LORD
CALIBA
BIOGRAPHY
BIOGRAPHY - LORD QALIBA
Born
Emmanuel Kwesi Obrempong Adjei, Lord Qaliba represents the new
generation of indigenous root reggae musicians in Africa.
He recently
sheared stage with the legendary flutist DELA BOTRI of hewale sounds;Cite Highlife
from France and Ghana’s ace high life maestro PAT THOMAS on a concert
organized by alliance Françiase in the western region of Ghana where he hails
from.
Lord Qaliba’s
unique style, energy, indigenous blend and over whelming vocal delivery scaled
his status as the emerging face of reggae in the western region as reported by Paragon 99.9fm and some local news journalist in
Takoradi – Ghana after the concert which was dubbed a night with legends.
Lord Qaliba
although a full time musician also has a professional background as a
therapist, a trained and certified chiropractic assistant registered under the
traditional medicine council of the ministry of health, Ghana.
He
is currently active in the studio recording as well as shooting music videos
for his yet to be released album.
A
versatile and multi talented personality, Lord
Qaliba through
years of studies and apprenticeship on field have natured all his innate and
intellectual abilities.
stating on a recent interview he noted that “the new age Rasta or reggae musician must be
one that commands change, decency and a bed rock of inspiration for both the
young and old void of stigma from all negative brands associated”.
As a
young visionary who grew up from the heart of the western region now the oil
city, Lord Qaliba recalls how difficult life was growing as a young Rasta, thus the struggle he
endured he notes propelled his drive to establish his stand to make difference through ceaseless studies and
practice.
The
last born of 2 children, Lord Qaliba hails from a family of
health practitioners his mum now a retired nurse and his father an x-ray
technician.
He narrates by stating “my worse day of trial
home about music was the day I first brought an acoustic guitar home, hell
broke loose, he said,as my father furiously warned me not to bring in that thing he
referred to my guitar into his home.
So scared yet determined I stayed out
carelessly strumming my dis-tuned 5 stringed lead guitar which I had borrowed
from a friend, till my mother sneaked me in to sleep late night holding tight
the guitar to my chest I tipped toed and crawled to bed shedding tears all
night.
Lord Qaliba
started his professional journey as a media practitioner after been denied
educational support from his parents after high school due to his convention
from been Roman Catholic to Rastafarianism and worse growing dread locks.
Yet that didn’t influence his decision but
rather toughened him not to give up, he gained entry to be part of a radio show
after been invited by a friend who later became a mentor “Mr. Ralph Addico” of blessed memories who was a
literature teacher and a pan -Africanist.
Realizing
how articulate and confidence RAS MENTAX as Lord Qaliba was formally called, the producer of the
programme “RAS BABY RAS” engaged him week after week on the reggae current
affairs show which was titled “reggae conscious time” aired on GBC’s twin city
94.7fm
Growing
interest in radio, Lord Qaliba dedicated himself to
studies, from mixer control, radio presentation to the whole art of
broadcasting and soon became the host of the programme for 5 consecutive years.
In 2007
Lord Qaliba decided to pass on the
mantle of leadership ,a big blow it was to the producer but Lord Qaliba was determined to move on to achieve his dreams
of becoming a well rounded media personnel.
With
plans to try T.V production Lord Qaliba scripted a programme
which he called “African heritage drum call” his vision was to improvise his
experience on radio to T.V by hosting a current affairs show on matters
relating to the whole African region.
His
first production shot was done from a loan he secured from his mum; he rented
the services of a cameraman, production equipments and transported the new team
to Accra the capital of Ghana.
He
shot the first series of his show interviewing his diasporian friend Mr. Glenn
Mattison who was in Ghana for a visit, unfortunately the project couldn’t reach
main stream due to the lack of funds.
Little
did Lord Qaliba know that the eye of God
was on his vision, after they returned from the trip the cameraman he hired
well introduced himself to Lord Qaliba as the western regional
correspondent for metro T.V, impressed about his observation he employed Lord Qaliba.
It
took but a short while for Lord Qaliba to master the art of
news reportage, yet again he rose through the ranks to become the senior script
writer at prince media production. Learning all he could from his new found
teacher Charles Egyir.
For
yet another 3years of studies and practical work on field Lord Qaliba was flowing with confidence in the inky
fraternity well noted for his turbaned head gear, always suited and booted.
After
his long service and studies at prince media production the call to fulfill his
music career was so strong he had to move on.
He
established caliba media production then after and with his team of young
enthusiastic bands men, they played acoustic music for hotels, beach resorts, and
toured as far as any opportunity surfaced.
As times
got harder financially all his group members left to follow their own dreams
leaving Lord Qaliba to his faith but the
young RAS never gave up and kept moving.
The
struggle makes you tougher he says, always availing himself to learn new things
Lord Qaliba enrolled as a spraying
apprentice, based on his competence he was later made the secretary.
From
his proceeds he started recording demos which he later mastered and through his
P.R.O,ELIASU ALHASSAN’s recommendation to
his friend, Lord Qaliba got his first live
studio recording sponsored by his new found friend “KING
B” ONE STEP AT A TIME was then recorded at groove house
studios.
His
child hood friend Edmund Williams hearing ONE STEP AT A TIME was so impressed he booked for
another studio session; “MEMORIES” was recorded and
produced from that generous impact.
Lord
Qaliba has
since self sponsored more than 40 tracks some of which has been selected on his
album which is yet to be released.
Over
the years to date, Lord Qaliba has represented the western
region on major platforms such as ASA BAKO which cast his image to large
international audience.
He was
recently on Black Rasta’s Kouchoko reggae
festival shearing stage with African reggae international artist such as Ras kimono.
Poised
to command change in the socio-economic and over all well being of the masses, Lord Qaliba evokes lyrics of hope, patience, love,
responsibility and above all peace in his music delivery.
Keen
to revolutionaries and heighten interest of reggae locally, Lord Qaliba don’t only sing in English but also in his native
language Fante and Twi with an indigenous afro centric appeal.
In 2011 he was introduced into chiropractic
care, for the next 3years he was natured and
schooled through the art, science and
philosophy of chiropractic which uses the hand to detect and correct vertebral interferences in the human body.
While
doing music in between time, he clinically served, successfully passed both his
theory and practical exams and was certified as a chiropractic assistant at
life scientists and global doctor’s health institution.
Maturing
through the road of life Lord Qaliba became a father in 2011.
Multitasking
with focus, he is living with his family putting all his arts to play,
conforming music, science, media and family life as a formidable Endeavour.
Playing
live indigenous root reggae music nationwide and preaching spinal hygiene as
his new found message of salvation to health, Lord
Qaliba is on a
mission entertaining, educating and well informing the masses.
On the future, Lord
Qaliba states”
the collective balance of all I have harmonized through years of humble studies
have brought me this far”.
Adding
he said the power through the grace of Jah would transport me to a bright
future which starts from the CLEAR VISION album,
if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger he says.
With
the eyes of Jah keen on Lord Qaliba,
he was recently nominated to represent the western region at the world music
day festival hosted by Alliance Françiase Accra-Ghana.
Currently
Lord Qaliba is seriously on the
preparation table with his team to kick start his nationwide tour dubbed “MUSIC THERAPY” which is purposed to blend musical
performances with health sensitization and education most importantly spinal
hygiene.
He
is also preparing to release DNA AFRIQUE an international collaboration with
MOK records in Jamaica scheduled for 2016. The international music project is
to bridge the brand Lord Qaliba to the world of universal reggae production.
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