NOMINATIONS OFFICIALLY CLOSED FOR VODAFONE GHANA MUSIC AWARDS 2014

The 2013/2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards board would like to inform the general public, musicians and music industry players that nominations for this year’s awards are officially closed.

The nominations window was closed at midnight, Friday 31st January 2014.

Categorizations of noteworthy works submitted are currently being done for works churned out between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2013.

Works submitted that are found to have been released before or after the calendar dates will be disqualified.

The final list will be made public at the Grand launch of VGMA 2014 on the 1st of March 2014.

The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards is organized by Charterhouse and proudly sponsored by Vodafone.

PPP'S EVA LOKKO COLLAPSED CONCERT PARTY IN GHANA - ACTOR

Ghanaian local actor, Akwasi Boadi, popularly known in movie circles as "Akrobeto", has accused the 2012 Vice Presidential candidate of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) of collapsing comic theatre in Ghana. The theatre play which was commonly called 'Concert party' in the golden old days became the focal point in show business in Ghana which was the paramount source of entertainment to many Ghanaians. Concert party used to play a great role in Ghana's entertainment scene and during the age of the concert parties, it was very rare to find Ghanaians not glued to their television screens catching some fun and laughing their hearts out. Concert party saw the likes of Kofi Adu, popularly called Agya Koo, Akrobeto, Bob Okala, KaKaiku, Ice Water among other very funny comedians all on one stage performing to the delight of their patrons. In fact, one could not do away with Concert party because Ghanaians really relished the moments watching these people display their acts. But today, Concert party has hit the rocks and once a lucrative venture has now turned sour as many people are discouraged to enter the comedy industry. Speaking in an interview with Delores Frimpong Manso on the Delay show on Friday, February 7, 2013; Akrobeto blamed Mrs. Eva Lokko for the downfall of Concert party in Ghana. He explained that at the time Mrs. Lokko was the Director-General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), she managed to increase the airtime charges for the sponsors of the Concert party, Unilever Ghana Limited. The charges, according to Akrobeto, were so exorbitant that it became a major disincentive to the sponsor who opted out of the comedy industry. As a result, Concert party could not be televised on the State-owned Broadcaster and obviously, Mrs. Eva Lokko's orders discouraged Akrobeto and the likes who depended on Concert party to make a living for themselves, from continuing their comic careers. However, Akrobeto was grateful he found a new way to fend for himself by moving into the local movie scene, which recently has taken Ghana's movie industry by storm. With the influx of new talents and personalities trooping into the local movie scene, Akrobeto said he is never morose nor regretful about his past job.

I DID NOT GO FOR NOSE JOB-YVONNE OKORO

Actress Yvonne Okoro has dispelled reports that she had done a “nose job”. She told NEWS-ONE on Tuesday that she appreciates her God-given looks.
Media reports early this week claimed that the beautiful actress has a near perfect nose.

They concluded that the ‘Contract’ actress, whose first produced movie had multiple nominations for the upcoming 2014 AMVCAs, had gone for a “nose job”, after comparing her nose in different photos of hers.

But the actress, who returned home few days ago after weeks of filming in Nigeria, said she found the reports unfortunate.

“I just posted a picture of myself and said my nose was so long, I smell anything from abroad from this distance. I don’t think that means I am saying I had a nose job. I have my natural nose on. I have not done anything to it. Please let us try to be decorous and not forget standards in our endeavours.

“I totally appreciate the way I look. It is how God created me and I won’t do anything to alter His creation. I believe we are all doing our different works in the industry, so I do expect bloggers to do their part very well. I don’t want to be the one to tell them to do the right thing,” Yvonne said.

I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR BANDEX …SONY ACHIBA FIRES BACK

London-based Ghanaian artiste, Sony Achiba, yesterday described the statement made against him by Ahmed Banda, a music and movie producer, that he (Sony) washes plates and does menial jobs in London for a living, as very unfortunate.

He asked, “How can somebody like Banda who does not know much about me and my family go on radio and say things about me without any evidence to substantiate it?”

Sony Achiba who was able to sell 250,000 copies of his music album in three months some years back said he was shocked to hear such comments from Bandex; someone he respects so much, adding that he has never washed plates in London for a living and even in his own house he does not wash plates.

“I have not spoken with Bandex for the past years. I met him two years ago when I was in Ghana to perform at Back In The Day concert. I have never washed plates in London for a living as he claimed. I was surprised when I heard the news.”

Speaking from London in an interview with BEATWAVES, Sony Achiba said he was shocked that Banda, also known as Bandex, who had a reputation to protect, could make such statements.

