The 2nd edition of the Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards (GRDA) has officially been launched.
“The Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards is aimed at recognising the efforts of singers, producers, selectors, DJs, MCs, live bands and performance artistes who have dedicated themselves to pushing the boundaries, the board consists of 7 members, both with musical and journalism backgrounds.
The launch took place on Thursday, October 3, at the Accra Tourist Information Centre, where a call was made for greater appreciation of the contributions of Reggae and Dancehall to the country’s vibrant music scene.
by Nakanak Travels and Tours, the launch was attended by media personalities and representatives from the Musicians Union of Ghana [MUSIGA} such as Black Santino, Daddy Bosco, Chizzy Wailer, and King Lagazee.
Speaking at the launch, Daniel Yeboah (c e.o, of ReggaeCourtEmpire and coordinator of the GRDA, emphasised the need for recognition and proper celebration of the genre, which has long been a cornerstone of Ghanaian music but has often been sidelined.
He posited that the time had come for Reggae and Dancehall to take its rightful place alongside other celebrated genres in the country.
Ghana holds a special place in Africa’s Reggae Dancehall community, known for being highly influential in shaping the sound and culture of the genre. While traditional Highlife music remains iconic, Reggae and Dancehall have become some of the dominant genres in Ghana and across Africa,
Unlike other award schemes that are open to public voting, the GRDA strictly relies on the academy and the board to determine the winners.
According to the Board, this approach aims to eliminate any possibility of vote buying and ensure fairness in the awards process.
Nominations for this year’s edition will be open from October 10 to November 10, with nominees set to be announced on November 20. To further drum up excitement, a Nominees Jam will be held on December 13.
The 1st edition of the Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards which was held in December 2023 at the La Shrine[Laboma] was won by Bongo Fari
