Two years ago, the gospel star was a top contender for the ultimate award but lost out to Black Sherif.

Reflecting on that moment, Piesie Esther said that although winning would have been exciting, she accepted the outcome as the will of God.

She described her nomination at the time as a significant milestone, rising from humble beginnings to being recognized among Ghana’s biggest names in music.

Now, with renewed energy and a series of successful projects, she believes the next showdown will favor her.

Piesie Esther noted that both she and Black Sherif have worked hard, met the necessary criteria, and thrilled audiences with concerts and hit songs.

According to her, this year has been particularly remarkable, with her latest single ‘Nyame Ye’ resonating with fans of all ages, even children.

She added that her efforts and consistency in the music scene have positioned her for victory if she earns another nomination in the ultimate category.

The gospel singer, who spoke in an interview on Hitz FM, is optimistic that this time there will be no disappointment, as she has put in the work and is confident of winning the coveted title hands down.

Watch video below:

King Promise picked up both awards from Afrobeat category; Afropop Song of the Year for “Paris,” and  Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste of the Year.

His Album/EP of the Year for True to Self, was awarded for its emotional depth and sonic consistency.

But it was the Artiste of the Year announcement that brought the arena to its feet.

Overcome with emotion, King Promise mounted the stage and delivered one of the most heartfelt acceptance speeches of the night.

He recounted his TGMA journey when he received 7 nominations, no award, to being overlooked in previous years and now commanding the spotlight in 2025.

His breakthrough came in 2024, when he finally picked up his first TGMA wins, breaking the dry spell. Fast forward to 2025, and not only has he returned, he has risen to the very top.

He credited him win to God Almighty, followed by a heartfelt shoutout to Killbeatz, the producer he described as “the one who changed my life,” and to his loyal team, including Dancegod Lloyd.

“My team had so much faith, they told me they had a feeling I would win,” he shared. “At my first TGMAs, I had seven nominations and no wins. Today, I stand here as Artiste of the Year. I am the chosen one.”

In a beautiful gesture, he invited his parents on stage, dedicating the win to them, a moment made even more special as the ceremony coincided with Mother’s Day.

To the fans, King Promise charged them to never stop dreaming and when the journey seems tough, should they take inspiration from his success story.

“If any young person is watching me who has a dream, use me as an example of resilience. While people laughed, I worked harder. I believe in God’s timing — and today, it is my time.”

]]> https://www.adomonline.com/tgma-2025-king-promise-crowned-artiste-of-the-year/ Sun, 11 May 2025 03:39:33 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2533847 The Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) has spoken, Ghana has spoken and the glory goes to none other than the 5 Star General, the smooth hitmaker with unmatched consistency, the man who stayed true to himself,  Gregory Bortey Newman, aka King Promise.

In what will go down as one of the most memorable moments in Ghana’s music history, King Promise emerged as Artiste of the Year at the 25th anniversary edition of TGMAs.

This is a powerful win that marks the peak of an already stellar year for the Afrobeats sensation.

Prior to the most-anticipated night, the category has been a center of discussions, but King Promise has silenced all naysayers as he triumphs among tough contenders.

Beating out a strong and diverse list of nominees including Stonebwoy, Black Sherif, King Paluta, Joe Mettle, Team Eternity, and Kweku Smoke, King Promise’s victory gives credence to the ‘when the time is right’ statement.

From headlining major stages across the world to releasing the critically acclaimed ‘True to Self’ album, which also won Album/EP of the Year, King Promise proved that consistency, versatility, and connection with fans are still the ingredients of greatness.

As he stepped up to receive the top honour of the night, an emotional King Promise dedicated the award to everyone who believed and paid tribute to his journey, one that began with silky vocals and a dream, and has now culminated in the highest recognition in Ghanaian music.

This year’s TGMA marked 25 years of celebrating Ghanaian music, and on this historic night, it felt fitting that the crown went to an artist who represents both the past decade of growth and the bright future ahead.

From Accra to the world, King Promise is no longer just a fan favourite, he’s officially the Artiste of the Year, and the face of Ghana’s sound on the global stage

Every year, fans passionately rally behind their faves, but no category attracts more fervor—or fury—than Artiste of the Year. It’s more than an award scheme; it’s a cultural battleground.

Once the nominations drop, Ghana splits into factions. From morning shows to meme pages, artistes, pundits, and die-hard fans launch into impassioned defenses of their chosen ones. You’ll find barbershop arguments, office polls, WhatsApp voice notes turned essays, and TikTok challenges all feeding into the fire.

And this year? Oh, it’s electric.

The class of 2025: A lineup that slaps

The 26th edition of the TGMA features a star-studded, genre-spanning cast of nominees: Stonebwoy, King Promise, King Paluta, Joe Mettle, Black Sherif, Team Eternity Ghana, and Kweku Smoke. It’s a rich mix of gospel, street rap, Afrobeats, and alternative flair, all deserving in their own right.

But let’s be real: the loudest noise surrounds a tantalizing trio—Stonebwoy, King Promise, and King Paluta. And this time, it’s not just about who’s had the most hits—it’s about history, hunger, and hard-earned respect.

King Paluta: The Local Champion

King Paluta may have started the year as an underdog, but somewhere between Makoma and Aseda, he became a force you couldn’t ignore. Nicknamed the “Local Champion,” he didn’t just release songs—he created cultural moments.

Makoma became an unofficial campaign song, soundtrackingrallies and gatherings like it was a national hymn. Aseda was even more curious—moving effortlessly from beer bars to pulpits. Yes, you read that right. Paluta had Ghana dancing and praying at the same time.

He wasn’t just dropping hits either. He dropped a solid album, featured heavily across the industry, and performed on virtually every major stage in Ghana. He waved the flag high for Oseikrom (Kumasi), proving the Ashanti capital is a creative powerhouse.

But here’s where the debate begins. Critics argue that his international visibility is limited, and his streaming numbers don’t quite match up to his rivals. And while he has the street on lock, some say his artistry still has room to grow, especially in terms of stagecraft and versatility.

Still, Paluta gave Ghana one of its most authentic musical years—and sometimes, being the voice of the people counts more than numbers.

King Promise: The cool contender with global swag

If King Paluta is the voice of the street, King Promise is the sound of the skyline—polished, global, and impossibly smooth. His musical journey this year has been nothing short of cinematic.

Riding the wave from his continental smash “Terminator,” King Promise kept the heat on with Paris and Continental, bangers that exude a certain cool—like sunglasses at night kind of cool. These songs have become staples at fashion events, rooftop parties, and Afrobeats playlists across the continent.

The numbers? Stunning. King Promise’s streaming figures are among the highest in the category, and his digital footprint is undeniable. His shows in Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa showcased not just reach, but demand. He’s become a fixture on international stages, even making quiet inroads into Nigeria, the holy grail of West African crossover.

But here’s what makes his story especially compelling: if he wins, he joins his contemporaries KiDi and Kuami Eugene in a tight-knit club of recent winners—completing what fans are now calling the “K Circle.” The sentiment behind that? Powerful. There’s a sense that King Promise has “suffered enough”—consistently good, rarely rewarded.

