Ebony! The untimely transition.

"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live"

              ........ Marcus Aurelius.

Today marks exactly two years since Ghanaian Dancehall and Afro-Pop musician Ebony Reigns was caught up in an untimely death.

This is a special feature  to honor the "90's Bad Girl" as she continues to rest on....

Ebony was one of Ghana's finest and rising talented female artiste who got caught up in the untimely web of death.

The sensational young songstress was loved by many despite being hated by some. She was an icon and a role model to many young ladies. These ladies were inspired by Ebonys' talent, zeal and lifestyle. 

Grab a soda and relax as I delve into the life of one of Ghana's young, vibrant and sensational musicians, Ebony Reigns...

Born Priscilla Opoku Kwarteng on February 16 1997, Ebony was a young sensational music act to emerge from Africa - Ghana. She was born and bred in Dansoman, a suburb of Accra and had her early education at the Seven Great Princess Academy in Dansoman and later had her high school education at the Methodist Girls High School in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

She did not complete her high school education as she quit in pursuit of her music career, a brave and worthwhile decision which made her the icon she is today.

Few years after she quit high school, she was discovered by Ricky Nana Agyemang, popularly known as Bullet of Ruff and Smooth fame.

Ebony's talent and sensational voice got her signed to Ruff Town Records just a day after she sent a voice note of her singing to Bullet via whatsapp. Her recognition started not too long after that.

Her first hit single, Dancefloor shot her straight into the lime light and Ebony showed no signs of stopping any time soon. Each new year, Ebony brought a different twist and a different vibe that enriched the Ghana music industry. Shortly after her first hit single Dancefloor, Ebony followed up with "Kupe" which stipulated her name in the hearts of many Ghanaians.

She later went on to release other hit singles such as; Poison, Sponsor, Date Your Fada, Hustle, Aseda, Konkonsa Police, and Maame Hw3.

She later released her first album Bonyfied, which contained singles like Hustle, Date Your Fada and Maame Hw3. Ebony's Maame Hw3 landed her 1 million views on YouTube in just seven days as she became the very first Ghanaian musician to hit 1 million views on YouTube in the space of a week.

Ebony was rapidly becoming an icon when death decided to lay it's icy hands on the young music talent.

On February 8 2018, Ebony died in an accident on the Sunyani road whiles returning to Accra after her visit to her mom. She died instantly in a head on collision with a VIP bus which was swerving a heap of sand. Unfortunately for Ebony, the VIP bus turned into the direction of the Jeep she was travelling in and due to the speed at which the vehicles were travelling, Ebony could not survive the accident as she died few hours after being transported to the Bechem Government Hospital. She passed on exactly eight days to her 21st birthday.

The driver of the VIP bus sustained some injuries whiles the passengers on board the bus escaped unhurt. However, Ebony who was travelling back to Accra was on board her Jeep with her best friend, Franklina Kuri Nkansah aged 27 and Lance Corporal Vondee Francis Atsu, aged 29. The trio all lost their lives.

After the untimely death of the "90's Bad Girl", lots of controversies arose surrounding her demise. Many prophets and pastors came out to testify that, they had already predicted the death of the young musical act. Prophet Nigel Gaise, was one of the numerous Ghanaian prophets to come out with this testimony. He said it was revealed to him by God that the singer was going to die in an accident on the Sunyani road at his 31'st Night Crossover service.

He stated categorically that if Ebony had listened to his advice and prayed towards her death, it would have been reversed.

Despite this, others also believed that the death was caused by the deplorable nature of the roads in Ghana. The poor nature of the Ghanaian roads has led to the demise of several Ghanaian celebrities including; Ghanaian actress Suzzy Williams, Ghana's"Shaggy" Terry Bonchaka, Ghanaian actor Kwame Owusu Ansah and "Mampi" hit maker Vybrant Faya.

Several campaigns were undertaken by several Ghanaian musicians including Sarkodie, who brought out a road safety song to charge the appropriate Ghanaian authorities to quicken up in the fixing of the bad roads.

Several tributes poured out as news about Ebony's untimely death hit the Ghanaian media space. Her burial was however broadcasted live on several Ghanaian television stations and she became the first Ghanaian celebrity to achieve that feat. A statue was also built to honor the rising young Ghanaian female talent.

Several donors sponsored the singer's burial with the total amount donated accumulating to GHC 240,000 a whopping 2.4 billion old Ghana cedis.

Kasapreko Ghana Limited donated GHC 90,000 towards Ebony's burial, President Nana Akuffo Addo and Zylofone Media both donated GHC 50,000 each, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts together with Ghanaian entrepreneur Ibrahim Mahama both donated a sum of GHC 20,000 each with former president of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama donating GHC 10,000 respectively.

After her death, she was nominated for multiple awards at the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. She was nominated in three categories. Her only album Bonyfied was nominated for the Album of the Year category, her hit single Sponsor was nominated for the Afro-Pop Song of the year category and she was also nominated for the Artiste of the Year category.

Although she was not alive to receive her awards, she won in all categories selected. 

Ebony still holds the award for the Artiste of the Year two years after her demise.

After her death, her latest single Konkonsa Police was released and as usual, it gained massive airplay on all Ghanaian radio stations.

Although death will take us all, I would have wished God had saved Ebony's young soul as He reveals to redeem. Despite this, God has His way of doing things and always knows best.

Rest well Ebony.... Rest well Ohemaa.... Rest well "90's Bad Girl".... May your precious soul rest in perfect peace I'm the bosom of the good Lord... 

Ohemaa da yie.....

Many3 w) djogbaa.....