D-Black

Desmond Kwesi Blackmore known in showbiz circles as D-Black is a multiple award-winning Ghanaian artist/entrepreneur who built his Black Avenue Group empire in a space of 10 years. Forbes Africa described the young mogul in their May 2019 issue as one of Ghana’s most successful music moguls and "a creative in the numbers game”.[2]

Born Desmond ‘D-Black’ Blackmore to Ghanaian & English parents, the Artist / CEO / Entrepreneur/ Philanthropist has broken boundaries in his 10 years in the entertainment industry. From releasing hit records, being nominated and winning awards, performing around the world, leading the nightlife scene with his creation ‘Club Onyx’, his revered Record Label ‘Black Avenue Muzik’, as well producing concerts across Ghana via his Livewire Events company. Desmond Blackmore (D-Black) attended Ridge Church School then to Pope John Secondary School & Jnr Seminary before the University of Cape Coast (B.A Economics) and University Of Ghana, Legon (BFA Theatre Arts / Music). In 2009, D-Black kicked off his career as an independent artist in the group “D-Black & Kwaku t” releasing a group album ‘Target Practice’. In 2010 D-Black & his rap partner both went solo. With 3 albums (Music, Love and Life, The Revelation, Lightwork’ 1 E.P (Smoke and Mirrors) and 1 mixtape (Hunger & Thirst) under his belt, he’s been nominated for over 59 awards worldwide and won 23 of these awards since then including the 2011 BET Awards.[3] D-Black is a former United Nations Celebrity Ambassador and is currently Ghana’s Tourism Ambassador.

The young 33-year-old, born on the 12th of January 1987, has taken his craft and hip hop- Afrobeats fusion style of music internationally and has performed overseas in London, New York, Boston, Dubai, Toronto, Johannesburg, Capetown, Amsterdam, Coventry, Lagos, Brescia, Washington DC, Atlanta, and more. He’s collaborated with some of Africa’s most prolific acts including Davido, Mayorkun, M.I, Phyno, Ice Prince, Seyi Shay from Nigeria, Cassper Nyovest, Bucie, HHP from South Africa, Stanley Enow from Cameroon, Stella Mwangi from Kenya and Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania as well as Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, StoneBwoy, Castro, Bisa Kdei, Efya, King Promise, Kuami Eugene E.L, Kwabena Kwabena, VVIP and more from his homeland Ghana. With several hit records including Somebody ft. Kwabena Kwabena, Get on the dancefloor, Kotomoshi ft. Zeal, Personal Person & Seihor with Castro,[4] Badder ft. Kuami Eugene, Vera ft. Joey B, Dat Ting, Obiba ft. Kidi, Red Card, and more D-Black have had an incredible career spanning almost a decade. Winning 23 Awards out of 59 nominations including nominations and wins at the 2011 BET Awards, 7 editions of the Ghana Music Awards, 9 editions of the 4Syte Music Video Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards, Sound City Awards, Ghana Movie Awards & more.[5]

D-Black is the CEO of the highly revered independent Black Avenue Muzik record label. Under his Black Avenue Group of Companies, the young mogul owns Black Avenue Muzik, one of Ghana's most renowned record labels & music studios, home to the multiple award-winning BET Best African act nominee D-Black himself, the chart-topping producer of the year at the 2015 VGMA's DJ Breezy, the sensational multiple award-winning Sefa and upcoming acts Ms. Forson, Osayo & sultry female rapper Nina Ricchie, as well as chart-topping music producer Rony, Turn Me Up. Black Avenue Muzik was also home to Tonga hitmaker and VGMA 2014 Best New Artist of the Year Joey B as well as other upcoming acts whose agreements with the label were annulled after a year in 2019 including Freda Rhymz, Dahlin Gage & Wisa Greid.[6] Black Avenue Muzik won record label of the year at the 2018 Ghana - Naija Entertainment Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.[7] and were nominated for the record label of the year at the 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards in New York. [8]

Founded in 2012 with its next line out soon, Black Avenue Clothing is a design company, marketer and importer of men and women's apparel that D-Black owns. BAC was created with the view of designing comfortable and affordable quality street gear for the young and trendy youth who have embraced hip-hop/hiplife / afrobeats as a way of life. D-Black markets this line with influential artists/ musicians from Ghana.[9]

D-Black is also the CEO of Livewire Events, an events management company founded in 2015 that produces social and corporate events. Livewire Events in 2015 produced Ghana’s biggest and most successful Boxing Fight at the Kumasi Sports Stadium between Bukom Banku vs Ayittey Powers with performances from chart-topping Ghanaian acts Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Efya and more.[10] Selling out over 20,000 tickets to that event alone. The Aqua Safari Island Rave, Night Train Beach Jam and more are Livewire engineered projects as well. Livewire Events flagship events include the annual Celebrity Soccer Weekend. They have also put together festivals including the 2018 Kundum Festival Jam in Axim for the Ministry of Tourism.[11]

D-Black started to wade into the waters of film and television investing in Black Avenue TV / Film Inc, producers of the award winning ‘Why Should I Get Married’ movie starring an award winning cast made up of John Dumelo (Ghana), Maria Nepembe (Namibia), Princess Shyngle (Gambia), Eya (Ghana), Prince David Osei (Ghana). He also executive produced ‘THE EFGH SHOW’ hosted by Peace Hyde in 2015.[12]

Before hitting 30, D-Black successfully introduced Ghana and numerous of fun lovers to the plushest nightclub in the city of Accra, his creation 'Club Onyx'.[13] Nestled in the heart of Accra in the plush Cantonments neighborhood across the Presidential residence (Flagstaff House), Club Onyx has hosted numerous of Ghanaian, Nigerian, Southern African celebrities and held some of the year’s most amazing parties.[14]

By 2018, D-Black had also opened up ‘Oasis Lounge’ a plush pool and shisha Lounge located in Cantonments, Accra known for its ambiance Friday Night Raves & Sunday barbecue nights next to Club Onyx.[15]

D-Black opened up media firm Volcano early this year, located in the Black Avenue Group Office Complex in North Kaneshie, Awudome Estates. VOLCANO is an advertising agency providing full-scale marketing, advertising, design & production services. Founded with the aim to consistently garner successful outcomes for clients through high quality creative and aggressive marketing strategies through the power of celebrity. He is also set to launch the Desmond Blackmore Foundation geared at helping needy creatives receive education and tools needed to enhance their craft as well as host the maiden edition Black Avenue Muzik Brunch later in 2020.

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• Official website

D-Black