{{Short description|Ghanaian hip-hop musician (born 1987)}}{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}{{Infobox musical artist | name = D-Black | image = DBlack at 3 Music Awards 22 50.jpg | image_size = | birth_name = Desmond Kwesi Blackmore | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|1|12}} | birth_place = Accra, Ghana | origin = | death_date = | genre = {{hlist|Hiplife|hip hop|Afrobeats }} | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter|record producer|entrepreneur}} | instrument = Vocals | years_active = 2009–present | label = Black Avenue Muzik <!-- Only include acts who have collaborated with artist multiple times -->| associated_acts = {{flatlist| *Kwaku-T *Castro *Sarkodie *Shatta Wale *Davido *Gyakie }} | website = | alias = Da Ghana Bwouy }}
'''Desmond Kwesi Blackmore''' (born 12 January 1987),<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ndetei |first=Chris |date=2020-12-02 |title=D-Black biography, music career, label, education, net worth |url=https://yen.com.gh/177787-d-black-biography-music-career-label-education-net-worth.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=ProfileAbility |date=13 November 2016 |title=D-Black Biography, Music, Videos, Booking |url=https://profileability.com/d-black/ |access-date=11 March 2024 |website=ProfileAbility |language=en-GB}}</ref> known by his stage name '''D-Black''', is an anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from Ghana.<ref>{{cite web|title=Who Is Desmond Kwesi Blackmore? –News Ghana |url=http://newsghana.com.gh/who-is-desmond-kwesi-blackmore/|website=Newsghana.com.gh|date=18 October 2015|accessdate=18 October 2015}}</ref> He has been described as "a successful entertainment mogul"<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 June 2019|title=The Creative in the Numbers Game|url=https://www.forbesafrica.com/arts/2019/06/21/the-creative-in-the-numbers-game}}</ref>
==Early life== D-Black attended Ridge Church School then Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 September 2021 |title='I was sacked from Pope John Senior High School' - D Black |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/celebrities/i-was-sacked-from-pope-john-senior-high-school-d-black/k5y7r50 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Pulse Ghana |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owusu-Mensah |first=Jeffrey |date=1 March 2023 |title=She's beautiful: D-Black's 13-year-old daughter grows tall & big in new videos |url=https://yen.com.gh/entertainment/celebrities/229159-d-black-celebrates-daughter-lexies-13th-birthday-lovely-videos-photos-big-tall/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. |language=en}}</ref> D-Black has nine siblings.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://coverghana.com.gh/d-black-biography-age-real-name-wife-children-parents-education-siblings/ | title=D-Black Biography: Age, Real Name, Wife, Children, Parents, Education, Siblings | date=15 September 2022 }}</ref>
== Career ==
In 2009, D-Black<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tbwoy |first=Blacc |date=22 March 2023 |title=Top 10 Ghaianain songs on Apple Music has no Ghaianain song on the list {{!}} D Black laments |url=https://www.lawrence-postings.com/2023/03/22/top-10-ghaianain-songs-on-apple-music-has-no-ghaianain-song-on-the-list-d-black-laments/ |access-date=23 March 2023 |website=Lawrence Postings |language=en-GB |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529032458/https://www.lawrence-postings.com/2023/03/22/top-10-ghaianain-songs-on-apple-music-has-no-ghaianain-song-on-the-list-d-black-laments/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/topics/d/d-black.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122094842/http://www.bet.com/topics/d/d-black.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 November 2012|title = D-Black|website = BET}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=D Black |url=https://play.mdundo.com/artist/231804/D-Black?utm_source=mdundo&utm_medium=geo&utm_campaign=geo_redirect |access-date=14 March 2026 |website=play.mdundo.com}}</ref>
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.<ref name=":1" />
