NOMINATIONS FOR 2014 GHANA DJ AWARDS OUT

Nominees for the 2014 Ghana DJ Awards were finally announced at a special ceremony Saturday night at the forecourt of Club 45 in Accra.

The awards event is scheduled for February 25th at the National Theatre of Ghana.




Full list of nominees:

BEST DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Champagne

DJ Black

DJ Mensah

DJ Slim

BEST INTERNATIONAL DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Danny Blakk – Jam Afrique (Cote Divoire)

Tim Westwood – UK

DJ Humility – Nigeria

DJ Divalash – South Africa

DJ Symon Chris – France

Lady NV – Barbados

CAMPUS DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Fro – University of Cape Coast

DJ Vision – Central University

DJ Poxible – Jayee University

DJ Aroma – KNUST

DJ Kinino – Koforidua Poly

DJ Sly – Accra Poly

BEST INTERNATIONAL GHANAIAN DJ

Fiifi Pratt – UK

DJ Abrantie – UK

DJ Nana – Canada

Bonsu – USA

DJ Ice – UK

REGGAE/DANCEHALL DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Stanley Bongo – Kekeli Radio (Volta Region)

Blakk Rasta – Hitz FM (Accra)

Iwan – XFM (Accra)

King Bash – Live FM (Accra)

African Child – Solid FM (Kumasi)

Jones Man – Sunrise FM (Koforidua)

DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR

DJ Nyce

DJ Kay – Club Invasion (Accra)

DJ Kobby Drill – Focus FM (Kumasi)

DJ Vyrusky – Friday Friends

DJ Wobete – Adom FM

DJ MJ – XFM

DJ Reuben – Luv FM

DJ Bright – Vista(RedBull Challenge Champion)

DJs’ SONG OF THE YEAR

Adult Music – Samini feat Kwabena Kwabena

Pull Up – Stonebwoy

Slow Down – R2Bees

Dancehall King – Shatta Wale

Sarkodie – Illuminatti

Time Bomb – Samini

VIDEO JOCKEY OF THE YEAR

DJ Xpliff – GHOne TV

Billie Ocean – UTV

DJ Slim

DJ Black

BEST MALE RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Black – Joy 99.7fm

DJ Slim – Solid FM

Sammy Forson – YFM

DJ Mixx – Emak FM

Billie Ocean – Peace FM

DJ Armani – Citti FM

BEST FEMALE RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR

Delay – Oman FM

Doreen Andoh – Joy FM

Ohemaa – Adom FM

Jessica – Citti FM

BEST MOBILE DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Yoga – Urban Addiction

DJ Nyaame – SV Promz(Tema)

DJ Collins – Vinyl City

DJ Sly – Owner Service (Kumasi)

Deejay Foe – Ark Entertainment

DJ Bright – Vista

BEST FEMALE DJ OF THE YEAR DJ Kess

HIGHLIFE DJ OF THE YEAR

Maxi Billion – Hello FM

DJ Fish – Angel FM

024 – Life FM

Engineer – Peace FM

DJ Andy Dosty – Adom FM

GOSPEL DJ OF THE YEAR

Joojo Bediako – Citti FM (Accra)

Old Solja – Peace FM (Accra)

DJ Kofi – Kesmi FM (Tamale)

DJ Sapii – Hot FM (Accra)

Kofi Appiah – Metro FM (Kumasi)

DJ Coxbi – Light FM (Kumasi)

HIPLIFE DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Maestro – Zaara Radio

DJ Cypher – Obouba FM

DR Pounds – Pluzz FM

DJ Advisor – Happy FM

DJ Slim – Solid FM

DJ Fletch – OK FM

NIGHT CLUB MC OF THE YEAR

Miguel – Hollywood (Accra)

Lyrical – Aphro(Kumasi)

Comotion – Rockstones(Accra)