And sometimes, the crowd just wants to see the nice guy win.Not only has he been amazing is has gone “continental and certainly isn’t making a stop at Paris”.

Stonebwoy: The GOAT in Waiting?

Then comes Stonebwoy—the heavyweight. The kingmaker. The hitman with the most polished artillery in the business.

Fresh off his 2024 win, many assumed he’d take a quiet victory lap. Instead, Stonebwoy went into overdrive. His album Up&Runnin9 was a masterclass in cross-genre fluidity, with features that read like a who’s who of global music royalty. From Grammy-nominated collaborators to chart-topping singles, he didn’t just represent Ghana—he exported it.

He didn’t stop there. Stonebwoy played some of the biggest stages in the world, including a massive set at London’s O2 Arena. Domestically, he delivered Jejereje—a song that not only dominated airwaves but solidified his dual status as mainstream and street-relevant.

This is an artist who has mastered the music business. A win this year would make Stonebwoy the first-ever three-time Artiste of the Year winner, and the only one to do it back-to-back. That’s dynasty talk. And while some argue his momentum isn’t as street-heavy as Paluta’s or as fresh as Promise’s, his consistency, range, and reach are unmatched. Indeed, and fact, his competitors might just be his fans.

In many ways, Stonebwoy is not fighting for recognition—he’s fighting for legacy.

The spoiler alert: When underdogs bark

And just when you think it’s a three-horse race, here come the dark horses—ready to mess up your predictions.

Joe Mettle, Ghana’s gospel darling, has a loyal base and a reputation for pulling off shockers. His consistency in delivering hits with spiritual resonance keeps him quietly in the race. Could the church stage a coup?

Kweku Smoke brings gritty energy and an unapologetically raw style that resonates with younger audiences. His appeal may be niche, but it’s deep.

And then there’s Black Sherif—a darling of both fans and critics. While he hasn’t dominated the conversation this year like in the past, he still commands respect and attention. One strong push from voters could catapult him into surprise territory.

And here’s the kicker: a recent Ghana Music Live poll revealed that many fans support more than one nominee. In a year where the top three could split the vote, the door is wide open for an upset.

A Year of Firsts, or a Full Circle Moment?

So, who truly deserves it?

Is it Paluta, who turned local love into national dominance?
Is it Promise, whose global growth and loyal following scream “it’s his time”?
Or is it Stonebwoy, the man with the numbers, the narrative, and the unmatched artistry?

The truth? There’s no wrong answer this year. Every nominee brings something meaningful to the table—whether it’s street cred, sonic innovation, gospel inspiration, or global reach.

But only one crown. Only one name.

And on the night of the 26th TGMAs, when the spotlight hits, and the envelope opens, history will be made—one way or another.

Until then, the debates rage on. X is talking. The fans are voting. And the streets? Oh, the streets are watching.

Stonebwoy, the reigning TGMA Artiste of the Year, believes it is a done deal for him, although he is vying for the TGMA topmost prize again this year against strong contenders, including King Promise, Black Sherif, Kweku Smoke, Joe Mettle, King Paluta, and Team Eternity Ghana.

According to the category’s definition, “The Artiste of the Year is the artiste(s) adjudged by the Academy, Board, and the General Public as the artiste with the highest audience appeal and popularity in the year under review. The artiste(s) must have released a hit single/EP/album and must be one of the artistes with the highest nominations in the year under review.”

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, March 24, Vida Adutwumwaa Boateng, Head of Public Relations for Burniton Music Group (BMG), the music label of Stonebwoy, explained that with regard to work done in the year under review, the Jiggle and Whine artiste stood tall.

“With regard to the category definition that places premium on the artiste with the highest audience appeal and highest nominations, no one in that category beats Stonebwoy.”

“First, Stonebwoy has three major hits—Psalm 23, Ekelebe, and Jiggle and Whine—on the Up and Runnin6 album, and they have been nominated in various categories in this year’s TGMA. This is a record no artiste in the calendar year can boast of.”

“Imagine a solid 13-track album featuring Wyclef Jean, Spice, Odumodublvck, Ginton IR Sais, Duncan Mighty, and Amaria BB, which has gained popularity not only in Ghana but in the Caribbean and globally.”

“Also, this year, Stonebwoy received eight nominations, making him the highest nominee in this year’s TGMA, and none of his contenders in the AOTY category beats that record.”

“His street credibility is unmatched, and his shows are always sold out—not just in Ghana but also in the UK, where his recent tour proves his appeal beyond our country,” she said.

Ms. Boateng argued that the ongoing debate over whether Stonebwoy should win again, given that he has already won twice, and the suggestion that this year’s bragging rights should go to younger artistes, is unnecessary.

She emphasized that the award is given on merit and cautioned industry players not to be swayed by the fanatical views of artistes’ followers.

“For those saying that he’s won it before, so he should leave it for the youngsters, let them understand that Stonebwoy’s brand is built on hard work and consistency. His consistency has made him the people’s favorite performer and Ghana’s biggest music export. We shouldn’t compromise on consistency just to reward new entrants into the AOTY category,” she stated.

Describing the Artiste of the Year race as a healthy competition, Stonebwoy congratulated the other nominees, noting that such creative competitiveness should be encouraged.

On the back of a successful Up and Runnin6 concert in London, where he filled the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Stonebwoy expressed appreciation to Live Nation for the partnership that made it successful.

“This wasn’t my first time performing in the UK, but this live concert brought a refreshing connection to fans in the UK, who cut across natives of the Caribbean, Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK,” he said.

The ‘Kwaku Ananse’ hitmaker shared a post detailing his activities in 2024, captioned: “Amerado in 2024: A discussion about the Artiste of the Year without mentioning Amerado in the 2024 year of review reveals a lack of knowledge and is detrimental to the industry and upcoming artists.”

As the call for nominations for the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards approaches, the debate over who will receive the Artiste of the Year award has intensified.

Other artists mentioned in the conversation include King Paluta, King Promise, Stonebwoy, Team Eternity Ghana, DopeNation, Kofi Kinaata, and Fameye.

According to the Telecel Ghana Music Awards’ guidelines, “The Artiste of the Year is the artist(s) selected by the Academy, Board, and General Public as having the highest audience appeal and popularity in the year under review. The artist(s) must have released a hit single, EP, or album and should be among those with the highest nominations for the year.”

Unless there are changes to the category definition by the TGMA Board, nominations for the Artiste of the Year category will be based on these criteria.

READ ALSO:

• Let celebrities breathe – Spyro tackles fans always asking for money
• John Dumelo weighs in on debate over appointing a creative as tourism minister
• Mahama’s next mission is God’s ministry – Sonnie Badu

The prestigious event, held at the Palm Convention Centre within the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, was a dazzling celebration of Ghanaian music’s finest talents.

With an atmosphere of glitz, glamour, and electrifying performances, Stonebwoy stood out in a fiercely competitive category, facing off against top acts like Sarkodie, King Promise, Kuami Eugene, and Black Sherif.

