MTN icon, Samini has signed a recording and management deal worth over nine-hundred and fifty thousand Ghana cedis with Phamous Music, a subsidiary of the communication and multimedia outfit, Phamous Media Group Ltd (PMG), for the next two years.

A low-key ceremony was held late Friday, December 2, 2011 at the company’s offices located at Tesano in Accra, which was attended by core reps of the 100% Ghanaian-owned parent company.

A special event is been planned to outdoor the signing and will coincide with a grand, strictly-by-invitation private ball at a plush hotel in Accra on Samini’s birthday, December 22, 2011.

Asked the major goal of what obviously will be Samini’s biggest management deal since he hit stardom, a manager of the new outfit, Mr. Verus Nartey, said: “Samini is a very huge brand; a unique one that has outdone his current territory. He has won several international honours including MOBO awards, MTV Music Awards and Channel O awards; it is time to properly position this brand in the world music market hence the required concerted effort by a bigger and more resourceful management team to push him beyond these territories

He said: “With this investment, Samini will not have any problems whatsoever in exploring or engaging in career advancement business activities”.

In the new deal, Samini’s long-time manager, Anthony Pun Daning remains a member of Samini’s management team now consisting of Samini’s Business Development Manager, Publicist, Legal Counsel, Booking officer, Artistic Director and Personal Security team; with offices inside the PMG building.

The two-year multi-album deal which has renewal options includes major investment in his personal image, music, recording and marketing across the world. Further details will be announced at the December 22 event.

When asked what would happen to his endorsement deals such as with MTN, a rep at Phamous Music hints that: “The new management is yet to discuss and consider business options and possibilities available to brand Samini”. As we speak, he says: “Samini is an MTN icon, and a happy one for that matter and would be glad to continue his positively fruitful business relationship with that big family. However, no meetings have been held so far to discuss that area of his future plans. The most important thing for the new management is to concentrate on activities aimed at further enhancing his image and music status to look even more attractive to his fans and external businesses”.

He is focusing on recording more and more music that will appeal even better to his target audience- the trendy youths and young adults, especially ladies.

Phamous Philms, the creative wing of the PMG will produce as many international standard music videos as possible for his 2012 album; and Phamous Marketing Services will concentrate on marketing the brand and music beyond existing territories with plans to cover Nigeria, South Africa, 10 other African countries, Europe and the U.S within the next 12 months.

The first single off his new signing is scheduled to be released on January 27, 2012. On concerts, like the Samini-Mavado Concert held at the Accra Stadium, Samini is expected to host an international reggae superstar on Independence Day March 6, 2012 at a venue to be announced later.

Phamous Media Group Ltd, a limited liability Company 100% Ghanaian owned, has the following subsidiaries: Phamous Marketing Services Ltd, Phamous Music Ltd, Traphic Lounge and Phamous Philms.

Ghana’s Dancehall artiste, Emmanuel Samini known on stage as Samini has won Ghana’s first ever Channel O award at the 2011 edition of the awards which came off at Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa Friday night.

Samini picked up the Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall Video Artistaward with his song Dadiekye beating off stiff competition from Wyre/ Cecile, Black Dillingera and Nazizi.

Interestingly, Samini’s award was presented to him by fellow Ghanaian musician and rapper J Town.

Another Ghanaian artiste, D-Black who was nominated in the Most Gifted African West Video Artiste category for his song Get On The Dance Floor which featured Dr. Cryme lost out on the award to Nigerian artiste, Naeto C with his song 10 Over 10.

Nigerian artiste, D’Banj aside receiving the Special Recognition Awardalso walked away with the Most Gifted Male Video Artist for his videoMr Endowed (Remix) which featured hip hop star, Snoop Dogg. 

The night saw exciting performances from Nigerian songstress Tiwa Savage, Angolan Cabo Snoop and DJ Cleo.

Most Gifted Dance Video Artist 
Darey - Ba Ni Ki Di

Most Gifted African East Video Artist
Radio and Weseal, Keko - How We Do It (Remix)

Most Gifted Hip Hop Video Artist
AKA - Victory Lap

Most Gifted African West Video Artiste
Naeto C - 10 Over 10

Most Gifted Afro Pop
Theo – Ukhona

Most Gifted Kwaito Video Artist
The Dogg - This Is My Time

Most Gifted R&B Video Artist
Banky W. ft. M.I. - Feeling It

Most Gifted African Southern Video Artiste
Liquideep - Settle For Less

Most Gifted Newcomer Video Artist
Ice Prince/ Brymo - Oleku

Most Gifted Male Video Artist
D’Banj ft. Snoop Dogg - Mr Endowed (Remix)

Most Gifted Female Video
Lira – Phakade

Most Gifted Video Of The Year Artist
Zakes Bantwini - Wasting My Time

Special Recognition Award
D’Banj 

2010 was an adventurous year for the music industry without a pinch of a salt. Not much needs to be said, Celebrity Publicist, radio and TV presenter, Quame Junior has analyzed the year under review and has thus come out with the following predictions for the 2011 GMAs.

