RHYMESONNY
The preface of an unwri�en novel
POET - SPOKENWORD ARTIST - CREATIVE ENTERPRENUER - MARKETING CONSULTANT
RHYMESONNY'S Media kit
www.rhymesonny.com
RHYME SONNY
Bedwei Kwaku Sonny Age:38 Gender: Male Level Of Educa�on: Graduate Occupa�on: Crea�ve Enterprenuer / Marke�ng Consultant About: Having graced some of the biggest stages with his cra�, Rhymesonny might be easily recognised by many people as that tall, fair guy who strings words together in a way that gives you no choice than to pay a�ention Inspira�onal Crea�vity Originality Corporate Email: rhymesonny@gmail.com Phone: +233 246 419 861
BEDWEI KWAKU SONNY . Creating imagery and capturing audiences with words, the hard task of every poet. Bedwei Kwaku Sonny known popularly as Rhymesonny however makes it easy. Celebrated by both poet and non-poets as a contemporary artists for his wordplay, he continuously steps-up with each performance. Through major and minor projects, he has been the indefatigable champion for the cause of contemporary poetry in Ghana. As a creative entrepreneur, he combines work and art as the co-founder of the Poetry Exchange, founder and president of People of Equal Thoughts and Spirits (P.O.E.T.S), Member of World Poetry Movement, Curator of the Rhyme Show, Producer of RETORIKA, ALEWA and E.R.O.T.I.C poetry events. His maiden album GOAT is highly sort after and has gain massive airplay and streams across Ghana and many digital pla�orms. Rhymesonny has had numerous performances to his credit across Africa. The African Union 50th anniversary celebration, launch of MTN at 20, MTN Music Festivals, MTN Heroes Of Change, Secret of Gh girls by K.S.M, Wogbe Jeke; the heritage theatre series. African Youth Conference on Governance, Stratcomm Africa’s Praise jam2015 and MESH Creative Confab are in the list of events he has spoken at.
BIO
Rhymesonny also dabbles in fields other than poetry and keep experimenting on various contemporary ideas with dance, music paintings and awesome photograph. He occasionally Mc’s events and enjoys music form multiple genres and some sports in his free time. A man who stands for the championing of arts in Ghana and Africa, Rhyme sonny inspires all he comes into contact with.
"He is an embodiment of a whole performance school because he exudes so much class in everything he does" - CWESI OTENG
Vision! I am Rhymesonny My vision is to elevate the art of poetry and broaden its market prospects for poets and spokenword artists to gain recognition and be economically independent.
Rhymesonny
Magazines
" Your humility will take you far, your passion and sense of commitment will bring you before Kings. I see you all the way up .. - Abeiku Aggrey Santana Broadcast Journalist and CEO, Kaya Group of Companies
APPEARANCES
2008
2009
2010
• Resident Poet of Bless the Mic •
• World AIDS Day Concert •
• Launch of United Movement for
The Launch of YFM in Ghana- Accra
Smoothies Expression • Bless The
Change - Bri�sh Council • GH Rap
Shopping Mall • NT 1 Poetry Project
Mic Music and Arts Fes�val • Ghana
Month – Tops ‘n’ Tails, Accra • Open
on TV Africa ¤ Smoothies Expression
