The twenty seventh Telecel Ghana Music Awards didn’t simply start; I arrived on the Grand Enviornment with the boldness of a landlord who would gather lease. noisy. flashy. dramatic. Completely Ghanaian.
Someplace between the fifth standing ovation and the seventeenth “To begin with, thanks God,” the evening went precisely as everybody anticipated. stunning chaos.
Held on the Grand Enviornment of the Accra Worldwide Convention Middle, TGMA 27 introduced glamour, suspense, music, style and sufficient sparkle to briefly blind the drone cameras. The pink carpet theme, “A Contact of Glitter,” clearly meant “carrying something that displays gentle.”
Some celebrities regarded like royalty. Some regarded like disco balls to battle inflation.
Nonetheless, Ghanaian leisure is aware of how you can placed on a present.
The pink carpet was a style Starvation Video games
All TGMA carpets have three classes of visitors. The fashionable one, the adventurous one, and the one whose stylist ought to be sentenced to jail.
This 12 months, sequins, velvet, feathers, metallic fits, and sun shades have been worn at midnight, and solely our ancestors know why. The ladies arrived dressed like costly trophies. A few of the males appeared able to execute or arrest cybercrime suspects.
Social media shortly registered additional time. Critics of TikTok and X labored tougher than election analysts. One costume was described as “a chandelier that competes for management of the crystal.” One other celeb allegedly regarded like “WiFi wrapped in Kente”. Ghanaian netizens stay undefeated.
Nonetheless, the carpet was useful as a result of it saved me entertained. It had its personal persona. It was a threat. Nobody got here for security. Even when a number of the outfits missed the mark, at the very least they got here off with confidence.
And let’s be sincere, confidence is half the outfit.
The present gave me power and I refused to sleep
From the opening efficiency, the night was proclaimed with authority. Samini, Wendy Shay, Medikal, Black Sheriff, and Lasmid saved the power up all through.
Standout moments got here from Enum and gospel stalwarts P.C. Esther and Diana Hamilton, who all of a sudden reminded viewers of what clear sound high quality could be like. R2Bees has delivered a mashup worthy of museum safety.
The Daddy Roomba tribute adopted, and was one of the vital emotional moments of the evening. Ofori Amponsah might not have had a robust begin, however as extra artists joined in and salvaged each pitch and key, the efficiency rebounded admirably. Nostalgia wafted by means of the auditorium like church incense. A few of the visitors sang each lyric with cheeky confidence. Some appeared emotionally assaulted by recollections of 2007.
The younger artists additionally proved that Ghana’s music trade is quickly evolving. Manufacturing high quality has improved considerably this 12 months. Lighting transitions are cleaner, stage actions are sharper, and digicam work is extra refined.
However somebody wants to clarify why the awards present believes sleep is non-compulsory.
Closing of TGMA and Daybreak Ministry
At this level, the TGMA is extra like a nationwide endurance take a look at than an awards ceremony.
This system was lengthy. It’s extremely lengthy. The telephone is on 5% for 9 hours.
In some unspecified time in the future, viewers stopped asking, “Who’s profitable?” I began asking, “Will Dawn have the ability to take part earlier than Greatest New Artist?”
Each awards present struggles with timing, however at TGMA, we deal with time like a motivational quote. There was additionally a speech during which he wandered round like a bunch of free pals in search of a change. Sure transitions will visibly age in actual time.
By the point the ultimate awards got out, some viewers had mentally gone again to mattress.
That is now not a criticism. That is nationwide information.
Whereas the size and ambition of the organizers’ manufacturing is commendable, future editions require tighter schedules, fewer delays, and sooner transitions. Awards ceremonies ought to be thrilling, not like additional time.
Black Sheriff joins as candidate and leaves as property proprietor
The largest winner of the evening was Black Sheriff, who continues to show that his dominance is greater than short-term.
He received 5 awards, together with Artist of the Yr. He additionally received Album/EP of the Yr. iron boyGreatest Hip-Hop Track, Greatest Afro-Pop Track, and Songwriter of the Yr.
At solely 24 years outdated, Black Sheriff is constructing the type of TGMA legacy that many artists have spent a long time chasing. His storytelling, consistency, and emotional reference to followers proceed to separate him from the gang.
Medical additionally had a terrific evening, choosing up 4 main awards together with Track of the Yr, Hiplife Track of the Yr and Collaboration of the Yr for “Shoulder.” He was the true “MVP”.
Persevering with his annual custom of reminding everybody that he has a everlasting seat within the Ghanaian music scene, Kofi Kinata received Greatest Highlife Track and Greatest Highlife Artist of the Yr.
The ladies additionally carried out admirably. Moliy’s world hit “Shake It To The Max Remix” received two awards, together with Worldwide Collaboration of the Yr. Wendy Shay received Greatest Afrobeat/Afropop Artist, Diana Hamilton received Greatest Gospel Artist and Computer Esther received Greatest Conventional Gospel Track. Lali X Lola received Music for Good.
Nevertheless, not all choices went easily. black sheriff’s“The place Dem Boys” wins high prize hip hop This tune raised eyebrows when many individuals felt that manner Okenes’s “stability‘The momentum of this occasion grew even stronger. kwabenakwabena Some listeners who believed that have been additionally shocked Samini’s“chanaStrongman’s win for Greatest Rap Efficiency additionally sparked related debate.
However then once more, no Ghanaian awards system could be full with out at the very least three WhatsApp debates, one conspiracy idea, and a pinch of favoritism and bias.
dad racing I lastly obtained his flowers.
One of the emotional moments of the evening was when Daddy Lumba obtained the Lifetime Achievement Award.
And let’s be sincere, if there’s anybody who deserves that honor, it is Papa Roomba.
This man’s catalog alone has the potential to trigger psychological harm to a complete technology. For many years, he is delivered heartbreak anthems, motivational classics, and songs that surprisingly thrill outdated males. On the funeral.
His affect on Ghanaian music is unimaginable to disclaim.
This tribute efficiency reminded everybody why his music by no means will get outdated. Daddy Rumba songs won’t ever be retired. They merely renew their passports and proceed their journey throughout generations.
The great, the dangerous, and the fantastic.
Total, TGMA 27 offered a ton of leisure. Manufacturing high quality has improved. The efficiency was memorable. Most award winners mirrored nationwide sentiment. The ambiance felt grand.
However there may be room for progress.
The timing challenge must be mounted. No award present ought to require viewers to organize breakfast earlier than the ultimate class.
Acceptance speeches might require cautious supervision. Ardour is gorgeous, however some speeches began in Accra and took ‘sayx’ working days to achieve Konongo.
As Ghanaian music beneficial properties world consideration, organizers should proceed to spend money on stage innovation and streaming high quality.
And pink carpet interviews want extra construction. Generally we felt like relations who unexpectedly gathered at a marriage reception.
Nonetheless, regardless of its flaws, there’s a cause why TGMA stays Ghana’s largest music evening. Capturing the heartbeat of the trade, celebrating expertise and creating unforgettable moments. It additionally provides Ghanaians sufficient on-line dialogue to outlive till the subsequent version yearly.
TGMA 27 was loud, emotional, fashionable, dramatic, and hilariously exhausting.
In different phrases, it was completely Ghanaian.
