The Critic’s Note Book; 3music Awards 21 

Saturday was Music’s Biggest Night, the occasion where we gather to watch the 3music Awards 21 and find out how much the board has or hasn’t adjusted to meet the times. In a good year, expecting the show to make great plays is a game of acceptable losses where, inevitably, people go home upset and fans flood the internet with outrage.

Over the ensuing year, a global pandemic put concerts on hold, pushed beloved nightlife venues to the brink of extinction, pinched earnings in every corner of the industry, and claimed the lives of beloved artists.

What kind of night is appropriate in the shadow of that? How do you summarize what we lost and what we won in spite of it? This year, the 3music Awards worked harder to deliver a better show than in several years past, to the benefit of the viewers and the nominated artists.

Unlike other virtual awards ceremonies of the pandemic era, this year’s 3music Awards actually took place with the most artist in the same, physical space—no wonky Zoom connections or mixed-quality camera work here, the ceremony was held on a collection of sound, stages, lights, led screens at the Grand Arena, AICC where awards were given out on stage with physically distanced of masked and unmasked awardees.

Commencing the night on the drip carpet, guests walked on to be quizzed on their looks and expectations for the night by three of Ghana’s finest comedians. The transitions from one stage to another gave the show a music-festival-like feel, and, as several of my fellow critics observed on Twitter, the event begun to trend.

The insertion of pre-recorded content such as themed musical performances by Madikal, Joey B sparked the attention, drifting one’s mind to enjoy a music video and a live set event. With organizers having to invested so much in to performance that looked cleaner than music videos shot by the artistes themselves, the 3music Awards proofed a perfectly scripted movie yet to be premiered.

As the clock approached the two-hour mark, I scribbled in my notebook, “Has there really been nothing bad yet? Bizarre.” Sure, one could quibble with a few things, such as delays in airing nominees montage for some categories and a few technical delays, the show run tops.

Similarly built to catch up with BET, the current pandemic as given room for creative minds to operate. Live music on stage was top notch with the music band doing the most; and from a critic’s book the Band is the best in Ghana at the moment, take it or leave it. Swiftly dishing out rhythms for both gospel and circular artists Ghana’s gospel sensation Diana Hamilton, Efe Grace and Kobby Salm awesomely delivered, as rising dancehall superstar Larruso, Kaphun, Jah Lead, the legendary Nana Acheampong also providing a spectacular performance for the viewing and enjoying pleasure of the event’s audience.

Performances were a blast, the tribute performance by Kidi & Mr Drew, the new lords Gyakie, Kweku Flick, Ypee, Kofi Jamar and Yaw Tog also brought on their A game in a pre-recorded performance directed by Northern Production and quality music won awards on the night.

Commending the 3music Awards board for a great input and output, Jay Foley and Naa Ashorkor were incredibly fantastic compared to the previous hosting pairings.

Check Out Full List Of 3 Music Awards 2021 Winners

Alternative Song Of The Year

— Worlasi [ Commot ]

EP Of The Year

— KiDi [ Blue ]

Performer Of The Year

— Sarkodie [ Black Love Virtual Concert ]

Higlife Song Of The Year

— Stonebwoy [ Sobolo ]

DJ Of The Year

— DJ Aroma

Digital Act Of The Year

— Empress Gifty Osei

Hiplife Song Of The Year

— Sarkodie [ Oofeetso ]

Female Vocal Performance Of The Year

— Diana Hamilton

Rapper Of The Year

— Eno Barony

Producer Of The Year

— MOG Beatz

African Act Of The Year

— Davido

Next Rated Act

— Malcolm Nuna

Male Vocalist Of The Year

— King Promise

Hiplife/Hiphop Act Of The Year

— Medikal

Legend Award

— Elder SK Ampiah

Music Video Of The Year

— Ama Rae [ Fancy]

Tune Core Most Streamed Act

— Medikal

Tune Core Most Streamed Song

— Kofi Mole [ Ya Br3 ]

Best Collaboration Of The Year

— Keche [ No Dulling]

Afrobeat/Afropop Song Of The Year

— KiDi [ Enjoyment ]

Viral Song Of The Year

— Stonebwoy [ Putuu Freeclass]

Fan Army Of The Year

— Kumericans

Gospel Song Of The Year

— Diana Hamilton [ Adom ]

Reggae-Dancehall Song Of The Year

— Adina [ Why ]

Group Of The Year

— Dead PeoPle

HipHop Song Of The Year

— Yaw Tog [ Sore ]

Music Woman Of The Year

— Adina

Most Streamed Female Act

— Diana Hamilton

Emerging Woman Of The Year

— Gyakie

Breakthrough Act Of The Year

— Mr. Drew

Gospel Act Of The Year

— Diana Hamilton

Album Of The Year

— Stonebwoy [ Anloga Junction]

Song Of The Year

— KiDi [ Enjoyment ]

Lifetime Achievement Award

— Osibisa

Reggae/Dancehall Act Of The Year

— Larusso

Highlife Act Of The Year

— Kuami Eugene

Artiste Of The Year

— KiDi

HONOREES

~ Diana Hopeson

~ Grace Nortey

~ Frances Ademola