The Ghana Music Awards Festival seeks to honour musicians in the Ghanaian music calendar that have excelled during a certain period ranging from highlife to gospel to hiplife to African pop.

This year was filled with a lot of swerves, jeers, cheers, tears and shocking award winners but all the same it has happened.

The biggest surprise for the night was King Ayisoba who scooped the highest award – “Most Popular song of the Year”; the other favourite winners were Samini, Kwaku Gyasi and Obrafour.

The much talked about award ceremony Ghana Music Awards Festival 2007 (Golden Jubilee Edition) has finally come to an end. But most of the award winners are taking it easy and others have returned to the studio booth to bring out more songs.

Ghana Music.com decided to have an interview with the highest winners and see what’s been happening with them.

SAMINI

Ghana Music.com: Your performance was amazing. Did you rehearse that performance? I mean how did you get the audience to rhyme with you?
Samini: I did everything myself. I rehearsed only once with the band. The secret is you put yourself in the act and get the observers into the same act. It was a freestyle performance but my concentration wasn’t there that much because it was an award show not a concert and my time too was limited but I was still able to carry the day.

Ghana Music.com: What award took you by surprise?
Samini: Artiste of the Year, I had the feel for it because it was a serious category with serious nominees.

Ghana Music.com: So now is there pressure on you to do more?
Samini: Of course, with every honour comes new stuff from you.

Ghana Music.com: With all these bag of awards, what’s the ultimate?
Samini: Am urging myself to the GRAMMY.

Ghana Music.com: GMA is over, what’s cooking in your camp?
Samini: Hmmm, Am still recording and might drop some singles as to what happens in the society.

OFORI AMPONSAH

Ghana Music.com: So what’s the feeling?
Ofori Amponsah: Am reorganizing my self. I want to follow the constituency by releasing a new album this year.

Ghana Music.com: Ghana Music Awards 2008, what should people expect next year?
Ofori Amponsah: Am not thinking of the awards but rather focusing on spreading to other areas with my music.

Ghana Music.com: What award were you amazed with?
Ofori Amponsah: Producer of the Year, It took me by surprise.

Ghana Music.com: From Otoolege to Emmanuella to …?
Ofori Amponsah: It’s now Highlife time and then after there would be some surprises. But I would be producing more unknown artistes just like the way I have done with Kofi B.

KING AYSIOBA

Ghana Music.com: When you entered the auditorium, what was the feeling like?
Ayisoba: When I entered, there was hope in me. And I knew if there was no cheating, I would win a lot of awards.

Ghana Music.com: How do you feel beating Ofori Amponsah, Samini and Kwaku Gyasi to the Most Popular Song?
Ayisoba: Because I had hope, I knew I would win against them. My song is been sang in the Northern and Southern parts of Ghana more than songs.

Ghana Music.com: What keeps you strong when you play the Kolgo ‘live’ on stage?
Ayisoba: I have my own style and I don’t play along any instrumental to use. It’s an inbuilt thing. When I was 3 years, I started playing the Kolgo instrument that my grandpa transferred on me.

Ghana Music.com: So what is going through your mind now?
Ayisoba: Am so happy and will like to say a big thank you to all those who voted for me. I would take Ghana far.

Ghana Music.com: When is the new one coming up?
Ayisoba: My producer Panji is mixing it.

KWAKU GYASI

Ghana Music.com: I did not spot your wife at the award ceremony?
Kwaku Gyasi: Yeah, she is currently in Canada and supports me from there well. I even dedicated an award to her. She and all the people in Canada have been very helpful. I want to use this medium to thank them a lot.

Ghana Music.com: So far what’s up?
Kwaku Gyasi: Am really feeling happy. Am happy for all that God has done for me.

Ghana Music.com: Were you surprised at any of the awards?
Kwaku Gyasi: Yes of course. Most Popular song of the year should have gone to me. But hey the people have decided so what more can I say.

Ghana Music.com: Any word to your fans?
I want to give thanks to God first. My Canada, Ghanaian and world fans, I say a big thank you.

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