Entertainment
VGMA23 nominations: The excitements, surprises and contests
It is the time of the year when musicians who have excelled in the year under review stay glued to look out for how their works were considered by organisers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
For this reason, the organisers of the scheme after months of assessing and analysing inputs received, have released list of nominations for this year’s awards.
Like every year, this year’s list did not come without surprises, excitements, and keen contests.
Whereas some feel they deserve every slot in the nominations, others and their fans also feel their works were not unduly ignored and dissappointed.
In the Artiste of the Year category, it would be a tough contest for Ghana’s decorated rapper, Sarkodie, former Artiste of the Year, Kuami Eugene, ladies favourite, KiDi, sensational Black Sherif and one of Ghana’s best exports, King Promise and gospel dynamo, Joe Mettle.
The Vodafone Most Popular song of the Year would be a fierce battle among, King Promise – Slow Down, Ohemaa Mercy ft MoG Music – Ote Me Mu, Okyeame Kwame ft Kuami Eugene – Yeeko, Gyakie ft Omah Lay – Forever Remix, Darkovibes ft Davido – Je M’appelle, KiDi – Touch It, Black Sherif – Second Sermon (2nd), Kuami Eugene – Dollar On You, Joe Mettle – Ye Obuame, Fameye – Praise, Sefa – EChoke, and Mr. Drew – Mood.
Gospel Artiste of the year competition has Empress Gifty, Ohemaa Mercy, Joe Mettle, Celestine Donkor, Obaapa Christy, Diana Hamilton, Akese Brempong and MOG Music slugging it out.
It would be a huge contestin search of the one who rhythmically crafts messages with precision and dexterity, thus, the Best Rap Performance category has Lyrical Joe – 5Th August, Strongman – Last Verse, Obibini – Wudini, Teephlow – WonteAse3, Sarkodie – Rollies And Cigars and Amerado – The Throne ‘lock horns’
New Artiste of the Year will see the Echoke hit maker, Sefa, prove her mettle against, Black Sherif, Scott Evans, Mona 4 Reall, Kweku Darlington and Kwame Yogot
For the Album of the Year, it is a straight contest among, Album Of The Sarkodie – No Pressure, KiDi –The Golden Boy, Joe Mettle – Experience, Akwaboah – Lighthouse, D Black – Loyalty, and Kuami Eugene – The Afro Highlife.
There are other categories like, Song Writer of the Year, Best Reggae / Dancehall Artiste, Record Of The Year, Best Video of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Best Video, and Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste among others.
Clearly, the indication in various categories shows that winning the ultimate would not be on a silver platter, one would have to work hard to merit the crown.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Christmas festivities were nothing short of fun and excitement, especially for patrons of Dodi World in Akosombo in the Eastern Region.
A major highlight was a memorable voyage aboard the famous MV Dodi Princess II, a 150-capacity pleasure boat, which sailed to the scenic Dodi Island, an 84-hectare natural haven.
Among the patrons was a vibrant social group known as ‘Weekend Day Out’, which brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds and workplaces to interact, share ideas and enjoy memorable leisure experiences.
On December 26, the group joined hundreds of other fun lovers to fill the vessel to capacity for what many described as an experience of a lifetime.
The over five-hour journey from Dodi World through to Dodi Island was electrifying. Patrons enjoyed breath-taking rare views of the island’s rich natural scenery and wildlife before returning onboard for the cruise back to the starting point.
The atmosphere was further enlivened by music from DJs and a live band, complemented by an array of drinks and grilled meals, ensuring both young and old had something to cheer about throughout the voyage.
For members of the Weekend Day Out group, the trip served as a joyful reunion with friends after a year of professional commitments, while also providing an opportunity to plan future adventures in the coming year.
Speaking after the event, one of the patrons, Ms Gloria Yaa Baby, said although she had embarked on the voyage several times, the most recent experience was particularly breathtaking and memorable.
“This one was different, with more people and interactive sessions. It gave me many reasons to return and experience the fun again with the Weekend Day Out group,” she stated.
With another exciting adventure scheduled for March this year, she encouraged Ghanaians to make time out of their busy schedules to relax, unwind and enjoy life.
By Spectator Reporter
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Joshua Kojo Ampah, a member of the Keche group has stated that the attitude of Nigerian audience during the performance of Ghanaian artiste Stonebwoy and Wendy Shay at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held in Lagos, Nigeria was intentional.
The hiplife artiste shared his sentiments on social media over the cold reception given to the Ghanaian performers.
“They know Stonebwoy’s songs, they know Wendy Shay’s songs, but they will not get up to hail you. They know what they were doing,” he stated.
He added that performances by Stonebwoy and Wendy Shay were top notch but most audience did not want to relate to the song.
“Is there was any rapper in Africa bigger than Sarkodie? Are there any dancehall artistes in Africa bigger than Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy” he quizzed.
He contrasted this with the energetic reception given to Nigerian legend P Square, who performed at the same event.
Joshua blamed this on the Ghanaian attitude towards its own artistes within the Ghanaian music industry itself.
He argued that the lack of respect for local talents in Ghana was responsible for their reception abroad.
“But do you know why we are not respected out there? We do not see ourselves as such. “Until we in Ghana start respecting our own, the people out there will not respect them,” he concluded.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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