National Music Awards 2002 Launched

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Nana Akomea, has launched the 3rd Ghana Music Awards at a ceremony at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra.

The event, which recognizes the contributions of artistes and other professionals in the music industry is organized by Charter House Production and held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the National Commission on Culture.

He described the music industry has a vibrant economic entity which had to be encouraged by government.

The Chairman of the National Commission on Culture, Professor Hagan was represented by Mr. Harruna Attah, a member of the Commission. In his speech he announced that the Commission would institute Arts Awards this year.

The Ghana Music Awards, which will be adjudged by a selection committee and the general public, is in the following 21 categories:

THE SONG OF THE YEAR

The song must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio and generated the most excitement and gross sales during the year.

THE ALBUM OF THE YEAR

The Album with most hits in a single Album or cassette release.

THE RECORDING ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

He/She must have released a song and enjoyed gross sales during the year.

THE BEST MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE

The male artiste with the best vocal delivery on any musical presentation.

THE BEST FEMALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE

The female artiste with the best vocal delivery on any musical presentation.

THE HIPLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR

The song must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio and generated the most excitement and gross sales in the Hiplife market.

HIPLIFE-RAP SONG OF THE YEAR

The song must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio and generated the most excitement and gross sales in the Hiplife market.

THE HIPLIFE ALBUM OF THE YEAR

The Hiplife Album (Song/Rap) with most hits (at least 3 hits) in a single cassette or CD release in 2001. The songs, must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio and generated the most excitement in the Hiplife market.

THE BEST ORIGINAL SONG OF THE YEAR

The artiste or group with the most original musical compositions (no sampling) in a single cassette or CD release.

THE HIGHLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR

The song must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio and generated the most excitement and gross sales in the Highlife market.

THE CONTEMPORARY HIGHLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR

The song must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio and generated the most excitement and gross sales in the Highlife market.

THE REGGAE SONG OF THE YEAR

The song must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio and generated the most excitement and gross sales in the Reggae music market.

THE GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR

The song must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio and generated the most excitement and gross sales in the gospel market.

THE GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

The Gospel Album with most hits (at least 3 gospel hits) in a single cassette or CD release in 2001. The 3 songs must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio and generated the most excitement in the gospel market.

THE TRADITIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR

The most popular Traditional or folkloric Song by an Artiste, duo or group in 2001. The song must have enjoyed lots of airplay off and on radio.

"THE NEW ARTISTE OF THE YEAR"

The music discovery of the year will be the most promising and talented new artiste duo or group for the year 2001. The award will go to the artiste with most with most hits in his/her first cassette or CD release.

"THE SONG WRITER OF THE YEAR"

The Song Writer with the most meaningful and original lyrics and composition for any musical hit released in 2001.

"THE TECHNICAL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR"

The person directly responsible (technically) for most music hits in the year 2001.

"THE MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR"

The Director directly responsible (technically) for the most creative and entertaining music video for any song released in the year 2001.

"THE RECORDING LABEL OF THE YEAR"

The Recording Label with most artiste releases and hits in 2001.

"THE FONTOMFROM RECOGNITION AWARD"

The Recognition Award is an honorary award given to a deserving musician and presented by the National Commission on Culture. The musician may either be rewarded for being a living legend of Ghanaian Music, promoting Ghanaian music outside the country or charting a new course for Ghanaian music.

All the award winners will receive a plaque and a certificate in their honor.

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATIONS

* Airplay on and off Radio

* Sales from (cassette distributors and retailers) - for music related awards.

* Technical view of selection committee - for Industry Awards.

CALENDAR

* November 2000 - October 2001

DISQUALIFICATION

* All songs with x-rated and violent lyrics will be disqualified from nomination lists.

This year's event, which has preparations already in place, is predicted to be the best ever organized.