MC Coaches – Tyron’s Pub

ARTISTE DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Toyoo – Tic Tac

DJ Mynor – R2Bess

DJ Mensa – Sarkodie

DJ Carlos – VIP

DJ Godday – Edem

DJ Perfekt – Samini

BEST MUSIC PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

Frankie Taylor – Fox FM

DJ Nyaame – Breeze FM/SV Promz

Sammy Forson – Y FM

DJ Black – Joy FM

DJ Advicer – Happy FM

Kwame B – Hitz FM

NIGHT CLUB DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Bongo – Vienna (Kumasi)

DJ Nii – Club Aphro (Accra)

DJ Cue – Tyco Night Club (Sunyani)

DJ Mensah – Hollywood (Accra)

DJ Bootie Brown – Twist (Accra)

DJ Mic Smith – Rockstones(Accra)

MIXTAPE DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Kulcha – Beatz Mix Vol.1

DJ Mackie – Mix On My Mind

DJ Gadaffi - Ghana Man Mixtape

DJ Mensah – Azonto To The World

DJ Ashmen – Ghana @ 56 Mixtape

DJ Nyce – Dancehall Mix

DJ Black – Headnod Mix

BEST SCRATCH DJ OF THE YEAR (TURNTABLIST)

DJ Gospol

DJ Hubert

DJ Rampage

DJ Masta J

DJ Black

DJ Cue

BEST EVENT DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ Mensah – Guinness Big Eruption Concert

DJ Black – Ghana Music Awards 2013

DJ Mic Smith – Back In The Day Concert

DJ Rampage – Tema Omo Tuo Party

DJ Kofi (Tema Father) – Sarkodie Rapperholic Concert(Tamale)

DJ Slim – Loud In GH(Kumasi)

Honorary Award

Magic Sam

Azigiza Jnr

BETWEEN KAAKIE AND MZVEE, IS THERE ANY HEAT GOING ON?

As reported in the last quarter of 2012 that Okuraseni Samuel had accused Mugeez of R2Bees fame for copying his style on the duos maiden highlife song, ‘Odo’, I seek to ask if MzVee is also daring to imitate the style or compete with the self acclaimed queen of dancehall, Kaakie.

Kaakie, as best described as Ghana’s dancehall diva since she had no competitor in her genre of music, I think this time around may have to sit up with her song composers to write deep lyrics yet in simple language to raga as MzVee seem to be wooing the attention of the genre’s fraternity to her persona and songs.

Although the Dancehall Diva already has her brand established, her irrefutable ‘competitor’, MzVee is also working tirelessly on perfecting the use of the Jamaican Patois language as her management, Lynx Entertainment is endeavoring to push her through.

Unlike Kaakie whose fans had issues with her wardrobe before now, MzVee seem to be on point and already fitting onto the Dancehall music scene with her outfits enticing quite an interesting number of the Dancehall fraternity without queries.

One may say in every field of work likewise life, there are both known and concealed competitors but my worry is; will Kaakie, who is synonymic to DJ Kess (the ‘undoubtedly’ only recognized female DJ in Ghana who for the second time has gain nomination in the Best Female DJ of the Year category with no competitor) survive the heat MzVee seem to be approaching her with?

I'LL LIKE TO DATE TONY YEBOAH - AMA K. ABEBRESE

Actress and TV host Ama K. Abebrese has revealed that if she had to date any of the Blackstar players, it will be Tony Yeboah.

“Oh my goodness, hmmmmm….. I want to go back for the legends and I mean Old school. Tony Yeboah should be the one,” she stated.

According to her, she will choose Tony because “he seems like a nice man even though I’ve never met him before.”

The actress who loves football at seasonal times said she keeps pace with tournaments like the World Cup and the African Cup only if Ghana is in. On what she thought would be Ghana’s chances at the World Cup, she said: “I am a big dreamer because I always say if you are going to do anything in your life, then you have to aim for the top and I’m aiming for the cup to come to Ghana.”

She added that although it’s not going to be easy for any team at the World Cup, “I believe we have as good a chance like every other team.

I feel Akwasi Appiah is more than competent and will make the right decisions. I’m sure the top three teams for the World Cup will be Brazil, Germany and of course Ghana.”

