Entertainment
PRUMAS: Zakaria Sheriff crowned Artiste of the Year
Local artist, Zakaria Sheriff, known in the entertainment circle as ‘Best Ghally’ has been crowned the Artiste of the Year in the just-ended Upper West Regional Music Awards at Wa.
The Dawubie hit maker took home a motor bike and a plague of honour.
The 6th edition of the Progress Upper West Music Awards Scheme (PRUMAS) which took place over the weekend saw musicians who distinguished themselves within the year, pick awards in 22 respective categories with three honorary recognition to persons who had propelled the growth of the entertainment industry in the region.
PRUMAS was designed by the first radio station in the region, Radio Progress in 2013 to recognise talents of local artists and encourage them to work harder for national and international laurels.
To help nurture the talent of the artists and also achieve the aim of the awards scheme, this year’s edition of PRUMAS was preceded by nominees’ seminar with movers of the creative arts industry such as Songstress Noella Wiyaala and the Regional Secretary of MUSIGA, Mr Aziz Sungumo facilitating the meeting on issues concerning online marketing and monetisation, among others.
Best Ghally who doubles as a sound engineer won the overall best artiste for the second time after picking the award in 2017 with his popular track ‘Dawubie’.
The rapper cum singer has 150 tracks to his credit with two albums and one Extended Play (EP) and had featured in over 20 songs including a collaboration with popular musician, Wiyaala who hails from the region.
Prior to receiving the crown as the king of Upper West Music this year, Best Ghally had won 15 local awards including the Sissala Entertainment and Northern Entertainment Awards respectively.
Other awardees included Eugenia and DJ Skinny who won the Gospel Artist and best Disc Jockey of the year respectively. Hip hop artist, El Twist Dagarawon the Hip hop song of the year with his track ‘Supremacy’ whereas Badda Kasu picked the best Music for Development with his track, ‘Clean the Environment’.
The award scheme was used to also honour musicians Samini and Wiyaala as well as veteran presenter of the Regional Station of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Seidu Bhomanjo for their contribution to the growth of the industry in the region.
From Lydia Fordjour And Rafia Abdul-Razak, Wa
Award-winning Ghanaian musician, Michael Owusu Addo, affectionately called Sarkodie has described his annual event, Rapperholic concert as bigger than just a music event, highlighting its significant economic impact.
In a post after a successful Rapperholic edition in Kumasi, the rapper noted that the concert stimulates economic activity across Kumasi, Accra and the wider Ghanaian economy.
According to him, this is driven through tourism, hospitality, transportation, food, fashion, media, advertising, employment and the creative supply chain.
“The economic value of this concert extends far beyond ticket sales. It includes visitor spending, revenue for local businesses, temporary jobs created, suppliers paid and the future tourism and commercial opportunities generated by the event,” he stated.
Sarkodie called on government and the private sector to seize the opportunity to build an ecosystem where Ghanaian entertainment generates measurable economic value, supports businesses, creates jobs and attracts visitors.
“Let’s invest in our creative economy. The potential goes far beyond the stage,” he added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Multiple award-winning dancehall artiste Emmanuel Andrew Samini popularly known as Samini is set to return to his Dansoman base with the much-anticipated Samini Experience on December 24.
The musician, who has nurtured top talents from the community in the past, says this year’s edition will be held in collaboration with the Dansoman Homecoming Carnival, to make the event bigger.
Speaking to the media at Kegali Hotel during a press launch on Friday, October 16, Samini said activities including a clean-up exercise, health walk, Children’s Day and games will take place from December 18 ahead of the main event.
According to him, the choice of Dansoman is to give back to the community where it all started.
He added that the event was also aimed at nurturing future talents by giving them a platform to showcase their abilities.
He disclosed that some music legends from Dansoman and other big names in the music industry will be on the bill to thrill patrons.
Samini also revealed that the Dansoman Exhibition streets will be blocked to make way for the unforgettable night of music.
He expressed appreciation to the Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly for their collaboration to ensure the success of the programme.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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