Grand Music Awards 2006

In early 2006, P Square - the Nigerian supergroup - along with their management team arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to perform on the same bill as the reggae star, Nasio Fontaine, who comes from the Dominican Republic. In accepting the performances, P Square’s management team were adamant and ensured that their entire team could leave Sierra Leone in time to attend an awards event in London. As it turned out, the London event, organised by Hip Hop World Magazine was conceptualized to recognize and reward Nigerian musicians. Hosting the awards show in London meant competing with the MOBO AWARDS. But it also meant international EXPOsure for Nigerian music and Nigerian culture. Having something to do with the creation of the Grand Awards is not the only impact that P Square had in Sierra Leone in 2006. P Square also won the Grand International Act Award for their extensive airplay and record sales in Sierra Leone, but more importantly, for the impact of their stage performances. They really took things to a higher level and their influence is clear to see in the performances of Sierra Leonean artists since P Square performed in Sierra Leone.

From the thought of 'international EXPOsure for Salone music' - hmmm - and with extensive research and analysis, Lawrence Spencer-Coker founded The Grand Awards & Music EXPO (The GAME). The GAME recognizes and rewards Sierra Leonean musicians and music industry practitioners in front of and behind the microphone. That means Record Producers and Engineers all get recognition for the contribution to Salone music. The EXPOs - which are exhibitions - continue to attract; Mobile Phone Operators, Record Producers & Engineers, Recording Studios, Graphic Artists, Record Labels, Promoters, Media Houses, Agents, Video Producers, Printers, CD Manufacturers, Electronic Equipment Distributors, Wholesale & Retail Distributors, CD Distributors, Website Designers, Airlines, Travel Agents, Hoteliers, and many more showbiz and related industry practitioners who wish to promote their products and services to our music industry targeted audience. Do you want to be a part of the EXPOs? Do you want to organise an EXPO in your home country? Register here and benefit from a great networking event.
You can email the Grand Awards Secretariat directly on: GrandAwards@gmail.com

Winning a Grand Award is not easy. Nominations can be forwarded by anyone from anywhere. EACH nomination is painstakingly authenticated by the Grand Panel of Judges prior to inclusion in the OFFICIAL GRAND AWARDS NOMINATIONS LIST. Authentication means that the Grand Panel of Judges will check and officially accept the nominated song or album into the category and genre that it was nominated for. Eg. If a song is nominated in the Grand Album category and Reggae genre, the panel will ensure that the song is indeed a Reggae song, that it was released during the 'Nominations Window' and that it was done by a Sierra Leonean artiste OR music practitioner irrespective of their geographic residence and market of release. As at December 2006, all the other award show organisers including the, Celtel Premier Music Awards, COMIUM Music Awards, Promoters Club Awards, People's Choice Awards and the TBS Music Awards, all nominate and judge entries based on official release and popularity in Sierra Leone. The Grand Awards is proudly unique!
We recognize and reward based on international quality production standards.

Grand Awards voting is executed on TWO fronts.

1. Online Voting: 5% Voting Rights
2. Grand Panel of Judges: 95% Voting Rights

The Grand Awards is unique in many other ways. For song related entries, winning a Grand Award DOES NOT necessarily reflect the popularity of the songs within Sierra Leone during the ‘Grand Nominations Window’. If songs were judged based primarily on popularity, it would incrementally disadvantage works as their release dates get closer to the end of the Grand Nominations Window. So, theoretically, works released on the 30th of September in any given year, would be disadvantaged as it would have had a lot less time to for airplay, which would impact on its popularity. With the nominations window the same work would not be eligible for the following year’s Grand Awards event. Not sensible and would contradict one of the core values of the concept, which is: “To reward and promote international quality Sierra Leonean music and musicians.”

Nicky's Grand London Report for
Grand Music Awards 2006

The Grand Awards & Music EXPO organisers would like to thank the BRITISH COUNCIL in Sierra Leone, especially the incumbent Director, Tom Walsh, for supporting the Grand Awards & Music EXPO. His input has been valuable to progress in 2006. We also take our hats off to Nicky Spencer-Coker of Supreme Inc for all her support and participation, especially with the London event. She co-ordinated the simultaneous global announcement of the 2006 Grand Award winners via the SL4U INTERNET RADIO platform, a first for Sierra Leone showbiz anywhere. We thank the entire SL4U team in London for making it happen. To all the friends and fans of Sierra Leonean music and showbiz who sent in nominations and voted for their favourite Sierra Leonean artists and music industry practitioners, we say thanks. We promise you all that this event will stay in the Sierra Leonean showbiz calendar for years to come. Finally, we want to thank the management of PARDIS nightclub in London, for hosting the Grand Awards & Music EXPO 2006. To all fans who want the Grand Awards & Music EXPO to go to Nigeria and the USA, we hear you loud and clear!

GRAND MUSIC AWARDS 2007 INFO