Asked about who she thought would make a good movie star amongst the players Ama said Dede Ayew, will be fit for a role in an action movie whereas Asamoah Gyan will fit in perfectly for a ‘Kumawood’ Kumasi kind of film.

ACTRESS VIVIAN JILL CAUSES STIR AT ERIC ASANTE'S FUNERAL

The burial and funeral of a dearly departed brother and colleague in the showbiz industry Eric Asante, whose death took the country Ghana by shock on December 5 2013, took place over the weekend in Kumasi.

It was perhaps the first of the series of “cardiac arrests” that hit the Ghanaian media industry in recent times.

In the early hours of Saturday January 19, 2014, the body of the late brother was laid in state for public viewing and paying of last respect at the Kumasi Cultural till around 10 am when the body was lifted for internment at the Ayigya cemetery.

Unlike many, the corpse was seated in a chair in an upright position with his hands on his laps. (I would have loved to share a photograph with you but I hold a different view now of sharing such images as I take a cue from sharing late musician Nana Wusu’s own).

The funeral was well attended by industry personalities, the general public, members of the media and family. The event looked orderly until a torrential downpour after the burial got everybody dispersed at the funeral grounds and just like they do in their movies, there was a part two of the family sitting at the same venue on Sunday. Call it “Eric Asante’s funeral Reloaded.”

Fast forward to the burial grounds where a very despicable act of ignorance or perhaps superstition transpired.

Amidst wailing and crying by loved ones, Ghanaian actress Vivian Jill Lawrence dropped her head gear and spectacles unto the coffin and asked it to be buried with the deceased; an act that got many heckle and attempt to remove the said materials as it had a spiritual significance in the local Akan setting.

She however managed to achieve her purpose as the materials were buried with the corpse.

MARRIAGE IS SWEET – OKYEAME KWAME

For many celebrities in Ghana and around the world, getting a partner of choice to marry is never a challenge. The problem, however, is keeping the relationship ‘intact’ till death do them part as the marriage is constantly threatened by the trappings of fame, including constant advances from members of the opposite sex.

For hiplife/hip-hop, rapper and songwriter, Okyeame Kwame, the road to marriage was quite a rough one following some major hiccups in his relationships with women but when he settled down five years ago with his sweet heart, Annica, he appears to have had things smooth sailing so far.

Yesterday the couple celebrated its fifth anniversary with a call on fellow celebrities in marital and romantic relationships to do well to avoid the pressures from outside their unions and build genuine friendships with their partners as a sure way to preserve their relationships.

“We work together, play together, and indeed do everything together and that is what is keeping us going,” Okyeame Kwame said and added that, “The nature of my job as a musician is such that if I leave my wife out completely, we are likely to grow apart so she is always by my side“.

His excited wife says it has been interesting knowing Kwame and that their belief in God and constant reading of the Bible as well as trying to apply the Word of God to their lifestyles has worked for them.

The couple is blessed with two children, Bota Nsiah Apaw and Sante Antwiwaa Nsiah Apaw.

Okyeame Kwame has been a professional singer for more than 15 years and is still a force to reckon with in the Ghanaian entertainment industry.

He began his musical career as one half of the hip-life group, Akyeame in 1997. They enjoyed six years of success releasing four albums until in 2003, Kwame and his partner Quofi, decided to try their hands at solo careers.

In 2004, he began his solo career and saw even more success come his way as his career quickly skyrocketed. In 2009, Okyeame Kwame picked up the much-coveted “Artiste of the Year” at the Ghana Music Awards, as well as Joy FM’s Nite With The Stars Award.

Okyeame Kwame also founded his own record label, One Mic Entertainment. He has over the course of his career produced countless hits, and won many awards and performed on many stages worldwide.

Mr Versatile as he is also called is currently the public relations officer for the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).

I’M DONE MAKING BABIES...

Over the weekend, Police Superintendent Kofi Sarpong, a popular gospel musician, was spotted by the cameras of 'News-One', cruising in town with one of his three children.

