R2Bees

R2Bees is a Ghanaian hip hop and hiplife duo from Tema made up of two cousins, Faisal Hakeem (Paedae da Pralem/Omar Sterling) and Rashid Mugeez (Mugeez). They were nominated at the 2013 BET Awards.[1] In March 2019, the duo released their third studio album Site 15.[2]

R2Bees
Birth nameFaisal Hakeem & Rashid Mugeez
Also known asOmar Sterling & Mugeez
BornTema, Ghana
GenresAfrobeats, hip hop, hiplife, highlife
Occupation(s)Recording artist, singer-songwriter, performer
Years active(2007–present)
LabelsR2Bees Entertainment, Starboy Entertainment
Associated actsSarkodie, Wizkid, Medikal, Davido, Asumadu, Killbeatz, Criss Waddle, Wande Coal, Tinchy Stryder, Adam Ro

Early life

Both born and raised in Tema, east of the country's capital city – Accra in Ghana, West Africa. Paedae is the CEO and leader of the group, whilst Mugeez is the lead vocalist. The two cousins, who have been together their whole life, lived in the same house and also attended the same primary, junior and senior secondary school in Tema. Beginning their career early, they started off representing their school in rap competitions as well as inter school music contests. This led them to participating in popular radio competition Kasahare, which they won most of and also performed at most shows; gaining them more buzz under their stage name at that time.R2bees are also recognise in the Ghanaian music industry as legends because of their major outstanding achievements – Camp Yard.[3]

2007–2012: Da Revolution I

R2BEES released their first single in August 2008 titled ‘Yawa Gal’, and became an instant hit. They then went on to releasing ‘I Dey Mad’, a chart topper across Ghana. 'I Dey Mad' featured Unda Melodies. The song topped most Ghanaian Radio Music Charts for weeks. In 2010, R2Bees featured one of Nigeria's biggest stars Wande Coal on their track ‘Kiss Your Hand’, as their third single. The video was criticised but R2Bees did not come out with any explanation. 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.[4]

2013–present: Da Revolution II: Refuse to be Broke

On 29 March 2013, R2Bees on released their second studio album, the 'Refuse To Be Broke – Da Revolution II', at place at the Silver Lounge at the Accra Mall. The 19-track album features hits such as 'Ajeii', 'Life (Walaahi)', 'Odo' and 'Bayla Trap'. The album had guest appearances from Wizkid, Sherifa Gunu, Davido, Tinchy Stryder and Voicemail . The album's production was handled by KillBeatz who produced or co-produced all the tracks on it.[5] After the successful release of their album last year, R2Bees released their first official single for 2014, "Lobi". The highlife influenced song's video was released on 25 September 2014. The single received massive air play since it release.

Recognition and music style

R2Bees often sing and rap in native language Twi and Pidgin. R2bees is one of the top purveyors of Ghanaian hip pop subgenre hiplife, which mixes rap with sounds of hilife (African pop music) and reggae. In 2012, R2Bees was featured in Forbes' list of Top 13 African Celebrities to watch in 2013.[6] R2Bees have had the privilege of performing on the same stage with international musicians such as American R&BÂ singers Mario and J Holiday.[7]

Discography

Studio albums
  • Da Revolution I (2009)
  • Da Revolution II: Refuse to be Broke (2012)
  • Omar Sterling – Victory Through Harmony (2017)
  • Site 15 (2019)

Awards and nominations

BET Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
BET Awards 2013 R2Bees Best International Act: Africa Nominated [8]

Ghana Music Awards
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
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 R2Bees Best African Artiste[15] N/A
2014 Nominated

Nigeria Entertainment Awards
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
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
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
  1. "R2bees nominated for BET awards". 14 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  2. "3rd studio album, Site 15". Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. "R2Bees". 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  4. "R2Bees debut album". 22 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  5. "R2Bees debut album". 29 March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  6. "Sarkodie & R2Bees makes forbes' list of African Celebrities to watch in 2013". Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  7. "R2Bees for Mario & j holiday concert". 29 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  8. "BET Awards 2013: Complete list of winners". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  9. "Winners at the 2015 Ghana music awards". 11 April 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  10. "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.
  11. Victor, Adebayo Adeyemi (4 May 2014). "List of winners at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014". Ghana Web. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  12. "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards winners". Ghana News Report. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  13. "2011 Ghana Music Awards winners". 9 April 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  14. "GMA nomination out". 26 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  15. "Olamide wins big @ Headies 2013 + full list of winners". Vanguard. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  16. "Music Video R2Bees – Gboza feat. Davido". Pulse.com.gh. Joey Akan. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  17. "R2Bees – Tonight ft. Wizkid (Official Video)". hitz.com.gh. hitz. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  18. "[Video Download]: R2bees – Plantain Chips (Official Video)". ndwomfie.comhitz.com.gh. ndwomfie. Retrieved 13 October 2017.

Further reading

VIDEO: R2Bees – We De Vibe naijahitsongs.com. Retrieved 23 July 2018.

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