Africa has not been left out of the global surge of hip hop music and culture; and the strong presence of rap music/hip hop popularly known as hiplife in the nominations for the 11th Annual Ghana Music Awards proves the growing impact on Ghanaian music.
The nominations were announced on February 26, and Sarkodie, touted as the fastest rapper led the pack with 8 nominations including artist of the year and song of the year. Fellow hiplife artists Ayigbe Edem, 4X4, and Bradez had 6, 5 and 5 nominations respectively.
The well attended event that saw performances from the likes of Kwabena Kwabena, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Celestine Donkor, Ohemaa Mercy and Wutah ended up with the big reveal of nominees. The complete list of nominees is as follows:
Artist of the year
4×4
Wutah
Ohemaa Mercy
Sarkodie
Becca
Bradez
Most popular song of the year
Kotosa by Wutah
Baby by Sarkodie
Simple byBradez
Aseda by Ernest Opoku
World Trade Center by 4×4
Discovery of the year
DSP Kofi Sarpong
Mimi
Sarkodie
Ayigbe Edem
OJ Blaq
Hip hop /hiplife song of the year
Kasiebo by Obrafour
The Game by Obour
Ringtone by Tinny
You Dey Craze by Ayigbe Edem
Breathe by Kweku T & D Black
Baby by Sarkodie
Hip hop/hiplife artist of the year
Sarkodie
4×4
Bradez
Ayigbe Edem
Tinny
Gospel Song of the year
Ensie wo yie Diana Hamilton
Okyeso Nyame Florence Obinim
Aseda Ernest Opoku
Wo Beye Kesse Ohemaa Mercy
Ayeyi Ndwom DSP Kofi Sarpong
Supernatural Celestine Donkor
Gospel Artist of the year
Ohema Mercy
Celestine Donkor
Florence Obinim
Ernest Opoku
DSP Kofi Sarpong
Highlife song of the year
Afia Donkor by Kofi B
Daa Ke Daa by Becca
Sika by Daddy Lumba
Kotosa by Wutah
Born to win by King David
Highlife artist of the year
Kofi B
Daddy Lumba
Kofi Nti
King David
Afro-pop Song of the year
Run away by Irene Logan
World Trade Center by 4×4
Swagger by Ruff &Smooth
Simple by Bradez
I think I like Am by VIP
Reggae Song of the year
Jah will be there by Wutah
Adiepena by Kojo Antwi
Mama Africa by Black Prophet
Best Collaboration of the year
Run Away by Irene & Asem
Baby by Sarkodie & Mugeez
The Game by Obour & Okyeame Kwame
You dey Craze by Edem/Sarkodie/Kwaw Kesse
Kasiebo by Obrafour & Guru
Best Rapper of the year
Sarkodie
Obrafour
Kwaku T
Edem
Bradez
Tinny
African artiste of the year
Bracket- Nigeria
Wande Coal- Nigeria
Flavour- Nigeria
Midnight Crew – Nigeria
Jozi- South Africa
Record of the year
Burning Desire- Wutah
Daa Ke Daa- Becca
Run Away – Irene Logan and Asem
Love Zone- Jon Germain
Nyonorvidade – Ayigbe Edem
Album of the Year
Sika – Daddy Lumba
Makye- Sarkodie
Burning desire- Wutah
World Trade Center- 4×4
Volta Regime- Ayigbe Edem
Song writer of the year
Daa ke Daa- Kwabena Akwaboa Jnr
Burning Desire- Wutah
Run Away- Asem
Adiepena- Kojo Antwi
Kasiebo- Obrafour
Best Male Vocal performance
PV of Wutah
Kwasie Pee
Kofi B
Ernest Opoku Jnr
Kojo Antwi
Best Female Vocal Performance
Becca
Irene Logan
Cynthia of Daughter of Glorious Jesus
Celestine Donkor
Ohemaa Mercy
Winners would be announced at the Ghana Music Awards ceremony slated for the Accra Conference Centre (Dome) on Saturday April 10. Other industry awards on the night would include: best music video, traditional artist of the year, instrumentalist of the year, MUSIGA merit award, producer of the year and the World Bank best music for development.
The Ghana Music Awards would be marked by a number of activities leading to the main event. This includes awards dialogue and workshop, nominees jam at Takoradi Polytechnic Park on March 6. View Photos