Raging controversies surrounding the 2010 Ghana Music Awards like any other year, seem to be unending, as Nima-based hiplife trio, VIP have just been struck out of this year’s award.
Mr. Fred Kyei Mensah (Fredyma) of Fredyma Studios and CEO of Minor Rhythms Band disclosed this on Peace FMs Entertainment Review program. According to Fredyma, who is also a member of the Planning Committee of Ghana Music Awards, VIP was taken off because the Committee realized that their album was not released within the GMA calendar year, which is from 1st November 2008 to 31st November 2009.
“Yes, there was a problem with the date of their release so as we speak, VIP has been removed from the list, they are not part of this year’s awards,” Freddy told Entertainment Review.
Peacefmonline’s double check with Charter House, organizers of the event confirmed that VIP who were nominated for ‘Afro-Pop’ song of the year category with their “I think I Like Am” hit, have indeed been taken off the GMA. Juno Abena Turkson, Public Relations Officer for Charter House said, “Yes it is true – VIP is out. They wrote a letter to us to the effect that they want to be taken out from this year’s nominations.”
According to Juno, their reason for backing out is that they have not officially released the album, even though it has been released on Ring Back Tunes (RBT) which is also an acceptable form of release under the Ghana Music Awards, so they want out of the awards. Asked whether they are going to replace them with another artiste, Juno replied in the negative saying “it is going to remain same without VIP.”
Further verification by Peacefmonline from Mr. Duke Banson, CEO of Paradise Entertainment, the record label under which VIP’s latest album “Progress” was released, also validated earlier reports.
“A letter signed by me was sent to Charter House about three weeks ago to strike VIP off the awards because their album was launched in February this year; so they are unqualified to be part of this year’s nomination considering the calendar year. We know that VIP is an exciting group, they will need them there to excite the crowd but we also acknowledge that it will be a great disservice to music lovers, their fans and the awards as a brand. So we have decided to opt out,” Duke revealed.
Meanwhile, 4x4 and Mimi of “Big Brother Africa” fame, who are also under Paradise Entertainment, remain in contention for picking awards.
The Ghana Music Awards is scheduled to be held at the Dome, Accra International Conference Centre on April 10, 2010 and VIP is expected to perform on the night.