As the suspense built, the auditorium buzzed with anticipation. When Stonebwoy’s name was announced, the crowd erupted into cheers.

In addition to the coveted Artiste of the Year title, the ‘Manodzi’ hitmaker also took home awards for Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year and Album of the Year.

Below is the full list of winners for the 2024 3Music Awards:

Artiste of the Year – Stonebwoy

African Song of The Year – Water by Tyla

Rap Performance of The Year –   5th August 7 by Lyrical Joe

Video of the Year – Oil In My Head by Black Sherif

DJ of The Year – DJ Lord

Producer of The Year – MOG Beatz

Emerging Woman of The Year – Lali & Lola

Gospel Song of The Year – Aseda by Nacee

EP of The Year – Avana EP by Olivetheboy

Breakthrough Act of The Year – Olivetheboy

Reggae/Dancehall Act of The Year – Stonebwoy

HipHop Song of The Year – Otan by Sarkodie

Woman of The Year – Amaarae

Performer of The Year – Black Sherif (Zaama Disco)

Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the Year – Goodsin by Olivetheboy

Hiplife/Hip Hop Act of The Year – Black Sherif

Best Male Vocal Performance of The Year – I Lied by KiDi

Best Female Vocal Performance – Make Me Believe by TiTi Owusu

Reggae/Dancehall Song of The Year – Effiekuma Love by Kofi Kinaata

Gospel Act of The Year – Piesie Esther

Next Rated Act of the Year – Beeztrap KOTM

Digital Act of the Year – Medikal

Viral Song of the Year – Terminator by King Promise

Hiplife Song of The Year – Aseda by King Paluta

Song of the Year – Terminator by King Promise

Collaboration of The Year – Likor by KiDi ft Stonebwoy

Source: Adomonline

READ ALSO:

• Asake smashes fan’s phone for taking a picture
• Leverage more on digital platforms in promotion of your music – CEO of AT Leo Skarlatos urges artistes
• StopGalamseyNow: 20 songs that address Ghana’s social problems

Despite their well-documented fallout and ensuing enmity since Kelvynboy’s departure from Stonebwoy’s Burniton Music Group, Kelvynboy set aside his pride to acknowledge Stonebwoy’s achievement.

In a brief and straightforward tweet, Kelvynboy wrote, “Congrats to 1GAD for winning AOTY,” accompanied by emojis of toasting glasses.

The reason behind the delay in Kelvynboy’s message remains unclear, but the gesture signifies a momentary thaw in their strained relationship.

Stonebwoy’s former manager, Blakk Cedi, who currently mentors Kelvynboy, had earlier congratulated Stonebwoy shortly after the award ceremony.

He praised Stonebwoy for his exceptional accomplishments at the TGMA.

As of now, Stonebwoy has not responded to the congratulatory messages from Kelvynboy or his former manager.

Congrats to 1GAD for winning AOTY ?

— Trendiest ? (@kelvynboymusic_) June 14, 2024

The prestigious event, held on June 1, 2024, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Center, was a night to remember, celebrating the best and brightest of Ghanaian music.

Before the grand night, King Promise was the name on everyone’s lips, widely tipped to clinch the coveted title after a stellar run during the year in review.

But as the moment of truth approached after nearly 7 hours of stage craft, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation, and the tension in the auditorium was palpable.

Stonebwoy’s wife, visibly nervous, embodied the collective anxiety of the BHIM fans.

Then, in a moment of pure magic, Stonebwoy’s name echoed through the hall, sending the audience into a frenzy of applause and cheers.

Even King Promise, his formidable contender, graciously applaud the TGMA board’s deserving winner as Stonebwoy took to the stage to accept his award.

He beat other top contenders including Nacee, Black Sherif, Kuami Eugene and Sarkodie.

In addition to the top honor, Stonebwoy swept up five other prestigious awards including

He was awarded the Best Album of the Year and Best Songwriter for the first time in both categories.

His reign as the Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste continued, marking the ninth time he has claimed this accolade.

Moreover, his collaboration with the legendary Angelique Kidjo on the track ‘Majodzi. earned him the Best Collaboration award.

Stonebwoy dedicated his awards to his BHIM fans whom he said inspire him to continue creating good music.

He also expressed gratitude to his late mother and God for showering their blessings unto him.

With consistency, Stonebwoy said he had anticipated the latest win, as he was denied in 2019 due to the fracas on stage.

The 25th TGMA, hosted by the charismatic Chris Attoh and the ever-elegant Naa Ashorkor, was a night of musical enchantment.

The stage came alive with performances from a constellation of stars including King Promise, Kuami Eugene, Mr. Drew, Efya, Amaarae, Nacee, King Paluta, Mzbel, Okyeame Kwame, Reggie Rockstone, and Amerado.

Each act brought the house down, showcasing the richness of Ghanaian music and its undeniable global appeal.

This year’s nominations are wild and the competition, especially for the coveted Artiste of the Year award, is fierce.

Six talented artistes– Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, Stonebwoy, Black Sherif, King Promise and Nacee made the cut.

All but King Promise and Nacee have ever won the Artiste of the Year. Sarkodie won the prestigious award in 2010 and 2012. Stonebwoy took the award home in 2015 and in 2020 Kuami Eugene wore the title belt. Black Sherif is the reigning Artiste of the Year.

Each of the artistes has had an incredible year, releasing hit singles and albums that have topped the charts and won the hearts of fans.

We can’t wait to see who takes home the topmost prize when the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) hosts the event.

 Sarkodie

SARKODIE, born Michael Owusu Addo, is a seasoned Ghanaian rapper. With over 10 years in the music industry, he has solidified his position as one of Africa’s finest rappers. Known for his lyrical prowess, Sarkodie has released several hit albums and singles.

He has won numerous awards, including TGMA Artiste of the Year twice, and has collaborated with international artistes such as Kanye West and Giggs.

In the year under review for the 25TGMA, the Otan crooner landed an international collaboration with legendary Reggae musician Bob Marley and The Wailers on the remix of Stir It Up, released a good number of singles including Till We Die and Try Me, among others and had a massive show at his annual Rapperholic concert.

In addition to the Artiste of the Year nomination, Sarkodie earned seven more nods this year.

 Kuami Eugene

Kuami Eugene, a Ghanaian Highlife and Afrobeat singer-songwriter and producer, has 14 nominations, including the ultimate Artiste of the Year award this year.

Kuami Eugene rose to fame in 2017 with his debut single Ebeyeyie and has since become a household name. The Lynx Entertainment signee who earned the bragging rights as Artiste of the Year in 2020 has an impressive number of hit singles under his belt. They include Angela, Wish Me Well and Open Gate.

Kuami Eugene also won VGMA Highlife of the Year and has collaborated with top artistes such as Sarkodie and Shatta Wale.

The singer had a good one in the year under review. One of his works, Monica, became a street anthem. He similarly had a good spot on various streaming platforms.

Stonebwoy

DANCEHALL and Reggae act Stonebwoy has 15 nominations, the highest in this year’s TGMA. Born Livingstone Etse Satekla, Stonebwoy has established himself as one of Ghana’s most successful artistes since he hit the limelight over 10 years ago.

