Ghanaian Ragga dancehall artiste Emmanuel Samini popularly known as Samini has expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their support which eventually saw him winning the Channel O music video awards.

Speaking Exclusively on Hitz Fm on Monday, his first interview after receiving the award, Samini described the award as “quiet competitive” having been nominated for more than three times in previous editions.

He said he was not really prepared for the award because “it had happened too many times that we go there and we don’t bring it back”. He added that when they mentioned his category as the first category of the night, it got him really anxious and was shocked when he was called as the eventual winner of the Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall Video Artiste.

Samini said it was a relief and yet another wake up call for musicians to realize that they are moving to higher heights and therefore needed to re-equip themselves with what it takes for an artiste to get to the international level.

Samini however said he does not feel pressured after picking the award as he had picked up similar awards such as the MOBO’s, MTV Awards, Hip Hop world music awards and the International Reggae and World Music awards. He said the Channel O award is his 5th Plaque he had received.

Samini disclosed that his mum was the first person to believe in his entire endeavor to become a musician by convincing his Dad and some members of his family who though it was a wrong choice in his life.

Samini picked up the Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall Video Artiste award with his song Dadiekye beating off stiff competition from Wyre/Cecile, Black Dillingera and Nazizi.

Samini is also the first Ghanaian artiste to win a Channel O award at the 2011 edition of the awards which came off at Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa Friday night.