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
Popular Nollywood actor, Alex Ekubo, on Monday passed away after a long battle with cancer on Monday.
According to reports he died at age 40.
Ekubo was best known for his roles in the Weekend Getaway and the music video titled Johnny by Yemi Alade in 2013.
He had won many awards and accolades for his work in the entertainment industry and humanitarian efforts.
While his family and management are yet to issue a statement, tributes have been pouring in from fans and friends in Nigeria’s and Ghanaian films industry.
The Nollywood star made his acting debut in the 2005 production, Sinners in the House.
He graduated with a degree in law from the University of Calabar and broke into stardom in 2010 after competing in the Mr Nigeria competition.
In 2013, he won Best Supporting Actor in the Best of Nollywood Awards for his role as Andre Dikeh in Weekend Getaway.
Ekubo had received nine awards during his career, including Best of Nollywood’s Best Actor of the year (2016) and Best Lead Actor (2022).
Nigeria’s First Lady gave him a Special Recognition Award in 2018 for his contribution and development of the country’s entertainment industry.
In 2020, he was inducted into the UN’s Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) under 40, for his efforts in entertainment and social development.
By Spectator Reporter
Mohammed Ismail Sherif, known in showbiz circles as ‘Black Sherif,’ on Saturday made history by joining the elite list of musicians to achieved the ‘sophomore’ feat by winning the Artiste of the Year title on two occasions.
Black Sherif first won the Artiste of the Year title in 2023, shortly after his explosive entry into the music scene.
On Saturday night, May 9, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, the ‘Iron Boy’ hitmaker overcame a strong field of contenders, including Medikal, Wendy Shay, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, and Diana Hamilton, to reclaim the crown.
On the night, Black Sherif was the biggest winner, walking away with a total of five awards.
In addition to the ultimate prize, he also won the Album/EP of the Year – Iron Boy, Songwriter of the Year – for his song ‘Sacrifice,’ Afropop Song of the Year – ‘Sacrifice’ and Hip-Hop Song of the Year – ‘Where Dem Boys.’
The win cements his legacy as the youngest artist to win the top honour twice, at just 24 years old, placing him alongside legends like Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, and VIP/VVIP.
Receiving his awards, the Konongo-born star expressed profound gratitude to God, his family, and his fans. In a standout moment of generosity, he requested that his GH¢100,000 sponsorship package from Guinness Ghana be shared with rising artists Arathejay and Gonaboy to support their upcoming projects and listening parties.
The 27th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) also saw other notable wins, including Medikal taking home four awards, Kofi Kinaata and Kojo Blak securing two on a night that celebrated the continued global rise of Ghanaian music.
Wendy Shay, Keche, Moliy, Piesie Esther, Diana Hamilton, Kofi Owusu Peprah, Kwabena Kwabena and others also picked up awards.
Patrons enjoyed mind-blowing performances from Black Sherif, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Okyeame Kwame, Ras Kuuku, Kofi Kinaata, Medikal, Samini and others.
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