There is nothing more delightful than Stonebwoy’s energetic live performances. He also has chart-topping songs such as Ololo, Run Go, Mane Me, etc. in his repertoire. The multiple-award-winning Stonebwoy has collaborated with international artistes like Sean Paul and Morgan Heritage and has been named one of the most influential people in Ghana.

Last year was a great one for the Sobolo hitmaker who was VGMA Artiste of the Year in 2015. In addition to collaborating with international luminaries such as Angelique Kidjo, his single, Into The Future, made waves, and is one of the most streamed songs on YouTube with 4.3 million views. It also landed great spots on Boomplay and Apple charts.

 Black Sherif

MOHAMMED Ismail Sherif, aka Black Sherif, is the reigning VGMA Artiste of the Year. The Ghanaian rapper and singer rose to fame in 2021 with his debut single, First Sermon, and has since been phenomenal.

He has wormed himself into the hearts of music enthusiasts with his unique blend of rap and Highlife by dropping several hit singles such as Soja, Yaya and Shut Up, among others, and has had a strong presence on Apple Music, Boomplay and YouTube.

Last year, the Simmer Down hitmaker shut down the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel with his annual Zaama Disco concert and also featured on big shows such as AfroFuture in Ghana and won the Best International Flow at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards. Black Sherif has six 25TGMA nominations.

 King Promise

IN the year under review, King Promise’s song Terminator was a global anthem, amassing a whopping 41 million views on YouTube and sparking a viral TikTok challenge. Thus, one would not be wrong to say the year has been a great one for the Afrobeat singer.

On his international tour, King Promise, born Gregory Bortey Newman, made history as the first Ghanaian artiste to host sold-out concerts in Asia with a standout performance at the Tipsy Unicorn Beach House in Singapore on April 26, 2024.

King Promise earned six nominations this year and has elevated his global appeal by remixing Terminator with prominent international artistes –Jamaican rapper and singer Sean Paul and Nigerian star Tiwa Savage- resulting in another banger.

Nacee

IF Nacee takes the Artiste of the Year award home on Saturday, it will make him the third Gospel act to do so after Joe Mettle and Diana Hamilton, who won in 2017 and 2021 respectively.

Nacee, also known as Nana Osei, is a Ghanaian gospel singer, music producer and songwriter who has been in the industry for decades and has established himself as one of Ghana’s most successful Gospel artistes.

Nacee garnered immense excitement with his song Aseda, which achieved a staggering 9.3 million views on YouTube and locked a spot on Boomplay’s Top 100 Africa and Apple Music’s Top 100.

Nacee made numerous television appearances to amplify the buzz further and held a highly successful sold-out concert at the National Theatre in Accra, which became a major talking point. He has five nominations in this year’s TGMA.

According to him, winning Artiste of the Year would be groundbreaking news for the country.

Nacee explained that, he would give more exposure to the award scheme than his fellow nominees Black Sherif, King Promise, Stonebwoy, and others.

In an interview on Joy Prime, Nacee said “Ghana’s Music Awards will have more exposure if I win Artiste of the Year. Because it’s normal if any of my contenders win; it’s no news. King Promise, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Kuami Eugene, and Black Sherif winning is not news. Where the news is, is when I win Artiste of the Year.”

Nacee’s statement have stirred anticipation as the Telecel Ghana Music Awards 2024 approaches, set to take place on June 1.

This year’s event sees numerous Ghanaian musicians vying for top honours, with heightened competition leading to increased public interest and speculation.

The intensity of the competition has even prompted some to urge Ghana’s Health Service to be on standby, anticipating that the excitement and pressure of the awards might lead to spikes in blood pressure among attendees and fans.

MORE: 

• Aggrieved Deputy Directors of Education kick against new GES service scheme
• Latest news on Moesha Boduong
• Ambulance case: Sophia Akuffo wades into plea bargain controversy

The host of Jazz on Joy and Ken’s Music Mix on Joy FM said on Showbiz A-Z that even though he believes all the other artistes including Stonebwoy have worked harder in the year under review, King Promise is well deserving of the topmost award.

“I always like to look out for new things. Stonebwoy is an established musician if you ask me. Stone has won before. So I am always looking out for new people to win. And I am saying that as far as I am concerned, I will be very if King Promise wins because he holds so much promise and what he has done in that year is very promising,” he told the host Kwame Dadzie.

According to the Ghana Music Awards category definition, the Artiste of the Year is the artiste(s) adjudged by the Academy, Board and the General Public as the artiste with the highest audience appeal and popularity in the year under review. The artiste(s) must have released a hit single/EP/album and must be one of the artistes with the highest nominations in the year under review.

King Promise has been nominated for the Artiste of the Year, Afrobeats Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, International Collaboration of the Year for ‘Terminator 2’ and ‘Perfect Combi’, and Best Afropop Song of the Year.

He is contesting Stonebwoy, Kuami Eugene, Sarkodie, Nacee and Black Sherif.

Asked on Hitz FM if he would be surprised if he loses the Artiste of the Year category, he said: “Yea, hundred percent,” adding, “we’ve done one hell of a job.”

“I am not blowing my horn or saying stuff but I feel that this is one of the awards that everyone has spoken about the most in a very long time because you can tell what we have done with all our releases in the past year and the work we’ve put in just representing the motherland to the rest of the world and worthy face of Ghana music,” he noted.

The 25th Telecel Ghana Music Awards will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre on June 1, 2025.

Other categories to be awarded on the night include Songwriter of the Year, Record of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, New Artiste of the Year and Gospel Song of the Year.

“It feels really great to be nominated even in my 26th year in music and that tells me that people appreciate what I’m doing. That is not to say that I would have been bothered if I missed out but it encourages me to do more.

He also explained that he is working hard to win the Artiste of the Year award again, probably next year.

“Besides, it is the more reason why I’m working hard to win the ultimate Artiste of the Year award again. It’s a must for me so I need to change the narrative by dropping a massive album, hopefully, this year. I will put in more work to achieve the goal,” he said. 

He is in his late 40s, he has been doing music for the past 26 years, and is in this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) race, with his song Insha Allah featuring King Paluta. 

The song earned him a nod in the Hiplife Song of the Year category, and he comes up strongly against younger acts such as King Paluta, Jay Bahd and Oseikrom Sikani. 

Born Kwame Nsiah Apau, Okyeame Kwame has undoubtedly been a testimony of resilience and hard work in an industry that is very quick to “retire” older artistes after some years. 

After winning the Ghana Music Awards Group of the Year and Hiplife Song of the Year in 2000 as one-half of the now-defunct music duo, Akyeame, Okyeame Kwame came back stronger after almost a decade as a solo artiste to win the Artiste of the Year award in 2009. 

Many years later, the father of two has defied the odds and continues to push hard to get nominations in the prestigious music awards. Certainly, a feat that none of his compatriots in the 90s can boast of. 

He attributed several reasons for his status, noting that having a good management team in place, bringing something fresh to listeners, learning from others, as well as having a young team that understands how the current system is moving has been to his advantage.

