Accra: The nominees for the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs) were unveiled on Saturday, March 14, during an announcement event held at the Palms Convention Centre.
According to Ghana News Agency, the nomination list came with its fair share of surprises, as several artistes were unable to secure a spot for what promises to be Ghana's biggest music night in the weeks ahead.
The categories span a wide range of genres, showcasing the diversity of talent in the Ghanaian music industry. The Best Hiplife Song category sees nominees such as Medikal featuring Shatta Wale and BezzTrap KOTM with "Shoulder," and Kojo Cue featuring AraThejay and Ofori Amponsah with "Tontonte."
In the Best Hiplife/Hip-hop Artiste of the Year category, popular names like Black Sherif, Medikal, and Sarkodie are in contention. Similarly, the Best Highlife Artiste of the Year features artistes such as Fameye, Kwabena Kwabena, and Kuami Eugene.
The Best Female Vocal Performance of the Year category includes Enam with "Amin," Grace Charles (Team Eternity Ghana) with "See Me Through," and Cina Soul with "Breath."
The Best Traditional Gospel Song category has nominees like Joyce Blessing featuring King Paluta with "Correct" and Piesie Esther with "Nyame Ye."
In the Best HipHop Song of the Year category, Black Sherif's "Where Dem Boys" and Sarkodie's collaboration with Kweku Smoke on "Violence" are among the nominees.
The Best Afrobeats Song of the Year sees Kojo Blakk featuring Kelvin Boy with "Excellent," and Mr Drew featuring OliveTheBoy with "OMG."
Best Afropop Song of the Year nominees include Black Sherif with "Sacrifice," StoneBwoy with "Gidi Gidi," and Lasmid with "Olivia."
The Best Music Video of the Year category features directors like Henry Akrong for Kojo Blak featuring Kelvin Boy's "Excellent," and Yaw Skyface for StoneBwoy's "Shine."
In the Best Male Vocal Performance of the Year, nominees include Asiama with "Akoma" and Josh Blakk with "Catch-22."
The Best Afrobeats/AfroPop Artiste of the Year has contenders such as Wendy Shay, KiDi, and Gyakie.
Best Rap Performance of the Year features Strongman with "Mensei Da," Lyrical Joe with "5th August 9," and Sarkodie with "Violence."
The Best Highlife Artiste of the Year sees competition among Fameye, King Paluta, and Kuami Eugene.
Song Writer of the Year nominees include Black Sherif with "Sacrifice" and Kofi Kinaata with "Have Mercy II."
Collaboration of the Year features Kojo Blak featuring Kelvin Boy with "Excellent" and Medikal featuring Shatta Wale and Beeztrap with "Shoulder."
International Collaboration of the Year nominees include Moliy featuring Shenseea, Skillbeng, and Silent Addy with "Shake it to the Max" and Black Sherif featuring Fireboy DML with "So it Goes."
The Best Urban/Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year includes Ewura Abena with "Ebefa" and Kofi Owusu Peprah with "Big God Afro."
Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year nominees are Samini, Stonebwoy, and Ras Kuuku.
Best Gospel Artiste of the Year includes Piesie Esther, Diana Hamilton, and MOG Music.
Album/EP of the Year features Iron Boy by Black Sherif and Torcher by Stonebwoy.
Best New Artiste of the Year nominees are Kojo Blak, Gona Boy, and Lalid.
Most Popular Song of the Year includes Kidi featuring OliveTheBoy with "Gymnastic" and Black Sherif with "Sacrifice."
Record of the Year nominees include Samini featuring Soweto mass choir with "Chaana" and Asiama with "Akoma."
Finally, the Artiste of the Year sees a competitive lineup with Black Sherif, Medikal, and Sarkodie among the nominees.