Tonight marks 19 editions since the scheme was instituted. In the time, the coveted prize of Artist of the Year has been won by Kojo Antwi (2001), Lord Kenya (2002), Kontihene (2003), V.I.P (2004), Obour (2005), Ofori Amponsah (2006), Samini (2007), Kwaw Kese (2008), Okyeame Kwame (2009), Sarkodie (2010), V.I.P (2011), Sarkodie (2012), R2Bees (2013), Shatta Wale (2014), Stonebwoy (2015), EL (2016), and Joe Mettle (2017).
The mother of all events on Ghana’s entertainment calendar, the event attracts music’s biggest names, as well as astounding performances.
Highlights of the 2018 VGMAs include Shatta Wale’s triumphant return after a 4-year ban, Ebony Reign’s momentum for the topmost prize, as well as the inroads of young kings as Kwesi Arthur, King Promise, B4bonah, Patapaa, KiDi, Kuami Eugene, Kurl Songx among others.
The coveted Artist of the Year slot is as usual, the most highly- anticipated. This was predicated by late singer, Ebony Reigns’ unprecedented run all through 2017, and Shatta Wale’s surprise inclusion after a 4- year ban. Gospel singer Joe Mettle, who currently wears the crown, looks to retain the title, especially off the impact of “Bo Noo Ni” (ft Luigi Maclean) and the “God of Miracles” album. The category is completed by usual suspects Sarkodie and Stonebwoy, who have, for the past decade or so, remained firmly rooted among the first rank of acts from Ghana, and indeed the VGMAs.
Who picks it this year, and who emerges tops in the other categories? We bring you our projections:
Gospel of the Year
Boot for Boot – Joyce Blessing
Obi Nyanime – Patience Nyarko
Bo Noo Ni – Joe Mettle ft. Luigi Maclean
Efatawo – Nacee
Adom – Gifty Osei
Jehovah – Ceccy Twum
Joe Mettle maintains his steam as Artist of the Year, publishing the God of Miracles album, which birthed Bo Noo Ni (ft. Luigi Maclean). Patience Nyarko’s “Obi Nyanime” also proves a staunch contender. To us, the laurel remains between these two.
Highlife Song of the Year
Dream – Kumi Guitar
Bronya – Wutah
Odo – KiDi
Angela – Kuami Eugene
Ladder – Lil Win
Over – R2bees
Hustle – Ebony
A tough category which could see anyone from KiDi, Kuami Eugene, Wutah, or even Ebony emerge victorious.
Hiplife Song of the Year
Total Cheat – Fancy Gadam Ft. Sarkodie
Boys Boys – Nancee Ft. Guru
Pain Killer – Sarkodie Ft. Runtown
Obi Agyi Obi Girl – Captain Planet
Ayoo – Shatta Wale
One Corner – Patapaa Ft. Ras Cann
Hiphop Song of the Year
State of the Art – Teephlow
Light it up – Sarkodie
Grind Day Remix – Kwesi Arthur
Pen and Paper – Ko-jo Cue & Shaker
Dear God – B4bonah
Though he is a greenhorn, Kwesi Arthur could cause an upset in this category, considering what a revolutionary he has proven all through last year, especially with “Grind Day”. Sarkodie has been ruler for a long time, so it is illogical to rule him out, or B4bonah, whose aspirational joint “Dear God” has been a radio staple ever since it was released.
Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year
Until the Dawn – Efya
My Own – Samini
My Name – Stonebwoy
Faya Burn Dem – Article Wan
Rewind – MzVee
Dem Confuse – Shatta Wale
We’re going to go out on a limb and select “My Own”, off Samini’s forthcoming reggae album. Produced by DJ Frass, it has towered high among reggae playlists in the country. Protégé Stonebwoy puts up a strong challenge with “My Name”, as does Shatta Wale’s “Dem Confuse”.
Afro-pop Song of the Year
Makoma – Adina feat. Sarkodie
Oh Yeah – King Promise
Say You Love Me – KiDi
Sing My Name – MzVee
Jennifer Lomotey – Kurl Songx
Sponsor – Ebony
My Baby – Magnon
Come from Far – Stonebwoy
In nearly every category which she has been nominated, Ebony appears dominant, and Afro-pop Song of the Year is no different. But fellow young stars King Promise, KiDi, and Kurl Songx present realistic threats. Magnom, Stonebwoy, and Adina could also cause upsets though.
Gospel Artiste of the Year
Patience Nyarko
Joyce Blessing
Joe Mettle
Celestine Donkor
Gifty Osei
Nacee
Joe Mettle leads the category by a stretch, especially due to his momentum from last year. It’s highly unlikely for the laurel to go to anyone else.
Highlife Artiste of the Year
Wutah
KiDi
Kuami Eugene
Becca
Wutah’s comeback was fantastic. Bronya, the song which essentially announced their return, made massive waves. Still, one cannot ignore LYNX boys Kuami Eugene and KiDi, either of whom could snatch the award.
Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year
Ebony
MzVee
Shatta Wale
Stonebwoy
Ebony reigns at this year’s event. In a category containing Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale, no one can be too confident, but Ebony picks this one.