MORE:

• Policeman on motorbike reportedly crashed to death [Video]

• New Ghana train on test run involved in accident [Photos]

• Tema shooting: Priestess go topless to purify community [Video]

The prestigious accolade is a testament to her outstanding contribution to the Ghanaian music industry.

Piesie Esther secured the award for her chart-topping hit song, ‘W’aye Me Yie,’ which has captured the hearts of music enthusiasts and dominated the airwaves over the past year.

She faced tough competition from Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Black Sherif, Gyakie, Kidi, and MOG Music but came out tops.

A representative of the French Embassy presented a plague to Piesie Esther for her feat.

In her acceptance speech, she expressed profound gratitude to God for elevating her from a struggling musician to an award-winning artist.

“God is indeed a wonderful and has been a blessing to me. Winning the Artiste of the Year award is a remarkable achievement, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Ghana, the organizers, my fans, my dedicated team, and everyone who has supported me on this incredible journey” Piesie Esther remarked.

Piesie Esther also walked home with the Song of the Year award.

SEE ALSO

• RMD opens up on why he was afraid to marry his…

• Adom TV’s ‘The Darling Factor’ delivers memorable performances: A week filled…

• Throwback photo of Kuami Eugene as a teenage leaves netizens in…

He has indicated that the W’ay3 Meyie hitmaker will “break the 3” for the gospel fraternity.

“Piesie Esther’s winning of the overall Artiste of the Year is non-negotiable because we’re breaking the three.

“Out of the 24 years of the organisation of the Ghana Music Awards, gospel artistes have won two of the top most award,” he said on Accra-based TV3.

He said that gospel singers should not be sidelined for the top award because they put in as much effort and toil into making and promoting their works as the ‘circular’ artistes.

To him, the Artiste of the Year award should be given to the most hardworking person in the industry which for him is Piesie Esther.

“Every energy and capacity you see every circular artiste pushing into the space of winning overall artiste of the Year. Every effort that this circular community people imply in the promotion and activation of their music and their winning for Artiste of the Year is the same energy that we also apply in the gospel fraternity,” he stated.

He continued that: “This award just like every industry award is very much for anybody who works hard in the industry. And I want us to situate the argument on that to a hardworking performer of the industry instead of tagging people that because they are gospel singers they do not deserve the prestigious Artiste of the Year award.”

Joe Mettle was the first gospel musician to have won the Artiste of the Year category at the awards ceremony in 2017 with his ‘Bo Noo Ni’ hit. Diana Antwi Hamilton became the first female gospel singer but the second from the fraternity to grasp the prestigious award in 2021 with ‘Adom’.

Out of eight nominees for the topmost award of the 24th edition of the Award Ceremony, Piesie Esther and Joe Mettle are representing the gospel fraternity.

Considering that both singers have worked really hard in the past year, some gospel musicians have tipped Piesie Esther as the chosen one.

The Empare Me crooner has seven nominations and is the only female nominee battling for the ultimate title of the night.

Piesie Esther has high hopes of sweeping all the awards including the big one.

ALSO READ:

• VGMA 24: Celestine Donkor roots for Piesie Esther to win two major categories 

• Piesie Esther’s husband’s reaction to her 7 VGMA nominations [Video]

Kofi Kinaata was crowned the Artiste of the Year at the event which took place in the Lincoln Theater on the 769 E Long Street of Columbus, Ohio.

He floored last year’s winner, Diana Hamilton, as well as Black Sherif, KiDi, Kuami Eugene, Sarkodie and Stonebwoy.

Artiste Black Sherif also walked home with the Hiphop/Highlife Artiste of the Year and the New Artiste of the Year awards.

Diana Hamilton is Female Vocalist of the Year and Akwaboah, Male Vocalist of the Year.

Most Popular Song of the Year is Okyeame Kwame’s ‘Yeeko’ featuring Kuami Eugene and Epixode for Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year.

The Lynx Entertainment boys were surely not exempted. While Kuami Eugene walked away with the Sound Engineer/Producer of the Year, KiDi swept the Afrobeat/Afropop Artiste of the Year award.

The Ghana Music Awards USA (GMA-USA) 2022 is designed to recognise and celebrate Ghanaian entertainers locally and globally.

It is also aimed at extending the reach of the Ghanaian music industry at home and abroad.

Speaking on Daybreak Hitz he said “for the ‘Artiste of the Year’, everyone knows I was supposed to be nominated. Even if I wasn’t going to win, I was supposed to be there.”

In 2021, the ‘Praise’ hit-maker was among the few notable Ghanaian musicians to excel at their field of play within and outside the country, and has won a larger audience appeal and popularity within the year under review.

For that reason, he argued that he falls within the criteria to be included in the list.

“Looking at the year under review and what it takes to be nominated, I qualify. Last year, I was everywhere. I dropped hit songs, did a lot of shows – both international and local. I did my best,” he told KMJ on Hitz FM.

The Afropop artiste is also of the view that his omission from the highly enviable category this year, somewhat flaws the category definition and the selection of some of the artistes who made the list.

This is because some of the artistes chosen for the ‘Artiste of the Year’ category either got a total of five nominations or less.

“I had five nominations. And so if I do not qualify to be there, then I think most of the artistes who qualified to be there were also not supposed to be there because they had the same number of nominations I got,” he observed.

This comes after some Fameye fans expressed their disappointment in the VGMA Board on social media for their favourite artiste’s exclusion.

Singer Ras Kuuku, rapper Captain Planet and Broadcaster Abeiku Santana are among the few public figures to publicly register their displeasure about Fameye’s ‘Artiste of the Year’ snub.

Be that as it may, the ‘Mati’ hit-maker expressed immense gratitude to his fans for the campaign and fellow artistes for their support, one he describes as ‘awesome and refreshing’.

Fameye earned a nomination in the following categories for this year’s edition of VGMA: Best Afropop Song, Record of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best Highlife Artiste and Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year.

MORE:

• If you want my position, you can come for it – Adwoa Safo told [Audio]

• List of confirmed bidders to buy Chelsea

• 2face is dying slowly – Family makes shocking revelation

According to him, he believes all the musicians who made it to the list are potential winners, hence there is no need for him to be worried about critics.

Joe Mettle added that, even if he is substituted with another nominee, the brouhaha wouldn’t be cancelled.

One thing he noted was that he didn’t file for the nomination but his manager did it on his behalf.

There is a a criteria they used… so if the organisers think you fit that’s what makes them nominate you. There are lots of things that happen at the background and the fact that they are not out there doesn’t mean they not happening. There is music and there is work and I think I haven’t been posting most of my works here.

Anyone in the category can win. Don’t underestimate anyone. People have those they are rooting for so I can win and anyone else can too.

When he was asked what his reaction was after chancing on Ras Kuuku’s statement, Joe Mettle said he laughed.

When I saw it I laughed. If he was also nominated they would do the same thing. No matter who happens to be there… there are times that people don’t deserve to be in a category every year. I dont think this is new in terms of how people feel.