Women’ Awards • Ehalakasa Poetry
the stage for Kwabena Kwabena’s
• Maiden Edi�on of WAPI organized
Slam • GH Rap Month – Takoradi •
Easter Concert in Kumasi • Wrote
by the Bri�sh Council
Rhythm and Poetry 1 • OWASS 57th
and performed Opoku Ware School
Anniversary Celebra�on, Kumasi •
official poem for their 60th
End of year AUCC Awards Dinner
anniversary celebra�ons • The launch
night • Poetry in Mo�on – Clips
of Radio and TV Personality Awards
Restaurant, Osu • Mr. Max Album
at Golden Tulip, Accra • Elahakasa
Launch • Bless the Mic Fes�val •
Mega Fiesta • Regular performer
Galaxxy lounge • Ehalakasa Poetry
New Morning Art Cafe
Fes�val
APPEARANCES
2011
2012
2013
• Sunny FM, Easter Family Praise
• Okyeame Kwame’s Versa�le Show •
• Blogcamp 2013 • Crea�ve Chris�an
Reunion Concert - Coconut Grove
Love Out Loud 2 • GABOFEST • Alewa
Youth Network • Google Hangout with
Regency Hotel • GABOFEST- Avia�on
for Peace • Verbal Intercourse •
M.anifest and EL • Talk in the Garden •
Social Center • Verbal Ink 1 • Love
Rhetoric Fusion, Verbal Ink 2 – TDC Club
CreWaff by Youth Bridge Founda�on •
Out Loud 1 • Alewa Poetry Show •
house • Moonlight Café – Legon
One Mic by JC Café - Xfm • Secret of GH
Moonlight Cafe • Launch of Miss
M-zone • World Poetry Day- Goethe
girls with KSM – Na�onal Theatre •
Ter�ary • Face of Legon – Na�onal
Ins�tut • Rotary Club- Enjoy Hotel •
Moonlight Café (The LOUNGE 2013) -
Theatre • Face of IPS – Na�onal
Launch of Kasapreko Kalahari Bi�ers –
Legon • Ghana Music Week – Na�onal
Theatre • Launch of Faisude in Ghana •
Coconut Groove Hotel • Speak Life
Theatre • Ghana Culture Forum
Cultural Days in May at Goethe
Concert – Perez Dome • Mental Pictures
Stakeholders Mee�ng • Ministry of
Ins�tut) • Noyam Dance Ins�tute •
– Na�onal Theatre • Ancestral Voices
Poetry • Diva’s Ball • African Youth
World Poetry Day Flash Mob in 2011 •
–UG Legon • Ghana Youth Awards •
Conference on Governance • Jojo Abot
World Poetry Day Concert – PAWA
GAW Sunday • 5th Elahakasa Poetry
Live in Concert with Gyedu Blay Ambolley
House • Launch of Muryan Saakia
Fes�val • Open Thoughts Open Mic
and Ofie Kudjoe • Cervical Awareness
Newspaper at Airside Hotel • Ci�zen
Session • Opoku Ware 60th Anniversary
Event by Kul�va Group • Africa Youth
Comedy Show • Nana Osisiadan's TV
Dinner • The Truth Concept- Tema. •
Entrepreneurs Conference- Conference
show- Coconut Groove • 100 thousand
100% Unplugged • A night of Jazz and
Center • Halal PROSKUNEO with Mary
Poets For Change • Chalewote Street
Poetry with Yomi Sowah • Wesley
Ghansah • AU 50th Anniversary
Arts Fes�val • Ehalakasa High School
Choral Fest/Album launch- Bri�sh
Celebra�on- Banquet Hall • Lexington
Poetry Project
Council
Live Poetry Bar • Chalewote
2017
• The Rhymesonny Show Experience at Labadi Beach Hotel • Commissioned poem for MTN At 20 Launch
2016 • Praise Jam 2016 by Stratcomm Africa, Na�onal Theatre, • Unibank World Cup Promo�on
2015 • Music of Ghanaian Origin, Na�onal Theatre, Accra • Lagos Interna�onal Poetry Fes�val, Nigeria
2014
• African Crea�ve Economy Conference. Cameroon • 1st Anniversary of the death of Prof. JEA Mills.
