Ghanaian Artistes Call for More Nuanced Award Categories on the Big Conversation

In a recent episode of 3Music TV's Big Conversation, Ghanaian industry players and artistes Mr Rooteye, Knii Lante, and KinJunia expressed their concerns over the current structure of award categories in Ghana's music industry. They argued for a more detailed breakdown of genres, particularly in the Reggae and Dancehall categories, to better reflect the diversity within these genres and give artistes the recognition they deserve.

During the interview, Mr Rooteye highlighted the complexity of reggae music, which includes various sub-genres such as Lovers Rock and Roots Reggae. He emphasized that lumping all these sub-genres into a single category alongside dancehall creates a messy situation and fails to respect the unique qualities of each style. Knii Lante added that the current popularity-based awards often overlook the artistry and technical aspects of the music, calling for a clearer definition of award categories to ensure fair representation.

KinJunia also noted the pressure on artistes to conform to popular trends, which stifles creativity and limits the growth of diverse music genres. The artistes collectively urged for an overhaul of the award criteria to celebrate genuine artistry and technical excellence, beyond mere popularity.