ghana
Meek Mill Apologizes For Filming Music Video At Jubilee House In Ghana
A harmless moment meant by Meek Mill turned into an international social media incident for the rapper. Last month, Meek was in the Motherland for the Afrobeats festival in Ghana. The Philly star enjoyed his time in Africa and shared several takeaways from the trip—and he even filmed a music video while there. The shoot took place at the Jubilee House, a government building that acts as both a residence and office for Ghana’s president.
When Meek finally shared the visual, it was met with mixed reactions. While his fans were happy to see footage from the trip, many Ghanaians thought it was disrespectful to film at that location.
Read More: Meek Mill Deletes Music Video Filmed At Jubilee House Amid Backlash
Much of the pushback centered on the Dreams and Nightmares hitmaker’s lyrical content. As Meek Mill’s mentions were cluttered with complaints, the rapper reemerged with an explanation—and an apology.
“To the people of Ghana no video I drop is ever meant to disrespect the people of Ghana,” he tweeted. “The fastest way to make connection is thru music and I wanted to do that with displaying art … im in my 30’s from America and didn’t know much about the lifestyle here.”
“My apologies to the people if any disrespect! We still gonna push to make the connection between black people in America and Africa … what I’m trying to do is more than a video and you should see coming soon! My apologies to the the office also!”
Read More: Meek Mill’s Phone Stolen On Ghana Trip
Additionally, Meek said he didn’t believe officials were aware that he was shooting a music video. The controversy also sparked division between Africans and Black Americans as conversations about culture were mentioned. Meek said he didn’t want to create tension.
“I’m just not here for no separation of anything black,” tweeted Meek. “We already separated enough and don’t understand each others cultures.”
“Let’s used this to help fix that and not more judgement towards each other!”
Meek Mill Deletes Music Video Filmed At Jubilee House Amid Backlash
Meek Mill is coming under fire on social media after sharing a teaser for a new music video he filmed at the Jubilee House. The location serves as the Office of the President and is considered the highest security zone in Ghana.
Just the short teaser features numerous areas in the Jubilee House, including the podium of President Akufo-Addo, which he uses to address the nation.
Meek Mill filmed the music video while visiting Ghana over the holidays to perform at Afro Nation. He also had an audience with Nana Akufo-Addo.
In response to the backlash on social media, Meek Mill has since deleted the post.
“Meek Mill really shot a music video at Jubilee House? This is the lowest point we can get as a country,” one user wrote on Twitter over the weekend. “What happened to ‘Jubilee House is a security zone.’ Even American Embassy in Ghana, you can’t take pictures and Ghana allows Jubilee House to become studio. We are FINISH.”
Another user wrote: “Director of Diaspora Affairs & Minister of Interior, y’all really get questions answer for that Meek Mill video oooo.. how’s a drone being flown over the Jubilee house? As innnnnn???? You can’t even shoot a photo at the Independence Square & not get jumped at by ‘security’ Herh!”
“Nah!! This is getting serious, why are we allowing this?” one other Twitter user wrote. “Can Meek Mill shoot a music video in the white house?”
Check out the responses to Meek Mill’s music video below.
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Chance The Rapper & Vic Mensa‘s Black Star Line Festival Reaches 50k Attendees
Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa‘s Black Star Line Festival drew a crowd of 50,000 in Ghana over the weekend. T-Pain, Erykah Badu, Jeremih, Tobe Nwigwe, and Talib Kweli were among the performers.
Mensa, whose father is from Ghana, referred to the festival appearance as a homecoming.
“I had a dream about connecting the African people of the globe – to unify us as one people,” Mensa said on stage.
On stage, Mensa and Chance also performed their classic track, “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” together, among other hits. Prior to the festival, the two spent a week in Ghana with eight students from Chicago.
“When Vic and I started our careers and started touring, we did shows all over the US,” Chance said at the time. “Eventually we started touring in Europe. We did shows in Asia, South America, Central America, but we never had a chance to play our music for the people who support us the most.”
The festival also featured performances from several local artists, including Sarkodie, Manifest, and The Asakaa Boys.
