GMA 2008Interspersed with exciting live stage performance by Adane Best, Michael Dwamena and No tribe, the 9th Ghana Music Awards Festival took off on a resounding musical note last Wednesday evening at the gardens of the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel with the Industry Awards segment of the awards.

Tonight, music lovers and the entire music industry will descend on the National Theatre for perhaps the most prestigious Ghana Music Awards yet.

At last Wednesday’s Industry Awards Gala, most of the audience, including then Tourism Minister and now Information Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng, MUSIGA President Diana Hopeson among others could be seen bobbing their heads, swinging in their seats and for those who just could not help it, jumped onto the floor to the rhythm produced by the Sappers band.

Kwabena Yamoah, an artist who produced the album Serwaa Akoto won the Musical Merit Award, while Okele Boni, a cultural group from the Eastern Region took the traditional group award of the year.

It came as no surprise that Mad Time Entertainment, which manages the sensational Kwaw Kese, was adjudged the Record Label of the year, although the choice of Chemphe for the Best Lyrics of the Year award with his Why u de Treat am Bad song came as something of a surprise. The best Music Video Directing award went to Solid Production, who clinched it with Kwaw Kese’s hit track Emma pe wu.  Osei Tutu won the Instrumentalist of the Year.

In an interview with The Statesman, Fennec Okyere, the Manager of Mad Time Entertainment declared that this is just the beginning for Kwaw Kese. Asked why his artiste did not show up for Wednesday’s show, Fennec said he is keeping him (Kwaw Kese) for tonight’s event where he will be entertaining fans with his ‘madness’.

Chemphe, who won the award for Best Lyrics, in an interview with The Statesman, expressed appreciation to Charter House for the award. Asked whether he will be disappointed if he does not get any award tonight, he had this to say: “I will have no problem because to me, this is a prestigious award but I hope to take another award tonight.”

Ezekiel Tetteh, head of Solid Production likened the award to his monthly salary. He said the award brings joy and happiness. He said he chose Kwaw Kese to work with because he (Kese) is a very talented and creative artist.

The award winners walked away with GH¢1,000 cash and a hamper from MTN.

With the industry awards sorted out, the stage is now set for the main awards night which comes off this evening, and the big celebratory jam. Who wins the whopping GH¢3,000, GH¢1,000 worth of MTN credits as well as a trophy and an MTN hamper?

Nominees were selected from five different music genres namely High-life, Hip-life, Pop music, Reggae and Gospel. Ohemaa Mercy, Cee of Mentor fame, Ofori Amponsah, Kwaw Kese the ‘abodam’ man, Becca, Shasha Marley, and Rev Lenny Akpadie have received the most nominations.

Ohemaa Mercy and Cee got eight nominations each, the highest number. They have been nominated for the Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Gospel Song of the Year, Gospel Album of the Year, Gospel Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration and Female Vocal Performance. Ohemaa Mercy is also in contention for Artiste of the Year award, while Cee got nominated in the Discovery of the Year category.

Kwaw Kese, Ofori Amponsah and Becca are neck-to neck with six nominations each including that for the Artist of the Year.

Shasha Marley and Rev Lenny Akpadie, who are among the six gunning for the ultimate award, secured five and four nominations respectively.

Whoever is adjudged by the GMA’s selection committee, planning committee and the general public as the artiste whose work exerted the most impact on the music scene in the year 2007, would walk home with the most prestigious award in Ghana’s music industry.

Tonight’s event will not only be for giving out awards but will also be a night of great musical performance. Billed to perform are Kwaw Kese, Cee, Rev Lenny Akpadie, Chemphe, Irene and Jane, 4×4, Five 5, P Square from Nigeria, Nameless from Kenya and a cameo appearance from Ja Rule. Dress code for the night is smart with a touch of yellow.

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