Additionally, the Bo Noo Ni hitmaker said he has grown a tough skin for negative critics, hence critics against his Artiste of the Year nomination don’t get to him.

I guess it comes with the work. Everyone will not be happy with you. Whether you win or lose, people will have their issues. if you are worried about people, it can take too much energy out of you so life goes on.

Watch the video below:

According to him, Black Sherif and Kidi are the best fit for the Artiste of the Year award.

“Let me tell you, this year, the Artiste of the Year is between Blacko and Kidi and that is a fact,” he said.

Clarifying his reason for proposing the two artistes on Adom TV’s Badwam Ahosepe, he stated that the two musicians have worked hard, hence deserve to be Artiste of the Year.

“When we are talking about musicians who have worked all the musicians should agree to it that these two brothers of ours have really worked hard so let’s cheer them,” Ras Kuuku noted.

Ras Kuuku also lamented his dissatisfaction towards the absence of some artistes eligible for other categories.

“Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) is for all of us but sometimes we need to speak out when something is going wrong,” he said.

“I don’t understand why I didn’t see Blacko’s name in the Most Popular Song category and Fameye in the Artiste of the Year category, that’s what pains me most,” he added.

He added that “when we talk about a song that was a hit in Ghana in the year 2021, which song surpasses Blacko’s Second Sermon and when it comes to Artistes who have worked hard, who can be compared to Fameye so why is Fameye not in the list?”

According to him, he cannot fathom why Joe Mettle has over the years been nominated in the category when his works doesn’t amount to the value for him to be honoured as such.

The nominees in the tight category were King Promise, Kuami Eugene, Sarkodie, Black Sherif, KiDi and Joe Mettle.

Talking further on the Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, Ras Kuuku said Joe Mettle’s Ye Obua Mi song can never be rated over Fameye’s Praise song, hence its apt for Fameye to be in the Artiste of the Year category and not Joe Mettle.

Earlier, Ras Kuuku took to his social media pages to query if the VGMA award scheme belongs to Joe Mettle only.

Everyone did well but in terms of Joe Mettle we want to know what he actually did for him to be there. Just like when he won Artiste of the Year years ago. I never knew him until he won it at that time.

Joe Mettle did nothing last year and it’s a fact. I’m not supposed to listen to gospel songs before I know a hit song.

According to Ras Kuuku, the VGMA board failed to nominate his Fakye song though he was the most active Reggae/Dancehall musician.

The board said I did nothing so I wasn’t nominated. If you are not being nominated it means your work didn’t catch up to what they are looking for. I filed for nomination for my Fakye song.

Can you tell me Joe Mettle’s hit song…? My Fakye was released around June, July last year and I filed for Reggae Dancehall song of the Year. I can see most of the reggae dancehall DJs complaining.

Is it because it is bashing the politicians? I am not complaining about mine. When I saw Artiste of the Year and I saw Joe Mettle without Fameye…Which of Joe Mettle’s songs can match Fameye’s Praise? Joe Mettle is a good composer but the truth is what did he do to win that?

Joe Mettle being in the Artiste of the Year category is an insult to all musicians in Ghana – Ras Kuuku. Didn’t Fameye work last year? That Praise song isn’t it big enough to be in the Artiste of the Year?

MORE:

• Barker-Vormawor’s interesting post after being released

• Avail your drivers for fire management training – Police urge vehicle owners

• Russia’s lethal ‘exoskeleton’ suits that give soldiers deadly ‘battlefield powers’

This was during a courtesy call she paid on the Chairman of the Church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in his office at the church’s general headquarters in Accra.

Present at the meeting were some executives including the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi.

Diana Hamilton thought it wise to pay homage to the church which trained her to be the talented gospel musician she is today.

She was trained to be a church singer, to be a backing vocalist and currently a mainstream singer.

Also, her father, Eric Felix Antwi, was an Apostle of the church, until his demise in 2013.

RELATED

• VGMA22: Diana Hamilton beats KiDi, Sarkodie, others to win Artiste of the Year

• It’s my time – Diana Hamilton speaks after VGMA Artiste of the Year win…

Diana Hamilton becomes the first female gospel musician to receive the ultimate VGMA crown, but the second female to ever grace that position, only second to the late Ebony Reigns.

She won the award amid tough competition from KiDi, Adina, Sarkodie, Medikal and Kuami Eugene.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST (@thecophqofficial)

She won the award amid tough competition from KiDi, Adina, Sarkodie, Medikal and Kuami Eugene.

The Adom hitmaker also won three other awards on the night. These are Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year and Gospel Song of the Year.

The gospel sensation thanked her fans, management team, her family, the media and everyone who has supported her through her journey and in the year under review.

Diana Hamilton is the first female gospel Artiste to take home the ultimate award in VGMA’s 22-year history.

Also taking home four award on the night was Afropop/Highlife Artiste of the Year, KiDi.

The ‘Say Cheese’ hitmaker took home the EP of the Year, Afrobeat/Afropop Artiste of the Year, Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the Year, and Highlife Song of the Year awards.

Adina also grabbed some of the biggest awards on the night including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year.

Kofi Kinaata also made history and took home the Songwriter of the Year award. He was also honoured with the Vodafone Green Award for his campaign against illegal fishing.

Sarkodie took home the Best Collaboration for his song Happy Day featuring Kuami Eugene and Medikal won the Best Hiphop/Hiplife Artiste of the Year.

Check out the full list winners below:

Record of the Year

Be Your Own Beautiful – Adomaa
Daddy’s Little Girl – Adina ————–Winner
Fancy – Amaarae
Die 4 U – Cina Soul
Too Much – Epixode
Diplomatic Teef – Trigmatic
Comot – Worlasi
Mmusuo – YaaYaahttps://082d7f0889322c84902f571f313bc16b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Sound Engineer of the year (The award goes to one who produced the song which won the Record of the Year)

Richie Mensah ————Winner

Instrumentalist of the Year

Joshua Moszi
Nana Yaw Sarfo ————-Winner
Prince Sennah
Emmanuel Bludo
Enoch Owuraku Kissihttps://082d7f0889322c84902f571f313bc16b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Traditional Artiste of the Year

Manhyia Tete Nwomkro ——-Winner

Songwriter of the Year

Diana Hamilton – Adom
Kofi Kinaata – Behind the Scenes ————Winner
Adina – Hyedin
Joe Mettle – Yesu Mo
Abiana – Adun Lei
Epixode – Too Muchhttps://082d7f0889322c84902f571f313bc16b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Music for Good

Yaayaa ———-Winner

Male Vocalist of the Year

KiDi – One Man
Joe Mettle – Yesu Mo
Akwaboah – Posti Me
MOGmusic – Oguamma ———Winner
Kyei Mensah – Take It All
Kingsley Amporful – Godhttps://082d7f0889322c84902f571f313bc16b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Female Vocalist of the Year

Abiana – Adun Lei ———–Winner
Adina – Hear Me
Cina Soul – Die 4 U
YaaYaa – Mmusuo
Efe Grace – Lord Have Your Way
Enuonyam – Fill Me

