Popular Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari and Nollywood actor Jim Iyke showed once again that they are in sizzling romance.

The love birds were spotted on a romantic date, having a nice time with each other.

Ghana’s Highlife and Afrobeat sensation Gallaxy has for the first time interacted with the huge number of  their loyal fans across the  continent on Africa’s first synchronized radio-television show ‘Smile Time Africa’  hosted by  the versatile Smile Baba  which airs on GhOne tv  and Afro Star in Ghana, PR Television in South  Africa, Kennis Music Channel  in Nigeria.

Gallaxy set the tone for the discussion by extending their appreciation massive to their fans out there for the support since their entry into Ghana’s music industry three years ago.

They continue to add that the massive airplay and coverage their latest Afrobeat single ‘BokoBoko’ (slowly) is enjoying is a result of their hard work and a teaming support for their record label, Harbour City Recordz lead by Mr Gideon Narh.

Commenting on their style of music, Gallaxy said Afrobeat and Highlife music is their choice and feels more comfortable with the chemistry. ‘We switch between both genres when the idea comes and it works perfectly for us.’ they added.

Gallaxy outlined some of the plans ahead of them this year, It includes strengthened in their music brand and spreading their wings across the global.

Gallaxy’s last appearance before coming on Smile Time Africa was their splendid stage performance at the second edition of Ghana Dj Awards held at the Ghana National Theatre.

Download BokoBoko(slowly) by Gallaxy via this link: http://www.hulkshare.com/ubfdubwsrzeo

Video: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iO68gR36kCM&hl=en&client=mv-google&guid=&gl=GH

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts is putting in place an initiative to revamp theatre in the country.

Ghana's theatre industry has taken a nose dive for some years now with several calls for it to be revamp to foster patriotism and national growth.

Theatre, some time passed, served as an important tool for education in Ghana.

"That's how I learnt about patriotism," Deputy Minister for Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie-Ahiaglo affirmed in an interview on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM Friday.

The Deputy Minister agreed that, "in recent times, we haven't done that as much as we should.

We haven't built on the foundation that was laid by our forebears."

"As a way to go, we need to use theatre to change the direction in which we are going and re-discover ourselves as Ghanaians," she said.

Dzifa Gomashie-Ahiaglo disclosed that what the ministry is seeking to do to revamp theatre in Ghana "is to encourage amateur groups and also the professional groups to start the theatre season."

The ministry, she added, is currently interacting with persons in the industry "to see how we can bring up plays that reflect what we want as a people."

The first Theatre Season is expected to start in September 2014 and it will be "replicated in the centres of national cultures across the regions," the
Minister said.

This Dzifa Gomashie-Ahiaglo noted will help revive the love for theatre, groom a new crop of theatre performers, and also use theatre to change the mindset of Ghanaians.

As a way to support the initiative, the minister said the venues will be given to the amateur groups for free and also the resident drama company of the National Theatre will serve as resource persons to the amateur drama groups.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Check out the press statement from
HighGradeFamily asking for a review of the Ghana Music Awards :

Over the years, there have been numerous controversies surrounding Charter House/Ghana Music Awards, the constitution of the board and consequent nominations thereof towards the annual Ghana Music Awards; all past sponsors are herein acknowledged.

However, of particular interest is the seemingly growing trend of Conflict of Interest that plaques the Board and its decisions, with traces to specific individuals such as Mark Okraku Mantey and the growing aspersions in the definition of categories,who qualifies and per what standards of criteria are followed per norms as pertains in other jurisdictions with emphasis on our very own turf.

Of particular concern is as per a quote by Enoch Sarpong, a showbiz critic on facebook { Apparently Mark Okraku Mantey’s artiste KUMI GUITAR isnt a NEW ARTISTE….His FIRST VERSION of “break into two” song was released 2years ago….and was produced by SUGARTONE..}
Questions need to be asked:

1. As a private entity with due regards for the Ghanaian Laws, is Mark Okraku a manager/ afilliated to an artiste known as “Kumi Guitar” and does this constitute a conflict of interest?

2. Are the guidelines for nominations particularly “New Artiste of the year” explicitly clear to warrant an exclusion of Kofi Kinaata in same?

