When Santo died around 2002, Ghana movie lost a lot of grounds, Nigerian movies took completely over our local industry. TV, sales point, Mr Ibu was a household name.
Ghana was dominated by Nigeria in Ghana.
Then Agya Koo emerged, along with Nana Ama Mcbrown and co, they won the love back. Agya Koo was the go to get guy, movies were titled with his name, without him, it wasn’t a movie enough. Akrobero featured in these movies, he was one of the few people from the concert party era to have made such successful transition into the movie industry. Agya Koo himself, arguably the best comedian in the concert party era reigned as the King of Ghana Movie between 2005 and 2011 (Date may not be entirely accurate)
Then Kweku Manu emerged, within a short time, he was the most sort after in the industry. Though unofficial, he introduced me as his manager, brother and what not so I know quite a lot about the dominant years of Kweku. In one year, that is 2012 if I’m not mistaken, Kweku featured in over 50 movies. Actively featuring in this era was Akrobeto. Agya Koo was no longer getting a lot of roles.
In 2013, Kweku Manu released his first music album, he was practically the king on Kumasi streets. During the album lauch at Cultural Centre, an event I Co-MCed with Afia Schwarzenegger, a young man was all over the place, entertaining himself and the crowd. His comedy was too raw, his fooling too foolish. He didn’t look anything like someone capable of cutting it in the movie industry. He is Lil Wayne. Need I say more?
So after a few roles with Kweku, Lil Wayne started featuring prominently, then he became a known partner of Kweku Manu in movies. The two looked inseparable, but that was just a matter of time.
With Lil Wayne’s growing stature, coupled with many other issues I wouldn’t want to share, producers started looking to him, Kweku was now getting benched. It was all about Lil Wayne. Kweku Manu was no longer the guy who moved Kumasi Streets, Lil Wayne was. He was the person whose image sold movies. Featuring prominently in this era was Akrobeto.
He was, when Agya Koo was
He was when Kwaku Manu was
And remained even more relevant in the era of Lil Wayne.
Akrobeto is to me the most consistent male actor in the history of local movies, over 15 year, he has remained relevant. Never been the number one, always the ‘number two’ and never out of the game.
When Agya Koo decided not to act in the same movie along with Kweku Manu, Akrobeto remained professional, when Kweku had issues with Lil Wayne, Akrobeto remained professional.
He worked with everyone, wasn’t desperate to be number one and played his roles the best possible way.
I have met him on not less than 15 times at various locations in Accra and Kumasi and he is one of the collest guys around, serious with his work and very highly respected.
Today I want to celebrate this legend, one man who has proven that one needs not be number one to succeed.
Sometimes just be the number two. In terms of pure acting none of Agya Koo, Kweku Manu, Lil Wayne comes close.
It’s only that comedy drives our local movie industry. Akrobeto though is a mixture of everything, he is sometimes funny and sometimes scary, rarely a good man in movies.
What has never been in doubt is, he is a very good actor.
In a competitive world where everyone strives to be first, Akrobeto teaches us something different: that you can be one of the best, if not the best at number two.
Ladies and gentlemen, today i am proud to celebrate, Akwesi Boadi Akrobeto, a man who truly nose tomorrow.
NB: The dates may not be entirely accurate though.
Source: Isaac Kyei Andoh/facebook