Best Group of the Year

Bethel Revival Choir
DopeNation
Dead Peepol
Keche —————Winnerhttps://082d7f0889322c84902f571f313bc16b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Producer of the Year

Chris Rich Beats
Yung Demz
Street Beatz
Richie Mensah ———-Winner
MOG Beatz
Willis Beatz

Best African Artiste

Burna Boy 
Davido 
Wizkid
Master KG ————Winner
Fireboy DML
Omah Lay

Best Video of the Year

Why – Adina
Fancy – Amaarae
Adom – Diana Hamilton
Cold – Joey B
Open Gate – Kuami Eugene
On the Street – Kweku Smoke
Let Me Know – Mr Drew
Baddest Boss – MzVee ————–Winner
Kpa – Okyeame Kwame
Thomas Pompoyeyaw Rmx – Pappy Kojo

Lifetime Achievement Award

Bob Pinodo ————-Winner

Artiste of the Year

Adina
KiDi
Diana Hamilton ———-Winner
Kuami Eugene
Medikal
Sarkodie

Album of the Year

Araba – Adina ———-Winner
Kpanlogo – Darkovibes
Son of Africa – Kuami Eugene
The Truth – Medikal
Inveencible – MzVee
10 Am – Strongman
Blackstar – KelvynBoy
Lava Feels – Joey B

Hip-Hop Song of the Year

Ataa Adwoa – Bosom P-Yung
Otan Hunu – Dead Peepol ft Rich Kent
Akobam – Joey B ft Medikal & Kofi Mole
Ekorso – Kofi Jamar ft. Yaw Tog & Ypee
Money – Kweku Flick
Live from 233 – Kwesi Arthur
La Hustle Remix – Medikal ft Joey B & Criss Waddle
Sore – Yaw Tog ft O’kenneth, City Boy, Reggie, Jay Bahd ——————-Winner
Force Dem To Play Nonsense – Eno Barony ft. Sister Derby & Strongman

Highlife Song of the Year

Posti Me – Akwaboah
Playboy – Dada Hafco ft. Akwaboah
Enjoyment – KiDi ———————Winner
Behind The Scenes – Kofi Kinaata
Open Gate – Kuami Eugene
Asabone – Lord Paper ft. Bosom P-Yung
Later – Mr Drew ft. Kelvyn Boy
Party – Sista Afia ft. Fameye

Gospel Song of the Year

Blessed – Akesse Brempong ft. Joe Mettle
Favour Everywhere – Celestine ft. Evelyn Wanjiru
Adom – Diana Hamilton ————–Winner
Jesus Over Do – Empress Gifty
Yesu Mo – Joe Mettle
Jesus – MOGmusic
Jejeli – KobbySalm ft. Okey Sokay
Who Say God No Dey – Kofi Karikari

Hiplife Song of the Year

Thank God – DopeNation ft. Kofi Kinaata
Enough Is Enough – Eno Barony ft. Wendy Shay
Long Life – Fameye ft. Kwesi Arthur
No Dulling – Keche ft. Kuami Eugene ————-Winner
Dw3 Remix – Krymi, Mr Drew ft. All-Stars
Pilolo – Strongman ft. Kelvyn Boy
Happy Day – Sarkodie ft. Kuami Eugene
Ghetto Boy – Tulenkey ft. Kelvyn Boy & Medikal

Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year

Why – Adina – ——————-Winner
Sheriff – MzVee
Forever – Samini
Lonely – Jah Lead
Killy Killy Rmx – Larruso ft Stonebwoy & Kwesi Arthur
Make Up – Kaphun ft Stonebwoy
Gye Diee – Ras Kuuku ft MOGmusic
Mi Dey Up Rmx – Kofi Jamar ft Stonebwoy

Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year

Epixode ———-Winner
Samini
Ras Kuuku
Kaphun
Larruso

Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the Year

Take Care of You – Adina ft Stonebwoy
Inna Song – Darkovibes ft King Promise
Forever – Gyakie
Momo – KelvynBoy ft Mugeez & Darkovibes
Say Cheese – KiDi ————————Winner
Sisa – King Promise
Turn On the Lights – Kwesi Arthur
Let Me Know – Mr Drew Maria – Camidoh
Emergency – Wendy Shay

EP of the Year

Blue EP – KiDi ————Winner
Seed EP – Gyakie
Different – GuiltyBeatz
Mood Swings – Edem
Sorry For The Wait This Is Not The Wait – Kwesi Arthur
The Truth – Kofi Jamar

Best Collaboration of the Year

Take Care Of You – Adina ft. Stonebwoy
Inna Song – Darkovibes ft. King Promise
No Dulling – Keche ft. Kuami Eugene
One Man – KiDi ft. Adina
Ekorso – Kofi Jamar ft. Yaw Tog, Ypee
La Hustle Rmx – Medikal ft. Criss Waddle, Joey B
Happy Day – Sarkodie ft Kuami Eugene —————-Winner
Sore – Yaw Tog ft. O’Kenneth, reggie, Jay Bhad, City Boi

International Collaboration of the Year

Favor Everywhere – Celestine Donkor ft. Evelyn Wanjiru
The One – Efya ft. Tiwa Savage
Something Nice – Kofi Kinaata ft. Patoranking
Show Body – Kuami Eugene ft. Falz
Baajo – Kwesi Arthur ft. JoeyBoy ———Winner
CEO Flow – Sarkodie ft. E-40
Paper – Sista Afia ft Victor AD
Thomas Pompoyeyew RMX – Pappy Kojo ft. Busisiwa

Best Rap Performance

Amerado – Best Rapper
Eno Barony – God Is A Woman ——-Winner
Joey B – Cold
Medikal – Stop It
Sarkodie – Brown Paper Bag
Strongman – Flawless

Best New Artiste of the Year

Amerado
Bosom PYung
Dead Peepol
Gyakie
Kofi Jamar
Kweku Flick
Larruso
Mr Drew ———Winner
Yaw Tog
Camidoh

Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year

Ataa Adwoa – Bosom PYung
Adom – Diana Hamilton ————–Winner
No Dulling – Keche
Enjoyment – KiDi
Sisa – King Promise
Ekorso – Kofi Jamar
Open Gate – Kuami Eugene
La Hustle Remix – Medikal
Happy Day – Sarkodie
Sore – Yaw Tog
Say Cheese – KiDi
Inna Song – Darkovibes

Hiplife/Hip-Hop Artiste of the Year

Eno Barony
Joey B Keche
Kofi Jamar
Kwesi Arthur
Medikal ————Winner
Sarkodie
Yaw Tog

Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year

Epixode
Samini
Ras Kuuku ———–Winner
Kaphun
Larruso

Highlife Artiste of the Year

Akwaboah
Fameye
Kofi Kinaata
Kuami Eugene ———-Winner
Sista Afia
Dada Hafco

Afrobeat/Afropop Artiste of the Year

Adina
Darkovibes
Camidoh
KelvynBoy
KiDi ———–Winner
King Promise
Mr. Drew
Wendy Shay

Gospel Artiste of the Year

Akesse Brempong
Joe Mettle
Celestine Donkor
Diana Hamilton ————-Winner
Empress Gifty
MOGmusic
Efe Grace
Eric Jeshrun

The artiste was all smiles prior to the award declaration, as he took it upon himself to update Ghanaians who were connected via television of the live turnout of events on social media.

