Entertainment
‘Beyond The Return’ music business masterclass finds innovative ways to market Ghanaian Music
A masterclass with the aim of improving the business side of the Ghanaian music industry has been held at the Accra Tourism Information Centre.
The programme was powered by the Ghana Tourism Authority and the ‘Beyond The Return’ Secretariat in conjunction with the Creative Arts Council and The Bridge Zone.
The initiative which is one of the Return Conversations as part of ‘Beyond the Return’ programme was dubbed, “The Business of Music – Finding Innovative ways to market Ghanaian Music to the Rest of the World.”
Panelists included SONY Music President, Glyn Aikins, Music Producer, Trumpeter, Composer & Educator, Dontae Winslow, Composer, Guitarist & Producer, Vasti Jackson, Senior Integrated Media Specialist – Radio One USA, Coriya Burns, Award Winning DJ, Malcolm Xavier, and President, Creative Arts Council, Mark Okraku Mantey.
The discussions focused on key areas in the music industry such as marketing, finance, technological advancements, new channels for distribution and sales, networking, and new trends.
Addressing the programme from the Accra Tourist Information Centre where is was streamed live to audience in and outside the country, Mark Okraku Mantey, advised industry players not to allow their creativity to be boxed by recounting how he challenged the status quo in the past and succeeded.
According to him, as a young producer, he did not allow what was the order of the day to dictate to his creativity, for this reason, he introduced Hip Hop into highlife with songs like Kokooko by the late Dasebre Gyamenah.
“As creative people, we should not be limited in our creativity but go beyond the box and be innovative in our ways, else the market will outpace us,” he said.
Mr Mantey further urged players in music business to be very particular about their recordings and not to compromise on sound, rhythm, chord progression and mastering among others when producing music.
Vasti Jackson, on his part said the tool one used in music production made the change, adding that fundamentally, good infrastructure to produce the right sound was vital.
Touching on streaming, he said, even though it had exposed music from Africa, those who made a lot of money were the top executives and not mostly artistes, saying it had devalued the financial reward of musicians.
Glyn Aikins, said that measurement of music consumption for some time now had been easy due to technology, which made it simple for people to find out the genre making waves, and which market was available for people to tap into.
“Management need to understand the vision of the artiste, and should be able to put in place the right measures to propel the artistes to get there,” he added.
On music from Ghana crossing over to the global market, he urged those in the circles to network and liaise with other people outside the country to get their music out there.
He said some of the major record labels were opening up satellite offices in Africa which was good news for musicians.
Coriya Burns urged those in the music space to focus on making their messages clear and getting to the right people to fix their songs at the important places.
Malcom Xavier, also asked disck jockeys to commence their own initiatives, throw their parties and use social media among other platforms to promote it to be able to make a lot of revenue for themselves and said that he was opened to promoting music from Ghana.
Dontae Winslow called for dedication and passion to work as well as ensure they actively partake in all the chain of music production.
Participants which included musicians, producers, Djs, music executives and the media expressed appreciation to the organisers for the initiative.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Legendary US-based Ghanaian musician, producer, and music entrepreneur Nana King is getting ready for the release of his highly anticipated new album 4EVR Champion Vol. 1.
The much-awaited album was released worldwide on Friday, March 6, 2026, a historic and iconic date in Ghana.
The ambitious 25-track album marks the first installment of a two-part series: 4EVR Champion Vol. 1, which launches a major new chapter for Nana King whose claim to fame was ignited over two decades ago, and the second part scheduled for release later this year, continuing the momentum of what is shaping up to be one of the most expansive projects of his career.
Nana King is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the Hiplife genre who helped shape the groundbreaking sound that emerged from Ghana in the late 90s.
However, on the latest project 4EVR Champion Vol. 1, he blends that legacy with a modern global sound, combining Hiplife, Afro Trap, R&B, and hip-hop into a vibrant and internationally accessible record.
4EVR Champion Vol. 1 moves fluidly between smooth R&B melodies, rhythm-driven Afro Trap production, classic Hiplife flows, and modern hip-hop arrangements, with a lot of melodic vocal hooks that gives the project a worldwide listenership appeal.
The album also presents a multilingual experience, featuring songs in English, Twi, and Pidgin, reflecting the diverse cultural influences behind Nana King’s music and giving it a distinctive international flavor.
Nana King brings together decades of musical experience with a forward-looking vision which is evident in the impressive roster of collaborators from across the contemporary music scene.
Notably, all of the featured artists on the album, except Kwacy Boat, are signed to Nana King’s label, Ashanti International Records, highlighting the strength of the roster he has developed and mentored through the label.
Reigning rap queen Nana Queen appears on two of the album’s most anticipated tracks.
She joins Nana King on the title track “4EVR Champion”, a bold Afro Trap reinterpretation of Nana King’s iconic 1999 anthem “Champion,” originally recorded with Ghanaian rap legend Ex-Doe.
Nana Queen also appears on the breakout single “Woye Medo”, which has already been dominating radio airwaves throughout the early months of 2026.
