Last Saturday, the GIMPA Law Faculty auditorium came alive with vibrant culture, energy, and artistic brilliance as African Dance Rhythms delivered a breathtaking performance at the National Academy of Students’ Achievers Awards 2025. The event, which celebrates outstanding students across various sectors, was elevated by the group’s powerful display of traditional and contemporary African movement.
African Dance Rhythms, known for their creative blend of storytelling, rhythmic precision, and cultural expression, captivated the audience from the moment they stepped on stage. Their performance fused drumming, choreography, and stage presence in a way that highlighted the richness of African heritage while appealing to a modern crowd.
Advertisement
Guests at the awards ceremony were seen cheering, clapping, and recording the spectacle as the dancers transformed the venue into a cultural arena filled with life and emotion.
The group’s appearance at the awards underscored the role of the arts in inspiring young achievers and promoting African identity in academic and professional spaces. Their performance not only entertained but reminded the audience of the power of culture, unity, and creativity. For many who attended, African Dance Rhythms was one of the standout highlights of the evening—an unforgettable moment that added depth and meaning to the celebration.
As the National Academy of Students’ Achievers Awards 2025 continues to grow in prestige, the inclusion of talented groups like African Dance Rhythms reinforces the event’s commitment to excellence, culture, and youth empowerment. Their performance will be remembered as one of the night’s defining moments, showcasing once again why they remain one of Ghana’s most dynamic performing arts groups.
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.