When Kennedy Mensah returns to Jamaica in September for his third awards ceremony, the event will have a different name, change in venue and format. Originally known as the Grammy Certificate Ceremony, it is now known as the Music In Excellence Ceremony.

Scheduled for September 15, its new home is the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston. It was previously held at the nearby Audi Showroom.

Unlike earlier stagings in Kingston, South Florida and London, Mensah’s Back 2 Da Future Music Limited will partner with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to present platinum, gold or silver discs certified by that company, to artistes, producers and musicians.

For the second year, the Royalty Network Inc will be involved with the event. That company is a leading music publisher based in New York.

In an interview with the Observer Online, the London-born Mensah said there will be 25 recipients of Grammy Certificates and BPI-certified discs this year. He also spoke about the changes.

“The ceremony has grown and we needed a dedicated space that would allow us to have a live band. Unfortunately, growing pains means that we have had to find an accustomed-built venue,” he said.

The previous Grammy Certificates Ceremony was held in South Florida last January. Musician Robert Browne, singer/musician Gramps Morgan, Grammy-winning band Morgan Heritage and singer Wayne Wonder were the recipients.

Of Ghanaian heritage, Mensah started Back 2 Da Music Limited in 2008. The initial Grammy Certificate Ceremony was held in South Florida in July 2024. It honoured guitarist Rad Bryan of The Revolutionaries and The Maytals fame.

– Howard Campbell