SK Originale, fondly remembered for his midas touch to the monster hit, “Aha y3 d3”, is back with a bang! The Highlife and Afro-fusion artiste is set to drop a highlife jam dubbed, “Show Me”.
Having taken some time off the music scene to regroup and plan for his next chapter, SK Originale and his team are determined to chart a new course in the music industry with consistent music releases, electrifying live performances, and eventually a solid body of work in an album early next year.
SK Originale
According to the SK Originale, “All that happened in 2020 with the Covid 19 pandemic was very unfortunate, especially all the loved ones we lost and how it affected many people. The only positive for me is that it gave me time to reflect on my career and helped me to plan for the future with my team. My team and I have been working behind the scene and we have a lot in store in terms of music for my fans and all music lovers. The new single coming, “Show Me”, will attest to that.”
“Show Me” is a danceable contemporary highlife tune with unmistakable francophone guitar licks, a signature synonymous with music from SK Originale. It is produced by legendary producer, Appietus. With “Show Me”, SK Original captures a controversial topic of Ghanaian or African men and romance. In the song, his lover is accusing him of not being romantic, and thus his plea for his lover to show him how to love and show affection. “Show Me” is set to generate social conversations while offering music lovers a great tune for their listening pleasure.
Ingenious Dr. Pushkin, known in academia as Paul Azunre is a certified stunner par excellence. Having chalked immense success as an AI Prodigy, the Texas-based Ghanaian rapper employs his passion and area of study to further our civilization. Well-known for his contributions to advancing the state of Optical System Design Optimization Algorithms, the release of Khaya is a switch in direction.
What is Khaya?
Khaya is a mobile app that runs on Android,iOS, and the web. Its functionality amounts to preserving indigenous African languages. The App mainly allows for easy translation between mother-tongues. It also has a voice recognition feature that can do voice-to-text transcription flawlessly.
While Dr. Pushkin and his fellow team members that developed the App strive to collect more data to facilitate the addition of more languages, the App currently carries out the translation from English to Ga, Ewe, Twi, & Yoruba. It also allows translation between the aforementioned languages and English. Since the release of Khaya, many philologists and linguists have expressed the joy of an African seeking to preserve African languages. For the Khaya team made up of Algorine Inc and the Ghana Natural Learning Processing group, this is a dream come alive. The rare opportunity to give people an opportunity to learn, understand, and even speak an African language is beyond exhilarating.
Clearly, Dr. Pushkin intends to keep his being grounded in using AI and Music to change the social order.
Dr. Pushkin’s Book – Transfer Learning for Natural Language Processing
Paul Azure Holding a copy of Transfer Learning for Natural Language Processing
Nerdy Dr. Pushkin is probably a case worth studying. True hip-hop aficionados know that the ability to compose songs and verses with the kind of Dr. Pushkin’s depth does not come easy. Couching a theme, piecing the lyrics together, and arranging every aspect of the song to exude finesse and social consciousness is a defining factor for all respected rappers. If that’s not challenging enough, his work as an Artificial intelligence authority should take up all his time. However, the former Brilliant Science & Maths Quiz winner made time to finish another ground-breaking Book. The book is titled “Transfer Learning for Natural Language Processing”.
Obviously, his interests expressed through Khaya have an influence on this latest book. According to Dr. Pushkin, it’s been two years of hard work, but he finally received the first Hardcopy of “Transfer Learning for Natural Language Processing”, defining the experience as “surreal”. The always-smiling scientist made a post via his Facebook profile page.
“The book “Transfer Learning for NLP” is about the machine learning techniques for processing human speech currently taking the world by storm. Personally, I use them in my work with Ghana Natural Language Processing and Algorine for translation, speech transcription, etc, in my business analytics work, and even in my music. The number of applications is truly mind-blowing.”
Get a copy of Transfer Learning for Natural Language Processing
Book Cover – Transfer Learning for Natural Language Processing
Hard copies and eBooks are available from Manning. The book will also be available on Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble starting August 31, 2021, with pre-order available now.