The musician said the boy, Nana Kobby Sarpong, is his second child. The last one, he revealed, was born on July 24, 2012, the very day President Atta Mills died but this news has been kept from the public.

It has always been reported by the media that Kofi Sarpong is married to a lovely woman by name Salomey, a very private person who does not want to be in the public eye and that they have three children.

“Oh three is enough. If God has blessed us with three children, why should we ask for more? So I can say yes, we stopped making babies after the third one,” Kofi Sarpong said this when NEWS-ONE asked him when he would have another child.

The award-winning Police Officer, 'News-One' gathered, has decided to put a hold on the release of his third album because the second one, ‘Agyenkwa’ is still making waves.

“I was advised that releasing the third one now would take the shine off the second album, the ‘Borborbor’ one, which is still doing fine on the market. So I had to slow down the third album a bit,” he revealed.

Kofi Sarpong indeed has a herculean task combining his duties as a senior Police Officer with that of a leading gospel musician and an award-winning one for that matter.

He is arguably one of the gospel musicians with the fastest growing fan base in Ghana now.

His ‘Agyenkwa’ album became an instant hit soon after its release.

It has unique traditional ‘borborbor’ rhythms from the Volta Region and a compilation of soul-touching melody with a couple of danceable tunes.

The police officer won Gospel Song of the Year award with his debut ‘Meto Ndwom’, and has consistently maintained his reputation as one of the most celebrated gospel musicians in Ghana and a toast of music concerts throughout the country.

His presence on the music scene has played a significant role in strengthening police-civilian relationship and he has become an unofficial goodwill ambassador for the Ghana Police Service.

Superintendent Kofi Sarpong is under the record label of Media Excel Production, managed by Ernest Kwasi Ennin.

MUSIGA DENIES BANNING JOEY B'S "TONGA"

News circulating has it that, Joey B’s popular song, ‘Tonga’ has been banned by the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).

According to the report, “Nana Kwame, the host of OC Showbiz Review on Skyy Power FM, Takoradi confirmed to the reporter that, the ‘Tonga’ song has been banned by MUSIGA. This was also confirmed to the Master Planner by the Composer himself, Joey B.”

Ghana.com can confirm that Joey B’s ‘Tonga’ song has not been banned by the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) as it was reported. Reacting to the story on Monday’s edition of the mid-morning show, ‘Brunch2Lunch’ on Radio Univers, Joey B’s manager, Gee told Bra Chef, host of the show that MUSIGA has not banned the song.

He added that the false information circulating is a game plan by some media men to send a message to Charter House, organizers of Ghana Music Awards not to nominate the song for this year’s awards ceremony. He continued that the song ‘Tonga’ is not profane and they have submitted it to Ghana Music Awards organisers.

A check by OMG!Ghana.com on MUSIGA’s twitter handle also proved that the song which features BET award-winner Sarkodie has not been banned.

Tweets by MUSIGA read:

Musiga is not a music censorship board… so we dont ban songs..we only appeal to members not to be explicit @GhanaMusicWeek @1RealJoeyB

— Musicians Union-GH (@Musigagh) January 19, 2014

We disassociate with such reportage @kaychills @ghanamove

— Musicians Union-GH (@Musigagh) January 19, 2014

MUSIGA DISTRIBUTES FIRST SET OF AGING MUSICIANS WELFARE FUND

Legendary highlife musician Nana Kwame Ampadu has commended the MUSIGA executives led by Bice Obour Kuffour for establishing the (Aging Musicians Welfare) AMWeF Fund.

Nana Kwame Ampadu was speaking at a meeting on Friday January 17th at MUSIGA where the first distribution for the AMWeF took place.

The distribution is based on funds raised by the AMWeF fund raising team since inauguration in August last year in fulfillment of the purpose for the establishment of the fund.

The AMWeF fund was launched as part of the AJUMAPA vision of the President of the Union, Bice Osei Kuffour to raise funds to support the many ageing and elderly musicians who are currently going through various degrees of emotional and financial challenges.

