Mark Okraku Mantey, one of Ghana’s controversial entertainment critics and music producer, has hit at hiplife duo Ruff N Smooth, saying they cannot compare themselves to Bless when they are put on stage to perform.

Mark Okraku Mantey was reacting to allegations that he denied Ruff N Smooth from getting their song ‘Sex Machine’ nominated in this year’s Ghana Music Award (GMA). “I never said anywhere that ‘Sex Machine’ contains profane lyrics. It was a text message I had from a friend, one Tsikata that ‘Sex Machine’ contains profane lyrics.

I hold nothing against Ruff and Smooth. What I want to tell them is that they should not be desperate for an award. When they are put on stage with Bless, they are aware they cannot match him,” Okraku Mantey added.

According to Okraku Mantey, who is also the manager of Bless, his artiste got the nomination because the highlife category had not been strong for some time now, adding that this gave Bless the chance to be nominated.

Ruff and Smooth on their part said they were not desperate for an award but were only clearing the air concerning the tracks they sent to Charter House for this year’s Ghana Music Award (GMA).

“Standing for our right does not mean we are desperate for an award. We only want to clear an issue. We did not present only ‘Sex Machine’, which they are saying contains profane lyrics. ‘Sex Machine’ is not a profane song. We also presented ‘Monalisa’, ‘Azingele and ‘Time Changes’ for the award competition,” Ruff and Smooth revealed.

Mark Okraku Mantey and Ruff and Smooth battled it out on Joy FM’s Entertainment programme Rhythm A-Z hosted by Nii Ayi Tagoe. Juno Turkson, who works with Charter House, organisers of the Ghana Music Award (GMA), stated emphatically that Charter House had no intention to deny Ruff and Smooth or any other musician and award.