Year in Review: Entertainment Personalities of the Year

In spite of the harsh realities of the entertainment industry in the country, some personalities have strived to outstand their peers in quite a number of ways.

Their excellence in delivery, honed craft, consistency, diversity and influence have over the past twelve months, relatively set our screens on fire and gave us reasons to look them up.

GhanaWeb, at the end of a fruitful entertainment year, gives you a reminder of such personalities who through their diversity gave us something to talk about;

MUSIC

Kofi Kinaata

Martin King Arthur, known in showbiz as Kofi Kinaata is a rapper known for his exceptional Fante rap. This year, the rapper maintained his consistency in the music industry with regards to his delivery and influence. Known for promoting some level of good morals with his songs, he released ‘Things Fall Apart’ this year, to put some social realities in the spotlight.

He also successfully headlined his annual December concert dubbed ‘Made in Taadi’ and featured several mainstream artistes including Shatta Wale.



Wiyaala

The strong and vibrant Ghanaian musician may not be fully recognized by her own people but 2019 has been a successful year for Wiyaala. Known for her outstanding style of portraying Ghanaian culture to the world through her music and fashion, the singer mounted several international platforms some artistes may never get to perform.

The Afropop singer successfully concluded her Europe tour in 2019 and also released songs like ‘She’s a Woman’ and ‘Feeling Free’. Wiyaala has been profoundly described by several people as the true definition of a Ghanaian International artiste.

Sarkodie

The ‘Highest rapper’ as his fans affectionately call him gave some Ghanaians the impression that he may probably be in the background this year, contrary to this, the Ghanaian Artiste of the Decade maintained his consistency by releasing a number of songs and even albums.

Some of his songs released this year include, ‘Saara’ which featured Efya, ‘Bleeding’ and ‘Ofeetso’ amongst several others. He also released the ‘Alpha’ album and also headlined his annual concert dubbed 'Rapperholic.'

His enormous contributions to the Ghanaian music industry earned him some recognition in 2019 as well. Sarkodie was crowned winner of the BET Best International Flow Award in October.



Shatta Wale

The list may be inconclusive without the ever-controversial dancehall artiste Shatta Wale. 2019 easily passes as one of the biggest years in his music career, for obvious reasons. His consistency, visibility and his vociferous nature may have gained him a feature on Beyonce’s ‘Lion King: The Gift album’. It was subsequently nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards making Shatta Wale an indirect Grammy nominee.

Stonebwoy

His long-standing feud with his colleague Shatta Wale at the beginning of the year may have had a damning impact on his career. But he overcame such setbacks and forged for greater heights in his field.

In spite of all the drama and controversies, Stonebwoy maintained his consistency and managed to stage two of the biggest concerts in the country –Ashaiman to the World and Bhim Concert– in November and December, respectively.

The Bhim president also managed to steal the spotlight throughout the year with his collaboration with Beenie Man, which produced the song ‘Sugar’ and Ololo with Teni Makanaki. Some of his songs this year include; Tuff Seed, More, Take me Away with Kidi and Kuami Eugene.

That wasn’t the end for the Stonegod as he was finally honoured by American entertainment media, Billboard.



MOVIE

Yaw Dabo

Samuel Nana Yaw Dabo is one of the very few characters who have carved quite a remarkable niche in both Kumawood and Ghallywood. His diminutive stature did not stop him from reaching news headlines this year. The comic actor who is also known as ‘Adwen Kessie’ had quite a controversial year, but that did not stop him from campaigning for the dying movie industry.

Yvonne Nelson

In the face of the harsh realities of the nonfunctional movie industry, Yvonne Nelson played quite a remarkable role in contributing to the sector.

This year, she’s been very visible and vocal in campaigns for the movie industry, including producing her own movie, hitting the streets to publicise it and embarking on media tours.

The actress also had a controversial year evident in her grudges against some personalities in the entertainment industry.



Mbebusem Jesus

Mbebusem seems to be one of the very few personalities in the local movie industry who have capitalized on the non-functional industry to light up our screens this year. For his dissimilar comical skits portraying a contemporary version of Jesus, he faced several criticisms but this seems to boost his energy in doing what he loves.

According to him, his intentions are pure and not to make mockery of the Christian Messiah.

Mbebusem, through his skit, has performed on several stages and with personalities, he would otherwise never have related with.



FASHION

Chocolate by Kweku Bediako

Kwaku Bediako is a Ghanaian contemporary fashion designer and founder of Chocolate Clothing. This year has probably been one of his best, having styled some influential world entertainers on their arrival in the country.

He sold the Ghanaian culture to the world through his simple styling of American rapper, Cardi B and American entertainer, Steve Harvey.



SHOWBIZ

Nana Ama Mcbrown

For her consistency and diversity in the entertainment industry has earned her a stellar reputation amongst her peers, this year alone. The actress who now works as a TV presenter also made a name for herself by being the brand ambassador for several brands, some of which rolled over from previous years.

Barely sited in scandalous acts, the actress gained enormous recognition this year at the Ghana Movie Awards and others.