Desmond Kwesi Blackmore (born 12 January 1987), known by his stage name D-Black, is an anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from Ghana. He has been described as "a successful entertainment mogul"
Early life D-Black attended Ridge Church School then Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary before the University of Cape Coast to study B.A Economics and University Of Ghana, Legon to study BFA Theatre Arts/Music.
Personal life D-Black was born to a Ghanaian mother, Adeline Boateng, and a Ghanaian-English father, John Derek Blackmore. He has three children. D-Black has nine siblings.
Career
In 2009, D-Black began his career as an independent artist in the group D-Black & Kwaku T, releasing a group album, Target Practice. In 2010 D-Black and his rap partner both went solo. He went on to release three albums (Music, Love and Life, The Revelation and Lightwork), an E.P (Smoke and Mirrors) and a mix-tape (Hunger & Thirst). He won the 2011 BET Awards.
D-Black has worked with Nigerian artists Davido and Phyno, South African artists Cassper Nyovest and Bucie, and East African artists Vanessa Mdee. In Ghana, he has frequently partnered with Sarkodie, StoneBwoy, and Efya.
D-Black represents Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka as its brand ambassador in Ghana. Additionally, he secured a marketing partnership with Black Sun Energy Drink. He fronts his own Black Avenue Clothing Line. He was the brand ambassador for The Rlg Brand of VIVA phones in the West African Sub Region in 2013.
Black Avenue Muzik D-Black is the CEO of record label Black Avenue Muzik, with acts including himself, DJ Breezy, S3fa, and music producers Rony Turn Me Up and Paul Noun. Former acts include Joey B, Freda Rhymz, Dahlin Gage, Ms. Forson, Osayo & Nina Ricchie & Wisa Greid. It won record label of the year at the 2018 Ghana - Naija Entertainment Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. and was nominated for the record label of the year at the 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards in New York.
Other ventures Black Avenue Clothing Set up in 2012, this is a design company, marketer and importer of men and women's apparel.https://newsghana.com.gh/d-black-to-launch-the-trendy-comfortable-and-affordable-black-avenue-clothing-brand /
Livewire Events Livewire Events is an events management company set up in 2015. In 2015 it produced the Bukom Banku vs Ayittey Powers boxing match at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. This included performances from Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and Efya. Other events include the 2018 Kundum Festival Jam in Axim for the Ministry of Tourism.
Black Avenue Films/TV He produced the film Why Should I Get Married, starring John Dumelo, Maria Nepembe, Princess Shyngle, Eya, Prince David Osei, and The EFGH Show hosted by Peace Hyde in 2015.
Hospitality D-Black owns Club Onyx, Oasis Lounge and La Maison restaurant..
Discography
Albums Target Practice (2009) Music, Love & Life (2010) The Revelation (2012) Lightwork (2016) Hunger & Thirst Mixtape (2017) Smoke & Mirrors E.P (2019)
Singles "Move" w/ Kwaku T (2009) Breathe" w/ Kwaku T (2010) "Somebody" ft. Kwabena Kwabena (2011) "Get On the Dancefloor" ft. D Cryme (2011) "Ma Me Five" (2011) "Asabone" ft. Reggie Rockstone (2011) "My Kinda Girl" ft. Sarkodie (2012) "Change Your Life" ft. E.L (2012) "Vera" ft. Joey B (2012) "Black Clouds' ft. Waje (2013) "Conference Call" ft. Kwaw Kese, Sarkodie (2013) "Woara" ft. Kesse (2013) "Setewaa D3nky3" (2013) "Party Gbee" (2013) "Carry Go" ft. Davido (2013) "Personal Person" ft. Castro (2014) "Seihor" w/ Castro (2014) "Kotomoshi (2015) "Champ" ft. M.I Abaga (2016) "Omega" ft. Sarkodie (2016) "Bottles" ft. Medikal (2017) "Julie" ft. Bisa KDei (2017) "Makoma" ft. Mayorkun (2017) "Nobody" ft. King Promise (2018) "Badder" ft. Kuami Eugene(2019) "Dat Ting" ft. Joey B (2019) "Obiba" ft. Kidi (2019) "Miracle" (2019) "Falaa" ft. Medikal (2019) "Heaven Or Hell" ft. Sefa (2019) "Stay" ft. Simi (2019) "Sheege" ft. Gyakie (2021)
Awards and nominations Year Event Award Song Results 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards Best West African Move 2010 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Hip-Hop / Hip-life Song of the Year Breathe Music Video of the Year Breathe Museke African Music Awards Music Video of the Year Breathe African Music Awards, London Music Video of the Year Breathe Channel O Music Video Awards, South Africa Best Hip-hop Breathe Best Music Video Breathe Sound City Music Awards, Nigeria Best Collaboration Somebody Best New Video Believe 4SYTE Music Video Awards Best Overall Video Breathe Best Storyline in a Video Breathe "Good Year For D-Black With Several Awards Nominations" Ghanacelebrities.com Best Directed Video Breathe Best Collaboration in a Video Breathe Best Group Video Breathe 2011 Ghana Music Awards Hip hop/ Hip-life Artist of the Year None Hip hop Song of the Year Get on Da Dancefloor Songwriter of the Year Somebody Collaboration of the Year Somebody Album of the Year Music, Love & Life BET Awards Best International Artist of the Year (Africa) - . BET Awards 2001. Ghana Gospel Industry Awards Alternate Gospel Song of the year Somebody Alternate Gospel Video of the year Somebody Channel O Music Video Awards Best African West Get on Da Dancefloor 4Syte Music Video Awards Best Photography in a video Somebody Best Hip-hop Video Get on da dancefloor Best Collaboration in a video Somebody Best Edited Video Get on Da Dancefloor Music Video Awards Best African Act Get on Da Dancefloor Ghana Hip-hop Awards The Next Big Thing Award - Male Hip-hop Artiste(of the Decade) - Hip-hop album (of the Decade) - Best Collaboration Breathe Hip-hop Artiste of the year - 2012 Ghana Music Awards Hip-hop Song of the year My Kinda Girl Music Video of the year My Kinda Girl Album of the Year The Revelation HSH Awards Most Influential Artiste - Hip-hop World Awards Best International Artiste - Channel O Music Video Awards Best West Africa video Falling MTN 4SYTE Music Video Awards Best Collaboration Falling 2013 Ghana Music Awards Artist of the year - Song of the Year Vera Hip-life Song of the Year Vera Hip-hop Song of the Year Falling Hip-hop/Hip-life Artiste of the Year - Ghana Music Awards UK Song of the year Vera Collaboration of the year Vera Channel O Music Video Awards Best Africa West Vera "D-Black shoots world class video for 'Change Your Life' in SA" Ghana Music.com 2015 Ghana Music Awards Hip-life Song of the Year Seihor 2016 4Syte Music Video Awards Male Video of the Year Kotomoshi Hiplife Video of the Year Kotomoshi Best Directed Video of the Year Kotomoshi Most Influential Artist of the Year D-Black 2017 Ghana Movie Awards Soundtrack the Year D-Black ft. Efya 4Syte Music Video Awards Hiplife Video of the Year Bottles Male Video of the Year Bottles Photography Video of the Year Bottles 2018 40 Under 40 Awards Entrepreneur the Year (Hospitality) D-Black (Club Onyx) 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards Awards Artist / Entrepreneur of the Year D-Black 20223Music AwardsArtist of the YearHimselfAfrobeats/Afropop Song of the YearEnjoyment Minister ft. Quamina MP, StonebwoyHiplife/Hip Hop Act of the YearHimselfAlbum of the YearLoyalty
References
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