ighl H EV EigNhtTsS
2018
MTN Heroes Of Change MTN Music Festival Corporate Groove Miss GHANA UK Airtel Tigo @ 1 Dinner Okyeame Kwame’s Stripped Concert (+233 Jazz & Grill) Ghana eCommerce Award 18 Dzifa Gray and Friends Akwaboah Shades of Love Concert (+233 Jazz & Grill) Joie D’Vivre (Alliance Française) Jive with KIDI Village Mind Production (Barber and Apprentice) Wiezo Accra, LaPalm Royal Hotel Flaunt Your Lover (Alisa Hotel) Mingle and Giggle (SOHO) Listening Session of Akwaboah’s MOTH album (Accra City Hotel) Damco EOY event A night of Poetry, Red-wine and Chocolate Romantic or (Not) Romantic with Accra Legon east Rotary Club Uncommon Sense with Elaff Miss Ahenfie (Royal House Chapel) Spit Bars N Poetry 18 GGBL #JoinThePact #TwaKwanNoMom project with Drivers
2019
Joy FM Open Mic event - +233 Shades Of Love with Akwaboah Alisa Hotel Vals Night Frenzy Danquah Institute Leadership Series BraFie Homecoming Business Summit E.R O.T.I.C - Deuce Lounge - London Premier Gospel Radio with Theo Manderson - London Jawdance, Richmix - London Chocolate Poetry Club - London BBC Radio London Flo Vortex - Hideaway Streatham London Transcendence Poetry Night - London Believers Home of Life Swag it up service Couples Retreat with PIWC, Aqua Safari Pae Mu Ka launch with Obrafour Miss Ghana 2019 - Kempinski Hotel Sonni Bali live in Concert - London PAMA Festival Goethe Abansuro - Goethe Institute Osagyefo Night With Trigmatic Endless Possibilities - Enfield, London Angel Ball 2019 - Marriot Hotel Creative Arts Forum - National Theatre Global SDGs Youth Summit - UG Legon Worla Fest 2019 - Alliance Francais
2020
GFA Launch of Ghana Football Season - Accra Sports Stadium Launch of G Money by Ghana Commercial Bank - Labadi Beach Hotel Coach Kwesi Appiah Book Launch Creative Convos with VITUS SPEAKZ (Impact Hub) Women in Business Forum (Kempinski) Goethe Abansuro with Ofosua ( Goethe Institut) Commission Poem for Graphic @ 70 Ignite Accra, (Silverbird Cinemas) NDC Vice Presidential Candidate Time with the Youth. Grand Launch of Fasttrace Caraking (Dansoman) Core Hangout with Comfort Ocran Fashion Connect Africa 1 Million Mask Humanitarian Awards ( Labadi Beach Hotel) Joie De Vivre ( Alliance Francais) RIOHS Fashion Show ( Alliance Francais) Rock, Paper, Scissors book launch by Fatah Mahama Words on the beach ( Ozzies Beach Palace) Everything Christmas Show by TV3 RETORIKA
"Despite" Your Circumstances “The maximization of your potentials will eventually become your credentials". Don't let anything disrupt your dream. You Are Special
Rhymesonny and Dr. Osei Kwame Despite (CEO, Despite Group of Companies)
The ‘poetry and spoken’ life of Rhymesonny. By: Gifty Owusu-Amoah and Lumina Mensah (Date: 27 July 2018) FOR a country that prides itself on its culture, it has taken too long for poetry and spoken word to gain the kind of recognition it deserves but there are some whose exploits are making the case for this art form and one of them is Rhymesonny. Having graced some of the biggest stages with his craft, Rhymesonny might be easily recognised by many people as that tall, fair guy who strings words together in a way that gives you no choice than to pay attention. Even before it became fashionable for one to call him or herself a poet or spoken word artiste, Rhymesonny was there doing his bit and as he told Showbiz last Tuesday when we caught up him, what he is doing is no accident, it is an interest he harnessed into a profession. “I’ve always made it a point to put words and thoughts together to make songs. That was how my interest in spoken word started. I have had more than 300 performances in my decade of work and hosted many poetry events. “My most recent shows were at the MTN Music Festival, MTN Heroes of Change 2018, OK Stripped Concert and Akwaboah’s Shades of Love Concert,” he said. It is a thing of beauty to see Rhymesonny at work; he effortlessly blends English and Twi in such an exciting way that delights audiences. The way his words come together make him seem like someone who has lived all his life in the palace but that is the kind of dedication he has put into his careft that ahs made him stand out. That dedication is what earned him a well deserved handshake from former President, John Agyekum Kufuor with his ode to the statesman at the opening of the AU Arts Festival at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra last month. Giving the former President several appellations, the native of Asieso in the Eastern Region enjoyed constant applause and cheers from the patrons, who were visibly pleased with his recital. In appreciation of what just a few people can creatively put together and deliver, the former president called Rhymesonny after his act for a handshake and a hug. Rhymesonny with Dr Osei Kwame Despite of Despite Grp of Companies Such heartfelt appreciation may be normal for Rhymesonny who has performed to a varied audience of Heads of State, ambassadors, ministers, religious and traditional leaders but he tells Showbiz that the recognition from respected personalities like the former President spurs him on to work harder. “Art is essentially an expression of emotions and people’s reactions to works of arts depend on how strongly they connect to it. It was a great feeling to have the former first gentleman of the land call me after a performance to give me a hand shake. “It probably shows that I’m doing something right. It is not easy to put up a piece to perform to an audience. Sometimes, you wonder the kind of reception you get after delivery but that is your job. He may make what he does look easy but Rhymesonny admits that writing a piece doesn’t come easy at all.
