Entertainment
VGMA23 nominations: The excitements, surprises and contests
It is the time of the year when musicians who have excelled in the year under review stay glued to look out for how their works were considered by organisers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
For this reason, the organisers of the scheme after months of assessing and analysing inputs received, have released list of nominations for this year’s awards.
Like every year, this year’s list did not come without surprises, excitements, and keen contests.
Whereas some feel they deserve every slot in the nominations, others and their fans also feel their works were not unduly ignored and dissappointed.
In the Artiste of the Year category, it would be a tough contest for Ghana’s decorated rapper, Sarkodie, former Artiste of the Year, Kuami Eugene, ladies favourite, KiDi, sensational Black Sherif and one of Ghana’s best exports, King Promise and gospel dynamo, Joe Mettle.
The Vodafone Most Popular song of the Year would be a fierce battle among, King Promise – Slow Down, Ohemaa Mercy ft MoG Music – Ote Me Mu, Okyeame Kwame ft Kuami Eugene – Yeeko, Gyakie ft Omah Lay – Forever Remix, Darkovibes ft Davido – Je M’appelle, KiDi – Touch It, Black Sherif – Second Sermon (2nd), Kuami Eugene – Dollar On You, Joe Mettle – Ye Obuame, Fameye – Praise, Sefa – EChoke, and Mr. Drew – Mood.
Gospel Artiste of the year competition has Empress Gifty, Ohemaa Mercy, Joe Mettle, Celestine Donkor, Obaapa Christy, Diana Hamilton, Akese Brempong and MOG Music slugging it out.
It would be a huge contestin search of the one who rhythmically crafts messages with precision and dexterity, thus, the Best Rap Performance category has Lyrical Joe – 5Th August, Strongman – Last Verse, Obibini – Wudini, Teephlow – WonteAse3, Sarkodie – Rollies And Cigars and Amerado – The Throne ‘lock horns’
New Artiste of the Year will see the Echoke hit maker, Sefa, prove her mettle against, Black Sherif, Scott Evans, Mona 4 Reall, Kweku Darlington and Kwame Yogot
For the Album of the Year, it is a straight contest among, Album Of The Sarkodie – No Pressure, KiDi –The Golden Boy, Joe Mettle – Experience, Akwaboah – Lighthouse, D Black – Loyalty, and Kuami Eugene – The Afro Highlife.
There are other categories like, Song Writer of the Year, Best Reggae / Dancehall Artiste, Record Of The Year, Best Video of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Best Video, and Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste among others.
Clearly, the indication in various categories shows that winning the ultimate would not be on a silver platter, one would have to work hard to merit the crown.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Prophet Atarah opens new studio, launches Atarah Praise 2025
Prophet Joseph Atarah has launched his annual event aimed at bringing believers together in an atmosphere of worship and praise.
The theme for this edition is ‘Restoration’ with the belief that patrons would be restored in the face of their challenges.
The programme will be in two parts, with the first scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom at 5pm on May 11, at Pleasant Place Church.
The Ghana edition will take place at the forecourt of Believer’s Grace Crown Ministry International, Bond Square, Adenta Barrier, at 4pm on May 25.
Prophet Atarah has paraded Piesie Esther, Kofi Owusu Peprah, Nana Yaw Asare and Mavis Asante among others for the Ghana edition.
For the UK edition, patrons will enjoy performances from Kofi Owusu Peprah, Kobby Mantey, Emmanuel Smith, and Ern Ruthy.
Speaking at the launch, Prophet Atarah said, God has been good throughout last year, and 2025 has started on a positive note.
Against this backdrop, he wants to bring believers together and, in unity, to praise God.
He said, like what happened last year, a lot of miracles will take place.
In a related development, Prophet Atarah also commissioned a new studio for rehearsals and live recordings.
This, he said, was not limited to him, but open to every musician across all genres.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Sista Afia keen on winning Highlife Artiste of the Year crown
Ghanaian music diva, Sista Afia is keen on winning the Highlife Artiste of the Year crown.
Sista Afia, the only female nominated in a category with men, had 27 successful shows,both locally and internationally, within the year under review.
This notwithstanding, she believes that the number of music releases coupled with numerous performances across the country and abroad puts her in pole position to win the ultimate.
She is of the belief that as the only female in the category testifies the level of work she put in to be amongst the men.
Sista Afia has therefore urged the board, the academy and the general public to vote for her massively to win the crown.
For the past 10 years, she has poured her heart and soul into preserving and innovating Ghana’s beloved highlife sound, weaving modern rhythms with soulful melodies that keep the genre alive in the hearts of the youth.
While trends have come and gone, Sista Afia stayed true to her roots, giving us timeless music that tells real stories, our stories.
What makes her presence powerful isn’t just her voice or her music; it’s her message. In every note she sings, there’s a quiet defiance. A reminder that women, too, can carry the legacy of highlife.
The 26th TGMA is slated to take place on May 10 at the Grand Arena.
The event will see varied performances and artistes who have distinguished themselves in the year under review rewarded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
