The first phase of auditions for Ghana’s search for a gospel music gem, soul search ended at the Anaji Royal Hotel, Takoradi over the weekend.

The event which started last month in Accra, saw over three hundred contestants coming out to showcase their talent with the aim of making it to the final stages of the competition.

Event organisers, Global Media Alliance expressed satisfaction with the response to the contest. Producer of the program, Sena Atoklo noted that, Season One of Soul Search is just the beginning of greater things to come. According to him, “Soul Search, a TV reality show has come to stay adding that it is GMA’s contribution towards the development of Ghanaian music industry”.

• View all from Makoma
  Artistes Makoma
  Album Remix edition
  Writer Nathalie Makoma, Annie Makoma, Pengani Makoma, Tutala Makoma, Duma Makoma, Martin Makoma, and Patrick Badine
  Language Lingala
  Video URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b4xXJjmcLM

I'm in South Africa and just wanted to give everyone an update on the music scene and what's going on lately...

-Kabelo is proving time and time again that he's ruling the kwaito world with his latest SMASHING album "I am King". Lyrics and video coming soon! I'm also hearing rumours of TKZee in the studio engineering a new comeback album. Should be interesting, what with Kabelo so sick with the rhymes, and Zwai coming back from Opera-mode. I havent seen Tokollo in a while though.

• View all from Jeremiah Gyang
  Artistes Jeremiah Gyang
  Album Na ba ka
  Year 2005
  Writer Jeremiah Gyang
  Language English
  Track # 2
  Runtime 4:02

Updated! Check out the winners in this blog entry

The wait is over! After a number of forums held to discuss the future of the GMAs (Ghana Music Awards) and controversy over who gets nominated and wins, the nominations are finally out. The gospel artistes have used their chart and airplay dominance over last year to acquire the most award nominations as well. Chief amongst them is Ohemaa Mercy, Pastor Lenny Akpadie and newcomer, Cee.

Let's see who the gunners for the various categories are.

For artiste of the year, we have
1. Ohemaa Mercy
2. Shasha Marley
3. Kwaw Kese
4. Becca
5. Ofori Amponsah
6. Rev. Lenny Akpadie
I am not sure what the criteria for this award is, whether it is measured by popularity, record sales, newsmaking or great performances. Judging by the way the award has been handed out in past years, you may go with Mr. All4Real but I think Kwaw Kese dominated 2007 and will probably take this one. The dark horse is Becca, I doubt this award goes to a gospel artiste. Hey, I have nothing against them.

This interview was done in the presence of Kwame Karikari, Philipa's producer.

Museke: Can you tell us about your background, family and education?
Philipa: I was born in Kumasi to Mr. Fred and Mrs. Grace Baafi. I have 2 other siblings and come from Manhyia. I attended Kings International school and because I was brilliant, getting 1st positions and all, I ended up at St. Monica’s (Girls) Secondary School. I studied science there and from 1998-1999 was the head prefect. I released my first album in 1999 shortly after I finished Monica’s.

Museke: Talking about music, how did you get into it and what was your first break?
Philipa: I released Nyame honhom sane (God’s spirit come down) in 1999. One Father Manu at St. Monica’s produced the album. I had been leading the praise and worship team in school. I was the SU president as well as science club president.
My second album, Mogya no akasa (the blood has spoken), came out in 2002.

Philipa Baafi, the 27 year old singer, songwriter, musician and philanthropist is a native of Manhyia, a community which is about 50 minutes drive from Kumasi, the regional capital of Ashanti. Touted as the queen of gospel icons, Philipa sees her career more as a ministry than a mere profession. Philipa is one of a handful of superstars who can still shift merchandise to their favour even when they have not released a new project for a relatively long time.

Singing started for her when she was just an infant in a basic school. This was very much against the wishes of her parents, her mother particularly. She however continued the musical talent through her secondary school (St. Monica’s Secondary School) at Mampong where she still had time for her singing even when she was in her final year. By the time she completed school in 2000 she had recorded her first album as the Head girl, “Nyame Honhom sane” which literally means Descend upon us, Thou Holy Ghost.

• View all from Jamnazi Africa
  Artistes Jamnazi Africa
  Album Riziki
  Year 2007
  Writer Awilo - Michael Otieno, Jamnazi Africa
  Language Swahili
  Runtime 11:53
  Video URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfWahaIfXjE

• View all from Cee
  Artistes Cee, Great Ampong
  Album Osaberima
  Year 2007
  Writer Cynthia Appiah-Kubi
  Language Twi
  Track # 1
  Runtime 5:50

• View all from Ohemaa Mercy
  Artistes Ohemaa Mercy
  Album Edin Jesus
  Year 2007
  Writer Mercy Twum Ampofo
  Language Twi
  Track # 3
  Runtime 4:48