The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) is one of the most prestigious music awards in Ghana. Over the past decade, the awards have undergone significant changes in its categories, nominees, winners, and overall structure. In this blog post, we will take a look back at the last decade of the VGMA awards and see how it has evolved.

 

The Beginning of the VGMA Awards

 

The VGMA awards were first introduced in 2000 by Charterhouse Productions Limited. The award show aimed to celebrate and recognize the achievements of Ghanaian musicians, producers, and other industry players who have contributed to the growth of the Ghanaian music industry.

 

The first VGMA awards ceremony was held in 2000 at the Accra International Conference Center. The event was attended by many Ghanaian music stars and was well-received by the public. The event was broadcasted live on television, allowing people from all over the country to watch and celebrate the achievements of Ghanaian music.

 

The Evolution of the VGMA Awards

 

Over the past decade, the VGMA awards have undergone significant changes. One of the most notable changes has been the expansion of categories to recognize more genres of music. In the early years, the awards had only a few categories, including Best Male Vocalist, Best Female Vocalist, Best Songwriter, and Best Video.

 

However, as the Ghanaian music industry grew, so did the VGMA awards. Today, the awards have over 25 categories that recognize different genres of music, including gospel, highlife, hiplife, and reggae/dancehall. Some of the categories include Artiste of the Year, Album of the Year, Best New Artiste, and Song of the Year.

 

Another significant change has been the increased use of digital platforms to promote the awards. In the past, the awards relied heavily on traditional media, such as television and radio, to promote the event. However, in recent years, the awards have leveraged social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to reach a wider audience and engage with music fans.

 

Additionally, the VGMA awards have become more inclusive over the years, recognizing and celebrating artists from different regions of Ghana. The awards have also become more diverse, recognizing the contributions of female artists and other underrepresented groups in the music industry.

 

Controversies Surrounding the VGMA Awards

 

Despite the many changes and improvements made to the VGMA awards over the past decade, the awards have not been without controversy. One of the most notable controversies occurred in 2019 when dancehall artiste Stonebwoy pulled out a gun on stage during the awards ceremony.

 

The incident sparked widespread condemnation from music fans, industry players, and the general public. The organizers of the VGMA awards subsequently banned both Stonebwoy and fellow dancehall artiste Shatta Wale from participating in the awards for the next two years.

 

Another controversy arose in 2020 when some artists accused the VGMA awards of favoritism and bias towards certain artists. The organizers of the awards denied the allegations, stating that the awards were based on merit and the decision of the VGMA board.

One area where the VGMA awards could improve is in recognizing and celebrating emerging talent. While the awards have categories for Best New Artiste and Discovery of the Year, there is still room for improvement in supporting and nurturing new talent. The VGMA awards could consider introducing mentorship programs or providing resources and support to up-and-coming artists to help them grow and develop their skills.

 

Another area where the VGMA awards could improve is in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of music producers and sound engineers. While the awards have categories for Best Producer and Best Sound Engineer, these categories are often overlooked, and the focus tends to be on the artists. The VGMA awards could consider promoting and celebrating the role of producers and sound engineers in the music industry, as they play a crucial role in creating and shaping the sound of Ghanaian music.

 

In conclusion, the VGMA awards have evolved significantly over the past decade, and it is evident that the organizers are committed to improving the awards ceremony every year. While there have been controversies and challenges, the VGMA awards remain an essential event in the Ghanaian music industry, celebrating the achievements of musicians, producers, and other industry players. As we look forward to the next decade of the VGMA awards, we can only hope that they will continue to evolve and grow, recognizing new talent, promoting inclusivity and diversity, and celebrating the contributions of all those who have made Ghanaian music what it is today.