“Founded in 1919, and operated by Black people, the [Black Star Line] would link America, the Caribbean and Africa, to global shipping and tourism opportunities,” a press release previously explained. “The Black Star Line was a symbol of pride, not only for Africans, but also for Black people in all ports of call. After nearly 40 years, the Ghanian government launched their fleet with the same name, in homage to Garvey, and even added a black star to the country’s new flag.”
Check out clips from Chance and Mensa‘s inaugural music festival below.
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Kanye West Rumored To Be In Ghana For Vic Mensa & Chance The Rapper’s Festival
Ye’s kept a lowkey profile throughout the holidays but some might say it’s for the better. After all, 2022 was an overall tumultuous year for Ye. He lost that his billionaire status, and further aligned with right-wing pundits and their values.
However, there’s a possibility Ye might make his first public appearance of the year in Ghana. According to Ebenezer Donkoh, Ye might be a surprise guest at Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa’s Black Star Line Festival.
“I’m gathering info that Kanye West will be the surprise act at the Black Star Line Festival in Ghana this weekend,” Donkoh tweeted on Thursday.
For the most part, fans haven’t caught Kanye in the public eye after his string of media appearances to close out 2022. However, rumors floated around that the artist was gone missing. A report that his ex-business manager struggled to get in contact with the artist spurred the rumors.
At this point, there’s little information available surrounding Ye’s potential appearance. However, there’s been a few celebrity appearances in Ghana this week, including Dave Chappelle. The comedian served as the “special guest” at a talk at the University of Ghana East Legon. During the conversation, Chappelle, and Chance The Rapper discussed the possibility of opening a comedy club in the country.
Chance and Vic Mensa’s efforts in Ghana will bring some incredible talents to the stage. Erykah Badu, T-Pain, Sarkodie, Tobe Nwigwe, Asakaa Boys, and M.anifest will also be gracing the stage.
Meek Mill’s Phone Stolen On Ghana Trip
One of the best Philly rappers took a nice vacation this week for a performance, and it was eventful to say the least. A pickpocket stole Meek Mill’s phone during his trip to Ghana, prompting him to ask for help on his Instagram story. The “Dreams & Nightmares” MC headlined the Afro Nation concert on Thursday night (December 29th). Also, the incident comes after he bailed 20 incarcerated women out of jail to be with their families for the holidays.
As proven on this trip, that good karma comes back to reward you when you’re feeling low. Meek fortunately got his phone back, and thanked the crew that got it to him on his Instagram story.
“I wanna say thank you guys for getting this phone back to my life, man,” the 35-year-old said. “Y’all ain’t let ’em hack me or nothin’, did you, Commander?” He spoke to a Ghanan official who was seemingly escorting the phone-rescuing entourage. Also, he captioned the story post with “All my lil chicks was scared lol thankyouuuu.”
Moreover, video clips of Meek before he hit the Afro Nation stage show the chaos the phone might’ve been lost in. Dozens of people gathered around the Philly rapper. “They roughed me tf upppppp but the love overpowered it…” he wrote on Instagram. “Almost went from dreams to nightmares quick lol.”
Besides the crowds and almost-robbery, Meek had a ball in Ghana. As the Internet does, fans were quick to identify a woman who Meek was filmed riding an ATV with. Still, amid fans and admirers, it seemed the streets were all for it. When his phone was stolen, even Ghana musicians like dancehall artist Shatta Wale called for action.
“Streetz, if you know you have Meek Mill’s phone, please return if that’s true,” he tweeted. “You can’t do that to a real hustler. By [tomorrow] morning, return a.m. Meek inspires all of us on the street a lot.”
What do you think of Meek Mill’s stolen and returned phone and his trip to Ghana? Moreover, are you excited for new Meek music soon? Let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest celebrity antics and close calls.
Meek Mill Takes Bike Life to the Streets of Ghana
Afro Nation Ghana kicked off last night in Accra. Before he took the stage for his legendary performance, Meek Mill made his dream of his come true as he rode bikes around the city before his set.
Back in 2019, Meek tweeted his desire to hit Ghana with bikes.
“I’m tryna ride bikes on a beach in Ghana too!!” Meek said. “So whenever I come there have me setup.”
The post Meek Mill Takes Bike Life to the Streets of Ghana appeared first on The Source.