Amakye Dede steals show at Joy FM's Nite with the Stars
In an apparent confirmation of the saying that 'old wine tastes better,' highlife musician, Amakye Dede Friday night stole the show at the 9th edition of the Joy FM Nite with the Stars.
Performing immediately after a number of rap and hiplife artistes at the overflowing main auditorium of the Accra International Conference Centre, Amakye Dede did not need to do anything extraordinary to get the entire house up and dancing - everyone was simply in tune with his decades-old household songs and they naturally tapped into them. It was dancing time and nobody wanted to be left out.
Even staff of organisers, Multimedia Group Limited, who had been grappling with the teeming numbers of patrons, momentarily abandoned their tedious job of finding seats for people to put on their dancing shoes and joined the rest who no longer had need for seats.
Defying the notion that highlife songs are 'colo' and 'archaic', the once highlife king led the enthusiastic crowds to sing and dance infectiously, much to the admiration of all.
The joys of the crowd knew no bounds when Joy FM's Super Morning Show host, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah and presenter Bola Ray joined Amakye Dede to perform his final track for the day.
Backed by his traditional live band, Amakye Dede's performance was without doubt the most thrilling. He commended Joy FM for promoting Ghanaian music over the years through the Nite With The Stars programme.
Group Music Star winners, 4X4 capped the all-night-long music and dance on an ecstatic note. The group, intent on justifying their win, put up a spirited concert usual of their performances, with as always, an intricate stagecraft. The early hours of the Saturday morning did not bring the expected weariness as the group got the audience on their feet to do their last boogie.
The group did not disappoint those who voted to choose them winners over other three groups – Daughters of Glorious Jesus, R2Bees and Bradez in the Vodafone-sponsored event.
The Joy FM Nite With The Stars 9 undoubtedly was a roaring success with a record attendance. Title sponsor VODAFONE, was supported by Schweppes Malt from Coca-Cola, The Yelen Body lotion, Canadian Independent College, Benchmark Professional Institute, Ghana Aids Commission, Unigate Educational Co Ltd and Silicon House.
Hiplife star Richie won the Male Music Star of the year while Yvonne Nelson picked the Star Actress of the year. John Dumelo beat film personalities such as , Ekow Smith Asante, Kofi Adjorlolo, Majid Michelle and Van Vicker to the Star Actor of the year award.
Each of the winners will be receiving a fully connected laptop from Vodafone and a hamper each from Yelen Body lotion and other sponsors.
Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline