Ghana Music Awards USA 2021: All the nominees

Now in their second year, the awards are organised by Don’s Music Production in partnership with Highlife Media USA. They operate with the vision of “encouraging and recognising Ghanaian musicians in the diaspora, especially in the US to actively participate in promoting and celebrating Ghana music.”

The nominees’ announcement arrives three months after Ghanaian broadcaster and artist manager Kwasi Aboagye was named as the new board chair of the awards platform.

This year’s edition will reward music released between January and December 2020 in more than 30 categories.

Sarkodie leads the nominees with nine nods. He is followed by Kuami Eugene with eight. Stonebwoy, KayKay Amponsah and Millicent Yankey secured seven each, while Melody Frimpong, Jayhover, Jamin Beats and 3Music Awards 2021 Artist of the Year KiDi were shortlisted in six categories apiece.

Sarkodie who won the Artist of the Year Award last year, will be hoping to defend his title against KiDi, Fameye, Stonebwoy, Kuami Eugene, Mr Drew, Medikal and Diana Hamilton.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Gospel Song of the Year

• ‘Blessed’ by Akesse Brempong ft. Joe Mettle
• ‘Favor Everywhere’ by Celestine Donkor
• ‘Yesu Mo’ by Joe Mettle
• ‘Adom’ by Diana Hamilton
• ‘Me Ye Nyame Dea’ by Patience Nyarko
• ‘Yendanase’ by Joyce Blessing
• ‘Ahobrase3’ by Yaw Sarpong and Asomafo ft. Sarkodie
• ‘Jesus’ by MOG Music
• ‘Bo No Ose’ by Nacee

New Artist of the Year

• Gyakie
• Kweku Flick
• Ded Peepol
• Bosom P-Yung
• Mr Drew 
• Larusso
• Amerado
• Kofi Jamar
• Abochi
• Yaw Tog

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Akesse Brempong
• Akwaboah
• Joe Mettle
• KiDi
• King Promise
• Kuami Eugene
• Prince Bright
• MOG Music

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Adina
• Diana Hamilton
• Celestine Donkor
• MzVee
• Efya
• Sista Afia
• Efe Grace
• Joyce Blessing

Gospel Artist of the Year

• Joe Mettle
• Diana Hamilton
• MOG Music
• Celestine Donkor
• Akesse Brempong
• Eric Jeshrun
• Nacee
• Yaw Sarpong and Asomafo

Rapper of the Year

• Eno Barony
• Kwesi Arthur
• Strongman
• Medikal
• Sarkodie
• Obibini
• Amerado
• Phrimpong
• Flowking Stone

Highlife Artist of the Year

• Akwaboah
• Kuami Eugene
• KiDi
• Kofi Kinaata
• Adina
• Sista Afia
• Fameye

Highlife Song of the Year

• ‘Behind the Scenes’ by Kofi Kinaata
• ‘Sisa’ by King Promise
• ‘Asa Bone’ by Lord Paper ft. Bosom P-Yung
• ‘1997’ by Dr Ray ft. Yaa Pono
• ‘Party’ by Sista Afia ft. Fameye
• ‘Sobolo’ by Stonebwoy
• ‘Posti Mi’ by Akwaboah
• ‘Obra’ by Iona Reine
• ‘Okomfour Kwadee’ by Fameye
• ‘Yawa No Dey’ by Kelvyn Boy ft. M.anifest

Afropop Artist of the Year

• Gyakie
• Wendy Shay
• KiDi
• King Promise
• Darkovibes
• Kelvyn Boy
• Addi Self
• Mr Drew

Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year

• ‘Sheriff’ by MzVee
• ‘Why’ by Adina
• ‘Miss Money’ by Shatta Wale
• ‘Makeup’ by Kaphun ft. Stonebwoy
• ‘Gi Dem’ by Larusso
• ‘Gye Diee’ by Ras Kuuku ft. MOG Music
• ‘Box of Memories’ by Amerado
• ‘African Party’ by Stonebwoy
• ‘Forever’ by Samini

Reggae/Dancehall Artist of the Year

• MzVee
• Stonebwoy 
• Jah Lead
• Epixode 
• Samini
• Ras Kuuku
• Shatta Wale
• Kaphun

