It has always been a "learning process" for many event organising outfits who hosts an event for the first time. Mercury Republic Events, the organisers of the first ever Ghana DJ Awards falls into the above category.
The organisation of the maiden edition of the Ghana DJ Awards could best be described as a "learning process" for the young company.
Last year saw the introduction of the Ghana DJ Awards, despite pockets of challenges that bedeviled the organisers in relation to lack of sponsorship and other areas which were not adequately catered for, the awards came off eventually.
Though it took place for the very first time, industry pundits subjected the organisers to heavy criticism.
The organisers have promised of a better organisation this year as they used the maiden edition of the awards as a "pilot edition" which was fraught with many technical nightmares. This year's edition of the awards has been rolled out in a media briefing today, September 18 at the forecourt of the Aphrodisiac Night Club in Accra.
The Ghana DJ Awards is the first and only national Disc Jockey awards program on the African continent. Its aim is to recognise, reward and celebrate the artistry of the nation's DJs, promoters and groundbreakers in urban Ghanaian music promotion for their contribution to the music industry.
Speaking at the media briefings, Founder of the Awards, Merqury Quaye, said even though the Ghana DJ Awards brand is young, "it’s gradually becoming synonymous with characteristics of quality and excellence."
"We have made a commitment to superior quality and will therefore continue pursuing this vision in the best interest of Disc Jockeys and the music industry."
He said his outfit suffered certain technical nightmares which he categorised into four areas; 1. Audience asked to present awards to winners; 2. Technical issues; 3. Stage invasions; and 4. Some winners not showing up (to pick their awards).
He gave the assurance for this year: "... we need to be held accountable to deliver on these promises. We will therefore not shy away or come up with excuses, or try and justify them in one way or another, but we will do the honourable thing which is to apologize for the technical glitches experienced on the maiden edition."
Date for the official launch of this year's edition would be announced soon. In a related development, two new categories have been introduced into this year's awards. They are "Best Campus DJ of the Year" and "DJ's Song of the Year".
Full list of the 2014 Ghana DJ Awards Categories:
• Best DJ of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Best International Non-Ghanaian DJ
• Best International Ghanaian DJ
• DJ Discovery of the Year
• Best Event DJ
• Artiste DJ of the Year
• Scratch DJ of the Year
• Best Mobile DJ of the Year
• Mitxtape of the Year
• Best Video Jockey of the Year
• Club MC of the Year
• Night Club DJ of the Year
• Best Campus DJ of the Year (New)
• Best Female Radio DJ of the Year
• Best Male Radio DJ of the Year
• Best Female DJ of the Year
• DJ's Song of the Year (DJ's Choice) (New)
• Reggae/Dancehall DJ of the Year
• Best Hip Life DJ of the Year
• High Life DJ of the Year
• DJ Mixtape of the Year
