It was a year the earth danced to her melodious voice and the strong vibe she spiced the industry with.
Many nod to the rhythms of her dancehall flow which was interlaced with the whistles of her “90s” bad girl sound that trembled the skies and the world till the dawn goes down to day for Ghana to come to a stampede.
The “Sponsor” hitmaker crashed to death after crashing the music record just a year of twinkling in the industry.
“Nothing Gold can stay!” At least this is the words of an intelligent fellow Robert Frost which I used to console my heart when the unfortunate news hit my world.
Ebony Reigns, born Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng, is no longer reigning in the industry. Her promising career was cut short on February 8, 2018, together with her assistant and longtime friend, Franklina Yaa Nkansah Kuri, and her soldier bodyguard, Atsu Vondee, in a fatal car accident while returning to Accra from Sunyani, where she had paid a visit to her mother.
She captivated audiences with her sultry voice and fearless approach to her craft. Her breakthrough hit, “Sponsor,” quickly established her as a force to be reckoned with.
Ebony was discovered by Bullet from “Ruff n Smooth” fame in 2017. She became the first artist to be signed by Rufftown Records.
Undoubtedly, her “bad gyal” craft received a backlash from some religious individuals who viewed her as a newcomer in the industry, but never was the rising star’s talent downplayed.
Yes! She poisoned our minds with “Poison,” and we went to the “Dance Floor” with “Kupe” till we “Turn on the Light” when our hearts got broken for us to call our mother “Maame Hw3.” This time, we went to church and sang “Aseda” till we “Hustle” to find a “Sponsor” who equally broke our hearts for us to “Date Ur Fada.”
Yes! These were all the tracks that signed Ebony’s signature on the hearts of Ghanaians until her untimely death.
Six years had passed since this vibrant, talented Ghanaian dancehall and Afrobeats artiste, Ebony Reigns, rested on the shoulders of her maker.
Celebrating her anniversary, the music industry, together with fans, took a moment to reflect on the impact she had on the Ghanaian music scene.
Her family visited her grave on Thursday at the Osu Cemetery in Accra to mark the 6th anniversary of her passing or reigning in the grave.
Ebony’s father Mr. Nana Opoku-Kwarteng (Starboy Kwarteng), her mother, elder sister, and others gathered around her tomb to honor her memory.
She fearlessly challenged societal norms through her music, addressing social issues and empowering young women. Her melodies endured through her unforgettable moments and the indomitable mark she left on the hearts of those who cherished her artistry.
The “90s Bad Gyal,” even after her death, reigned and was awarded the 2018 VGMA Artist of the Year award after the most spectacular breakout year in Ghanaian music history.
The void left by her is palpable, but her legacy lives on through the timeless imprint she left on Ghanaian music.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
