Ghana music awards festival is an annual music awards scheme organised by Charterhouse to reward and honour hardworking Ghanaian artistes of all genres.
Since its inception in 1999, music lovers and fans of various artistes have been trilled with lots of excitement at the event
This article takes a look at previous winners of the ultimate ‘Artiste of the Year ‘ title that all artistes look up to.
‘Artiste of the Year’ is the topmost award at the Ghana Music Awards, given to the artiste(s) adjudged by the Academy, Board, and the general public as having the highest audience appeal and popularity. The artiste(s) must have released a hit single/album during the year under review.
Here is a compilation of all musicians who have won ‘Artiste of the Year’ from 1999 to 2018:
1999
Artiste: Akyeame ( Daniel ‘Quophi’ Amoateng and Kwame ‘Quame’ Nsiah-Apau)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘Mesan Aba’ ft. Nana Quame, Mary Agyepong & Yoggi Doggi
Facts: Unfortunately, the group Akyeame broke up in 2004 after entertaining fans over a period of seven years.
2000
Artist: Daddy Lumba (Born Charles Kwadwo Fosu)
Genre: Highlife
Hit song for that year: ‘Aben wa ha’
Facts: The artiste’s hit song ‘Aben wa ha’ was subjected to a lot of criticisms due to its supposed sexually suggestive lyrics.
Artist: Kojo Antwi
Genre: Highlife
Hit song for that year: ‘Tom and Jerry’
Facts: Nicked named ‘The Maestro’ was the first Ghanaian winner at the Kora Awards, winning Best Male Artiste of West Africa in 2000 and 2003.
2002
Artist: Lord Kenya (Born Abraham Philip Akpor Kojo)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘Medo’
Facts: The rapper turned pastor was the first rapper to win that award
2003
Artist: Kontihene (Born Emmanuel Nana Appiah Boateng)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘Aketesia’
Facts: The song ‘Aketesia’ from his debut album Nyankonton was an instant hit that shot him to fame.
2004
Artist: V.I.P ( Abdul ‘Lazzy’ Hamid Ibrahim, Joseph ‘Prodigal’ Nana Ofori, Emmanuel ‘Promzy’ Ababio)
Genre: Highlife
Hit song for that year: ‘Ahomka Womu’
Facts: The groups hit song ‘Ahomka Womu’ was number one on the Ghanaian charts for over 20 weeks. During that year, the initial group of six had lost three of its members officially.
2005
Artist: Obuor (Born Bice Osei Kuffour)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘Konkontiba’
Facts: Obuor released several hit songs which included the controversial smash hit ‘Konkontiba’.
2006
Artist: Ofori Amponsah
Genre: Highlife
Hit song for that year: ‘Otoolege’
Facts: The silky voice artiste won seven awards in one night at the 2006 VGMA awards.
2007
Artist: Samini (Born Emmanuel Andrew Samini)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘Odo’
Facts: His ability to fuse dancehall with hiplife makes him an exceptional act.
2008
Artist: Kwaw Kese (Born Emmanuel Botwe)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘Odiem’
Facts: The Swedru born rapper has over the years carved a name for himself as the ‘King of the Streets’.
2009
Artist: Okyeame Kwame (Born Kwame Nsiah-Apau)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘Woso’
Facts: Okyeame Kwame won the topmost awards as a solo artiste after 10 years in the music industry, it was his second win after winning the first edition with Okyeame Quophi as a group.
2010
Artist: Sarkodie (Born Michael Owusu Addo)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘Babe’
Facts: ‘Babe’, was off his first album and was an instant hit.
2011
Artist: V.I.P (Abdul ‘Lazzy’ Hamid Ibrahim, Joseph ‘Prodigal’ Nana Ofori, Emmanuel ‘Promzy’ Ababio)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘Away’
Facts: It was the first time a group has won the Artiste of the Year on two occasions.
2012
Artist: Sarkodie (Born Michael Owusu Addo)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: ‘U go Kill Me’
Facts: Sarkodie made history by becoming the first solo artiste to win the topmost award twice. His hit song ‘U go Kill Me’ was released to commemorate the Azonto era in Ghana music.
2013
Artist: R2Bees
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: Odo
Facts: The Tema based group won five awards that year and their ultimate win ‘Artist of Year’ came along with a brand-new MG 550 saloon car.
2014
Artist: Shatta Wale (Born Charles Nii Armah)
Genre: Dancehall
Hit song for that year: Dancehall King
Facts: Even though he won the Artiste of the Year award, Shatta Wale was not around to pick is award due to a misunderstanding between himself and the organisers before the show.
2015
Artist: Stonebwoy (Born Livingstone Etse Satekla)
Genre: Dancehall
Hit song for that year: Baafira
Facts: Stonebwoy after winning the ultimate award of the night went on to win the Best International Act at the BET Awards.
2016
Artist: E.L (Born Elorm Adablah)
Genre: Hiplife
Hit song for that year: Koko
Facts: Rapper /music producer released an inspirational ‘Koko’ track that won the hearts of many Ghanaians.
2017
Artist: Joe Mettle (Born Joseph Oscar Nii Armah Mettle)
Genre: Gospel
Hit song for that year: Onwanwani
Facts: Joe Mettle became the first gospel act to win the topmost award.
2018
Artist: Ebony Reigns (Born Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng)
Genre: Dancehall
Hit song for that year: ‘Sponsor’
Facts: The late Ebony Reigns made history as the first woman to win the Artiste of the year in the VGMAs.
2019
organizers failes to announce a winner
