Entertainment
Okyeame Kwame protects culture with successful Hiplife Party
It was an atmosphere filled with nostalgia when multiple award-winning Ghanaian musician, Okyeame Kwame held his annual Hiplife Party at the +233 Jazz Bar and Grill in Accra.
Ahead of this year’s Hiplife Party, a conversation erupted on the protection of the Hiplife Genre and ensuring it does not die.
Everything that happened at Okyeame Kwame’s Hiplife Party on December 25, was intentional to develop more equity and affection for the genre.
Musicians who graced the stage proved their mettle with thrilling performances.
The night saw performances from fast-rising young chap Abochi, Abiana, Souly Bird, Crazy Keys, Afriyie Wutah, Screwfaze and Jamaica’s Hezron, among others.
The moment everyone was waiting for came, as the evergreen Okyeame Kwame took his turn to dish out hit after hit.
The touch of a live band, coupled with a mystifying performance from Okyeame Kwame, made it quite impossible for revellers to sit and watch, as they stood on their feet and danced throughout.
On the night, Okyeame Kwame wished the ecstatic patrons a happy new year filled with more success in the years ahead.
The party got to another height when ace Disc Jockey Andy Dosty took his turn on the turntable as journeyed through some breathtaking hiplife tunes from back in the day.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The biggest event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar is set for a night of honours, pomp, and pageantry.
It is a night where musicians who excelled during the year under review will be rewarded through the endorsement of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards Board, the Academy, and the general public.
The Grand Arena, the ideal venue for the 27th TGMA, will host a star-studded audience of musicians, media personalities, businessmen, politicians, actors, and footballers among others.
On this night, the most coveted prize is the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) category, which will see the crowning of a new king or queen of Ghana music.
Two heavyweights in the category, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, have the opportunity to set an enviable record as the only artistes to win the coveted title for a third time.
Should they fall short, the opportunity shifts to Black Sherif and Diana Hamilton to equal the record of two wins, joining the elite ranks of past double-winners like VIP.
A win for Diana Hamilton, will set her up in a lonely journey at the top as the only gospel musician, to win the Artiste of the Year for the second time.
Alternatively, Wendy Shay could make her debut by winning the award for the first time. This would make her team up with Diana Hamilton as the only female artistes alive to hold the title. The late Ebony, won it posthumously in 2018.
If the title slips past them and falls to Medikal, he will also become a first-time winner, etching his name into the annals of Ghana music history.
Patrons can look forward to electrifying performances from a long list of confirmed artistes, including Black Sherif, Diana Hamilton, Piesie Esther, R2Bees, Medikal, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Kofi Kinaata, Samini, and Fido, among others.
Beyond the ultimate prize, several other major categories are up for grabs, including Music Video of the Year, New Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The fourth edition of International AmoFest lived up to its promise on Saturday, May 2, delivering a vibrant “three-in-one” experience that left the audience at Alliance Française in Accra buzzing.
The night was a masterful blend of sound and stagecraft. Berima Amo, the visionary behind the festival, led an impressive lineup of performers, including Pedro Kastelijns, Martha Apini, Rudy Ray, and Lamisi.
Together, they showcased a fusion of global music and authentic Ghanaian Highlife, staying true to the festival’s mission of preserving Ghana’s original rhythmic soul.
Adding a unique layer to the evening, Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Roverman Productions took to the stage, blending theater with the night’s musical energy.
The experience concluded with a high-energy after-party, fulfilling Berima Amo’s goal of creating a truly immersive and memorable night.
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Amo emphasised the need for intentionality in protecting Highlife.
He called on every Ghanaian, as well as government institutions, to actively foster an environment where the genre can thrive on the global stage.
The main event followed a successful educational outreach on April 24, where over 250 high school students participated in a Highlife workshop at the Centre for National Culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