After sweeping off four awards for the night, KiDi was hopeful of the fifth, which would have put him on the top of the awardees, and the bragging right for the next year.

However, sorrow and anger took over KiDi’s being when Deputy Tourism Minister, Mark Okraku-Mantey presented the Artiste of the Year award to Diana Hamlton, who was in the category with four others.

As Diana Hamilton and her team jubilated their way to the podium, a charged and inconsolable KiDi marched out of the auditorium.

Hours after reality dawned on him, he threw in the towel and congratulated his contender via a tweet.

Taking humour from his pain, the Highlife artiste reiterated that he will surely be back, despite being faced with a little traffic in the form of Diana Hamilton.

The ‘Say Cheese’ hitmaker took home the EP of the Year, Afrobeat/Afropop Artiste of the Year, Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the Year, and Highlife Song of the Year awards.

According to him, he has worked hard to prove he deserves the award saying that its possible because his numbers keep growing massively.

The VGMA Artiste of the Year 2020, speaking to KMJ at the VGMA Experience Concert, said if it comes to him, he will thank God for it, adding that, he wishes all the nominees well since they equally deserve to be winners.

MORE:

• Exclusive photos: Meet G/Cont. Emmanuel Osei who was killed in James Town bullion van robbery

• Men wielding guns warn Ghanaians on social media [Video]

• Pathologist reveals cause of death of JHS pupil who ‘committed suicide’

Watch the video below:

KiDi won the coveted award of the night amid competition from Kuami Eugene, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Adina, Diana Hamilton, Medikal and Fameye.

The Lynx Entertainment signee was not only crowned with the biggest award but he also won the most awards on the night.

He took home three others namely Afrobeat Song of the Year, Song of the Year and EP of the Year.

KiDi won both the Afrobeat Song of the Year and Song of the Year with his viral song Enjoyment released in January 2020.

The Say Cheese hitmaker also won the EP of the Year award with the critically acclaimed Blue EP released in May 2020 amid the lockdown.

Accepting his award, the singer said he was thankful to his fans, team and family for their support and hard work.

“A big thank you to God for this, I am so grateful. To my family, my entire team, I’m grateful. Everybody that has supported my carrier I am so grateful. The fans without you I wouldn’t be here. Thank you,” he said.

Following KiDi closely with three awards was Diana Hamilton. She took home the Gospel Song of the Year award, Gospel Act of the Year Award and the Best Female Vocalist of the Year award.

Stonebwoy also swept three awards namely Viral Song of the Year (Putuu), Highlife Song of the Year (Sobolo) and Album of the Year (Anloga Junction).

Other winners were Sarkodie, who won the Hiplife Song of the Year and the Best Performer of the Year (Black Love Virtual Concert). Medikal also took home The Hiplife/Highlife Act of the Year.

Many Ghanaians were also happy to see Eno Barony win the Rapper of the Year award. Her beef with Sista Afia and Medikal got her more appreciation from music lovers across the country.

The event saw the ‘Anadwo‘ hitmaker also take home three more awards namely HipHop/Hiplife Song of the Year and HipHop/Hiplife Artiste of the Year and Best Collaboration of the Year.

His song Saara which featured singer Efya won the Best Collaboration and ‘Oofeetso’ with Bright Buk Bak won the HipHop/Hiplife Song of the Year.

This win comes after the rapper had failed to bag the Artiste of the Year award at the 2020 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

Thus, fans of the rapper took to social media to express how happy they were Sarkodie took home the ultimate award at the Ghana Music Awards UK ceremony.

MORE:

• 2020 AFRIMMA: Ghana grabs 25 nominations

• John Dumelo sympathises with Ayawaso West flood victims [Video]

Although he carried the ultimate award on the night, Sarkodie along with other winners did not take their awards in person because of the Covid-19 health protocols.

The Ghana Music Awards USA came off on Saturday, October 10 in New Jersey.

The show saw performances from Keche, Fameye, Eno Barony, Nathaniel Pryce, Stella Seal among others.

The performces of some of these artiste took place on a stage set in Accra while others were in New Jersey.

According to the organisers, they could not provide the avenue to fly these artistes to New Jersey on short notice.

In an interview on Evibes, the highlife artiste said that many critics expect young artistes to grow old or spend many years in the industry before they win the Artiste of the Year.

The ‘Open Gate’ hitmaker lamented that the artistes after maturing in the industry still miss out on winning the award because new talents are always coming up and others may be rooting for them instead.

MORE:

• Van Vicker shows off beautiful wife

• Moesha Boduong gives social media free show with ‘crazy bikini’ photo

“This is not my first time winning a plague this is my first overall ‘Artiste of the Year’ award as a young artiste,” Kuami Eugene told with JoyNews’ Becky.

He stated that winning the ultimate VGMA award this year will open people’s mind to the works of his peers and award them when they deserve it – young or not.

“At the end of the day, this is all about hard work,” he said.

In an interview on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, monitored by Adomonline.com, he said though a lot of people weren’t sure about his win, he tipped himself for it.

I was hopeful for it. I was wishing myself well as any normal human being will do. As long as we are in the category, everyone is a winner so if I am being called out, I have to accept it in good faith, he noted.

MORE:

• Moesha Boduong all loved up with dad on his birthday

• Kuami Eugene wins VGMA Artiste of the Year 2020

• Kelyvn Boy rips trouser during VGMA stage performance [Video]

If Sarkodie had won, people will say he didn’t deserve it too. If Kofi Kinaata had won, the same thing will happen, he added.

Watch the video above:

The acting President of the Musicians Union of Ghana, Bessa Simons, presented to the singer at the event which took place at the Accra International Conference Centre on December 7.

She took to her Twitter handle to share the news with her fans.

“Ghana’s Artist of the Year is @Wiyaala presented by Bessa Simons acting President of Musiga Thank you! @Ghartsnculture  Awards 2019 partnered by @MOTACGhana Sponsors @GihocL,” Wiyaala wrote.

Ghana Arts and Culture Awards which was launched in September 2019 seeks to honour individuals and brands who have made significant contributions to the Arts and Culture Industry in Ghana.

CEO of Azmera Restaurant, a Ghanaian catering facility that specialises in serving Ghanaian dishes, Ms Afua Krobea Asante, won the Cultural Heritage Entrepreneur.

Afrochella, a music festival organised in December won the Festival Event of the Year.

Related story:Ebony wins Artiste of the Year at 2018 VGMA
Late dancehall artiste, Ebony has made history by winning the ‘Artiste of the Year’ at the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
She beat Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale and 2017 Artiste of the Year winner, Joe Mettle to be adjudged the best artiste in Ghana.
Related story:Full list of winners at 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards
Ebony is the first female to win the award and the first to win the award posthumously.
READ:God knows I did my best – Patapaa