NB: the Number of shows performed by Kofi Kinaata, an artiste of HighGradeFamily, Interviews including on Dj Blacks Weekend shows… Airplay of his various songs et al as against the other categorized in “New Artiste of the year”

3. Per the assertion by Enoch Sarpong (verifiable) that Kumi Guitar first released/promoted a song 2 years ago constitute a wrongful categorization of the said artiste and therefore requires a review of nomination(s) given the level of public agitation?

4. Will Charter House and the VGMA Board for the first time, recall their decision, address and reannounce categories and nominations particularly those in question, for us” excluding Kofi Kinaata our Artiste from the New Artiste of the year category)?

5. Will Charter House and its allied Bodies act on Mark Okraku Mantey’s abuse of conflict of interest provisions as affecting a general body and its decisions by excusing him from any further activities; By explaining the criteria on nominations for New Artiste thereby excluding our Artiste “Kofi Kinaata”; Will all parties consider brand effect on supervising a clear case of conflict of interest(legal issue) involving Mark Okraku Mantey, member of the VGMA board, whose self glorification seems to make him a touch not in Ghana Music Industry and on what basis he does so?

We will require answers, as these will go a long way to maintain some credibility in the Annual Event that highlights the best of Ghanaian music.
The Media must help set things right.

Sgd.
Anthony Daning (Mr.)
Manager
HighGradeFamily/Samini Music

When you’re one of the most successful artists of your generation, a time comes when you need to innovate.

And just like some of his illustrious predecessors did in their heyday, Over Again hitmaker, Edem, says he’s adding a live band to his repertoire.

Drawing his inspiration from the likes of Abrantie Amakye Dede, Kojo Antwi Bessa Simons and other highlife artists that have endowed Ghana’s rich musical history, Edem reveals that this is a new step in his career and says he’s assembled a group of bandsmen he hopes will take his music to the next level .

Brimming with confidence and enthusiasm, Edem says he’s more than excited about his new project and let out a small secret that will certainly excite his fans.

“I’m also learning to play some instruments,” he says, “And I can’t wait for people to see me playing an instrument live. It might be a piano, guitar or whatever”.

Asked why he has decided to play live at this point in his career, Edem says he feels it will give his image a facelift, a new appeal and a new direction .

Barring all the difficulties associated with keeping and maintaining a live band in mind, the Nyonuviade rapper and Dzodze native plans to be more strategic with how he uses his band.

“It’s not every show that I’ll be performing live but most of the strategic shows that are live band oriented like Ghana Music Awards for example.

I feel that I can do better with live band than a lot of people because I’m the best hip-hop performer in the country, and once I roll out and I start performing live it has to continue.

I’ll try and see if I can add traditional instruments like the local drums that I’d rap over and take this to a totally new creative direction.”

Commenting on what different thing his band would bring to the music scene, he said: “Because I’m a purely hiphop artist, most of my songs are rap songs but I want to infuse hiphop with live band music and do it effectively.

“People shouldn’t think that it’s only soldiers and highlife artists that can do live band music.

With the kind of consistency my musichas achieved since my first album, people should know that this is something I’m going to do on a highly professional level.”

Edem divulged that he has named the band Volta Regime Music Group (VRMG) band and says he wants his fans and people in general to associate his band with his music brand like it pertains in other countries.

“In time, as an artist, I want to be identified with my band as pertains in other countries where some artists can be identified with their bands.

This is what the old very classic highlife artists used to do,” he told Showbiz.

The next plan, according to Edem, is to conquer Africa with his band in tow. He sees the next five years as an opportunity to grow his brand and his band to continental renown.

“Within five years, the Edem brand is supposed to be found on the African continent and by this I mean visibility in Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania and efforts are already being made in that direction.”

In his final words, he said he would be releasing his new album titled Books and Rhymes very soon and thanked fans and well wishers for supporting his career.

“And I have a lot of major international collaborations on my album so they should look out for it also,” he said.

