The music scene in 2003 can be said to have been a good one with the competition coming up keenly. In fact this year was great.

Overall there was improvement which evidenced in the Highlife, Hiplife and Gospel sectors where great strides were made. What I want to do is to take a look at the various genres, the artistes in that genre both old and new.

Well, let?s start with good old Highlife since, it?s the first born in the genres. This year if I am not wrong witnessed a vast improvement in the highlife scene, and all the highlife musicians should pat themselves on their shoulders for a good job well done.

George Darko The year started with the return of one of its kingpins, the originator of Burger Highlife, George Darko. His return was very successful as his Odo Colour album was well received, coupled with an interesting and funny video. He proved that the music and skill in him was far from being over and that highlife still stood a chance against the other genres.

Good old Nana Tuffuor, also made an impact with his album, and succeeded in being controversial again with his hit song Abieku. After Atinga, another song whose lyrics bordered on lewdity. Nana Tuffour Abeiku could be said to be much more lewdy. The criticism not withstanding, Abeiku made good inroads, which again proved that highlife has more to offer.

Nana Acheampong unfortunately did not come out as strong as he has in previous years. His album Size Bum did not make much impact and in fact fizzled out after receiving minimal airplay. He did not feature much in the scheme of things where highlife was concerned this year.

Daddy Lumba Come to think of it, his friend Daddy Lumba did not also come out with an album all year, even though his Ade Pa Hye Ade Pam album released last year continued to receive constant airplay. Quite recently I heard one song from his new album which shows signs of being another hit album.

Slim Busterr, (I didn?t quite know whether he is supposed to be here or not) also had a successful year, The Marsherita album didn?t start out well, but very soon it caught on with people. After a successful launch of the album on VCDs and DVDs, the song Marsherita has been doing well.

Nana Fynn Nana Fynn also released his third album Dokodoko with more love songs. I don?t know what happened but this album did not receive too much airplay and I guess this affected the album. After a few weeks of airplay it slipped out o the charts, nonetheless that album was great and proved yet again that highlife is a force to reckon with.

Nothing much was heard from old artistes like Amakye Dede, Daasebre Gyamena and others. There weren?t any new artistes in the highlife scene this year but they still had a good year.

The second in the genre Gospel music witnessed a very great boost. With releases almost every month from both the old and new artistes, the gospel music scene was the most competitive.

To start with the Daughters of Glorious celebrated their 14th year in the industry with one of the biggest concerts. Along with that their album Aseda was also one of the successful albums on the gospel scene and in fact was on the charts for about eight weeks. That album was a major hit and if I am exaggerating, I would say that it is their biggest selling album.

Sandra Oduro There were some exceptional new artistes who contributed greatly to its success. Take for instance Sandra Oduro. Her first album which had such hit songs such as Gye Me and Yesu Ayonkofa and a host of others was a success. She had great exposure and was number one on the charts for some weeks and is still there. Her success has been phenomenal.

Then there is Ama Boahemaa who also had a great year. Her Awurade Bue Kwan album was a success. She is just 17 and has so much to look forward to.

Then there is Christina Love. She is the most successful new artiste this year. Her success has been incredible and she has become one of the most popular gospel artiste as well. Her Holy Ghost International album has been so well received and is still receiving so much fun even though it was earlier in the year it is still reigning and is now on the top of the charts.

Jane and Bernice also for the first time gave back to their fans with a concert that was so much fun even though they did not come out with a new album.

Suzzy and Matt also released their fourth album with a major concert that will certainly be remembered.

Esther Smith released her second album late this year and I can bet that it is going to be better that her debut. It?s got songs that sound like she?s got another winner there.

Of course were other releases this year by artistes like Josh Laryea, Bishop Michael Osei Bonsu, Esther Amoako (This album also shows promise as another hit album for the lady) and others.

Gospel All Stars also came out with another album, but this did not create waves at all. It did not come anywhere near the success they achieved about a year ago.

There weren?t any releases by artiste like Amy Newman, Tagoe Sisters, and all the old artistes we have come to love. This not withstanding, the industry had a good year and I bet that at next year?s Ghana Music Awards, the competition will be very intense.

The late Terry Bonchaka Then there is the last born Hiplife. Hiplife still dominated this year, and was very competitive. It also lost one of its hottest stars that is Terry Bonchaka who held so much promise. A very big loss for the industry.

I don?t know where to start but let?s start with Obrafuor. This year was another great year for the dread-locked young man. After releasing Tofa, his third album which was very successful, he topped it up with his indiscipline campaign. The song specially composed for the Ntitiepa, was so well received. The remix Oye Ohene on theTofa album, was also hugely successful. In fact the Ntitiepa album has been number one on the charts for a while now and was only just displaced by another gospel artiste.

Kwaadee Okomfo had another good year with the release of his second album Metoaso. Metoaso had hit songs like Ahwedee Abena, the continuation of the Kwadee saga, Boyz Boyz among others. This album also spent some time on the charts and again brought the gentleman more acclamations.

New artistes, 4x4, who are cast in the mold of Buk Bak and whose Sikilitele album has been great and has made them a household name, made it clear that they are here to stay. They had a great year for the new artiste.

4 X 4 and Tinny Then there was Tinny who also had an incredible year. With his Makola Kwakwe album which had some great songs on it. Performing on almost every major concert and featuring on Obrafuor?s Oye Ohene remix lifted high his name and gave indications that attention needed to be paid.

Castro another new artiste also has a successful year with Sradenam, Triple M, the all girl trio are still making waves with Koti and are giving the men a run for their money. Triple M

VIP showed that they were still in contention with Ahomka Womu. Lord Kenya?s release was not that good but Kontihene?s is still making waves. Sidney has come out with another hit and though the year has almost come to an end it promises to be good.

Obuor also released his second album which was another hit, the Trinity even though came out last year, I believe reached their peak this year.

The year has been a great one for the industry and I think that there is still more room for improvement. Next year?s Ghana Music Awards is bound to be very competitive, but hey competition is very good because it makes the industry a whole lot better.