Entertainment
Rocky Dawuni readies for AfroZons Pre-GRAMMY Nomination Celebration on Saturday
Afrozons Celebrates African GRAMMY Nominees Rocky Dawuni, Tobe Nwigwe, Eddy Kenzo, Nomcebo Zikode, Angelique Kidjo & more at the AfroZon Pre-GRAMMY Celebration Party on Saturday, February 4 from 2-6pm at Habor House in Downtown Los Angeles
Afrozons founder, Sheila O, recently played host to Nigerian born American-based rapper, Tobe Nwigwe and Ghanaian musician and activist Rocky Dawuni in Lagos, Nigeria to celebrate the first leg of the Afrozons Pre-Grammy Celebration.
Nwigwe, who also doubles as an actor, is nominated for “Best New Artist,” while Dawuni is nominated for “Best Global Music Performance” for his single “Neva Bow Down” featuring Jamaica’s Blvk H3ro.
Dawuni who is nominated for his 3rd GRAMMY Award, states “African music right now is impacting the world, it has always impacted the world. But the world never acknowledged it because you only have to look at popular music and you know that the influences were more of a cultural conversation between the motherland and the Diaspora. But now with the power of the internet we have seen our music circumvent many of the traditional gatekeepers who used to define what the African sound is. I believe this is a new chapter in African music.”
Dawuni’s signature Afro Roots style is a musical genre that reflects modern Africa. It is built upon the foundation of using cultural styles and integrating current innovations to create conscious music that is inspiring, soul stirring and danceable.
As a dedicated activist, Rocky has been a leading voice for social and environmental transformation and currently serves as UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa, amongst other designations.
GRAMMY nominees including Burna Boy, Eddy Kenzo and a host of others will be attending the event in Los Angeles on February 4.
AfroZons is the first-ever Afrobeats show on a major US radio FM network. It is now a weekly, nationally syndicated showcase of the latest cultural trends, topical conversations and music from the afro diaspora, including urban fusion sounds from the western world. AfroZons, “where hip-hop meets afrobeats,” bridges the gap between the global afro culture and the American urban culture by highlighting the array of sounds and cultures from the continent.
Source: Cary Sullivan
Entertainment
Redeemed Baptist Church congratulates trio
Three members of the Redeemed Baptist Church in Ogbojo – Emerita Professor Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf, Mrs Florence Mangwe Hutchful and Mrs Comfort Owusu, were among 22 award recipients for their exceptional contribution to national development at the 10th Ghana Women of Excellence Awards ceremony held in Accra.
The trio were recognised for their exceptional performances in their respective field of endeavours.
Emerita Ardayfio-Schandorf is a seasoned geographer and Chairperson of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), Mrs Hutchful comes in as the first President of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana and Mrs Owusu as the Executive Director of the Association of Rural Banks (ARB) Ghana.
The awards, held on the eve of the International Women’s Day, is a component of Ghana’s observation of the Day which was under the theme ‘Empowering the Ghanaian woman for National Development.”
The clergy and congregation of the Redeemed Baptist Church says Ayekoo to the award winners.
Entertainment
TGMA unveils nominees for 26th edition
Organisers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) have unveiled nominations for the 26th edition of the awards.
A ceremony to unveil the awards held last Saturday at the Grand Arena was filled with shocks, surprises, and excitement.
The ultimate category, Artiste of the Year will see, Kweku Smoke, Joe Mettle, Team Eternity, King Promise, Black Sherif, King Paluta and reigning champion, Stonebwoy.
King Paluta, King Promise and Stonebwoy
Best New Artiste of the Year, a key category for the emerging talents to make a mark will feature Lali X Lola, Arathejay, Rap Fada, Beeztrap KOTM, and Kwesi Amewugah.
Lovers of gospel music will have a tough time choosing Empress Gifty, Joe Mettle, Team Eternity, Piesie Esther, Diana Hamilton or MOG Music as the Gospel Artiste of the Year.
Medikal, Sarkodie, King Paluta, Black Sherif, Kweku Smoke, Beeztrap and Amerado will battle it out for the Best Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of the Year crown.
A category which would generate controversy is the Best Rap Performance with a fierce contest between Sarkodie, Okyeame Kwame, Eno Barony, Lyrical Joe, Flowking Stone and Kweku Smoke.
There are other interesting categories like Highlife Song of the Year, Telecel Most Popular Song, Male and Female Vocalists of the Year among others up for grabs for the 26th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
The reigning Artiste of the Year, Stonebwoy was nominated in the same category again in addition to Album/EP of the Year – “Up and Running”, Best Reggae/Dancehall Song – “Psalm 23”, Best Music Video – “Jejereje”, Best Reggae Dancehall Artiste, International Collaboration of the Year – “Ekelebe” featuring OdumoduBlvck, “Jiggle And Whine” featuring Spice, and Most Popular Song – “Jejereje”.
This year’s edition of Ghana’s biggest music night comes off on May 3, 2025, at the Accra International
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
