Ghana: 2020 EMAs postponed again

Last week, the programme was deferred in compliance with President Nana Akufo-Addo’s declaration of seven days of national mourning after the death of former president Jerry John Rawlings. The new change was due to technical difficulties, said organisers, who added that a new date will be announced this week.

Put together by Kusstar Entertainment, the EMAs were established to celebrate promising Ghanaian musical talents across gospel, highlife, hiplife, hip hop, reggae-dancehall, Afropop and traditional music. The awards platform also looks to “bring together the best and most talented emerging artists into the limelight. The event will harmonise the industry’s most prominent entertainers from across the country and reorganises their accomplishment in the entertainment industry.”

This year, awards will be presented in 33 categories including Emerging Artist of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, International Artist of the Year, Collaboration of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

Nominees for this year’s event include Righteous Vandyke, Stonegyal, Shatta Berry and Calista. The others are Mikey Benzy, O’baya, Teflon Flexx, Lazzybwoy, Gab Tuu, Mani Mandela, Xupa, Khid Vybz and Iona, who have been shortlisted in the Afropop Artist of the Year. B Bancy, Chuku Lion, Gyaldem Tish, iKofi, Euni Melo, Kophi Mystro, Kiaani, Trigger A, Renner and Larusso constitute the Dancehall Artist of the Year nominees, whereas Naf Kassi, King Mondo, Efe Keyz, Ekow Marvel, Lution GH, Koo Kyei, Lyzzy Bae, Abochi, Naana Blu and Gyakie earned nominations in the Highlife Artist of the Year category.

The prize package for winners includes an award plaque, a recording contract and paid promotion across social media, among other prizes. The winners will be determined by a six-member jury composed of EMA board chairperson Bismark Boachie (DJ Premier), broadcasters Dr Cann, Nana Romeo and Afia Papabi, artist manager and label boss Dan Lartey, and showbiz pundit and Zionite Group CEO Abdulai Sakra. They will be complemented by an academy of industry watchers, as well as general-public votes.

Meanwhile, voting closed on 20 November and this year’s EMAs will be held virtually via the Kusstar YouTube channel.

For more information, visit the EMAs official website.