2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards in review

The much-anticipated premium music awards in the country came off over the weekend with all its pomp and flurry.

Prior to the day, various entertainment critics and analysts spent lots of time on media platforms to educate the public on the categories under which the individuals were nominated for the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards as well as why they merited them.

Having hosted the event for almost two decades, patrons were optimistic that the organisers, Charterhouse Ghana Limited would deliver a grand show. That being the case, tickets were sold out 24 hours to the programme.

Activities at the entrance of the Accra International Conference Centre, venue for the VGMAs nearly marred the occasion for the early birds as patrons despite possessing tickets were refused entry to the premises for almost an hour, much to their chagrin.

Unlike previous years where the programme always obeyed the ‘Ghana Man Time’ syndrome, Charterhouse decided to make a statement by starting the programme on time, the first in a long time.

They were however not able to meet the stipulated timeline of 4 hours as the event ended after 2 AM Sunday morning.

Despite putting up an elaborative stage setup, the nicest in the awards event’s 19-year history, some Ghanaians took to social media to troll the efforts of Charterhouse.



Red Carpet

Perhaps one of the most sought-after sessions during the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards since it offers the opportunity for the players of the various industries to flaunt their fashion sense and styles.

Emceed by Citi FM’s AJ Sarpong and Media General’s Johnnie Hughes, the Red Carpet was well coordinated by the duo.

Quite a number of celebrities and ‘slay queens’ were absent to the disappointment of many. Some Ghanaians attributed it to lateness while others also averred that they had been affected by proclamations by actress Moesha Buduong during her CNN interview on the Sex and Love Series.

Pictures that were taken by some of the stars on the night still trended on social media; some of them becoming the subject of trolls.



Berla Mundi-John Dumelo collaboration

The event hosts for the night were GhOne’s Berla Mundi and actor, entrepreneur and livestock farmer John Dumelo. Despite starting with low energies, the pair did a splendid job emceeing the event.

Patrons could not have enough of Mr. Dumelo particularly as kept captivating the crowd with his gimmicks and hilarious performances.



Artiste performances

As has become custom in every Ghanaian event, the programme started with a gospel delivery from the 2017 Artist of the Year Joe Mettle.

He ministered the crowd’s favourite and what has become the most common worship song in recent times, ‘Bononi’. The response was good as he got to take many of the patrons to ‘church’.

Setting a new standard, majority of this year’s performances were done with a live band.

Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy left patrons yearning for more with his performances. Preceding with the introduction of his protégé, Kelvyn Boy, the latter did his bit to give an account of himself with a few of his songs.

Lynxx Entertainment trio Kuami Eugene, Kidi and Adina were each present to give some thrilling displays; well except Kidi who has come under criticism for his stagecraft.





Energetic injections from Samini, Sarkodie, Fancy Gadam and Kwesi Arthur were enough to send patrons grooving all night long.

International acts billed for the night included Nigerian diva Tiwa Savage and South African rapper Nasty C.

Tiwa’s team showed their love for Ghana by dancing while waving the flag but the singer herself was a shadow of her normal vibrant self.

South Africa’s Nasty C was perhaps the performer with the worst feedback from patrons. Coupled with a technical glitch with his sound, the audience didn’t seem to know the songs he performed.



Ebony’s Tribute

Though solemn and reflective, the creativity and style of all four ladies was definitely played up in the short tribute medley dedicated to the late Dancehall artiste, Ebony Reigns at the 19th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

Efya, Akosua Agyapong, MzVee and Adina each took a song of the deceased star and made it theirs, blending in at the end in a beautiful melody.

Ebony’s ‘Date Your Father’, ‘Hustle’ ‘Sponsor’ and ‘Maame Hw3’ were highlighted in the brief tribute session dedicated to the memory of the fallen dancehall artiste.



Awards

The late dancehall artiste Ebony made history by being the first individual to win the Artiste of the Year posthumously as well as the first woman. Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and many others won awards as well.

Here is the list of winners:



Special Awards

Traditional Artiste(s) of the Year – Amamre Folks, Music and Dance Ensemble

Instrumentalist of the Year – Dominic Quarshie

Life Achievement award – Naa Amanua Dodoo

Other Awards

Gospel Song of the Year

‘Bo Noo Ni' by Joe Mettle

Hip Pop Song of the Year

'Grind Day (Remix)' by Kwesi Arthur



Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year

‘My Own’ by Samini

Hiplife Song of the Year

‘Total Cheat’ by Fancy Gadam ft Sarkodie

Afro Pop Song of the Year

‘Sponsor’ by Ebony

Highlife Song of the Year

‘Odo’ by Kidi

Gospel Artiste of the Year

Joe Mettle

Highlife Artiste of the Year



Kuami Eugene

Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year

Sarkodie

Songwriter of the Year

Bullet for ‘Maame Hw3’

Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year

Stonebwoy

Best Collaboration of the Year

Shatta Wale & SM Militants (Taking Over)

Rapper of the Year



Sarkodie

Best Group of the Year

Wutah

Best Music Video of the Year

‘Obi Agyi Obi Girl’ by Gyo of Phamous Philms

Best Male Vocalist of the Year

Joe Mettle

Best Female Vocalist of the Year



Adina

African Artiste of the Year

Davido

Record of the Year

‘State of the Art’ by Teephlow

Best New Artiste of the Year

Kuami Eugene



Song of the Year

‘Total Cheat’ by Fancy Gadam ft Sarkodie

Album of the Year

Bonyfied (Ebony)

Artiste of the Year

Ebony



Patapaa at VGMA

After missing out on awards in their various categories, Ghanaians took to social media to troll ‘One Corner’ hitmaker Patapaa and King Promise.

Patapaa was so furious about losing the award that he stormed out of the premises shortly after the event ended, snubbing journalists who wanted to speak to him.

He further accused the event organisers, Charterhouse of taking money from the eventual winner, Fancy Gadam to award him.



To add salt to injury, Ghanaians wouldn’t let go of Patapaa’s gaffe in his choice of clothing. The musician wore a suit with oversized trousers to match.

Other people who were not spared the trolling included John Dumelo, Berla Mundi, Ahuof3 Patri, King Promise, Kwesi Arthur and many others.