The categories for nominations are yet to be outdoored but inferring from the activities and systematic experiences of past years the following songs and artiste could make the list.In this year’s awards, all musical works produced and or released from December 1, 2009 – November 30, 2010 were presented to the GMA Academy for consideration. The following are my predictions:

1. Gospel Song of the year:
                      Efunumu ba - Cecilia Marfo
                      Mma Mma - Florence Obinim/ Princess Ifeoma 
                      Halleluiah – Cee, Isaac And Ampong

2. Hip-Hop Song of the year:
               Intoxicated - Richie
               Somebody - D Black
               My life - Trigmatic
               No More kpayor - Asem

3. Reggae Song of the Year

• Valentine – Morris D’Voice
• Thanks And Praise – Iwan
• African Reggae Fever – Rocky Dawuni

• Okyeame Kwame
• Captain Planet (4×4)
• Asem
• Guru
• Promzy (VIP)
• Paedae (R2Bees)
• Trigmatic
• DBlack

• Morris D’Voice
• Richie
• Iwan
• Jay Ghartey
• Fresh Prince (4X4)
• Muggees (R2bees)
• SK Blinks
• Trigmatic
• Fritz

• Cecilia Marfo
• Florence Obinim
• Cee
• Bertha
• Celestine Donkor
• Efyah

• Bebe Sumtin
• Wande Coal
• Tuface
• P-Square
• Banky W
• MI
• Fally Ipupa

• Away – VIP
• African Girls – Castro
• Aha Yede – Nana Boroo
• Wo Bekumi – Dr. Cryme
• Wengeze - Eazzy
• Sweet Mistake – Samini
• Azingele – Rough N Smooth

• Forever – Becca
• Dzata Bi – Adane Best
• Meda Enda – Bless
• Daddy - Kofi B

• Nacy
• Richie
• Kaywa
• Appietus

• Away – VIP
• No More Kpayor – Asem
• I Think I Like Am – VIP
• African Girls – Castro
• Efunumu Ba – Cecilia Marfo
• Halleluiah – Cee/Isaac/Ampong
• Wengeze – Eazzy
• Sweet Mistake – Samini
• My Life – Trigmatic
• Miss Doctor – 4X4
• Aha Yede – Nana Boroo

• I Think I Like Am – VIP
• My Lady – Jay Ghartey
• Lagos To Vienna – KNii Lante
• Wengeze - Eazzy

• VIP
• Richie
• Asem
• Nana Boroo
• Castro
• Becca
• Eazzy
• Trigmatic
• Tinny
• Cecilia Marfo
• D Black

• VIP
• Asem
• Ayigbe Edem
• Castro
• Nana Boroo
• Eazzy
• DBlack
• R2Bees
• Trigmatic
• Richie

• Becca
• Amakye Dede
• Adane Best
• Gyedu Blay Ambolley

• Cecilia Marfo
• No Tribe
• Cee/Isaac/Ampong
• Florence Obinim

• Morris D’Voice
• Iwan
• Jay Ghartey
• DBlack
• Nana Boroo
• Eazzy
• Zigi
• Dr. Cryme
• Trigmatic

• African Girls – Castro/Asamoah Gyan
• Aha Yede – Nana Boroo/SK Blinks
• Get On Da Dance Floor – DBlack/Dr. Cryme
• Kiss Your Hand – R2bees/Wande Coal
• Intoxicated – Richie/Sway
• Tempo – Samini/Muggees
• Trigger – Samini/Ghetto KB
• Shokoli – Echo/Iwan

• Progress – VIP
• Twinkle – Eazzy
• My Time – Iwan
• C.E.O – Samini
• U.K.N.R. – Richie
• Music, Love & Life – DBlack
• Permanent Stains – Trigmatic
• Reggiestration – Reggie Rockstone

• Richie – Lynx Entertainmen
• Paradise Entertainment
• Bullhaus Entertainment
• Samini Music
• King Bling
• Black Avenue Muzik

• Valentine – Morris D’Voice
• My Lady – Jay Ghartey
• Yaaro – Richie
• Female friend - Reggie Rockstone

• I Think I Like Am – VIP
• Aha Yede – Nana Boroo
• Wengeze – Eazzy
• Get On Da Dance Floor – DBlack
• Somebody – DBlack
• Intoxicated – Richie
• My Life – Trigmatic
• Sweet Mistake – Samini

• Shame On You – Okyeame Kwame
• Somebody – DBlack
• My Life – Trigmatic
• My Lady – Jay Ghartey
• Yaaro - Richie