Ghana Music Awards kicks off
At a press briefing held at the World Trade Centre in Accra on Tuesday, the Board Chairman of the 2016 VGMA Selection Committee, Nii Ayittey Hammond mentioned some changes in this year’s event.
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the changes include the exclusion of the Gospel Album of the Year, the Industry Awards night and the merger of Lifetime Achievement award and MUSIGA Merit award.
According to Nii Ayittey Hammond, the Gospel Album of the Year has been scrapped since there were not enough entries to earn a spot.
Also, in its quest to give all the industry players some attention and recognition, there won’t be Industry Awards as well.
“Lifetime Achievement award and MUSIGA Merit award will be merged this year. Making music with positive lyrics is not enough. It must be backed by viable projects that support the message.
“Again, it was difficult filling up the nominations for this year so it will not be awarded. The Board is contemplating making it an honorary award in the next years,” Mr Hammond disclosed.
One exciting twist that the organisers have added to this year’s awards is the announcement of the various categories on EIB Networks- Starr FM, Live FM, Kasapa FM, Gh One TV, Empire, Ultimate FM and Agoo FM yesterday
The unveiling of the nominations list was later climaxed in the evening with a party at the Kempinsky Hotel Gold Coast yesterday for official voting to begin.
Currently, there are 28 categories covering Highlife, Hiphop, Reggae, Dancehall, Gospel, Afro pop, Song writer, Music producer and other special honours to recognise deserving artistes for their works in the year under review.
Also, Charterhouse disclosed that this year’s Nominees Jam to celebrate Ghanaian music and culture will take place in Ho.
The VGMA, which is in its 17th, year, has celebrated Ghanaian music and artistes and this year’s theme, “Let The Music Play Live” is to encourage the artistes to nurture their skills of playing live band music.
Some artistes who have won the VGMA Artiste of the Year are Daddy Lumba, Okyeame Kwame, Lord Kenya, Kwaw Kese, Obour, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, VIP and Stonebwoy.