Other featured artists include Lucia on “Fake”, Kwacy Boat on “Anadwo Yɛ Dɛ”, Boy Spike on “Ɔnnye Wo Deɛ” and Shegeeh on “Odononie”. These collaborations showcase the range of voices shaping Nana King’s latest musical vision.
In his part, COO of Ashanti International Records/Nana King’s Manager, Marcelle Sirkus noted that “this album celebrates the sound that cemented Nana King’s legacy, while setting a new standard for hiplife artists worldwide.”
Meanwhile, the album’s early buzz has been fueled by the success of Nana King’s single Woye Medo, which has been steadily gaining traction on radio and streaming platforms since the start of the year.
Blending heartfelt Twi lyrics with modern production and Afro Trap rhythm, the song has quickly become a standout release and a signal that Nana King’s sound continues to resonate across generations.
More than two decades after helping shape the Hiplife movement, Nana King is now pushing that sound beyond borders. The music video for the Title Track “4EVR Champion” is certain to thrill fans upon its release in a few weeks.
As 4EVR Champion Vol. 1 arrived on Friday, March 6, the message behind the album is clear: Nana King’s intentions go beyond revisiting the legacy he helped create; he’s bringing the sound he pioneered to a worldwide audience in a bold new era.
Born William O. A. Konadu Jr. in Los Angeles, Nana King later lived in Ghana, where he launched his record label Ashanti International Records.
Through the label, he developed and mentored numerous artists who would go on to become chart-topping stars, helping to define a generation of Ghanaian music.
The Ghana Music Awards USA (GMA-USA) has officially recognized a select group of distinguished individuals as Life Patrons during a special announcement.
The Life Patron recognition is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the advancement of Ghanaian music, both in the United States and globally, says Mr Emmanuel Kusi Mensah (Capito), the COO of the awards scheme.
According to the GMA-USA organizers, Life Patrons are more than supporters—they are visionaries and cultural ambassadors who have invested their time, resources, expertise, and networks to promote Ghanaian talent abroad.
Their efforts have helped position the GMA-USA as a premier event in the diaspora, connecting artists, fans, and stakeholders from all walks of life.
Speaking at the event, the CEO of GMA-USA Mr Dennis Boafo (Don D), expressed his profound gratitude: “Our Life Patrons are the backbone of this awards scheme. Their passion for music and culture is truly inspiring, and their contributions ensure the continued growth and relevance of Ghanaian music internationally.”
The newly inducted Life Patrons will be celebrated throughout the year, with special features and profiles highlighting their impact.
The GMA-USA team has encouraged the public and the music community to join in honoring these champions, whose legacy will inspire future generations of Ghanaian artists and music lovers.
Below are our Life Patrons:
Ing. Isaac Ampem Darko – (CEO, DARKXLYN COMPANY LTD)
Is a highly experienced civil engineer, entrepreneur, and pastor with decades of expertise in civil engineering, earthworks, geodetic surveying, and road design. With over two decades of professional experience, he has built a strong reputation as an industry leader and an excellent consultant.
Vida Djorgee – Chief Operating Officer (COO), Essential Quality Care
Vida Djorgee brings over 23 years of dedicated healthcare experience and serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Founder of Essential Quality Care in Portland, Oregon. She began her career with Providence Health Care Services, where she spent 17 years coordinating hospital operations before expanding her expertise into hospice and end-of-life care.
Isaac Ofori Amoako – (CEO Ike City Hotel)
Isaac Kwabena Ofori Amoako is the owner, CEO, and “Billionaire Boss” of Ike City Hotel. A prominent Ghanaian business mogul and philanthropist, who also serves as the CEO of the Ike City Group of Companies.
Before establishing his business empire in Ghana, Amoako spent over a decade in the diaspora, where he reportedly worked multiple jobs to build his capital.
He is widely recognized for his humanitarian work.
Sabaina Dugan
Is a Registered Nurse (RN) with sixteen years of work experience. She serves as an Associate Director of Nursing, specifically noted for her leadership qualities. Mrs. Dugan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)
As the CEO of Plush Media, a company involved in media production and events, Sabaina Dugan has spearheaded campaigns to integrate Ghanaian music, especially gospel music, into the American entertainment environment. Under the Plush Media umbrella, Mrs. Dugan helped organize the Shakana Experience 2024, a major gospel music event featuring many Gospel artists.
She is also the CEO and owner of Lucern Ventures, which showcases a diverse portfolio spanning healthcare, media, and general entrepreneurship.
Dr. Sandra Adom, PhD, FNP-C, RN, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, professor, and research professional with over 15 years of experience in clinical care and research.
She is passionate about compassionate, evidence-based healthcare and mentoring future healthcare professionals.
Dr. Adom also has a deep appreciation for Ghanaian music and culture. In 2025, she served as the Advanced Practice Provider for the Ghana Music Awards USA, supporting the health and wellbeing of performers and event participants.