Subscribe to the YouTube channel for video lectures, and other related content aimed at helping more young people starting out in these fields to take on the upcoming decade with confidence. Several other relevant links can be found via https://solo.to/azunre
As the man behind the development of an algorithm that can guarantee to find the “best possible design” to an optical design problem, Dr. Pushkin is definitely on a growth trajectory that satisfies the soul and enhances life.
Away from artificial intelligence and academic work, Dr. Pushkin has readied a music album for Hip Hop lovers. Having brought to the fore a kind of music that seeks to transform, and bring change, the Outlandish Dr. Pushkin album definitely promises to be a full bouquet of unique music experiences, and it is one to look forward to.
About the “OUTLANDISH DR. PUSHKIN” Album
OUTLANDISH BY DR. PUSHKIN
Akin to his music persona, this album features artistes whose prowess transcends entertainment. Call it an array of well-curated musicians with a touch of social awareness, and you won’t be faulted. Amongst the list of featured musicians are Ghana’s rap contortionist Budukusu, emerging Ghanaian silky voice Teri Wiizi, the ever-present Ataman Nikita, Muphasah, Kwadjo Spiri, Aggie, Kromanteng, and AZA The Messenger.
Paul Azunre aka Dr. Pushkin, Nikita Tolkachev, Azkonnah, and IV produced tracks on this artful collection of music. The album title speaks volumes – in an era where rap and hip hop has been criticized for being shallow and unoriginal, Dr. Pushkin promises to deliver something unique and special to us. The carefully crusted album has a track to touch each of us, to inspire and sustain us. That has always been the true nature of hip hop & rap.
Rapinho By Dr. Pushkin (Artwork)
The first track from the album – Rapinho – drops on September 9th. It features a cameo from Loyaltexn. The second track – Hear Me Out, with Palermo-based Ghanain rapper Muphasah – is slated for September 23rd.
Dr. Pushkin is a Ghanaian Artiste of Gurune extraction currently based in Austin Texas, United States of America. He holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Zylofon signee, Obibini has taken a swipe at Amerado for unsavory words used in an earlier song. Amerado went further to suggest Obibini can feel free to drop some bars if he felt disrespected. True to the stature of a lyricist, he has dropped a 2minute freestyle to kick start a lyrical war.
The song is very punchy with heavy bars, however, the rapper is believed to be baiting Amerado for the kill.
Deceased By Obibini
Remember when Yaa Pono threw some weak shots to bait Shatta Wale before the hefty Gbee Naabu? This may just be a similar situation. Will Amerado respond for the culture, or hush up and enjoy the reverence Ghanaians accorded him after is impressive Tim Westwood Appearance?
Something for the rap culture. The interesting thing about this beef is the fact that Obibini is heavy with punches in English. Meanwhile, Amerado comes in hard with his Twi bars
Two days after premiering Shok3 by Cypid on Youtube, the views stand at 7,308 views. For many, this is nothing worth celebrating. However, if you know the terrain he operates in, this is worth the celebrations associated with Despacito.
Shok3 by Cypid
Shok3 is one of the best songs to emerge out of Bolgatanga in recent times. From instrumentation to vocal delivery, it exudes the presence of a true entertainer. For such a song, a complimenting video is appropriate. True to its stature, Aboagye Boaful was able to put compelling cinematics together. Shot by shot, the thrilling story of a hopeful hustler is brought to life. The three stunt scenes in the video excited me the most. This is because I am an advocate for Bike and Car races/stunt Shows to be a part of the savanna’s economy.
Cypid, sometimes called Lod Cypid seems to be driving a notion that defies circumstantial odds. It is not out of the ordinary to find music videos of popular songs with few views, especially from the savanna of Ghana. However, a discourse on social media has recently been centered on the worthiness of a digital presence. It is therefore refreshing to note that something right is happening for deserving artistes like Cypid.
Cypid’s Feat and its Impact
The matrices bothering the economic success of a musician have been evolving in the area. Whilst the quality of productions and craft has received stupendous boosts, most acts are struggling to turn numbers to gain. Primarily, musicians out in this quasi-desert make money from performances. Whether they make enough to sustain them is another thing for a different article.
