Open call: Ghana Music Awards USA 2024

Now in its fifth year, the initiative spotlights and celebrates Ghanaian musicians in the diaspora, particularly in the US.

To qualify for nomination, songs entered must have been released between 1 January and 31 December 2023. 

The deadline for filing nominations is 31 January.

Last year, the scheme rewarded more than 20 musicians for their works, notable winners including Black Sherif, who took home the trophy for Hip Hop/Hiplife Artist of the Year, Camidoh, who emerged tops in the Afrobeats/Afropop Artist of the Year category, and Samini, who won the Reggae/Dancehall Artist of the Year Award.

“GMA-USA will change the Ghanaian mindset about award ceremonies,” Don’s Music Production CEO Dennis Boafo told Music in Africa. “We want to infuse our culture and music in our ceremonies. We have always been only projecting the music component of our culture but it is time to fully project our culture on these bigger stages for the world to learn and appreciate what we have.”

Below are the nomination categories for nomination, and interested participants can file their submissions here.

• Discovery Act of the Year
• Female Artist of the Year
• Male Artist of the Year
• Best Afropop Artist
• Best Gospel Song of the Year
• Gospel Artist of the Year
• Best Male Vocalist of the Year
• Female Vocalist of the Year
• Afropop Song of the Year
• Best Rapper of the Year
• Most Popular US-Based Artist of the Year
• Best DJ of the Year
• Producer / Sound Engineer of the Year
• Music Video of the Year
• Highlife Song of the Year
• Highlife Artist of the Year
• Best International Collaboration of the Year
• Artist of the Year
• Dancehall Artist of the Year
• New Artist of the Year
• Hiplife and Hip Hop Artist of the Year
• Highlife Artist of the Year
• Songwriter of the Year
• Highlife Artist of the Year
• Hiplife and Hip Hop Artist of the Year
• Afropop and Afrobeats Artist of the Year
• Emerging Act of the Year