Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2021: Diana Hamilton is Artist of the Year

27 Jun 2021 - 10:24

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Gospel singer Diana Hamilton was named Artist of the Year on Day 2 of the 22nd Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) in Accra on 26 June.

Diana Hamilton.

Hamilton, the renowned musician behind local hits including ‘W’asem’, ‘Mo Ne Yo’ and ‘Adom’, clinched the award ahead of Adina, KiDi, Medikal, Sarkodie and Kuami Eugene, who won the coveted trophy at last year’s edition.

In addition to the ultimate prize, which makes Hamilton the first female gospel act to be crowned Artist of the Year, she walked away with the awards for Most Popular Song of the Year, Gospel Artist of the Year and Gospel Song of the Year to become the biggest winner at the 2021 VGMAs.

“Family, what God cannot do does not exist,” she wrote on Facebook shortly after her big win. “I’m trying to put this all together but making sense of it means I’ll be doubting God’s ability. To everyone who supported me through your prayers, words of encouragement, public or private support, I am very grateful. It’s been a long day and a bit. This is to encourage somebody out there – the road might be long but it will be worth it, just trust the process!”

‘Enjoyment’ hitmaker KiDi won the Highlife Artist of the Year, EP of the Year, Afrobeat/Afropop Artist of the Year, Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the Year and Highlife Song of the Year awards. Adina, who won the Record of the Year Award on the previous night, took home the Album of the Year and Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year trophies.

Going into the night, KiDi was widely believed to be Hamilton’s biggest rival in the Artist of the Year category. The musician, who released his sophomore album days earlier, chalked up impressive accomplishments in the year under review, notable among them the release of the commercially acclaimed Blue EP, and securing a deal with US multimedia, music publishing and entertainment company Made in East New York.

“It’s very, very hard to win against the religious side of GH at almost any level," journalist Gary Al-Smith commented after Hamilton’s victory. “Joe Mettle proved it. Diana Hamilton proves it again. The gospel side doesn’t make much noise. But the influence is huge. And, when a gospel song is a hit, it is not just one song. It’s a whole movement. Hard luck to KiDi. Come back stronger next time.”

Elsewhere, Sarkodie took home the Best Collaboration Award for his song ‘Happy Day‘ featuring Kuami Eugene. Medikal won the Best Hip Hop/Hiplife Artist of the Year Award while Kofi Kinaata, who picked up the Songwriter of the Year Award for ‘Behind the Scenes’ the previous day, received the Vodafone Green Award for his campaign against illegal fishing.

The main awards night witnessed performances from Eno Barony, Mr Drew, KiDi, Joeboy, Kwesi Arthur and Adina. Sarkodie led a special tribute performance to hiplife artist Castro, who is believed to have drowned during a jet ski incident at Ada Beach in 2014. He is expected to be declared legally deceased next month.

Meanwhile, Day 1 of the 2021 VGMAs saw significant victories for Richie Mensah, who picked up the awards for Sound Engineer of the Year and Producer of the Year. Gospel singer MOG Music won his second consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year trophy while highlife veteran Bob Pinodo was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. South Africa’s Master KG won the African Artist of the Year Award.

Below is the complete list of winners from the 22nd VGMAs:

Gospel Song of the Year

‘Blessed’ – Akesse Brempong ft. Joe Mettle
‘Favour Everywhere’ – Celestine ft. Evelyn Wanjiru
‘Adom’ – Diana Hamilton
‘Jesus Over Do’ – Empress Gifty
‘Yesu Mo’ – Joe Mettle
‘Jesus’ – MOG Music
‘Jejeli’ – KobbySalm ft. Okey Sokay
‘Who Say God No Dey’ – Kofi Karikari

Highlife Song of the Year

‘Posti Me’ – Akwaboah
‘Playboy’ – Dada Hafco ft. Akwaboah
‘Enjoyment’ – KiDi
‘Behind The Scenes’ – Kofi Kinaata
‘Open Gate’ – Kuami Eugene
‘Asabone’ – Lord Paper ft. Bosom P-Yung
‘Later’ – Mr Drew ft. Kelvyn Boy
‘Party’ – Sista Afia ft. Fameye

Hiplife Song of the Year

‘Thank God’ – DopeNation ft. Kofi Kinaata
‘Enough Is Enough’ – Eno Barony ft. Wendy Shay
‘Long Life’ – Fameye ft. Kwesi Arthur
‘No Dulling’ – Keche ft. Kuami Eugene
‘Dw3 Remix’ – Krymi ft. Drew ft. All-Stars
‘Pilolo’ – Strongman ft. Kelvyn Boy
‘Happy Day’ – Sarkodie ft. Kuami Eugene
‘Ghetto Boy’ – Tulenkey ft. Kelvyn Boy & Medikal

Hip Hop Song of the Year

‘Ataa Adwoa’ – Bosom PYung
‘Otan Hunu’ – Dead Peepol ft. Rich Kent. Akobam – Joey B ft. Medikal & Kofi Mole
‘Ekorso’ – Kofi Jamar ft. Yaw Tog & Ypee
‘Money’ – Kweku Flick Live from 233 – Kwesi Arthur
‘La Hustle Remix’ – Medikal ft. Joey B & Criss Waddle
‘Sore’ – Yaw Tog ft. O’kenneth, City Boy, Reggie, Jay Bahd
‘Force Dem To Play Nonsense’ – Eno Barony ft. Sister Derby & Strongman

Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year