Tonight music artistes who have put energy and effort into their chosen career will be recognised once again. The Ghana Music Awards has been controversial--with its nominationations--since its very inception about 11 years ago. I have always wondered why Okomfour Kwadee has never received an award. The man is different in many way: style, delivery, lyrics.
However, what stares all Ghanaians in the face sharply is the acceptance that the awards, the only one that covers almost every genre of music on the Ghanaian scene, has come a long way. The awards now features artistes from across the continent, and sometimes thopse outside it. The 11th edition promises to be another big-bang.
The Accra International Conference Centre, Osu, is already filled to the max. Trust Ghanaians, they love the fun.
My disappointment so far is with the male MC, Chris Attoh. The suit he wears shows clearly that he is uncomfortable. His voice is also shrill and he seems to be screaming out at every utterance.
Secondly, those Glo icons--I mena those artistes like my favourite Tinny, Kwabena Kwabena, Ayigbe Edem and many others--who have signed on to contracts that limit them to not appear on rival companies, would they appear at the GMA awards when it is under the sponsorship of MTN? I think some of these contracts are simply senseless, pure balderdash. I receive 60,000 dollars from a company that tells me not to perform at events once it is being sponsored by a rival company. So what if that company doesn't sponsor any shows the whole year? I sit and wait and see my talent atrophy? incredible!!!
And one more thing to the organisers: PLEASE STOP THOSE GIRLS WHO SHOVE THEIR ASS IN OUR FACE AS THE ARTISTES PERFORM ON THE NIGHT!!! There's no point in that. After all, it is the artiste we want to see perform, not those girls. Or?
So tomight what are we celebrating? Are we playing something that will identify us as people from Ghana or largely Africa? For me, the industry is still churning out fresh artistes and that is good. What we must do now is to mange these artistes very well. Sarkodie is obviously phenomenal; but Obrafour has shown once again that he is a force to reckon with. And don't leave out Ruff & Smooth (I remember when they came through the Radio Univers studios promoting their new single Monalisa and Swagga, they were known less then). Eii let me not leave out Wengeze (Eazzy). And didn't we dance to World trade Centre by 4X4? Well, I sing along with those on the new kid, Nana Borro's track, Ay3 d3!!! Here is the full list of nominees...
Artist of the year
4x4
Wutah
Ohemaa Mercy
Sarkodie
Becca
Bradez
Most popular song of the year
Kotosa by Wutah
Baby by Sarkodie
Simple byBradez
Aseda by Ernest Opoku
World Trade Center by 4x4
Discovery of the year
DSP Kofi Sarpong
Mimi
Sarkodie
Ayigbe Edem
OJ Blaq
Hip hop /hiplife song of the year
Kasiebo by Obrafour
The Game by Obour
Ringtone by Tinny
You Dey Craze by Ayigbe Edem
Breathe by Kweku T & D Black
Baby by Sarkodie
Hip hop/hiplife artist of the year
Sarkodie
4x4
Bradez
Ayigbe Edem
Tinny
Gospel Song of the year
Ensie wo yie Diana Hamilton
Okyeso Nyame Florence Nyame
Aseda Ernest Opoku
Wo Beye Kesse Ohemaa Mercy
Ayeyi Ndwom DSP Kofi Sarpong
Supernatural Celestine Donkor
Gospel Artist of the year
Ohema Mercy
Celestine Donkor
Florence Obinim
Highlife song of the year
Afia Donkor by Kofi B
Daa Ke Daa by Becca
Sika by Daddy Lumba
Kotosa by Wutah
Born to win by King David
Highlife artist of the year
Kofi B
Daddy Lumba
Kofi Nti
King David
Afro-pop Song of the year
Run away by Irene Logan
World Trade Center by 4x4
Swagger by Ruff &Smooth
Simple by Bradez
I think I like Am by VIP
Reggae Song of the year
Jah will be there by Wutah
Adiepena by Kojo Antwi
Mama Africa by Black Prophet
Best Collaboration of the year
Run Away by Irene & Asem
Baby by Sarkodie & Mugeez
The Game by Obour & Okyeame Kwame
You dey Craze by Edem/Sarkodie/Kwaw Kesse
Kasiebo by Obrafour & Guru
Best Rapper of the year
Sarkodie
Obrafour
Kwaku T
Edem
Bradez
Tinny
African artiste of the year
Bracket- Nigeria
Wande Coal- Nigeria
Flavour- Nigeria
Midnight Crew – Nigeria
Jozi- South Africa
Record of the year
Burning Desire- Wutah
Daa Ke Daa- Becca
Run Away – Irene Logan and Asem
Love Zone- Jon Germain
Nyonorvidade – Ayigbe Edem
Album of the Year
Sika – Daddy Lumba
Makye- Sarkodie
Burning desire- Wutah
World Trade Center- 4x4
Volta Regime- Ayigbe Edem
Song writer of the year
Daa ke Daa- Kwabena Akwaboa Jnr
Burning Desire- Wutah
Run Away- Asem
Adiepena- Kojo Antwi
Kasiebo- Obrafour
Best Male Vocal performance
PV of Wutah
Kwasie Pee
Kofi B
Ernest Opoku Jnr
Kojo Antwi
Best Female Vocal Performance
Becca
Irene Logan
Cynthia of Daughter of Glorious Jesus
Celestine Donkor
Ohemaa Mercy