Please grab a glass of a favourite beverage, halt whatever you are doing and settle down comfortably in your seat to read this story.

This year has been perfect for some artistes under listed who have warmed the hearts of many adding their names to the ‘A’ list thus becoming stars.

After months of nerves, hard work and public appearances, Ofori Amponsah popularly known as ‘All for Real’ has carved a niche for himself busting the local charts with his ‘Otoolege’ song and getting billed on almost every show in Ghana. To crown it all, he was recently chosen from four of other hopefuls as the ‘Best Artiste for the Year’ by Joy FM.

Some few months ago, I brought word on the next guys that are most likely to explode after Tupac in terms of writing and composing. How blunt is your memory if you can’t remember the guys who won the NAR 2004 competition and the NAR Pan African Final 2004?

Refresh your scope and think regular. It is no other than Praye, the ‘mad’ kids who have scuttled the hiplife applecart.

Newspapers and magazines saw them gracing front pages of almost every issue. Local charts also saw them claim from 3rd to 6th spots averagely in Ghana. Due to their brilliant music, they were on December 4 hailed as the ‘Best Group from Western Africa at the KORA Awards.

He made the world go round this year. Everywhere you went, you heard people talk about him. He became Ghana’s hottest artiste this year with his ‘Konkontibaa’ track winning five awards. Real name Bice Kuffuor, Obour was hiplife’s revelation of the year.

And then there was ‘Toffee’ (Under-Fire) by Castro dropping over 100,000 units this year. Exposed to over 2000 people during his tour outside Ghana recently, he smashed them to smithereens with tracks like ‘Toffee’, ‘Boneshaker’, and the likes hyping the frenzy on the dance floors. It is no surprise he performs on almost every show.

He came virtually from nowhere. However, the man they say is a replica of Ofori Amponsah has had the world at his feet since the release of his mega-album, ‘Rakia’. After his sterling performances in Ghana recently, he has left a mark in the hearts of Ghanaians and even others outside.

With a hit debut, over 200,000 unit sales and a host of award nominations and even two awards under his sleeves during Ghana Music Awards 2005, there is no doubt the ‘rag life dada’ has made it on his own too. Claiming the top spot on local charts in Ghana, Batman got bigger. Is there a big reason to expect something bigger from Batman next year? Let us wait and see.

It is official: Esther Smith was Ghana’s powerful and ‘Best Gospel Artiste’ this year. After months of making good music, Esther has gotten better with time. Her ‘Nipa’ album survived it all making her win the ‘Best Gospel Artiste of The Year’ award.

Lady Prempeh is one of Ghana’s most beautiful gospel artistes. This is also official. But if you cared to go beyond her looks, you will find she is one of Ghana’s new gospel artistes and has the ‘New Gospel Artiste’ award under her belt as well.

All these individuals had God on their side and luck as well in 2005. But it remains to be seen if they can sustain their reputations next year or others will take over from them.