Entertainment
Grammy Academy CEO reveals consideration for Afrobeats category
Mixed reactions have trailed the revelation of the Grammy Academy CEO Mr. Harvey Manson that the Academy is considering adding an Afrobeats category to its prestigious award.
Speaking at the meet-the-press session at the Kotoka International Airport when he touched down for the 13th edition of the Grow, Unite, Build Africa (GUBA) Awards, slated for September 29, 2022, at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda.
He disclosed that the academy has kicked off the first process in the long road to adding an Afrobeats category to the Grammys. “The categories are decided by members of the awards scheme who look at quality. Whatever comes in is voted on after carefully accessing it,” he said.
According to Harvey, the academy had a meeting with Afrobeats creatives that includes artists, producers, songwriters, and executives where they talked about Afrobeats and its many Genres.
He further revealed that the members of the academy will have to submit a proposal for the addition of a new category before deliberations will kick off. However, the listening session with the Afrobeats leaders is the first step.
What this means: the addition of an Afrobeats category to the Grammys will mean that songs that fall under the Afrobeats subgenre will be eligible for nomination.
While the Afrobeats is primarily a description of Nigerian and Ghanaian mainstream music, the West has often muddled it up with any sound coming from Saharan Africa. The implication is that South African genres such as House, Amapiano, and Kwaito might be considered Afrobeats. Similarly, Congolese sounds like the Soukous or the East African Singile might be termed Afrobeats.
It will be up to the Academy to adequately identify the essential elements that make a song Afrobeats as doing this will be the first step in truly awarding the right songs irrespective of where it’s made.
In the meantime, Harvey Mason will be meeting some stakeholders in the Ghana music industry tonight to discuss the way forward for the sector and other related matters.
The meeting, he pointed out will afford him the opportunity to learn more about Ghana’s music business including its royalty system among many other relevant conversations focused on the growth of the entertainment industry.
Source: starrfm.com.gh
Entertainment
Taste 68@68: Okyeame Kwame wins Celebrity Jollof Competition with Vegan recipe
Multiple award-winning Ghanaian musician and activist, Okyeame Kwame, known in private life as Kwame Nsia-Apau has been adjudged winner of the ‘Taste 68 @68’ Celebrity Jollof Competition.
The ‘Taste 68 @68’ Celebrity Jollof Competition was an event organised by the Ghana Tourism Authority(GTA) as part of activities to mark the country’s Heritage Month recently.
The event held at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park brought together industry players among others.
Okyeame Kwame competed with Mr.Beautiful, Uncle Ato, Victoria Lebene and Joyce Blessing.
The Rap Dacta called his food, the Vegan Jollof funnily some of the spectators claimed his Jollof could ‘lower global warming’ due to the ingredients used.
He used mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes, rice, oil and other vegetables.
The protein source was seitan which is made from wheat gluten.
Ultimately, he overcame other culinary skills from his competitors for the ultimate crown.
Okyeame Kwame expressed his appreciation to everyone who tasted it and urged Ghanaians to consider it as part of their delicacies, adding that it is healthier.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GTA Mr.Gilbert Aggrey, affectionately called Abeiku Santana said Okyeame Kwame won the competition not because he is famous and likeable.
According to him, Okyeame understood gastronomy tourism and techniques in culinary artistry, a strength he leveraged against his competitors.
He added that “if you look at the presentation of his meals he used cucumber to garnish his food by creating a design with his initials, OK, Okyeame Kwame. In gastronomy tourism, there should be a story and motivation behind the food that you have prepared.”
Abeiku Santana further noted that Okyeame Kwame’s presentation was outstanding considering how he linked food to climate change and the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals.
He congratulated him for emerging as the winner of the competition.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Miss Ghana 2025 finalists unveiled
The talented 16 contestants have been unveiled at a grand ceremony held at the Tang Palace Hotel in Accra last Saturday.
These finalists made the cut following gruelling auditions in November 2024, where young women from across the country showcased their beauty, intelligence, and passion for service.
According to the organisers, the search is for a queen who exemplifies selflessness, intelligence, discipline, and dedication to societal service.
The contestants will go through calculated weekly tasks ahead of the highly anticipated grand finale on March 29, 2025.
Each contestant will now represent their respective regions as they compete for the prestigious Miss Ghana 2025 crown.
Organised by Exclusive Events Ghana and Miss Ghana Foundation, the Miss Ghana pageant is more than just a beauty competition.
As part of the modalities, the winner will not only represent Ghana on the global stage at Miss World but will also lead charitable initiatives under the Miss Ghana Foundation, focusing on supporting vulnerable communities.
The contestants expressed their readiness to prove their mettle in the competition for the ultimate.
This year’s pageant is being sponsored by Bullet TV and supported by Gold Presence, Tang Palace Hotel, Belaqua, Bel Beverages Ghana, Pippa’s Health Centre, Central Hotel, Accra, Airport Women’s Hospital, Renault Ghana, and Premium Motors Limited.
The rest include Dainess Chefs School, Eye360security, Hottees Ghana, Dyeweb fabrics, BELLE cosmetics, Akagres bakery, Blaq travels and Kingdom Books & Stationery among others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