Afropop Song of the Year

• ‘Open Gate’ by Kuami Eugene
• ‘Say Cheese’ by KiDi
• ‘Nominate’ by Stonebwoy ft. Keri Hilson
• ‘Everlasting’ by Stonebwoy
• ‘No Dulling’ by Keche ft. Kuami Eugene
• ‘Happy Day’ by Sarkodie ft. Kuami Eugene
• Inna Song’ by Darkovibes ft. King Promise
• ‘Later’ by Mr Drew ft. Kelvyn Boy

Hiplife/Hip Hop Song of the Year

• ‘No Dulling’ by Keche ft Kuami Eugene 
• ‘Gimme Way’ by Sarkodie ft Prince Bright
• ‘Fa Hooki Me’ by Sarkodie
• ‘Mene Woa’ by Epixode ft. Sarkodie
• ‘ Slay Mama’ by Donzy ft. Kuami Eugene 
• ‘Twa So’ by Amerado ft. Fameye 
• ‘Dw3 Remix’ by Mr Drew ft. All-Star
• ‘La Hustle’ by Medikal ft. Joey B

Hiplife/Hip Hop Artist of the Year

• Medikal
• Sarkodie
• Eno Barony
• Strongman
• Bosom P-Yung
• DopeNation
• Joey B
• Amerado

Group of the Year

• Keche
• DopeNation
• Dead Peepol
• R2Bees
• Bethel Revival Choir
• Yaw Sarpong & Asomafo

Emerging Artist of the Year

•  Kwame Yogot
• Stone Gee 
• Kobby Salm
• Phaize
• Lokal
• Poncho
• Mel Blakk
• Ara Bella
•  Shade
• Xupa
• Shuga Lord
• Nanky
• Charloson
• Akiyana
• Yaw Flex

Producer/Sound Engineer of the Year

• MOG Beatz
• Willis Beatz
• Dr Ray 
• Kaywa 
• Kayso 
• Gomez Beats
• DDT

Artist of the Year

• Fameye
• Sarkodie
• Stonebwoy
• KiDi
• Kuami Eugene
• Mr Drew
• Medikal
• Diana Hamilton

Most Popular Song of the Year

• ‘Putuu’ by Stonebwoy
• ‘Dw3 Remix’ by Mr Drew ft. All-Stars
• ‘Emergency’ by Wendy Shay ft Bosom P Yung
• ‘Open Gate’ by Kuami Eugene
• ‘No Dulling’ by Keche ft. Kuami Eugene
• ‘Sankofa’ by King Jerry
• ‘Adom’ by Diana Hamilton
• ‘Long Life’ by Fameye ft. Kwesi Arthur
• ‘Atta Adwoa’ by Bosom P-Yung
• ‘Happy Day’ by Sarkodie ft. Kuami Eugene
• ‘Say Cheese’ by KiDi

US-Based Discovery Act of the Year 

• Sarah Sings 
• Ayeley-Jane
• DJ Wyse 
• Whitnee Dee 
• J U 
• UND Xray
• Renak 
• Maureen Biniyam 
• Kwame
• Fredric Pic GH 
• Natty J
•  Efua

US-Based Female Artist of the Year 

• Nana Adwoa
• Millicent Yankey
• Herty Corgie
•  Inspirational Gifty 
• Melody Frempong 
• Esther Afua Yirenkyi
•  Stella Addo

US-Based Producer/Sound Engineer of the Year 

• Exgee Entertainment
•  Jamin Beats
•  C Burn 
• Nicholas Baeta

US-Based Best Gospel Song of the Year 

• ‘Nothing Without You’ by Basil Larkai ft. Maame Adwoa Antwiwaa 
• ‘Adom Bi’ by Bra Collins ft. Obrafour 
• ‘Hye Den’ by Nana Adwoa
• ‘Grace to Grace’ by Millicent Yankey ft. MOG Music 
• ‘Running Back’ by Humphrey Tettey 
• ‘No One Like You’ by Herty Corgie and Emmanuel Smith 
• ‘Boa Yen’ by Melody Frempong 
• ‘He Reigns’ by Ritaqueen

US-Based Gospel Artist of the Year 

•  Bra Collins
• Nana Adwoa
• Millicent Yankey
• Humphrey Tettey
• Herty Corgie
• Esther Afua Yirenkyi 
• Melody Frempong 
• Stella Addo 
• Ritaqueen

US-Based Best Male Vocalist of the Year 

• Jay Baba 
• Kobe Nyce
• Humphrey Tettey
• Jayhover 
• Gadochy
• J U
•  Kaykay Amponsah 
• Jamin Beats
• Renak
• Kwame

US-Based Afropop Song of the Year 

• ‘African Girls’ by Jay Baba 
• ‘Jollie’ by ‘Kobe Nyce ft. Abrantie 
• ‘Jay Guide Me’ by Ebo ft. Freddy X 
• ‘Ginger Me’ by J U & Medikal 
• ‘Bitter Sweet’ by Kaykay Amponsah
• ‘Another Man’ by Jamin Beats 
• ‘Branding by C Burn 
• ‘Anointing’ by Renak ft. Deon Boakye 
• ‘Maa Adwoa’ by Clem Biney 
• ‘Envy’ by Freddy X ft. Ebo

US-Based Entertainment MC/DJ of the Year 

• DJ Flipwave & African Wolf 
• DJ Hollywood 
• DJ Wyse 
• MC O’Gee 
• DJ Asumadu 
• Deejay JP 
• DJ Gem 
• DJ Makus
• MC Queenadez 

US-Based Music Video of the Year 

• ‘Hye Den’ b Nana Adwoa 
• ‘Great is Our God’ by Millicent Yankey ft. KODA 
• ‘Mame Sanka’ by DJ Wyse ft. Spicer Dabz 
• ‘Give Me Love’ by Jayhover ft. Mr Drew 
• ‘Mmaasem’ by DJ Asumadu ft. Max Mannie 
• ‘Boa Yen’ by Melody Frempong 
• ‘Vendetta’ by UND Xray 
• ‘Bitter Sweet’ by Kaykay Amponsah 
• ‘Another Man’ by Jamin Beats 
• ‘Obekura Wo’ by Seiwaah Kyei 
• ‘Straight Outta Kumerica’ by Archipalago

US-Based Male Artist of the Year

• Humphrey Tettey
• Jayhover 
• Kaykay Amponsah 
• Jamin Beats
• Oboy Murphy 
• Archipalago 
• Bra Collins 
• Renak 
• DJ Asumadu 
• C Burn 

US-Based Afropop Artist of the Year

• Jayhover 
• DJ Asumadu
• Kaykay Amponsah 
• Jamin Beats
• Young Theoryy 
• Oboy Murphy 
• Clem Biney 
• Archipalago
• Pierre Porter 

US-Based Best Rapper of the Year 

• Bra Collins
• DJ Asumadu 
• UND Xray
• Young Theoryy - Gimme Your Love ft. Qwesi Flex
• Oboy Murphy
• Clem Biney
• Archipalago
• Fresh Naro
• Yun Kobe
• Nana NY

US-Based Female Vocalist of the Year 

• Nana Adwoa
• Millicent Yankey
• Sarah Sings
• Herty Corgie
• Whitneé Dee 
• Melody Frempong 
• Cynthia J 
• Seiwaah Kyei
•  Ritaqueen
•  Eunice Asumadu

Most Popular US-Based Artist of the Year 

• Jayhover
•  Gadochy
• Melody Frempong
• Nana NYC 
• Kaykay Amponsah
• Showboy 
• Young Theoryy
• Oboy Murphy
• Oseye Ade Leke 
• Archipalago
• Millicent Yankey

Best International Collaboration of the Year (USA) 

• ‘Grace to Grace’ by Millicent Yankey ft. MOG Music
• ‘Trapping’ by DJ Wyse ft. Sarp Gee, Uzi Babe, Bizell 
• ‘Give Me Love’ by Jayhover ft. Mr Drew 
• ‘Mmaasem’ by DJ Asumadu ft. Max Mannie 
• ‘Adom Bi’ by Bra Collins ft Obrafour 
• ‘Nkwasia Nwom’ by Kaykay Amponsah ft. Everlasting Tiki 
• ‘Anointing’ by Renak ft. Deon Boakye 
• ‘Pressure Befawo’ by Oboy Murphy ft. Medikal