Ambiguities To Be Checked In This Year`s V.G.M.A After going through the VGMA category description, there are a number of ambiguities I bring before the Board and Academy for re-examination. Lifetime Achievement Awards According to VGMA, Lifetime Achievement Awards is: “is adjudged by the Board as a living legend of Ghanaian Music whose works have spanned generations.” What is generation? What time period is generation – 10years, 30 years, 50years, 100years? Generations in this wise, is too subjective, relative or ambiguous! The Board may consider a definitive year or duration description, say: “….whose works has spanned at least 3 decades (30 years). For instance, last year, I did not understand why Gyedu Blay Ambulley should receive Lifetime Achievement Award whilst Obouba J. A. Adofo hasnt; because the latter started producing songs years before the former. Another person may also say why not Papa Yankson? But, if the category description is definitive, it fills the hole or answers all such criticisms, speculations and doubts. The phrase spanning generation is too ambiguous! Use of most Exciting and Impact The words exciting and impact is used in some of the categories. Example of the use of impact is Best Collaboration of the Year: “…the song must have generated the most excitement during the year. Example of use of excitement is New Artiste of the Year: “…the award goes to the most promising, and talented new artistes. “The award goes to the artiste who made the most impact…” Most exciting and most impact are too relative! Words like popular or hit (as used in some categories) and buzz should be maintained. If a song is popular, its popular! If a song creates a buzz, it will be obvious for all and sundry; excitement and impact? Its too relative to ascertain! Afro-pop Song of the Year According to VGMA, Afro-pop Song of the Year is: “is the song by the Academy, Board and the General Public as the most popular song that is a cross pollination of music genres. Cross pollination of music genres in this sense, is too ambiguous! So if a musician cross-pollinates reggae beat with highlife beat, is that an Afro-pop song? Or if a musician cross-pollinates a highlife beat with hip-hop beat, is that Afro-pop? That is the ambiguity element in the categorys description. For instance, I dont see any cross-pollination of music genres in Fuse ODGs Antenna which made it qualify for nomination in Afro-pop Song and subsequently, won the Afro-pop Song of the Year award in 2012 VGMA. Afro-pop is not a genre of music but rather, a general term for African popular music. But, if the Academy and Board regard Afro-pop as a music genre, then they should give its category a definitive description. Album of the Year According to VGMA, Album of the Year is: “is adjudged by the Academy and Board as the most outstanding compilation of hit songs on an album that was released during the year under review…” Outstanding compilation of songs? Ambiguous! What is the measure of outstanding? Compilation of Songs? How many of such songs? Why not consider definitive description say: “…is adjudged by the Academy and Board as the compilation of at least 3 hit songs on an album that was released during the year under review…” Best Male/Female Vocal Artiste According to VGMA, Best Male/Female Vocal Artiste is: “is adjudged by the Academy and Board as the Male/Female artiste (solo) with the best vocal delivery/performance on any musical presentation which was released during the year under review.” What is best vocal delivery/performance? Its ambiguous and even vague! Why not consider definitive description say: “….is adjudged by the Academy and Board as the Male/Female artiste (solo) whos consistent with keys and or notes, verbiage, clearer diction and tonal pattern.” Music Video of the Year According to VGMA, Music Video of the Year is: “…..is adjudged by the Academy and Board as the most creative and entertaining visual representation of any song released during the year under review.” Creative and entertaining visual representation is too relative and ambiguous! What is the measure of creativity in this sense? Entertaining is relative! Why not consider definitive description say: “…..is adjudged by the Academy and Board as the best visual interpretation of lyrics, concept or theme of song, sonic sound, and best cinematography of any song released during the year under review.” Record of the Year According to VGMA, Record of the Year is: “is adjudged by the Academy and the Board as the most outstanding original song that was released during the year under review. It may have enjoyed huge success but has quality artistic values. What is the measure of outstanding? What is success? What is a quality artistic value? All such adjectives are too equivocal! Well, I dont even see the essence of this category in VGMA. Left to me, it should be scrapped. Instrumentalist of the Year According to VGMA, Instrumentalist of the Year is: “is an honorary award presented to the instrumentalist who performed creditably on a number of hit songs that were released during the year under review. What is the measure of creditably? On a number of songs? How many – minimum and maximum? Why not consider a definitive description say: “is an honorary award presented to the instrumentalist who performed on at least 3 hit songs that were released during the year under review. Conclusion I am not in any way casting aspersions on the intellect of the VGMA Academy or Board. I am only sharing an opinion. If the VGMA Academy and Board find anything erudite in my review, they could consider it for adoption. Until then…MOTWUM!!
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 13:30:38 +0000
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