Thankfully, with a surge in the digital space, musicians from places like Navrongo, Bolgatanga, Bawku, etc can now make their “10K”. Cypid is not alone on this journey to digital domination, Actionboi, another UE musician “celebrated” an unprecedented Youtube viewership hours after the release of 1Star.
If this trend is anything to go by, we may be witnessing the dawn of a new era. A time where artistes would put in efforts to encourage fans to stream and purchase music digitally. After all, everyone has a mobile phone, everyone can easily access data, and with as little as 17ghs, everyone can help an artiste make a little mula on Spotify.
Shok3 is a dance song performed in Gurune, English, and Hausa. It is basically the story of self-belief. Young Cypid is telling the world to watch him as he’ll blow up to shock everyone. The calm-looking Cypid is signed to Downtown Recordz owned by Roy Lambert.
In a spirit of rap-battles, the Honcho Neggar has thrown a few impetuous but controlled shots at the Kumerican wave. The song titled Kumerica appears to be a ploy by the well-respected Upper East Mcee to draw out any worthy opponent for a battle. With an impressive flow, infectious beat, and well-calculated lyrics, Kumerican Wave is definitely worth any Hip Hop playlist.
Listen to Kumerican Wave By Honcho Neggar Below
The Kumerican wave came as a result of trendy hip-hop phenomena from the Ashanti Regional Capital, Oseikrom (Kumasi). With Artistes like Ypee, Kofi Jamar, and most recently Yaw Tog dropping very “American” Hip Hop songs.
What Honcho Neggar stands for
Several music lovers have expressed varied opinions on the trend. However, one cannot take away the effect it has had on contemporary music from the Ashanti Region. Many rappers like Cabum have tried over the years to push music from the region to the fore, however, efforts have been unsuccessful until the whole Asaaka aka Kumerican wave emerged.
The trend is dominating and has earned artistes like Yaw Tog collaborations with one of the UK’s biggest rappers, Stormzy.
Hocho Neggar, a very reserved yet monstrous rapper aspires for authenticity. With his last song, I am Rap, he’s proven focused on what is intricately Hip Hop. This makes his call for a battle one worthy of patronage. Suffice to say, in recent times, many have bemoaned the dumb-down of rap and hip-hop culture. What a delight it will be for Mcees to bring back the golden era where rap was not just blings and girls. Rather, punchlines that are capable of sending listeners to a dictionary or a book.
Pound for pound, Honcho Neggar is ready to journey from Navrongo to Kumerica for a major “mauling” of any rappers with game.
Khaya is a mobile app that allows easy translation of selected Ghanaian Languages, including Yoruba (a Nigerian Language). It comes at a time when the world is leaning more towards digitization. Every bit of our socio-cultural and economic being is going online thanks to technology. A major component of globalization is communication. This makes Khaya a timely project. Speaking and understanding Ghanaian languages becomes more accessible. Even so, it represents the first step towards the preservation of Ghanaian languages.
Khaya is Here
Features of Khaya
This innovative piece of a mobile application runs on both Android and iOS devices. It is essential for all who seek to translate sentences, words, or phrases from English to four other languages. It also allows for one to translate the same from the four mentioned African languages to English.
An interesting feature of this AI beauty is that it goes beyond the knowledge base of the creators. The application allows users to enter alternative meanings to words, phrases, and sentences. This feature suggests that the vocabulary base will continue to grow with a rise in users. For end-users who prefer a voice-to-text transcription, Khaya is definitely for you. This particular feature is definitely a favorite for people interested in learning or speaking any of the languages.
Currently, Khaya features five languages, predominantly Ghanaian. The languages are Twi, Ga, Ewe, Yoruba, and English. The creators have indicated they’re working around the clock to add several other African languages to the App, including Hausa, Dagbani, Swahili to mention just a few. They are also working on adding voices for text-to-speech pronunciation in future releases. The idea is to preserve languages, and offer diasporas, and non-speakers the opportunity to understand, speak and write the included languages.
Who are the Brains behind Khaya?
Khaya is the brainchild of two teams; the Algorine Research team and the Ghana Natural Language Processing group. The Ghanaian Scientist and Entrepreneur Paul Azunre, also known in showbiz as the musician Dr Pushkin, is an integral part of the team.