Songwriter of the Year
Kumi Guitar – Dream
Joe Mettle- Bo Noo Ni
Bullet – Maame Hwe
Kofi Kinaata – Last Show
Samini – My own
Stonebwoy – My Name
In the past couple of years, it has gone to Kofi Kinaata, who has constantly displayed wit and depth in his penmanship. This year though, Bullet, most certainly walks home with the laurel, for “Maame Hwe”, his poignant narrative of domestic abuse, expertly delivered by Ebony.
Record of the Year
Kumi Guitar – Dream
Samini – My Own
Sarkodie – Glory
Teephlow – State of the Art
Best Music Video of the Year
Kumi Guitar- Dream (Directed by Abass)
King Promise – Selfish (Directed by Vertex)
B4bonah – My Girl (Directed by Nicol-Sey)
Opanka – Wedding Car (Directed by Bra Shizzle)
Captain Planet – Obi Agyi Obi Girl (Directed by Phamous Films)
Lil Shaker & Ko-Jo Cue – Pen & Paper (Directed by Ekumodzi)
Hiplife/Hip-Hop Artiste of the Year
Yaa Pono
R2bees
Captain Planet
*Kwesi Arthur
*Sarkodie
VVIP
Best Male Vocalist of the Year
Joe Mettle – Bo Noo Ni
King Promise – Selfish
KiDi – Odo
Kuami Eugene – Angela
Mugeez – Over
Samini – My Own
While this is an extremely tight category, we’re sticking our neck out for LLE’s King Promise takes this one, for his superior delivery on “Selfish”
Best Female Vocalist of the Year
Adina – Makoma
Nana Yaa – Don’t leave alone
Efya – Love
MzVee – Bright light
Becca – Summye (Pillow)
Many music lovers bemoan Ebony’s absence in this category, for her performance in “Maame Hwe”. Adina seemingly leads the category (which also accommodates top songstresses Efya, Becca, MzVee, and NanaYaa), for her work on Makoma,
Best Group of the Year
VVIP
R2bees
Wutah
This could go to any one of the groups, though Wutah’s boisterous comeback, as well as VVIP’s dominance over the years gives them a slight edge.
Best Rapper of the Year
Eno Barony – Fear No Man
Teephlow – Phlowducation
Sarkodie – Light it up
Lil Shaker – Pen & Paper
Ko-Jo Cue – Pen & Paper
Strongman – Transformer
Sarkodie holds an upper hand in this category, because the other nominees pale in comparison with his bran. Yet, Teephlow seems to have impressed many for his performance on Phlowducation, and therefore, could carry the day.
Best collaboration of the Year
Joe Mettle Ft. Luigi Maclean – Bo Noo Ni
MzVee Ft. Patoranking – Sing My Name remix
Kurl Songx Ft. Sarkodie – Jennifer Lomotey
Sarkodie Ft. Runtown – Pain Killer
Shatta Wale Ft. SM Militants – Taking Over
Captain Planet Ft. Kofi Kinaata – Obi Agyi Obi Girl
Becca Ft. Patoranking – Na Wash
Shatta Wale and his “Militants” lead by a whole mile in this category.
Best African artiste of the year
Davido
Wizkid
Toofan
Cassper Nyovest
Nasty C
Tiwa Savage
Olamide
Davido stands out in this category, especially with such widespread offerings as “Fia”, “Like Dat”, and his contribution on KiDi’s “Odo (Remix).
Best New Artiste of the year
King Promise
Kurl Songx
KiDi
Kuami Eugene
Magnom
Kwesi Arthur
B4bonah
Song of the Year
Sponsor – Ebony
Odo – Kidi
Angela – Kuami Eugene
Taking Over – Shatta Wale Ft. SM Militants
Total Cheat – Fancy Gadam Ft. Sarkodie
One Corner – Patapaa Ft. Ras Cann
Bo Noo Nii – Joe Mettle Ft. Luigi Maclean
Obi Agyi Obi Girl – Captain Planet Ft. Kofi Kinaata.
My Baby – Magnom ft Joey B
Oh Yeah – King Promise
Pain Killer – Sarkodie feat. Runtown
Tough call in every regard, but Ebony reigns here too, especially considering signals we’re picking from the ground.
Album of the Year
Epistles of Mama – Stonebwoy
Daavi – MzVee
Bonyfied – Ebony
Highest – Sarkodie
For one thing, Ebony’s “Bonyfied” produced the most hits last year. Though it faces fierce competition from Stonebwoy’s “Epistles of Mama” album, “Bonyfied” tops this one.
Artiste of the Year
Joe Mettle
Ebony Reigns
Shatta Wale
Sarkodie
Stonebwoy
The late Ebony very likely will set the record as the first female to win the topmost prize. This is founded on a remarkable 2017, which saw her release an array of hit songs and the BONYFIED album.
*VGMA 2018 is a Charterhouse Ghana event with sponsorship from telecoms giant Vodafone. Jonnie Hughes and AJ Sarpong compere the Red Carpet session, while Berla Mundi and Jon Dumelo host the Main event.