VGMA 2020: Meet all first-time nominees

The nominees for this year’s show were announced at a ceremony held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Saturday, February 29, with top industry people in attendance.

This year, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy were not nominated as a result of their ban. Sarkodie led the nominations with 11 nods, followed KiDi and Medikal with 8 each, and Kwesi Arthur, Kuami Eugene and King Promise with 7 each.

Just like every year, the award scheme saw first-time entries.

Lamisi, an afro-pop songstress, who had an impressive year under the calendar had three nods.

She gained a nomination in the “Songwriter of the Year” with her song “Oh Me” which comes off her “Brighter Side” EP. She competes with King Promise, Akwaboah, Kofi Kinaata, Diana Hamilton and Epixode. She was nominated in the “Record of the Year” with the same song. Finally, she is competing with Adina, Efya, Efe Grace, Becca and Celestine Donkor for the “Female Vocalist of the Year” category. Despite her three songs nominations, she didn’t earn a nomination in the “Best New Artiste of the Year” category.

Fameye Pulse Ghana

Highlife star Fameye also earned four nominations with the remix of his breakthrough single, “Notin I Get”. He competes in the “Most Popular Song of the Year”, “Best New Artiste of the Year”, “Highlife Song of the Year” and “Best Collaboration of the Year”.

Lord Paper Pulse Ghana

Auzy Media label signee Lord Paper also made an impressive entry this year. He earned two top nominations; “Best New Artiste of the Year” and “Record of the Year” with Dzigbordi – a song that speaks against tribalism.

J Derobie Pulse Ghana

One of Mr Eazi’s emPawa beneficiaries, J. Derobie made name for himself when he dropped his breakthrough single early 2019. To seal the breakthrough deal, he earned three nominations; “Best New Artiste of the Year”, “Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year” and “Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year” with “Poverty”.

Kofi Mole - Mensah feat. Kwesi Arthur ece-auto-gen

After getting snubbed last year, Kofi Mole grabbed three nominations this year – and his nationwide hit single “Don’t Be Late” did the magic. He competes in the “Best New Artiste of the Year”, “Hiplife/Hip-Hop Artiste of the Year” and “Hip-Hop Song of the Year” with “Don’t Be Late”.

MOG Music, a fast-rising gospel musician who is widely known on YouTube for his inspirational worship and praises, grabbed four nominations. He was listed in the “Best New Artiste of the Year”, “Gospel Artiste of the Year”, “Male Vocalist of the Year”, and “Gospel Song of the Year” categories.

Not to forget, young producer Two Bars earned a nomination in the “Producer of the Year” category for producing Kofi Kinaata’s “Things Fall Apart”.