R&M crowned Vodafone Icon Divas

Accra, April 26, GNA - R&M have won the most coveted spot in the Ghanaian music industry as the winners of Vodafone Icons: Diva's Edition, after a suspenseful 13 weeks of intense competition. The funky trio, Denice, Stephanie and Natasha, earned the most viewer votes to nab GH¢20,000 each, a one year recording contract, a Nissan Pajero, return tickets to London, the chance to perform with seasoned artistes at Vodafone's 020 Live and Samsung Galaxy Tabs apiece on Vodafone's revolutionary reality show.

The event was the final stage of the search for Ghana's first ever super girl group by telecommunications giant 97 Vodafone. A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency by Vodafone Ghana on Easter Monday said, R&M was consistently a front-runner in the music competition, but faced stiff competition from finalists Keshi 913' and Kolors.

It said throughout the various stages of the grand finale, R&M shone as favorites for the ultimate prize with scintillating performances and energetic, rigorous dance moves. "The trio passionately sealed their win with a flawless finale performance of their first single 91Let your hair down.' They emerged as winners of the competition following an electrifying musical duel with second-runner up, Kolors," the statement said.

Presenting the awards, Chief Marketing Officer of Vodafone Ghana, Uche Ofodile remarked: 93Vodafone has delivered its promise to empower the best of talented Ghanaian girls to attain their musical dreams. "What has happened here today is historic and extremely exciting; we have discovered Ghana's first super girl group. Indeed, we have delivered our brand promise of 91Power to you," Ofodile said. Prior to the final event, the winners R&M had on several occasions thrilled both judges and viewers of the Reality TV series with their remarkable voices and unbeatable stage craft. The night of great talents opened with a heart-warming performance of 91That's what friends are for' by the finalists, increasing in momentum through dynamic performances by sultry judges Gena West and Stephanie Benson.

A passionate Icons fan base were treated to a night of spectacular singing, dancing and overall delight as Ghana's best rapper, Trigmatic, and Ghana's current music sensation 5five took turns to entertain the crowd with hit songs from their recent albums. Each finalist re-enacted three of their best performances on the screen. Keshi 3 was eliminated leaving winners R&M to battle with Kolors for the first position by each performing their self-composed songs.

Before the grand finale at the Accra International Conference Center, the organizers had earlier short listed and presented to the general public, 24 finalists; they were merged into 8 groups of 3. The groups participated in live shows and were eliminated weekly until 3 finalists earned the spot to contest in the finals. ICONS: Divas Edition was an initiative of Vodafone Ghana in partnership with Storm 360.

Vodafone=A0Ghana is a total communications solutions provider - mobile, fixed lines, internet, voice and data -=A0and is currently unmatched in providing fixed line and internet services -=A0the leader and the first choice for Ghanaians. 26 April 11