The Fund will make periodic financial distributions to support qualified musicians above sixty years and disabled musicians in times of need.

The distribution covered beneficiaries from Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, Western and Central regions. The Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions will receive their donations in next week.

Another veteran highlife musician Amesese Abrakyireba Kofi Sammy called on corporate Ghana, well meaning individuals and philanthropists to support the fund.

Speaking at the meeting, the MUSIGA President Bice Osei Kuffour aka Obour expressed appreciation to organizations that have supported the AMWeF Fund so far and urged others to do same. He congratulated the elder musicians for their contribution to society and urged them to continue to be mentors of the upcoming generation.

Present at the meeting were representatives of the Volta, Central and Eastern regions who received the amounts on behalf of the beneficiaries in their regions. Others included P.K Yamoah, A.K Yeboah, Rev Sam Cooper and Kwabena Donkor.

KOMLA DUMOR'S DEATH EQUALS THAT OF BOB MARLEY, NELSON MANDELA - KOJO ANTWI

Afro music sensation, Kojo Antwi has eulogized late broadcaster Komla Dumor who died last Saturday disclosing that his death is as painful as that of Bob Marley, Nelson Mandela and other legends.

According to the music maestro, he is yet to come to terms with the death of Komla Dumor, who hosted the BBC 'Focus on Africa' Programme until his death.

Kojo Antwi said Africa has lost a great asset and son.

He made these remarks in an interview with Myjoyonline.com Tuesday after signing the book of condolence opened at Joy FM in honour of the former Super Moring Show host on Joy FM.

According to the 'Adiepena' hit singer, "This is the feeling I got when Bob Marley passed away, this is the feeling I got when Lucky Dube passed away, this is the feeling I got when Nelson Mandela passed away. That's how I can described what we've lost."

Kojo Antwi recounted that, he "was privileged to have had interviews with him when he was with Joy FM. The last time I met him was just like a year ago. A company called Stratcomm was having a show that I was part of; I was the main act and Komla was the host."

Even as a musician, Kojo Antwi said he learnt a lot from the broadcaster: "I loved the way he approached his work with professionalism and if you want me to talk about Komla, [when] radio became big in Ghana, Komla could have decided to live in here and [considering] his caliber, he would have lived like a king but he left it all to go and fight for us as Africans.

"When he reported things about Africa, it was no more the White man's perception of Africa; It was somebody who is an African, who had lived here and he knows Africa very well and that's what we need," Kojo added.

Komla Dumor's exemplary life, the music maestro acknowledged, is very crucial to Africa; "We need that professionalism, people who will come in to set standards, people who will uplift the image of us as Africans."

Asked if Ghana and Africa will ever get another 'Boss Player', as the late Dumor is fondly called, Kojo Antwi said he believes that, "he left us some kind of footprints and I want the youth to look for those footprints and go further than Komla did. It is possible."

While refusing to give details, the music maestro hinted that he "may" compose and record a tribute song in Komla Dumor's memory.

"THEY SHOULDN'T NOMINATE ME!...IF THEY ARE NOT GIVING ME ANY AWARD" - SHATTA WALE WARNS VGMA

He used unprintable words in a song title “Me no need no award” to establish his displeasure after he lost the Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the year award to female dancehall artiste Kaakie, at last year’s Ghana Music Awards ceremony.

He caused commotion and broke glasses at the Accra International Conference Center after the awards, and insulted award winner Kaakie and Charterhouse organizers of the awards. That whole VGMA drama and controversy was dancehall artiste Shatta Wale’s claim to fame again, after almost a decade in hibernation.

It’s been almost a year now since he suddenly became the most sought after performer in Ghana. As the popular saying goes “A lot of water has passed under the bridge” in 2013 and the “Enter The Net” hitmaker has ‘cleaned up his closet’, putting all the problems he had with people behind him.

Within 2013, he apologized to Kaakie and Samini and ended the year with a public apology to Charterhouse during his performance at Ghana Rocks concert at the conference Center on December 27, and Charterhouse immediately accepted his apology with no hesitation. So obviously Shatta Wale was on a clean sheet to be nominated for the awards and perhaps win on the awards night, but trust Shatta Wale to take you by surprise just when you thought all was settled.

Shatta Wale, arguably the musician with the largest following in Ghana at present, has emphasized that in spite of all his apologies and expression of remorse, he still stands by the line in his song that states that he doesn’t need any award and that he doesn’t have any expectations at all as far as this year’s upcoming Ghana Music Awards is concerned.

Speaking on Peace FM’s “Entertainment Review”, Shatta Wale said he thinks that last year was the right time for him to win an award, but since he couldn't win, he has taken the whole issue of awards out of his mind.

“If I say I don’t need an award, I really mean I don’t need it to make a hit in Ghana. I don’t need any awards! If Ghana would really appreciate the kind of work I am, doing I don’t have a problem but if they don’t give it to me I will always create my music”.

Shatta Wale defused the speculations that he is desperate for awards, and that was why he apologized to Charterhouse at the time he did. “Basically, I just decided that let me just let bygones be bygones because we were entering a new year, so why don’t we forget certain things and move on, but it is not basically because of the awards”.

He said right from childhood he never had any thoughts of doing music, to win awards, because according to him the real award comes from God. “I don’t have that kind of mind from birth. I don’t know who gives awards in music apart from God and it is God who rewards. If Charterhouse feels I have insulted them and they don’t want to give me an award I don’t have a problem with them. It is their life it is their company. So I don’t have problem with them; I just felt that let me just apologize to them and just do what a child would do when he offends his parents”.

Asked if he is expecting any nominations and maybe win any awards, Shatta said he doesn't even know how an artiste is nominated for the awards, and Ghana Music Awards is really not part of his plans this year because he has a lot of travelling to do and it is possible he might not be in Ghana during the awards. But whatever happens his management will deal with it and he would still be performing and creating his music.

When Kwasi Aboagye host of the show, asked him if he would cause another commotion this year if he doesn't win any awards, he said; “Then they shouldn't nominate me and they shouldn't even invite me to the awards night for them to have another Osama bin Ladin kind of thing. They shouldn't invite me when they know they are not going to give me any award”.

He said, he was nominated without his knowledge last year, and he does not expect Charterhouse and the VGMA board to repeat the same mistakes.

Checkout pictures of Shatta Wale time at Peace FM. 

OKYEAME KWAME RUBBISHES RUMOUR

Ghana’s celebrated Artiste of the Year 2009, Okyeame Kwame, who is working tirelessly to release his new album, ‘African Connection’ this year, has denied rumours that he has plans of contesting the presidency of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).

Okyeame also denied having organised a meeting with some of the musicians and stakeholders in the industry behind closed doors to announce his presidential ambition.

Okyeame Kwame noted that he is solidly behind the current president of MUSIGA, Obour and his administration and that he has no intention of contesting the seat to become the president of the union.

“It is not true that I want to become the president of MUSIGA. I am not interested in that position. I have a lot to do as a musician. My career is more important than becoming the president of MUSIGA which will not be beneficial to me and my career as a musician.”

Speaking in an interview with 'Beatwaves', Okyeame said the current president of MUSIGA is a very good friend of his and he is doing a very good job for the industry.

“I am satisfied with Obour’s performance so far and will always support him in his efforts to build a vibrant music industry for the country. I will not betray him as a friend to contest for his position.”

Okyeame Kwame who recently launched his latest single, ‘Try Another Time’, which featured Nigerian musician J Martins, stressed that he did not want to waste his time and energy discussing issues that will not be beneficial his career.

“Based on his achievement so far I personally think Obour is still the best person to lead MUSIGA. He is a good friend and doing a good job for the industry. I have worked with him and I think he is the best to lead MUSIGA.”

Okyeame Kwame, however, called on all musicians to come together and work as a team to help the industry to progress, adding that together the musicians could change the status quo which has rendered the industry poor, although it represents wealth.