | Alternate Gospel Song of the year | Somebody | Nominated | [27] | |
| 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 | [28] | |
| 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 | The Next Big Thing Award | - | Won | ||
| Male Hip-hop Artiste(of the Decade) | - | [29] | |||
| 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 | [30] |
| 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 | [31] |
| 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 | [32] | |
| 2015 | Ghana Music Awards | Hip-life Song of the Year | Seihor | Won | |
| 2016 | 4Syte Music Video Awards | Male Video of the Year | Kotomoshi | Won | [33] |
| Hiplife Video of the Year | Kotomoshi | Nominated | |||
| Best Directed Video of the Year | Kotomoshi | Nominated | |||
| 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 | [34] | |
| Male Video of the Year | Bottles | Nominated | |||
| 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 | |
| 2022 | 3Music Awards | Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [35] |
| Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the Year | Enjoyment Minister
ft. Quamina MP, Stonebwoy |
Nominated | |||
| Hiplife/Hip Hop Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Album of the Year | Loyalty | Nominated |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Ndetei, Chris (2020-12-02). "D-Black biography, music career, label, education, net worth". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ a b c ProfileAbility (2016-11-13). "D-Black Biography, Music, Videos, Booking". ProfileAbility. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "'I was sacked from Pope John Senior High School' - D Black". Pulse Ghana. 2021-09-24. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ Owusu-Mensah, Jeffrey (2023-03-01). "She's beautiful: D-Black's 13-year-old daughter grows tall & big in new videos". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "D-Black Biography: Age, Real Name, Wife, Children, Parents, Education, Siblings". 15 September 2022.
- ^ Tbwoy, Blacc (2023-03-22). "Top 10 Ghaianain songs on Apple Music has no Ghaianain song on the list | D Black laments". Lawrence Postings. Archived from the original on 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
- ^ "D-Black". BET.
- ^ Dayile, Qhama. "Award-winning Ghanaian artist D-Black collaborates with Amapiano acts". Drum. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
- ^ "New: D Black net-worth 2022". Technology Reviews Online Portal. 2021-12-31. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
- ^ "Am Happy At D-Black's Black Avenue Muzik– Sefa". DailyGuide Network. 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ [email protected], kobby Asamoah/ (2019-11-20). "D-Black made a mistake by signing too many artistes – Joey B". The Ghana Report. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "D Black confirms exit of 4 artistes from Black Avenue Muzik -". 21 June 2019.
- ^ "Black Avenue Muzik emerge best record label at Ghana Naija Showbiz awards". GhanaWeb. 2018-11-08. Archived from the original on 2022-08-13.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "D-Black's Why Should I Get Married Premiere". GhanaWeb. 2014-11-23. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "Peace Hyde to host the 'EFGH' Show". GhanaWeb. 2014-01-05. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "Here are all the businesses owned by D Black". Pulse Ghana. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "Ghana Music Awards 2010: Okyeame Kwame Loses Bragging Rights To Sarkodie". GhanaCelebrities.Com. 2010-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
- ^ "Good Year For D-Black With Several Awards Nominations" Ghanacelebrities.com
- ^ "2011 Ghana Music Awards winners". GhanaWeb. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Best International Act: Africa". BET Awards 2001.
- ^ "Nominees For Ghana Gospel Industry Awards Out". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
- ^ Debrah, Ameyaw (20 November 2011). "2011 Vodafone 4syte Music Video Awards winners". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ Mensah, Nii Atakora (1 December 2011). "Full Nomination list for Ghana Hiphop & R&B Awards 2011...J-Town, Obrafour, Kweku T and more included". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Full List Of Winners At The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2012". News Ghana. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ Twum, Chris (27 February 2013). "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2013 Nominations List Finally Out". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "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 of Winners At 4Syte Music Video Awards 2016". GhBase•com™. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Full List – 4Syte TV Music Video Awards 2017 Winners #4SYTETVMVAs17". 19 November 2017.
- ^ Kotey, Nii (27 March 2022). "3Music News: 3Music Awards '22: Here are all the winners". 3Music TV. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
External links[edit]
