Hiplife star Sidney's latest hit song, Africa Money, is flying very high. But the singer's spirit is down. Weeks after the release of his Barima Bi Reba album which comprises the chart buster, Africa Money, Sidney's mother died in his arms at the Cocoa Clinic in Accra.

Recounting events leading to his mother's demise, Sidney said he returned together with her to Accra from a funeral at Konongo in the Ashanti Region on Saturday, December 14.

"Shortly after we had arrived, my mother, Mrs Gladys Angelina Kwarteng, complained of body aches and later started passing loose stool. I rushed her to the Cocoa Clinic where she was put on drips".

She was later discharged but her condition got worse so, Sidney said, he took her back to the clinic the following day, December 15. "While the nurse was trying to locate a vein to fix another drip, my mother sighed heavily and died in my arms".

The funeral of Mrs Kwarteng, 61, proprietress of the popular Blue Ice Restaurant at Akwatia and former civil servant (secretary) will be held at the Akwatia Presbyterian Park today, March 1.

And tomorrow, Sunday, March 1, a memorial and thanksgiving service will be held at the Akwatia Presbyterian Church.

Sidney, born Sidney Kofi Oppong Ofori, lost his father, Mr Daniel Owusu Ofori in 1998. "This is a difficult time for my sister, Mrs Diana Ampadu Yeboah and I. We invite all Ghanaians to come and mourn with us."

"Sadly, after so many releases, this is the first time that I have dedicated a song on my album to my mum. And she liked it very much," the hiplife rapper said in a very unusual low tone.

When this reporter soothed him and succeeded In getting him to speak more audibly, he sighed and continued, "My mum used to dance a lot to the song, Wo yonko dane wo da (literally meaning, one good turn deserves another), which I had devoted to her.

Sidney is known for such popular hits as Scent No, Obiaa Nye Obiaa and the controversial Apuskeleke.

Lord Kenya

At the time of going to press, hiplife rap heavyweight champion, Lord Kenya was preparing to bury his one-year-two-month old daughter.

The little girl was reported to have abruptly fallen ill and died on Tuesday night. She was buried on Thursday.

Kenya who has just released a single from his latest album, God Dey (a pidgin English translation of the phrase; God is Alive) was in the capital, Accra, promoting his work when he received the shocking news.

He was forced to cut short all engagements and return to his base in Kumasi where his daughter died. The baby girl was Kenya's only daughter. The singer has two sons.