No Kid rapper or singer has ever been nominated for Ghana Music Awards, since it was created in the year 2000 by Event power brand, Charterhouse. It absolutely feels like Talented minors are mostly marginalized. Even though, there has been kids who were very close to getting a nomination at least for an award but maybe their songs could not meet the Awards Expectations.
These Kids should not be ignored to the extent that they would feel not part of the industry, which could therefore kill their dreams and ambitions of becoming great artist in the future. The future of the music industry is dependent on these young kids if they are recognized by industry leaders and stakeholders.
Expectations are very high and things could take a different drift as the awards show earmark its 20th Anniversary this year. It would therefore be a great year for kids especially rapper Samuel Owusu (Yung King Clef), current winner of TV3 Talented Kidz Reality Show.
Samuel, after winning the TV3 Talented Kidz 2018 edition decided to put plans together with the help of his managers to tackle issues that affects lives in Ghana; politics, governance, corruption and the economy. He put together a stretch of composition named “State of Affairs”. The song’s content direction would open an opportunity for him to set the record as the first ever kid to be nominated for Ghana Music Awards. If Samuel Owusu wins, he will go into the history books as the first kid to ever win.
His song “State of Affairs” did not only do well in 2018 but its lyrical content and concept affected a lot of listeners.
In an interview on Happy FM, he said “I was inspired by issues that affects the lives of everybody around me”. Samuel went on to say “one of the key issues I believe includes; the Economy, Politics, Corruption, Social vices such as tramadol, poor sanitation and the likes”
It amazes a lot of people at to how a 12 years old Kid can write conceptual verses like what Samuel does, seeking to tackle corruption, bad political governance, bad social practices and several other key issues affecting the economy and the socio-political landscape of Ghana.
There are very few musicians who produce songs that takes about sensitive issues of such nature that seeks to educate and inform listeners, this is why there has been a call for organisers and stakeholders to consider that particular song and give it the recognition that it deserves.
Some key findings we have identify that puts Samuel Owusu ahead as a favorable nominee for VGMA 2019 are listed as follows;
10 FACTS ABOUT SAMUEL OWUSU’S “STATE OF AFFAIRS”
1. One of the most educative songs released in 2018 by a 12 years old rapper
2. YouTube Views for the “State of Affairs” Music Video scored over 120,000 views in the 1st week of release.
3. One of the most watched Music Videos in Ghana by a Young Lad.
4. One of the popular songs that talks about politics, governance and most sensitive social issues trending in Ghana at the time of release.
5. The only song that has been played on Citi FM Breakfast Show by GJA Journalist of the year, Bernard Avle consecutively from the time of release up to date.
6. The song earned 99% positive reviews from critics
7. On Social Media, the song reached over 1Million users.
8. The song has received massive airplays on various TV & Radio Platforms including; TV3, TV7, UTV, Joyprime, Zylofon TV, GhOne TV etc and also Peace FM, Hitzfm, AdomFM, Zylofon FM, Citi FM, Okay FM, 3FM, Onua FM among several others.
9. Teephlow’s “State Of the Art” was nominated in both Record of the Year and Rapper of the Year categories for VGMA 2018, with 68,000 views on YouTube 10 months after release. “State of Affairs” by Samuel Owusu has hit 182,000 views, more than double Teephlow’s number in 5 months.
10. He has set the record as the first ever young artist to release a song that tackles on Corruption, health issues, Governance and relevant social issues.
