Ghanaian reggae and dancehall artiste Epixode has expressed displeasure at the merger of the reggae and dancehall genres for music awards, especially in the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
A nominee for this year’s edition, Epixode contends that dancehall has grown over the years to a point where it can stand alone to give opportunity to artistes in that category to be awarded accordingly.
The Reggae Song of the Year was first introduced into the Ghana Music Awards in 2002 and was won by Rocky Dawuni.
It was, however, changed to Reggae Dancehall Song of the Year in 2013, in which Kaakie won it with her ‘Toffee Pon Tongue’ hit track.
It has since remained the same.
But Epixode, born Theophilus Nii Arday Otoo, among other industry players, wants the category modified to have the two genres for each.
According to him, dancehall has taken Ghana places and does not deserve to be lumped up with reggae when it comes to awards.
“Dancehall over the years has been one of the biggest from this side which has taken Ghana to the world,” he told Johnnie Hughes on TV3’s New Day Thursday.
“It’s quite sad that they put [Reggae and dancehall] genres together.
“Reggae is different from dancehall because you have reggae artistes who don’t do dancehall, then you have dancehall artistes who don’t do reggae,” he explained.
Having been nominated together with Shatta Wale, Samini, Stonebwoy and AK Songtress in the Reggae/Dancehall Category of the 2019 VGMA, Epixode says the nomination alone is a fulfillment.
Meanwhile, he has promised fireworks on TV3’s Music Music this Saturday as he makes an appearance as a performing artiste on the biggest TV Music Show.
By P.D Wedam|3news.com|Ghana