Rapper Jay Bahd’s candidacy for the 24th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards’ New Artiste of the Year category has been removed by the board of the awards.
This is in response to a petition that was started by broadcaster and VGMA Academy member Austine Woode after the Board announced a one-week temporary window this year for fixing mistakes and omissions in the nominations.
Austine claimed in his petition that Jay Bahd was not new to the scheme because, together with Yaw Tog, they were nominated for Best Collaboration of the Year in 2021 for their joint effort, “Sore.”
The VGMA Board stated in a news statement that they had examined Jay Bahd’s candidacy in the category after considering Austine’s plea.
“One of the submissions made, which has generated high public interest, is Jay Bahd’s inclusion in the Best New Artiste category. After deliberations, the Board agrees that Jay Bahd is not new to the scheme, because of his shared nomination on Yaw Tog’s ‘Sore’ for Collaboration of the Year in 2021. This means he’s not eligible as a nominee for the Best New Artiste category of the 24th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. The error has been corrected, and Jay Bahd and his team have been informed accordingly. The inconvenience is deeply regretted,” they wrote.
The report also says that Jay Bahd’s choice was only one of several that were put forth by performers, their managers, and other industry participants.
The Board established a one-week temporary window this year for rectifying mistakes and omissions in the nominations, which made it feasible for this evaluation to be conducted.
In the category for New Artist of the Year, Jay Bahd was nominated with performers including Ewura Abena, Lasmid, Chief One, DJ Azonto, Malcolm Nuna, and DJay.
The 24th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards’ big finale is scheduled for May 6, 2023, in the meantime.
The Accra International Convention Center’s Grand Arena will host the event.