Sony Achiba said, “I don’t have a problem with Bandex for him to go on radio to tarnish my image. I don’t have time for him because I have a lot to do as a musician to meet the challenges ahead of me. I don’t want to waste my time on things that will not benefit my musical career”.

He disclosed that the comments made about him by Bandex were in a very bad taste, and that one of his business partners had want to sue Bandex but “I had to calm him down with the excuse that it will be a waste of time and also it will be of no benefit”.

Sony said he was currently working on his new album and would be visiting Ghana very soon to put finishing touches to it before its release in Ghana.

OSITA IHEME 'PAWPAW' SET TO MARRY GHANAIAN LOVER

Popular Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme also known as 'Pawpaw' may be getting married soon.

His screen twin brother Chinedu Ikedieze also known as Aki got married some years back while Osita has remained single.

According to reliable sources, wedding plans are on the way for the actor to wed his Ghanaian sweetheart and it would happen soon.

Osita who didn't wait to let out a lot, he says he is getting married to a Ghanaian lady, and they are opting for a secret wedding.

Recall that Osita was spotted on the beach chilling with a beautiful Ghanaian actress, Nana Ama McBrown sometime in November.

We are watching and will bring you more.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOSPEL MUSIC IS - MZBEL

Showstopper, singer, Mzbel, has announced her comeback after a two-year break from the music stage to have her first baby. But Mzbel's fans who fell in love with her because of her risqué music and giddy performances may have to reconsider their preferences.

"Yes, I am ready to get back to business next month and I can’t start doing what I have always loved to do, which is to entertain people, but I won't be back as the old Mzbel people know me. “ I have rebranded myself to demonstrate my maturity over the years and that will be evident in my music as well as my appearances. I will however remain sexy but in a matured way,”she told Showbiz last Tuesday.

The 'Awoso Me' hitmaker who had to take a break from her career to make time for her baby she had in March last year, said it is very important to rebrand herself after the long hiatus because she is now a mother and needed to serve as a role model to her children, both biological and the adopted ones, would be proud of.

“I can't imagine being on stage and behaving like a teenager. Times have changed for me and the days that I really didn't bother much about what I did and the subsequent criticisms are over.

“That is not to say that I won’t be entertaining on stage again. Far from that because I sill still rock the stage and will do my do my best to entertain my audiences. The only difference will be the Mzbel that will be on the stage will not perform songs with risqué lyrics and wear clothes that will reveal much of her body.

"Those days arc gone and they are not with me anymore,” she said.
She said that her change had nothing to do with church which she has come to love. She disputed claims that she is likely to follow in the paths of lord Kenya and Ofori Amponsah as a gospel artiste.

"Yes, I have heard a lot of speculation that Mzbel will do gospel music and I ask myself ‘what is gospel music?'. I don't even know what gospel music is. Is it calling the name of Jesus in your songs that makes your songs gospel? If that is it, then I don't intend to do that but my songs will be inspiring as they will BE entertaining enough for people to 'jam with" the said.

Mzbel said although she is aware that the local music scene is full with great talent, a situation that has created stiff competition, she was hopeful she will still garner the support of her fans on her return.

"For me, I'm not competing with anyone because we can't all listen to Bccca, Efya, Tiffany or Mzbel at the same time. Definitely, there would be a need for a change and so I believe I still have my place out there.

"For now, I am bidding time until Aaron, my son, turns one year old next month and then I will get back to the studios and be in full swing. By April or May this year, my two new singles should be out and that will be from the new Mzbel,” she said.

SIDNEY REACTS

Ghana’s most controversial hiplife artiste, Barima Sidney, who always makes an impression with the kind of musical works he produces, yesterday denied reports that Ghanaian hiplife artistes are poor.

He disclosed that though they are doing music as a professional business, most of them have made it to the extent that some even run other businesses.

Sidney noted that although people looked down upon Ghanaian artistes, he believed he and his colleagues were doing very well on the music scene in Ghana.

He insisted that the hiplife artistes in Ghana are making a lot of money because their songs are recognized in Ghana and beyond.

“Some of my colleagues are into other business such as importation of musical equipment, event management and production among others.

“Apart from music I am also into events management. I also do a lot of commercial for companies to support my music business. Ghanaian artistes are not poor as being speculated,” he said.

He claimed that a number of the artistes have acquired a great deal of wealth through music and their popularity has also attracted a large number of event organizers who put down a ton of cash to invite them to grace their occasions.

Some of them, he said, have also secured endorsement deals from a number of companies in and outside the country and have made a lot of money for themselves.

He stressed that although those who started hiplife music over a decade ago did not make enough money for themselves, today those in the music industry have made a lot of money.