VGMA 2019 Launched – Shatta Wale grabs Nomination

The Ghana Music and Awards Festival is here again to award our outstanding musicians of their phenomenon work for the year under review. Nominations for the 20th edition and launch of the award scheme was done last Friday, March 15 at the Labadi Beach Hotel.

Personalities like former editor of Graphic, Nanabanyin Dadson; former Presidents of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Alhaji Sidiku Buari and Diana Hopeson, Members of the Arts Writers and Tourism Association, PaJohn Bentsifi Dadson and Francis Doku; Starr FM’s Drive host, Kofi Okyere Darko; music producer, Kiki Banson among others, were brought on stage to help cut the 20th anniversary cake.

The event, which was also used to announce nominees for this year’s show, witnessed performances from artistes including Okyeame Kwame, who was also the host, TiC, Kuami Eugene, KiDi, Kwaku Gyasi and the Afro Harmony Band.

It was a well attended party by players in the entertainment industry and notable among them were Shatta Wale, Efia Odo, Lydia Forson, Gifty Adorye, Mzbel, Appietus, Kwesi Arthur, MUSIGA President, Bice Osei Kuffuor popularly known as Obour, Ceccy Twum, GHAMRO Chairman, Rex Omar, Amadzeba and many others.

The Chief Executive Officer of Charterhouse Ghana, Organisers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs), Madam Theresa Ayoade speaking at the launch said it has not been easy holding the event for 20 years adding that, she’s glad the award scheme has come this far to stay.

“From using a wooden plaque as awards to the many criticisms we have had in the past years, thanks to individuals in the creative arts industry who have solidly been behind this award.

“20 years is no joke and the awards has attracted a rich cultural mix of Ghanaians, Nigerians, South Africa and other people from other parts of the world who share similar cultural values,” she stated.

The various nominations saw Reggae/Dancehall Artiste Stonebwoy scoring 9 nominations. He was announced in the category of Raggae/Dancehall Song of the year, Collaboration of the Year, and his 2018 hit single Tomorrow also landed him 2 nominations, Record of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. In all he was nominated in 9 categories.

Meanwhile his Record Label mate Shatta Wale returns to this year’s VGMA earning a slot for Raggae/Dancehall Song of the Year with Gringo hit Single and My Level as Highlife Song of the Year. Shatta Wale goes head-to-head with Stonebwoy’s Top Shanka. Samini’s Obaa and Maccasio ft. Mugeez ‘Dagomba Girl’ compete as well for the Raggae/Dancehall Song of the year category.

Sarkodie, M.anifest, Medikal, Teephlow and Obibini are all bidding for the Rapper of the year award. Nigeria’s Davido, Wizkid, Mr. Eazi and Burna Boy faces off with South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest and Kenya’s Sauti Soul for the African Artiste of the Year.

Other nominations for this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Award which was announced were the Gospel Artsite of the Year slot, Hiplife Song of the Year slot, Afro Pop of the Year slot, Hiphop Song of the Year slot and many others.

The event calendar for VGMA 2019 starts on April 6 with a Nominees Jam at the Kumasi Mall, continues on May 16 with the VGMA Industry Awards Night in Accra before the main awards on Saturday May 18. The venue for the main awards has not yet been communicated by Charterhouse.