Daddy Lumba, Kwabena Kwabena and Okyeame Kwame lead #MOGOAwards nominations

The annual Citi FM Music of Ghanaian Origin (MOGO) Highlife Awards Night is returning this year with a bang, to climax the annual MOGO Festival.

But prior to the glitzy affair, Citi FM has announced the categories for the expanded MOGO Awards, and is set to honor deserving individuals, groups and stakeholders who have contributed to the development and sustenance of Highlife music and Music of Ghanaian Origin in general.

Daddy Lumba, Okyeame Kwame and Kwabena Kwabena lead the nominations with four each. Bisa KDei, R2Bees and Efya have two nominations each. Gospel artiste and producer, Nacy, has two, MOGO Best Performer (with No Tribe) and MOGO Best Music Producer.

Dynamic Tema duo R2Bees have been nominated for the Song of the Year and MOGO Artiste Award, categories that have the likes of Kwabena Kwabena, Bisa KDei, Daddy Lumba and Okyeame Kwame.

The 2015 edition of the #MOGOAwards will consider the works of nominees for their contributions in the last 5 years. This is the period between 2009 and 2014. Artistes billed to perform on the night include Nana Kwame Ampadu, Pat Thomas, Adane Best, Paapa Yankson, Samuel Owusu, Okyeame Kwame and the Ramblers International Band.

Programmes Manager of Citi FM Jessica Opare Saforo said of the awards: “As we enter the 10th year of MOGO, the event promises to take a more prominent position on the Ghanaian event calendar. The inclusion of the MOGO Awards is to ensure we honor our musicians and keep the Highlife genre of music alive. The institution of the awards shows our relentless progress as we link Highlife music to the development of the next generation of talent. With each event, we celebrate the past and inspire the future.”

The MOGO brand has over the years presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to a host of Highlife legends including C.K. Mann, Nana Ampadu, George Darko etc.

The categories for the Citi MOGO Awards 2015 are:

a. MOGO Highlife Song
- R2Bees – Odo
- Bisa KDei – Metanfo
- Daddy Lumba – Yentie Obiaa
- Okyeame Kwame – Woara
- Kwabena Kwabena – Adult Music

b. MOGO Artiste
- R2Bees
- Bisa Kdei
- Daddy Lumba
- Okyeame Kwame
- Kwabena Kwabena

c. MOGO Lifetime Achievement Award
- Kofi Sammy
- Paapa Yankson
- AB Crentsil
- Pat Thomas
- Ebo Taylor

d. Best Song Writer
- Daddy Luma
- Re. Dr. Yawson
- Kojo Antwi
- OJ
- Okyeame Kwame

e. Best Original Gospel Act
- Tagoe Sisters
- Daughters of Glorious Jesus
- Isaiah Kwadwo Ampong
- Uncle Ato
- OJ

f. Best Performer
- Cecilia Marfo
- Kwabena Kwabena
- Efya
- Okyeame Kwame
- No Tribe
- Amakye Dede

g. Best Choral Group
- Tema Youth Choir
- Harmonic Choral
- Remission Choir
- Winneba Youth Choir
- John Wesley Choir

h. Best Music Producer
- George Forest
- Zapp Mallet
- Nacy
- Dan Bassey
- Shadrach

i. Best Vocalist
- Kwabena Kwabena
- Joe Mettle
- Daddy Lumba
- Efyah
- Danny Nettey

j. Best Band
- Abiza Band
- King Shabo Band
- Dzsesi Band
- OBY
- Shabo Crew
- Patch Bay