Entertainment
Afrobeats gets a place on America Music Awards
The American Music Awards (AMAs) has introduced a category dedicated to recognising Afrobeats.
The new category is called ‘Favourite Afrobeats Artist’.
It is the first award in a major US award show dedicated to recognising African artistes that have transcended the African borders with the now globally recognised genre.
Fans of Afrobeats artistes can vote for their favourite stars who have been nominated. Unfortunately, for the category’s debut, no Ghanaian act was nominated.
The nominees for the 2022 AMA ‘Favourite Afrobeats Artist’ are; Burna Boy, CKay, Fireboy DML, Tems, and Wizkid.
Tems has another nomination in the ‘Collaboration of the Year’ category for her collab on Wait For U with Future and Drake.
Meanwhile, Afrobeats is not the only music genre to have a spot in the AMAs.
The K-Pop genre also landed a category. The category is named ‘Favourite K-Pop Artist’. Fans of K-Pop also now have the chance to vote for their favourite artiste or group.
The K-Pop artists nominated are Blackpink, BTS, Seventeen, Tomorrow X Together and Twice.
BTS is also nominated in the ‘Favourite Pop Duo or Group category.’
This comes weeks after calls for The Recording Academy, organisers of Grammy, to add Afribeats as a category to the awards scheme.
In September, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Recording Academy said there is a possibility the event will in the near future have a category for Afrobeats.
Speaking to the media on his arrival in Ghana, Harvey Mason Jr, noted that The Recording Academy recently had a meeting with leaders of the Afrobeats community including producers, songwriters, executives and others to learn more about the genre – and will continue to do so.
“We just talked about what are the different sub-genres (of Afrobeats), the needs, the desires, and my goal is to represent all genres of music including Afrobeats at the Grammys, but it has to be done properly,” Mr Mason said.
Meanwhile, in March 2022, Billboard created the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart – a standard record chart ranking the 50 most popular Afrobeats songs in the United States weekly.
Source: www.myjoyonline.com
Entertainment
The Ghana Dance Association poised to soar high in the USA in 2025
The Ghana Dance Association has announced a series of cultural engagements and performances across the United States in 2025.
These events aim to showcase the richness of African traditions and foster cultural exchange between Africa and the African diaspora on the theme, ‘The Door of Return’.
Some of the key activities or events are as follows, Black History Festival in New York City from February 26 to March 1, 2025, Ohio Black Expo, Columbus, OH from May 24-26, 2025, Juneteenth Festival in College Park City, Atlanta, GA from June 15-16, 2025; Juneteenth Celebration, New York City from June 19-20, 2025, Global Goals Arts Festival, Walnut Hill Park, New Britain, CT from August 11-16, 2025; Global Africa Forum, and many others.
A special delegation of performers made up of dancers, singers, instrumentalists, choreographers and the director and the President of Association will be performing at the above programmes in collaboration with other local groups in the US to demonstrate the indigenous cultural unique dances in grand style.
There will also be workshops and educational sessions included at major locations, offering local communities the opportunity to engage with Ghanaian and African traditions through drumming, storytelling, and dance.
In their recent appearance the Ghana Dance Association made up of groups such as Sususma Pan African Dance Ensemble, Ghana Cultural Ballet, Sasa Cultural Troupe, Dromo Dance Ensemble and Sasa Cultural Troupe performed a sneak peak of their Door of Return cultural performance to the relish of the participants and guests at the African Diaspora Business and Development Stakeholders Workshop, held at the prestigious Bayview Village Conference Room in Atomic Junct
Entertainment
Oncemore Six to headline Symphonic Gospel Meets Orchestra 2024
Symphonic Music Ghana is set for the 4th edition of the Symphonic Gospel Meets Orchestra concert, scheduled for December 22 at The Palms Convention Centre in Accra.
This year’s event will feature renowned South African gospel artiste Oncemore Six as the main performer.
The singer is known for his powerful worship songs like “Here on our knees” and “Ohlonishwayo”.
‘Oncemore Six’ has inspired audiences across Africa with his heartfelt music.
Joining him on stage will be a lineup of talented gospel musicians, including Grace Charles, Shadrach Kwesi Mensah, Efe Grace, Charnté Eseyin, Lordina The Soprano, Kofi Owusu Peprah, Luigi Maclean, Enuonyam, and more. This diverse group of artistes promises to deliver a memorable evening of worship and praise.
The concert aims to blend contemporary gospel music with classical orchestral elements, creating a unique and uplifting experience for all attendees. As a live recording event, it offers the audience an opportunity to be part of a significant moment in Ghana’s gospel music scene.
The tickets are still available for purchase.
You can’t miss this opportunity to experience a night of powerful worship and musical excellence. Mark your calendars for tomorrow and join at The Palms Convention Center for an unforgettable evening.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie