The nominees for this year’s Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) were unveiled at launch ceremony Accra, Ghana, on Friday (July 01) ahead of the presentation night in October.
The annual awards, now in their sixth edition, honor outstanding Ghanaian musicians across a variety of genres, including highlife, Afropop, hiplife, and traditional music. This year, honors will be given in more than 40 categories, including Best Artist of the Year, Best Gospel Song, and Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year.
Black Sherif, a popular rapper, is nominated for seven awards in 5 categories at this year’s event, including “Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of the Year,” “Hiplife/Hip Hop Song of the Year,” “New Artiste of the Year,” “Most Popular Song of the Year,” and “Artiste of the Year.” With six nominations each, Kuami Eugene and KiDi are in second place. But in addition to King Promise, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, and Diana Hamilton, all three acts were also nominated for in the “Artist of the Year shortlist.”
The Ghana Music Awards UK is largely a people’s choice awards scheme that seeks to champion and expand the development of the Ghanaian music industry both home and abroad, into an international market for global recognition of Ghanaian creative works.
The scheme is established to create an open market for collaboration, sales, new music trends, cultural exchanges, marketing opportunities and several benefits to be accessed by Ghanaian musicians in the United Kingdom. At the 2021 edition, Gospel singer Diana Hamilton emerged as 2021’s biggest winner, taking home the coveted Artist of the Year trophy, as well as the Gospel Song of the Year and the Gospel Artist of the Year awards.
See full nominees list below;
HIPLIFE/HIP HOP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Black Sherif
- Amerado
- Sarkodie
- D-Black
- Medikal
HIPLIFE/HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
- Abotr3 (Patience) – Amerado ft. Black Sherif
- Coachella – Sarkodie ft. Kwesi Arthur
- Second Sermon – Black Sherif
- Asuoden – Sista Afia ft. Kuami Eugene
- Heat – Wendy Shay
- Kweku The Traveller – Black Sherif
- Anadwo – Kwame Yesu ft Black Sherif & Kimilist
- SIKA – Kimilist ft. Yaw Tog & Kwame Yesu
- Holy F4K – Smallgod x Ivorian Doll x Vic Mensa x Black Sherif x Kwaku DMC
- 22 In Two’s – Ball J
HIGHLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR
- Tena Fie – Kuami Eugene
- Thy Grace (Part 1) – Kofi Kinaata
- Feelings – Cina Soul ft. KiDi
- Obiaa – Akwaboah ft. Cina Soul
- Jonathan – AK Songstress
- Eboso – R2Bees
- Emelia – Emelia Brobbey
- Praise – Fameye
HIGHLIFE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Kofi Kinaata
- Cina Soul
- Akwaboah
- Kuami Eugene
- Fameye
- Kwabena Kwabena
- Sista Afia
GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
- Awurade Ye – Diana Hamilton
- Oluwa Is Involved – Joyce Blessing
- The Glory – Obaapa Christy
- Enyo – Bethel Revival ft. Joe Mettle
- Yahweh – Akesse Brempong ft. MOGmusic
- 3y3 Woaa (It’s You) – Empress Gifty
- Only You – Celestine Donkor
- His Glory – Ohemaa Mercy
- Hewale Lala – Perez Muzik
- Piesie Esther – Wobɛdi Adanseɛ
GOSPEL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Empress Gifty
- Celestine Donkor
- Diana Hamilton
- Obaapa Christy
- Ohemaa Mercy
- MOGmusic
REGGAE/DANCEHALL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Shatta Wale
- Samini
- Epixode
- Stonebwoy
- Larusso
REGGAE/DANCEHALL SONG OF THE YEAR
- Touch It – KiDi
- Best Life – Shatta Wale
- New Gen – Stonebwoy
- Picture – Samini ft. Efya
- Greedy Men – Stonebwoy
- Odeshi – Epixode
- Bunker – Kuami Eugene
- Send Dem – Larruso
AFROBEATS ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Kelvyn Boy
- S3fa
- King Promise
- KiDi
- Mr Drew
- Darkovibes
- Camidoh
- Wendy Shay
AFROBEATS SONG OF THE YEAR
- E Choke – S3fa ft. Mr Drew
- Sugar Cane – Camidoh ft. Phantom
- Down Flat – Kelvyn Boy
- Dollar On You – Kuami Eugene
- Choplife – King Promise ft. Patoranking
- Mon Bebe – KiDi
- Je M’appelle – Darkovibes ft. Davido
- Enjoyment Minister – D-Black ft. Quamina MP & Stonebwoy
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Akwaboah – Ntro Naa
- Luigi Maclean – Mala
- King Promise – Slow Down
- Joe Mettle – Ye Obua Mi (My Help)
- KiDi – Bad Things
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Cina Soul – OMG
- Esther Godwyl – Faithful God
- Celestine Donkor – Only You
- Diana Hamiliton – Awurade Ye (Do It Lord)
- Niiella – Where You Are
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
- Emmanuel Afreh
- George Osei Agyekum
- Emmanuel Bludo
- Bright Osei
- Owuraku
- Dominic Quarshie
- Dan Grahl
- Francis Kweku Osei
- Kwame Yeboah
- Jo Oware
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Akwaboah – Obiaa
- Fameye – Praise
- Diana Hamilton – Awurade Ye (Do It Lord)
- Kofi Kinaata – Thy Grace (Part 1)
- Bullet – Heat (for Wendy Shay)
- Minister OJ – Meduru (I Will Get There)
- Celestine Donkor – Only You
BEST RAPPER OF THE YEAR
- Rollies & Cigars – Sarkodie
- Last Verse – Strongman
- The Throne – Amerado
- 5th August – Lyrical Joe
- Wudini Anthem – Obibini
- No Fear – M.anifest ft. Vic Mensa & Moliy
BEST COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
- Obia – Akwaboah ft. Cina Soul
Enjoyment Minister – D-Black ft. Quamina MP & Stonebwoy
Sugar Cane – Camidoh ft. Phantom
Je M’appelle – Darkovibes ft. Davido
Coachella – Sarkodie ft. Kwesi Arthur
Choplife – King Promise ft. Patoranking
Echoke – S3fa ft. Mr. Drew
Stubborn Acadamy – Medikal ft. Shatta Wale
Abotr3 (Patience) – Amerado ft. Black Sherif
SIKA remix – Sista Afia ft. Sarkodie & Kweku Flick
NEW ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Mona 4Reall
Black Sherif
Efe Grace
Scott Evans
Lady Opheilia
Jayana
Kimilist
Malcom Nuna
MOST POPULAR SONG OF THE YEAR
- Touch It – KiDi
- Praise – Fameye
- Kwaku The Traveller – Black Sherif
- Echoke – S3fa ft. Mr Drew
- Second Sermon – Black Sherif
- Sugarcane – Camidoh f Phantom
- Down Flat – Kelvyn Boy
- Obiaa – Akwaboah ft. Cina Soul
ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Black Sherif
- King Promise
- KiDi
- Sarkodie
- Kuami Eugene
- Akwaboah
- Stonebwoy
- Celestine Donkor
- Diana Hamilton
AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Fireboy DML
Wizkid
Ckay
Focalistic
Joeboy
Tems
Kizz Daniel
Burna Boy
Ladipoe
UNCOVERED ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Kentac
Yvette Ageiwaa
Talaat Yaaky
Chief One
Eva Kingful
Kwame Rhatty
Phaize
Esi Bentil
Kelly Clarke
Jonn Winner
Gambo
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Mon Bebe – KiDi (Dir. by Rex)
- Echoke – S3fa ft. Mr Drew (Dir. by Junie Annan)
- Rollies and Cigars’ – Sarkodie (Dir. by Yaw Skyface)
- Odeshi – Epixode (Dir. Snaresbeat)
- Sad Girlz Luv Money (remix)’ – Amaarae (Dir. by Remi Laudat)
- Bad Gyal – Mona 4Reall (Dir. by Rex)
- Mood – Mr Drew (Dir. by Xpress Philms)
- 3y3 Woaa (It’s You) – Empress Gifty (Dir. by Skyweb)
MOST DOMINANT FAN BASE OF THE YEAR
- Shatta Movement
- 69 Fans
- Bhim Nation
- Sark Nation
- Team Move
- 4reallers
- Gadam Nation
- Slay Nation
- Meditants
- Team DH
- Shay Gang
UK BASED BEST DJ OF THE YEAR
- DJ Fiifi
- DJ P Montana
- DJ Paak
- DJ Sandra Omari
- DJ Racheal Anson
- DJ Sawa
- DJ Invisible
- DJ Nore
- DJ Pocks
- DJ OV
- DJ Kwamz Original
UK BASED UNCOVERED ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Shatty Charlotte
- Denny
- Maily Ro
- DJ Martin
- JVS
- Yas VW
- Dosty
- Dolly Essence
- Kkeda
UK BASED AFROBEATS ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Goldkay
- W1zzy
- Bollie
- Drumz
- Kwamz
- NSG
- Juls
- Eugy
- Kojo Funds
- Mista Silva
UK BASED AFROBEAT/AFROPOP SONG OF THE YEAR
- Never Let Go – DJ Fiifi ft. Yung D3mz
- Hang Wiv Me – Goldkay
- Away – Fresh Andy
- Tell Me What You Want – K. Dee ft. Latino & AMG
- Rumba Rumba – Bollie
- Kelewele – Drumz ft. Ephraimbeatz
- Bom Bom Bom – Eugy x Dancegod Lloyd
- Inside Me – Kwamz
- Don’t Rush – Ghetto Boy
- Mood – Juls x Kojo Funds
- Let Me Know – Kojo Funds
- Game Over – Br3nya ft. KiDi
- Makosa – DJ Nore ft Eugy Official x Quamina MP
- Monica – DJ Paak ft Reefer Tym
UK BASED HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
- Runnin’ – Dolly Essence
- Dem Dead – Black Kat Gh ft. Ed ILL
- Do Da Most – Star Vicy
- Ayinye – O. G (Kweku of Ghana)
- Played (Daa Daa Wo) – DJ Paak x TheOnlyRLS feat. Bosom P-Yung, YPee & Kweku Flick
- 2 Chains – Headie One
- Double Double – Abra Cadabra
- Brick By Brick – Suspect OTB
- Sky EM – S Wavey
- Colonization – NSG
UK BASED HIGHLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR
- My Woman – Charles Kalah
- Afia – Davison Band UK
- Ghana – Ohene
- Baby You Love Me – Jo-Z
- Obaa – Bollie
UK BASED ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Bollie
- Goldkay
- Headie One
- NSG
- Eugy
- Bree Runway
- Abra Cadabra
- Juls
- Kojo Funds
UK BASED NEW ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- KK Mensah
- Nana Yaw Yeboah
- Anointed Betty
- Naomi Assani
- Fresh Andy
- Kay Bryn
- Joseph Matthew
- Kingsley Rymz
- TheOnlyRLS
UK BASED GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
- Child of God – Ruth Appiagyei
- Shidaa – Yvonne Asamoah-Tawiah
- Faith – Trudy
- Lift Jesus Higher – Cilla
- Nkunim – Akubless
- He Deserves To Be Praised – Nana Amankwah Tiah
- It Won’t Be Long – Alex Achempong
- Moko B3 (None Like You) – Joe Branfo
- Aseda – Minister Kofi Nyarko ft. Nacee
- I Have A God – Daniel Appiah-Adu
- Na You – Samuel Sey
UK BASED WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
- Obiara Nte Se Wo – Augustine Aboagye
- You Alone – Alice McKenzie
- Be Still – Edward Amponsah
- We Lift You Up – Justice Odoi
UK BASED GOSPEL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Nana Amankwah Tiah
- Cilla
- Akubless
- Alex Acheampong
- Minister Kofi Nyarko
- Daniel Appiah-Adu
- Samuel Sey
- Alice Mckenzie
- Yvonne Asamoah-Tawiah
- Ruth Appiagyei
UK BASED BEST COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
- Kelewele – Drumz ft. Ephraimbeatz
- Shidaa (Thanksgiving) – Yvonne Asamoah-Tawiah ft. MOGmusic
- Faith – Trudy ft. Kofi Sarpong*
- Aseda – Minister Kofi Nyarko ft. Nacee
- We Meuve – DJ Paak x TheOnlyRLS ft MR OULALA & Shady Humble
- Money Calling – P. Montana ft Kofi Jamar x Suspect OTB
- Schweet – ShaSimone x Suspect OTB
- Suzanna – NSG ft Patoranking
- Makosa – DJ Nore ft Eugy x Quamina MP
UK BASED PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- Dada
- JROCS
- JULS
- JAE5
- Silvastone
- Ephraim Beatz
- Adeshie Studios
BEST GHANAIAN EUROPEAN SONG OF THE YEAR
- Your Love – Wilhelmina Music ft. Kobby Mantey
- Windblow – QueenLet ft. Jimmy D Psalmist
- Baba Ologo – Elijah The Worshipper
- When I See You – Jean Feier
- Christmas Wish – Soulja Kelly
- Special – Nana Fofie
- Rollover – DayVybz
- Helpless – Frank Keys
BEST GHANAIAN EUROPEAN ARTISTE
- Wilhelmina
- Elijah The Worshipper
- Jean Feier
- Soulja Kelly
- Nana Fofie
- DayVybz
- Frank Keys
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- Rockstar Made it (Kuami Eugene)
- Killbeatz
- Kaywa
- Ronyturnmeup
- Willisbeatz
- MOG Beatz
- Master Garzy
- Streetbeatz
ALTERNATIVE SONG OF THE YEAR
- Ntro Naa – Akwaboah
- Libilibi – Worlasi ft. Drvmroll
- Sad Girlz Love Money Remix – Amarae ft. Moliy & Kali Uchis
- Country Hot – Wutah Afriyie
- Deja Vu’ – Moliy
- Bo Nɔnn Ni – Abiana
- Hello – Atongo Zimba
- Like A Tree – K. O. G (Kweku Of Ghana)
UK BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Faith – Trudy
- It Won’t Be Long – Alex Achempong
- Dem Dead – Black Kat Gh ft. Ed ILL
- Colonization – NSG
- 2 Chains – Headie One
GHANAIAN CONTEMPORARY ACT
- Wiyaala
- KOG
- Santrofi
- King Ayisoba
- Afro Moses
- Atongo Zimba
- FRA
- Kyekyeku
BEST INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL ACT
- Dela Botri & Hewale Sounds
- Amamere Cultural Troupe
- Adesa Taloi
- Big Twins
- Afrodat Troupe