==Black Avenue Muzik== D-Black is the CEO of record label Black Avenue Muzik,<ref name=":1" /> with acts including himself, DJ Breezy, S3fa, and music producers Rony Turn Me Up and Paul Noun.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2019 |title=Am Happy At D-Black's Black Avenue Muzik– Sefa |url=https://dailyguidenetwork.com/am-happy-at-d-blacks-black-avenue-muzik-sefa/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=DailyGuide Network |language=en-US}}</ref> Former acts include Joey B,<ref>{{Cite web |last=k.boahene@theghanareport.com |first=kobby Asamoah/ |date=20 November 2019 |title=D-Black made a mistake by signing too many artistes – Joey B |url=https://www.theghanareport.com/d-black-made-a-mistake-by-signing-too-many-artistes-joey-b/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=The Ghana Report |language=en}}</ref> Freda Rhymz, Dahlin Gage, Ms. Forson, Osayo & Nina Ricchie & Wisa Greid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://museafrica.com/d-black-confirms-exit-of-4-artistes-from-black-avenue-muzik/|title = D Black confirms exit of 4 artistes from Black Avenue Muzik -|date = 21 June 2019}}</ref> It won record label of the year at the 2018 Ghana - Naija Entertainment Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Black-Avenue-Muzik-emerge-best-record-label-at-Ghana-Naija-Showbiz-awards-699045/|title=Black Avenue Muzik emerge best record label at Ghana Naija Showbiz awards|date=8 November 2018|publisher=GhanaWeb|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813121424/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Black-Avenue-Muzik-emerge-best-record-label-at-Ghana-Naija-Showbiz-awards-699045/|archive-date=13 August 2022}}</ref> and was nominated for the record label of the year at the 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards in New York.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://livefmghana.com/2017/02/21/d-black-signs-wisa-two-new-acts-label/|title=D Black signs Wisa, two new acts to his label|date=21 February 2017|access-date=10 May 2017|archive-date=24 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224223039/http://livefmghana.com/2017/02/21/d-black-signs-wisa-two-new-acts-label/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Other ventures == ===Black Avenue Clothing=== Set up in 2012, this is a design company, marketer and importer of men and women's apparel.<ref>https://newsghana.com.gh/d-black-to-launch-the-trendy-comfortable-and-affordable-black-avenue-clothing-brand /</ref>
===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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsghana.com.gh/bukom-banku-ill-stop-ayittey-powers-in-round-5/|title=Bukom Banku: I'll stop Ayittey Powers in Round 5|date=17 December 2015}}</ref> Other events include the 2018 Kundum Festival Jam in Axim for the Ministry of Tourism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghanamusic.com/news/events/2018/09/20/musical-concert-climaxes-successful-kundum-festival/|title=Musical concert climaxes successful Kundum festival | Ghana Music | Events|date=20 September 2018}}</ref>
===Black Avenue Films/TV=== He produced the film ''Why Should I Get Married'', starring John Dumelo, Maria Nepembe, Princess Shyngle, Eya, Prince David Osei,<ref>{{Cite web |title=D-Black's Why Should I Get Married Premiere|date=23 November 2014 |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/D-Black-s-i-Why-Should-I-Get-Married-i-Premiere-336216 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref> and ''The EFGH Show'' hosted by Peace Hyde in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 January 2014 |title=Peace Hyde to host the 'EFGH' Show |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Peace-Hyde-to-host-the-EFGH-Show-296963 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref>
===Hospitality=== D-Black owns Club Onyx, Oasis Lounge and La Maison restaurant..<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2021 |title=Here are all the businesses owned by D Black |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/celebrities/d-black-here-are-the-six-businesses-owned-by-the-ghanaian-rapper/jkdf8pv |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=Pulse Ghana |language=en}}</ref>
==Discography== {{BLP sources|date=March 2026}}
