R2Bees is a Ghanaian hip hop and hiplife duo from Tema, comprising two cousins, Faisal Hakeem and Rashid Mugeez. They were nominated for the 2013 BET Awards.[1] In March 2019, the duo released their third studio album, Site 15.[2]
R2Bees | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tema, Ghana |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members |
|
Career
edit2007–2012: Da Revolution I
editR2BEES's first single, "Yawa Gal", was released in August 2008. They then went on to release "I Dey Mad", which featured Unda melodies. The song topped most Ghanaian Radio Music Charts for weeks. In 2010, R2Bees released "Kiss Your Hand" as their third single.
In 2009, R2Bees released a 17-track album Da Revolution, which has already released songs; "Yawa Girl", "I dey Mad", "T.E.M.A", "Kiss Your Hand" with new songs; "Radio", "One more Chance" and "Africa" with production from KillBeatz (Joseph Addison) as well as guest appearances from Wande Coal, Sarkodie, Samini, Kwaw Kese and a host of others.[3]
2013–present: Da Revolution II: Refuse to be Broke
editTheir second studio album, Refuse To Be Broke – Da Revolution II, was released on 29 March 2013. The album had guest appearances from Wizkid, Sherifa Gunu, Davido, Tinchy Stryder and Voicemail. The album's production was handled by KillBeatz.[4] R2Bees released their first official single for 2014, "Lobi". The highlife influenced song video was released on 25 September 2014.
Recognition and music style
editR2Bees often sing and rap in their native language Twi and Pidgin. R2Bees is one of the top purveyors of Ghanaian hip pop subgenre hiplife, which mixes rap with sounds of highlife (African pop music) and reggae. In 2012, R2Bees was featured in the Forbes list of "African celebrities to watch in 2013".[5] R2Bees have performed on the same stage with international musicians such as American R&B singers Mario and J Holiday.[6]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- Da Revolution I (2009)
- Da Revolution II: Refuse to be Broke (2012)
- Omar Sterling – Victory Through Harmony (2017)
- Site 15 (2019)
- Back 2 Basics (2021)[7]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BET Awards 2013 | R2Bees | Best International Act: Africa | Nominated | [8] |
Ghana Music Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | R2Bees | Group of the year[9] | Nominated |
| Lobi | Highlife song of the year[9] | Nominated | |
| Killing me softly | Afro pop song of the year[9] | Nominated | |
| 2014 | R2Bees | Group of the year[10] | Won |
| Hiplife/ Hip Hop Artiste of the Year[11] | Nominated | ||
| Artist of the year[11] | Nominated | ||
| "Slow down" | Best Collaboration of the Year[10] | Nominated | |
| Vodafone Song of the Year[10] | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | R2Bees | Artiste of the Year[12] | Won |
| Hiplife/ Hip Hop Artiste of the Year[12] | Won | ||
| Group of the Year[12] | Won | ||
| Slow down | Best Collaboration of the Year[12] | Won | |
| Life | Vodafone song of the Year[12] | Won | |
| "Odo" | Highlife Song of the Year[12] | Won | |
| Bayla Trap | Hip Life/Hip Hop Song of the Year[12] | Nominated | |
| Odo | Male Vocal Performance[12] | Nominated | |
| Mugeez | Song Writer of the Year[12] | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Kiss your hand | Afro pop song of the year[13] | Won |
| Collaboration of the year[14] | Won | ||
| R2Bees | Hip pop/Hiplife artist of the Year[14] | Nominated |
The Headies
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | R2Bees | Best African Artiste[15] | — |
| 2014 | Nominated |
Nigeria Entertainment Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | R2Bees | Western African Artist or Group of the Year | Nominated |
| 2014 | African Artist of the Year (Non-Nigerian) | Nominated |
Selected videography
edit| Year | Title | Director | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Gboza Featuring Davido | Justin Campos of Gorilla Films | [16] |
| 2016 | Tonight Featuring Wizkid | Sesan Ogunro | [17] |
| 2017 | Plantain Chips | ThisIsbutta | [18] |
References
edit- ^ "R2bees nominated for BET awards". 14 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ^ "3rd studio album, Site 15". Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "R2Bees debut album". 22 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
- ^ "R2Bees debut album". 29 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ "Sarkodie & R2Bees makes forbes' list of African Celebrities to watch in 2013". Retrieved 1 January 2013.
- ^ "R2Bees for Mario & j holiday concert". 29 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "R2Bees - Back 2 Basics (Full Album)". DCLeakers. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ "BET Awards 2013: Complete list of winners". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- ^ a b c "Winners at the 2015 Ghana music awards". 11 April 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ^ a b c "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014 Nominees List Out – Check It Now". Ghana News Report. 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
- ^ a b Victor, Adebayo Adeyemi (4 May 2014). "List of winners at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014". Ghana Web. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards winners". Ghana News Report. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
- ^ "2011 Ghana Music Awards winners". 9 April 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
- ^ a b "GMA nomination out". 26 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ "Olamide wins big @ Headies 2013 + full list of winners". Vanguard. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "Music Video R2Bees – Gboza feat. Davido". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "R2Bees – Tonight ft. Wizkid (Official Video)". Hitz Ghana. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- ^ "[Video Download]: R2bees – Plantain Chips (Official Video)". Ndwom fie Ghana. Retrieved 13 October 2017.