BASS Awards has upgraded music industry - Jupiter

Despite the controversies surrounding this year’s BASS Awards, Dancehall artiste Jupiter says the event – meant to reward Dancehall and Reggae acts in Ghana – has upgraded the music industry in a positive way.

The event which is under the theme ‘Turn it Up’ is scheduled for August 30.

“Honestly speaking, BASS Awards is really good. It has actually upgraded our industry. If we want to go to the international level – music wise – I guess Dancehall artistes are focused. BASS Awards has really made a big impact in our music industry. People who love Reggae and Dancehall can also appreciate their artistes and also know that their artistes are going far,” Jupiter told NEWS-ONE.

The ‘Money Box’ hit maker got nominated for the Dancehall Artiste of the Year, Dancehall Song of the Year, Best Collaboration of the Year (Dancehall), Music Video of the Year (Dancehall) and Best Performer of the Year categories in the second edition of the BASS Awards.

“It is a good feeling especially when Dancehall has really had its own base in our industry. When we started this Dancehall thing, it wasn’t popular in Ghana so now that it has really manifested here with people putting up award shows, I’m really happy. I’m really happy with regard to my nominations too. I’m being realistic here; I might grab some of the awards, but the other artistes also deserve the awards too. All of the artistes who got nominated are all good in their own ways, and I think the best artiste deserves the award,” he stated.

According to Jupiter, who is also known as Michael Okine, this year has been a very positive one for the Dancehall genre in Ghana.

On the other hand, Jupiter explained that artistes who have problems with the BASS Awards’ nominations list should concentrate on working harder in order to get nominated next year.

“Well, you know, I think there is a committee which actually is responsible for this project. The committee knows where and which artistes have to be nominated. Therefore, I think every artiste who has been placed in any of the categories deserves to be there. Whoever is complaining about which category he has been placed, I see it to be a normal thing that happens with every award event. Those aggrieved artistes should work harder next year, so they get their desired nominations,” he said.