He cites an instance where he had to get help from his friend to write a piece for a religious programme. Titled, My CV of Sin it turned out to be one of his best poems over the years. “I was engaged by Stratcomm Africa for a performance at their annual Praise Jam concert in 2015. I was told I will perform before an altar call and that was a huge challenge since it meant I had to put in extra work to get the results. “I called my colleague, Tawiah DeSoulPoet to help me come up with an interactive piece. Together, we put My CV of Sin together and till date, I always thank God for its impact because it had about 300 people giving their lives to Christ on the day,” he stated. Rhymesonny counts himself as the best in spoken word Born Sonny Kwaku Bedwei, Rhymesonny had his secondary education at Opoku Ware School in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region before furthering at the University of Ghana, Legon. His siblings, two sisters and a brother currently live in the UK. Narrating how he came by his moniker, Rhymesonny said “When I started poetry, I distinguished myself with my rhyming so my friends named me "King of Rhymes”. I just added Rhyme to my real name”. Since he started doing this about a decade ago, he has seen Poetry and Spoken Word grow and now he says their services are in demand. With others like him in the field, he acknowledges that it is competitive but just like “the agama lizard that fell from the high iroko tree praised himself when no one did,” Rhymesonny counts himself as the best. “Do you expect me to mention another as the best, of course not? I wrote in one of my poems that ‘when it comes to spoken word, I am always at the bench because I don't have a match’. "Few have distinguished themselves in terms of style, content, work impact and branding but sincerely, many are pursuing it just as a hobby whiles others like myself have taken it up as a career,” he noted. It is perceived that arts in our part of the world isn’t rewarding financially and Rhymesonny agrees. However, he supports himself by selling CDs of some of his works as well as creating content for advertising agencies. “Spoken word has come to stay and just like every human institution, it has its challenges but I can boldly say that in the coming years, it will provide an alternative source of income just like music and movies,” he added. © 2018. All Rights Reserved - Graphic Communications Group Ltd..