Source: Graphic Showbiz

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Kwabena Kwabena
Sonnie Badu
Shatta Wale
Sarkodie
Samini
Guru

BEST GROUP OF THE YEAR
R2Bees
4×4
Ruff ’N’ Smooth
D2

NEW ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Akwaboah
Joey B
Kumi Guitar

BEST RAPPER OF THE YEAR
SARKODIE- RAP ATTACK
Trigmatic – Wo Sika Nti
M.anifest – Someway Bi
EL – See Me Suffer
Guru – Let Me Love You

VODAFONE SONG OF THE YEAR
Adult Music – Kwabena Kwabena ft Samini
Odo Pa – Castro ft Baby Jet & K.Kinata
Slow Down – R2Bees ft Wizkid
Dancehall King – Shatta Wale
Metanfo – Bisa K’Dei
Tonga – Joey B ft Sarkodie
Ma Ye Se Mo Pen – Oj
Boyz Abre – Guru
Down On One – Sarkodie ft Fuse ODG
Million Pound Girl – Fuse ODG

GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
Osoree Nnwom – Cecilia Marfo
Maher-Shalal-Hash-baz – Nicholas Omane Acheampong
Wonder God – Sonnie Badu
Ma Ye Se Mo Pen – OJ Nyame
Egwamaa – Joyce Blessing ft Jewel Ackah
Menwu – Patience Nyarko

HIPLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR
Boyz Abre – Guru
Down On One – Sarkodie ft Fuse ODG
Tonga – Joey B ft Sarkodie
3 Points – Gasmilla
Anadwo Ye De – 4×4

REGGAE / DANCEHALL SONG OF THE YEAR
Freaky Gal – Jupita
Pull Up – Stonebwoy
Hot Cake – Pope Skinny ft Shatta Wale
Dance Hall King – Shatta Wale
Fever – D2 ft Shatta Wale
Scatter Badmind – Samini

HIGHLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR
Adult Music – Kwabena Kwabena ft Samini
Odo Pa – Castro ft Baby Jet & K.Kinata
Love – R2Bees
Metanfo – Bisa K’Dei
Break Into 2 – Kumi Guitar

AFRO POP SONG OF THE YEAR
Latex – Edem ft Kaakie
Million Pound Girl – Fuse ODG
Dance (Neke Neke) – Tiffany
Slow Down – R2Bees ft Wizkid
Dance For Me – Ruff ’n’ Smooth
Scream – Eazzy

BEST COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Odo Pa – Castro ft Baby Jet & K.Kinata
Down On One – Sarkodie ft Fuse ODG
Slow Down – R2Bees ft Wizkid
Adult Music – Kwabena Kwabena ft Samini
Azonto Boyz – Guru ft Lil Win
Hot Cake – Pope Skinny ft Shatta Wale
Nyame Egwamaa – Joyce Blessing ft Jewel Ackah
Tonga – Joey B ft Sarkodie

HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
See Me Suffer – EL ft Lil Shaker
Lies – Sarkodie ft Lil Shaker
Someway Bi – M.anifest
Marilyn Monroe – Dee Mooney ft Fuse ODG
Me Wo Dollar – Kwaw Kese ft EL

HIPLIFE / HIP HOP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Sarkodie
Eazzy
R2Bees
Guru
M.anifest
EL
Joey B

HIGHLIFE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Bisa K’Dei
Kwabena Kwabena
Castro

GOSPEL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Sonnie Badu
Nicholas Omane Acheampong
OJ
Joyce Blessing
Patience Nyarko

AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Mafikizolo
P-Square
Davido
Kcee
Wizkid
Flavour

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sarkology – Sarkodie
Heavy Price – Joyce Blessing
Aroma Of Worship – Sonnie Badu
Thanks Giving – Bisa K’Dei
Apae – Manifest
Boyz Abre - Guru

BEST MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Sonnie Badu – Wonder God
OJ – Ma Yese Mo Pen
Knii Lante – Baby Take Good Care
Kwabena Kwabena – Engya Me Ho
Castro – Oo Pa

SONG WRITER OF THE YEAR
Ma Yese Mo Pen – OJ
Wo Sika Nti – Trigmatic
Engya Me Ho – Kwabena Kwabena
Baby Take Good Care – Baby Take Care
Baba – Bisa K’Dei

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Kaywa
Shatta Wale
KillBeatz
Nacy
Guru
Dj Breezy
Bisa K’Dei

GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Heavy Price – Joyce Blessings
Aroma Of Worship – Sonnie Badu
Nokwasem – OJ
Maher—Shalal-Hash-Baz – Nicholas Omane Acheampong
Mekasa Ama Awurade – Patience Nyarko

BEST FEMALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Efya – Life
Joyce Blessings – Nyame Egwamaa
Mariam Afari – Ashesi Nyame
Gina West – No Power Against Me

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Trigmatic – Wo Sika Nti
Knii Lante – Baby Take Good Care
Tseataa (Josh Laryea) – Kane
Afriyie – Everlasting Love
Akwaboah – I Do Love You

OTHER CATEGORIES
Best Music Video Of The Year

Instrumentalist

Life Time Achievement

Music For Development

Traditional Artiste Of The Year

Sound Engineer MUSIGA MERIT

Pope Skinny  is finally number one on the popular Africa show BBC 1xtra.

The Asuoden Music rapper who on Saturday gave a tremendous performance at the Ghana DJ Awards night has expressed his excitements in a tweet on Monday saying “Bigupz to All #AsuodenMusic fans who No Dey Hear and #SM4LYF. We’ve gone global with #HOTCAKE. We are now number 1. Thanks to Hype Lyrics for the beat”.

“The entire team is really excited about it and it tells where the rapper is taking GH music.

The collaboration was good and Hype Lyrics also did hid very best on the beat.

We proud of Pope and we hope the success of this particular single reflects in the coming Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA)”, PR Assistant Reagan OdeiOfosuOsarfo stated.

Most of the songs that have made it to the number 1 spot have gone on to be play listed. Could Pope Skinny be the first Ghanaian based artist to be play listed on 1xtra?

“The track is one of the hottest tracks and every DJ loves it” DJ Edu commented.

www.viasat1.com.gh

The upcoming Young Money compilation album , Rise of an Empire , already boasts two hit singles, with Drake ‘s “Trophies” and most recently, Nicki Minaj ‘s controversy-baiting “ Lookin’ A** N****s, ” generating headlines and airplay.

Now, label boss Lil Wayne has teamed up with Nicki Minaj and Tyga for the latest single from the compilation, “Senile,” which can be heard below.

It’s a dark, minimal track that emphasizes lyrical dexterity of the rap triumvirate trading verses on the microphone.

Fans can hear all twelve new tracks from the Young Money stable when Rise of an Empire hits retailers on March 11.

Among the new songs is a new solo tune from Lil Wanye, entitled “Moment.”

Legendary Detroit rapper Eminem has announced that he’ll embark on a three-city U.S. tour with none other than pop superstar, Rihanna .

The huge news comes from the latest issue of XXL , which features Eminem on the cover alongside Dr. Dre and Interscope Records head honcho Jimmy Iovine with a story based around the recently launched Beats Music streaming services.

Eminem also took to his Twitter account to spread the word regarding the Monster Tour with Rihanna, which he revealed would happen this August in New York, Detroit and Los Angeles.

No dates or venues have yet to be announced.

Rihanna and Eminem have had a very fruitful working relationship over the years.

They teamed up on 2010 single “Love the Way You Lie” (from Em’s Recovery full-length from the same year) which went on to be a massive success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and garnering a slew of Grammy nominations.

They came together again for “The Monster,” a joint single from Eminem’s most recent album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2.

Like “Love the Way You Lie,” it went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Chris Brown has finally announced a release date for his long-awaited sixth album, X.

“X is by far my best album yet…,” tweeted Breezy, revealing the follow-up to 2012′s Fortune will arrive on May 5, which coincides with Brown’s 25th birthday.

Chris also shared what may be the album’s official artwork, which sees him exhaling smoke with a red X superimposed on the image.

X will include contributions from Kendrick Lamar, Brandy, Kelly Rowland, Wiz Khalifa, and B.o.B. as well as production credits for Timbaland, Diplo, Polow Da Don, Danja, Pharrell, and Drumma Boy.

In other news, Brown was spotted over the weekend at California’ Universal City Walk, shooting the video for his latest single, “Loyal” featuring Lil Wayne,French Montana, and Too $hort.