VGMA 2018: Most Popular Songs Awards Shouldn’t Be Determined By Votes – M.anifest

Awards-winning Hip-hop artiste, M.anifest says it is unfair to use votes in determining “Most Popular Song” at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

M.anifest stated that he understands the motive behind the votes. However, he added that “it creates possibilities of rigging since those with money can buy votes”.

He therefore called on Charter House, organizers of the awards to change the metrics and basis upon which they determine the  winners in this category and reconsider the use of votes.

M.anifest was speaking on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM.

“I get the idea behind the votes but I think it’s flawed. I would change it if I were in control. It becomes an election so the one with money wins…”, he said.

M.anifest, born Kwame Ametepee Tsikata, is however not the first person to call on the redress of this issue. Many industry players have called on the awards scheme to check the criteria used in selecting winners of that award.

This follows Patapaa Amisty’s huge lost in the Most Popular Song of the Year awards at the recently ended VGMAs.

Patapaa, who was highly tipped to win the award with his ‘One Corner’ song lost to his Northern partner, Fancy Gadam’s Total Cheat.

PRO of Charterhouse, in an interview on Hitz FM, indicated that the votes collated by the organizers suggested that Fancy’s fans voted massively for his victory in the category.

Notwithstanding, most fans of Patapaa and some other industry players felt he was cheated. This is because for them, Patapaa’s “One Corner” song went international compared to Fancy Gadam’s “Total Cheat”.

M.anifest further urged all industry players to pay less attention to awards. This according to him is because he believes it has the tendency to lower their efforts in the industry.