The National Academy of Students Achievements Awards Ghana (NASAAG) celebrated excellence and cultural pride in grand style last Friday at the British Council, Accra. Among the standout highlights of the evening was a captivating performance by African Dance Rhythms, who lit up the stage with an electrifying showcase of traditional and contemporary African movement.
The group’s high-energy choreography, vibrant costumes, and powerful drum-driven beats had the audience on their feet, clapping and dancing along. Their performance was a celebration of African identity, rhythm, and storytelling, seamlessly blending heritage and innovation.
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“Dance is a language, and tonight we spoke from the soul of Africa,” said the group’s lead, Enoch Adjetey after their performance. “We’re honored to be part of a platform that recognizes both academic excellence and cultural expression.”
The National Academy of Students Achievements Awards Ghana (NASAAG) is an annual event dedicated to acknowledging the outstanding achievements of students across the country, while also promoting Ghanaian arts and culture. This year’s edition brought together young achievers, educators, artists, and community leaders for an evening of recognition and celebration.
As social media lit up with highlights from the night, the African Dance Rhythms segment quickly became one of the most shared moments. Audiences online and in person praised the group for their “unstoppable energy” and the “dance magic” they brought to the stage.
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Founded by Fofoo Attiso, also known as Apey, African Dance Rhythms is a Ghana-based cultural organization dedicated to preserving and promoting African heritage through immersive performances and educational programs.
The ensemble’s repertoire includes a variety of traditional Ghanaian dance forms, such as Kpanlogo, Adowa, and Atsiagbekor, each rich in cultural significance and storytelling.
Beyond performances, African Dance Rhythms offers workshops and educational programs that engage audiences of all ages, fostering a deeper appreciation for African culture. Their initiatives have reached schools across the United States, where they have conducted workshops and performances highlighting the depth and vibrancy of African dance and drumming.
Ghanaian musician Emperor T-Jiga has added another major international honour to his career after winning Best Diaspora Afrobeat Artist of the Year at the 2026 Ghana Music Awards Europe in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The recognition comes after years of creating music that blends Afrobeat, highlife, hiplife, hip hop and other African musical influences while connecting audiences in Ghana and the diaspora.
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For Emperor T-Jiga, the award is a reflection of a musical journey that has produced a catalogue of songs including Kilode, Yeloi, Sugar, Super Star, Pretty Jeniki, Saka Saka and Fine Fine Lady. His music has continued to showcase his versatility as a singer, songwriter, performer, drummer, producer and teaching artist.
One of the records that has played an important role in his recent recognition is Super Star, featuring Bepor Keddi and Cabrinny Gh. The song previously earned Emperor T-Jiga the Hiplife and Hip Hop Song of the Year award at the 2025 Ghana Music Awards USA, giving him another major milestone within the Ghanaian diaspora music community.
His catalogue, however, extends beyond Super Star.
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Kilode, featuring Young Freezy, became another important record in his career and won Best International Collaboration at the 2022 Ghana Music Awards USA. The song also received a nomination for US Based Afropop Song of the Year.
Yeloi, featuring Kotey Another and Nii Funny, further demonstrated his ability to work across different sounds and collaborators. The song was nominated for Best Music Video of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards USA.
In 2023, Emperor T-Jiga released Sugar, a record influenced by the sounds of African music pioneers including Osibisa and Fela Kuti. The song was subsequently nominated for Afropop/Afrobeat Song of the Year at the 2024 Ghana Music Awards USA.
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His more recent work has continued to expand his musical identity. Awula Feefeo has been featured among his recent releases, while his official YouTube catalogue also includes Fine Fine Lady.
Beyond his recordings, Emperor T-Jiga’s musical background gives further context to his sound. He is also an accomplished drummer, dancer, producer and music educator, with a career that has involved African music and cultural education in the United States. His work with the Akwaaba Ensemble has also allowed him to combine performance, education and cultural preservation.
That combination of musicianship and cultural identity has become an important part of Emperor T-Jiga’s artistic journey. His music does not simply seek to entertain but also draws from African rhythms, experiences and influences while presenting them to audiences in the diaspora.
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His latest achievement in Düsseldorf therefore represents another step in a career that has consistently crossed geographical and musical boundaries.
Winning Best Diaspora Afrobeat Artist of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards Europe places Emperor T-Jiga among the artistes helping to carry Ghanaian music and African sounds into international spaces.
As the celebrations continue, the award adds another significant chapter to his story and provides further momentum for an artiste whose music, performances and cultural work continue to reach audiences beyond Ghana.