The 2025 edition of the Eastern Music Awards (EMA) reaffirmed its growing reputation as the foremost platform for celebrating musical excellence in th
The 2025 edition of the Eastern Music Awards (EMA) reaffirmed its growing reputation as the foremost platform for celebrating musical excellence in the Eastern Region, as artistes, producers, promoters and industry stakeholders converged on The White House in Koforidua on Saturday, December 13, for a night of recognition, culture and creativity.
Organised by Hi5 Empire, the awards ceremony formed part of ongoing efforts to spotlight and institutionalise regional music awards, following years in which artistes from outside Accra struggled for national attention despite their growing influence and commercial success.
Since its inception, the Eastern Music Awards has positioned itself as a vehicle for talent discovery, industry development and regional pride, rewarding both mainstream and emerging acts across diverse genres including afropop, highlife, gospel, hip life, hip hop and reggae/dancehall.
The event was delivered with the backing of key corporate and hospitality partners whose support was instrumental to its success.
Brands such as Bel Beverages, Hi5 Natural Mineral Water and Kenjack Products provided sponsorship, while The White House Events and More hosted the ceremony.
On the competitive front, afropop artiste El Jena emerged as the biggest winner of the night, clinching the ultimate Artist of the Year award.
His collaboration with Benecido 91 on Rain also picked up Afropop Song of the Year, further cementing his impact over the awards year.
Wendy Shay, one of the Region’s most prominent exports to the national music scene, was honoured as Eastern Pride of the Year and also secured the Most Viral Song of the Year with Too Late, reflecting her continued dominance beyond the region.
Highlife legend Okyeame Emma, featuring Obrafour, claimed Highlife Song of the Year with Yaa Baby, while Rocky T took home Highlife Act of the Year and later swept the Music Video of the Year category with Abrante3, alongside Kay Motionz, who won Video Director of the Year for the same project.
In the hip life and hip hop categories, Ladonati was named Hip Life/Hip Hop Act of the Year, with Kojo Young and King Passion’s Level Up winning Hip Hop Song of the Year, and IvStone’s Tough Gyal securing Hip Life Song of the Year.
Reggae and dancehall music also featured prominently, as Nature Ranks was crowned Reggae/Dancehall Act of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for Obi, while Queendom by Gyaldem Tish featuring Ekow Marvel won Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year.
Gospel music received equal attention, with Yesu Nkoaa by Osofo Boateng winning Gospel Song of the Year and Prophet Revival Clement being named Gospel Act of the Year.
Beyond artistes, the awards recognised behind-the-scenes contributors, including DNA Beatz as Music Producer of the Year for I’m Not Insane by C Clark featuring Rany Dopesongz, K Joe Beatz as Sound Engineer of the Year for Srodae Boy, and Emmanuel Ofosu as Instrumentalist of the Year for his work as a bassist.
Hit Hauz TV was honoured as Best Promoter of the Year, highlighting the growing role of digital and grassroots promotion in building regional music careers.
The full winners list reflected a balance between established names and rising talents, with Kwesi Mafia winning Afropop Act of the Year, Longation’s Obrempong taking Album/EP of the Year, Classic Band being named Band of the Year, Rhyme Sniffa from Methodist College of Education winning Best Campus Act, and Nima emerging as Most Promising Act of the Year. Black Sherif, one of Ghana’s biggest contemporary exports, was recognised as Most Influential Act in Ghana, reinforcing the Eastern Region’s contribution to shaping national music trends.
Organisers say the success of the 2025 ceremony strengthens the case for sustained investment in regional music awards as a pathway to national and international recognition.
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