SOME NOTABLE ROLES • Author of My Word: The String Of Rhymes • Publisher of the 22 track GOAT SpokenWord album • Founder of People of Equal Thoughts (P.O.E.T.S), Creator of the most Pres�gious Poetry event in Ghana, ALEWA Poetry Show, Open Thoughts Open Mic Sessions, Poeten�al Women, Ministry Of Poetry and N’daba Poetry and Acous�c Music, All African Women Poetry Fes�val, RETORIKA, The Rhyme Show, Poetry Exchange etc. • Coordinator Monday Poets on Y107.9fm, a weekly poetry show on Radio that saw over 100 poets appearing on the show from 2011-2015 • Collaborated with renowned South African Poet and Songwriter Kacey Moore in his ini�a�ve of PAWA project (poems against women abuse) • External Producer Okay FM Drive Time Show with Abeiku Santana • Ini�ated a number of campaign against AIDS, Orphans, Road Safety and Peace • Organizer of the Ghana Poetry Prize 2013 • Judge of Skola Poetry, the First Poetry Reality Show for high schools in Ghana • Mentored over 30 poets
AFFILIATIONS • Member of World Poetry Movement • Crea�ve Arts Projects Manager of the Arterial Network (Ghana Chapter) • (P.O.E.T.S) People of Equal Thoughts & Spirit] • Member of the Associa�on of Young Writers • Co founder of The Poetry Exchange • Leading Member of EhaLaKasa • Coordinator Monday Poets on Y107.9fm • Na�onal Coordinator: Poetry Founda�on Ghana • Organizing member of the Ghana Poetry Prize • Manager of Word Weavers Gh • Member of Ghana Associa�ons of Writers • Member of the Underground Poetry Society • Member of Mo�va�onal Speakers Network. • Member, Poetry Associa�on of Ghana. • Member, Poetry & Jus�ce • Resident Poet, Bless The Mic (2008 -2012)
"When a poet digs himself into a hole, he doesn't climb out. He digs deeper, enjoys the scenery, and comes out the other side enlightened" - Criss Jami, Venus in Arms
Recogni�on & AWARDS • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2012 Ghana Youth Awards 2016 World Best Poetry Act 2018 Ghana Urban Gospel Music Awards - "Spoken Word Artiste of the Year Gold Coast Excellence Awards - Excellence in Creative Arts 2019 Ghana Arts and Culture Awards - Spoken Word Artiste of the Year 2019 Comedy and Poetry Awards - Spoken Word Artiste Of The Year 2018, 2019, 2020 Showbiz Entertainment Awards Winner. 2019 Comedy and Poetry Awards - Album of the Year LUUCITI awards - Spoken Word Artiste Of The Year 2019 Ghana Urban Gospel Awards 2019 Showbiz Excellence Award (Spokenword/Poet of the year) 2020 Comedy and Poetry Award (Best Spokenword Album) Comedy and Poetry Award (Spokenword artists of the year)
DISCOGRAPHY Product Details --------------------ASIN: B00CDXZ7G4 Publisher: PEOPLE OF EQUAL THOUGHTS Publication date: April 15, 2013 Language: English File size: 155 KB Print length: 37 pages
Product Details --------------------TITLE: GOAT ARTIST: RHYME SONNY GENRE: POETRY/SPOKENWORD YEAR: 2018
Product Details --------------------ASIN: B00CDXZ7G4 Publisher: BEDWEI KWAKU SONNY Publication date: April 10, 2012 Language: English File size: 855 KB Print length: 85 pages
PERFORMANCES Rhymesonny has over 400 performance to his credit in the last 11 years of his career as a poet /spokenword ar�st/ speaker and a storyteller.
EVENTS Ini�ated and executed by Rhymesonny
AAWPF
G.O.A.T
ALEWA
All Africa Women Poetry Fes�val
Greatest Of All Time
Poetry Fes�val
A Pan African Poetry Festival centered around contemporary female artists with the aim of bridging the gap between poetry and other creative arts
G.O.A.T” (Greatest Of All Times), a collection of his great poetry compositions that are centered on religion, politics, love and social issues. The 22 track album heavily draws inspiration from his immediate surroundings, beliefs, experiences, cultural influences and imaginations all blended together into an interesting fusion of art and promises to take on contemporary ideologies with the power of words.
Alewa is the Ghanaian word for a locally homemade candy. It is very colourful and the makers blend the colours and the ingredients in a way that makes it attractive and sweet, so is Spoken Word / Poetry, where words are blended to paint an attractive picture that the observer, reader, or listener ALEWA is can relate to. proudly Ghanaian
THE RHYME SHOW A weekly poetry event that seeks to refresh poets and poetry lovers on a calm Friday night through poetry manifestations and sensational rhythmic tunes with its accompanhing acoustic sounds
BRANDS /CLIENTS
"
He has distinguished himself in terms of style, content, work impact, language and brand positioning, championing the cause for contemporary poetry in Ghana - Ms Josephine Nkrumah Chairperson, National Commission on Civic Education
Proin a lectus sit amet eros
H EADLINES
KWAKU SONNY +233 246 419861 www.rhymesonny.com rhymesonny@gmail.com
| @rhymesonny