===Albums=== *''Target Practice'' (2009) *''Music, Love & Life'' (2010) *''The Revelation'' (2012)<ref name=":0" /> *''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== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Event !! Award!! Song !! Results ! |- | 2009 || Channel O Music Video Awards || Best West African|| Move || {{Nominated}} | |- | rowspan=13 | 2010 || rowspan=2 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards || Hip-Hop / Hip-life Song of the Year || Breathe || {{Nominated}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=11 April 2010 |title=Ghana Music Awards 2010: Okyeame Kwame Loses Bragging Rights To Sarkodie |url=https://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2010/04/11/ghana-music-awards-2010-okyeame-kwame-loses-bragging-rights-to-sarkodie/ |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=GhanaCelebrities.Com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | Music Video of the Year || Breathe || {{won}} |- | Museke African Music Awards || Music Video of the Year || Breathe || {{Nominated}} | |- | African Music Awards, London || Music Video of the Year || Breathe|| {{won}} | |- | rowspan=2 | Channel O Music Video Awards, South Africa || Best Hip-hop || Breathe || {{Nominated}} | |- | Best Music Video || Breathe || {{Nominated}} | |- | rowspan=2 | Sound City Music Awards, Nigeria || Best Collaboration || Somebody || {{Nominated}} | |- | Best New Video || Believe || {{Nominated}} | |- | rowspan=5 | 4SYTE Music Video Awards || Best Overall Video || Breathe || {{Nominated}} | |- | Best Storyline in a Video || Breathe || {{won}}<ref>[http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2010/09/30/good-year-for-d-black-with-several-awards-nominations "Good Year For D-Black With Several Awards Nominations"] ''Ghanacelebrities.com''</ref> | |- | Best Directed Video || Breathe || {{Nominated}} | |- | Best Collaboration in a Video || Breathe || {{won}} | |- | Best Group Video || Breathe || {{Nominated}} | |- | rowspan=19 | 2011 || rowspan=5 | Ghana Music Awards || Hip hop/ Hip-life Artist of the Year || None || {{Nominated}} | rowspan="5" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2011 |title=2011 Ghana Music Awards winners |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/2011-Ghana-Music-Awards-winners-206668 |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=GhanaWeb |language=}}</ref> |- | Hip hop Song of the Year || Get on Da Dancefloor || {{won}} |- | Songwriter of the Year || Somebody || {{Nominated}} |- | Collaboration of the Year || Somebody || {{Nominated}} |- | Album of the Year || Music, Love & Life || {{Nominated}} |- | BET Awards || Best International Artist of the Year (Africa) || - || {{Nominated}}<ref>[https://archive.today/20140901053553/http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/nominees/best-international-act-africa.html "Best International Act: Africa"]. ''BET Awards 2001''.</ref> | |- | rowspan=2 | Ghana Gospel Industry Awards || Alternate Gospel Song of the year || Somebody || {{Nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nominees For Ghana Gospel Industry Awards Out |url=https://www.modernghana.com/entertainment/15411/nominees-for-ghana-gospel-industry-awards-out.html |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Modern Ghana |language=en}}</ref> |- | Alternate Gospel Video of the year || Somebody || {{won}} | |- | Channel O Music Video Awards || Best African West || Get on Da Dancefloor || {{Nominated}} | |- | rowspan=4| 4Syte Music Video Awards || Best Photography in a video || Somebody|| {{Nominated}} | rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Debrah |first=Ameyaw |date=20 November 2011 |title=2011 Vodafone 4syte Music Video Awards winners |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/2011-Vodafone-4syte-Music-Video-Awards-winners-223947 |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=GhanaWeb |language=}}</ref> |- | Best Hip-hop Video || Get on da dancefloor || {{Nominated}} |- | Best Collaboration in a video || Somebody || {{Nominated}} |- | Best Edited Video ||Get on Da Dancefloor || {{Nominated}} |- | Music Video Awards || Best African Act ||Get on Da Dancefloor || {{Nominated}} | |- | rowspan="5" |Ghana Hip-hop Awards | The Next Big Thing Award ||- ||{{won}} | |- | Male Hip-hop Artiste(of the Decade) ||- | | rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mensah |first=Nii Atakora |date=1 December 2011 |title=Full Nomination list for Ghana Hiphop & R&B Awards 2011...J-Town, Obrafour, Kweku T and more included |url=https://www.modernghana.com/entertainment/16755/full-nomination-list-for-ghana-hiphop-rb-awards-2011j-.html |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Modern Ghana |language=}}</ref> |- | Hip-hop album (of the Decade) ||- ||{{Nominated}} |- | Best Collaboration || Breathe || {{Nominated}} |- | Hip-hop Artiste of the year || - || {{won}} |- | rowspan=7 | 2012 || rowspan=3 |Ghana Music Awards || Hip-hop Song of the year || My Kinda Girl || {{Nominated}} | rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=15 April 2012 |title=Full List Of Winners At The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2012 |url=https://newsghana.com.gh/full-list-of-winners-at-the-vodafone-ghana-music-awards-2012/ |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=News Ghana |language=}}</ref> |- | Music Video of the year ||My Kinda Girl|| {{Nominated}} |- | Album of the Year || The Revelation || {{Nominated}} |- | HSH Awards || Most Influential Artiste || - || {{won}} | |- | Hip-hop World Awards || Best International Artiste|| - || {{Nominated}} | |- | Channel O Music Video Awards || Best West Africa video || Falling || {{won}} | |- | MTN 4SYTE Music Video Awards || Best Collaboration || Falling || {{won}} | |- | rowspan=8 |2013 || rowspan=5| Ghana Music Awards || Artist of the year ||-|| {{Nominated}} | rowspan="5" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Twum |first=Chris |date=27 February 2013 |title=Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2013 Nominations List Finally Out |url=https://www.modernghana.com/entertainment/20547/vodafone-ghana-music-awards-2013-nominations-list-finally-ou.html |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Modern Ghana |language=}}</ref> |- | Song of the Year || Vera || {{Nominated}} |- | Hip-life Song of the Year || Vera || {{Nominated}} |- | Hip-hop Song of the Year || Falling || {{Nominated}} |- | Hip-hop/Hip-life Artiste of the Year|| - || {{Nominated}} |- | rowspan=2| Ghana Music Awards UK || Song of the year || Vera || {{won}} | |- | Collaboration of the year || Vera || {{won}} | |- | Channel O Music Video Awards || Best Africa West || Vera || {{Nominated}} |<ref>[http://www.ghanamusic.com/news/top-stories/d-black-shoots-world-class-video-for-change-your-life-in-sa/index.html "D-Black shoots world class video for 'Change Your Life' in SA"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222164022/http://www.ghanamusic.com/news/top-stories/d-black-shoots-world-class-video-for-change-your-life-in-sa/index.html|date=22 December 2015}} ''Ghana Music.com''</ref> |- | 2015 ||| Ghana Music Awards || Hip-life Song of the Year || Seihor || {{won}} | |- | rowspan=4 | 2016 || rowspan="4" | 4Syte Music Video Awards || Male Video of the Year || Kotomoshi || {{Won}} | rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2016 |title=Full List of Winners At 4Syte Music Video Awards 2016 |url=https://www.ghbase.com/full-list-of-winners-at-4syte-music-video-awards-2016/ |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=GhBase•com™ |language= |archive-date=2 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302172410/https://www.ghbase.com/full-list-of-winners-at-4syte-music-video-awards-2016/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | Hiplife Video of the Year || Kotomoshi || {{Nominated}} |- | Best Directed Video of the Year || Kotomoshi || {{Nominated}} |- | Most Influential Artist of the Year || D-Black || {{Nominated}} |- | rowspan=4| 2017 || Ghana Movie Awards || Soundtrack the Year || D-Black ft. Efya || {{Won}} | |- | rowspan="3" | 4Syte Music Video Awards || Hiplife Video of the Year || Bottles || {{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2017 |title=Full List – 4Syte TV Music Video Awards 2017 Winners #4SYTETVMVAs17 |url=https://www.nydjlive.com/full-list-4syte-tv-music-video-awards-2017-winners-4sytetvmvas17/}}</ref> |- | Male Video of the Year || Bottles || {{Nominated}} | rowspan="2" | |- | Photography Video of the Year || Bottles || {{Nominated}} |- | 2018 |||40 Under 40 Awards || Entrepreneur the Year (Hospitality)|| D-Black (Club Onyx) || {{Won}} | |- || 2019 |||Ghana Entertainment Awards Awards || Artist / Entrepreneur of the Year || D-Black || {{Won}} | |- | rowspan="4" |2022 | rowspan="4" |3Music Awards |Artist of the Year |Himself |{{Nom}} | rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kotey |first=Nii |date=27 March 2022 |title=3Music News: 3Music Awards '22: Here are all the winners |url=https://3music.tv/section/news/article?nid=nwi7nMUc8EfDQv03wzwIVX6zdP2 |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=3Music TV |language=}}</ref> |- |Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the Year |Enjoyment Minister ft. Quamina MP, Stonebwoy |{{Nom}} |- |Hiplife/Hip Hop Act of the Year |Himself |{{Nom}} |- |Album of the Year |Loyalty |{{Nom}} |}
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:D-black}} Category:21st-century Ghanaian male singers Category:21st-century Ghanaian singers Category:Ghanaian songwriters Category:Ghanaian record producers Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Accra Category:Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary alumni Category:Ridge Church School alumni