Entertainment
Kumerica trend has helped musicians in Kumasi- Amerado
Ghanaian rapper, Derrick Sarfo Kantanka, known in showbiz circles as Amerado has disclosed that the Kumerica trend during the latter part of last year helped artistes in Kumasi,the Ashanti Regional capital.
According to him, the craze put a spotlight on up and coming musicians in the Garden City of Ghana.
Speaking to The Spectator, he said, Kumerica had been a good omen and for that reason, the musicians could not let the people of Kumasi down, but rather worked harder to stay in the music game.
“The dominance of Ghana music by musicians from Kumasi has been down for long, and with this firm grips, we cannot let it slip but hold onto it,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to Shatta Wale for coming through to support them through collaboration and activation last year.
Amerado called on presenters, event organisers and other stakeholders to give artistes from Kumasi the necessary support to enable them take their craft to the next level.
The Yetee Nsem hit maker urged artistes within the region to be united and hold each other’s hand for a better future.
What started as a troll of young boys with an American accent and lifestyle, later became a compliment when people who are proud of the Kumasi culture defended and embraced these boys.
This did not stop there, they then went ahead to name almost all the towns in Kumasi to the likestates of America, and this brought a lot of attention to Kumasi.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
TGMA unveils nominees this Saturday
The air is electric in Ghana’s music scene as the long-anticipated nominee announcement for the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) is nearly here.
Music lovers should mark their calendars for Saturday, March 15, when the nominees will be revealed live on TV3 and across the Ghana Music Awards official social media channels.
This year’s nominations promise to be some of the most competitive yet. After weeks of submissions and meticulous deliberations, music fans across the country will finally learn which artists and groups will be contending for the highly coveted awards.
The Road to the Nominees Announcement
It all began on January 21, 2025, when nominations officially opened for the TGMA. Artists and groups had until 16th February to submit their works released between January 1, and December 31, 2024.
The response was nothing short of phenomenal, with over 1,500 entries pouring in from more than 130 talented artists and groups—a true testament to the dynamic and ever-growing nature of Ghana’s music industry.
The Deliberation Process
Once the deadline passed, an expert panel of industry insiders and stakeholders rolled up their sleeves for the daunting task of sifting through the entries.
The review process was thorough, with each submission evaluated based on a set of specific criteria to ensure only the most deserving artists and groups made it onto the shortlist.
The final selections were validated by the TGMA board and key industry players, ensuring transparency and fairness every step of the way.
The Big 5 Categories: The Showstoppers
While every category brings its own set of thrills, the Big 5 awards are the ultimate crown jewels. These prestigious categories will be revealed live on TV3 on Saturday, 15th March, it includes; Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Telecel Most Popular Song, New Artiste and Artiste of the Year.
The Telecel Ghana Music Awards: Celebrating Excellence
The Telecel Ghana Music Awards play an essential role in showcasing and celebrating the best of Ghana’s musical talent. By recognizing excellence, the awards inspire artists to reach new creative heights while fueling the growth of the industry.
They also serve as a unifying force, bringing together artists, industry leaders, and music lovers in a shared celebration of Ghanaian music.
With Ghana’s top artists and groups battling it out for the prestigious honors, the anticipation is at an all-time high. As the music industry continues to evolve, the TGMA remains a true benchmark of excellence.
Entertainment
Ghana need industry bank to fund talents — Rocky Jigga
Ghanaian UK-based afrobeat singer, Emmanuel Rocky Gyeniaw Jnr known in entertainment circles as Rocky Jigga has expressed the need for an industry bank to fund talents.
According to him, this will help Ghanaian musicians to compete effectively with their foreign counterparts.
Rocky Jigga believes that many talented musicians have coiled back into their shells due to funding challenges.
“There’s more room for improvement. The industry needs more investors from both the government and private sector at large. We need an industry bank that funds talents, events and everything entertaining,” he said.
Rocky Jigga recently released ‘Slow Down,’ featuring Ball J.
The song which came with its video was produced by B Boat and it emphasised a man’s preference for an ideal woman irrespective of the size.
