Ghana Music Awards-USA Unveils 2026 Nominees in Kumasi, Celebrating Top Artistes

The Ghana Music Awards USA (GMA-USA) has officially unveiled nominees for its 2026 awards, with a vibrant ceremony held at The Octopus, Kumasi City Mall, on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

The event drew artistes, industry stakeholders and music lovers, reflecting the growing influence of Ghanaian music both locally and internationally. This year’s scheme recognises talent across 35 categories, with 24 dedicated to US-based Ghanaian acts and 11 focused on artistes in Ghana. The structure reinforces GMA-USA’s aim of bridging Ghana’s home industry with its diaspora in the United States.

Speaking at the event, organisers stressed the importance of celebrating Ghanaian music on a global stage. Dennis Boafo, also known as Don D, CEO of Ghana Music Awards USA, said:
“We are proud to provide a platform that acknowledges the outstanding achievements of artists both in Ghana and the US. This dual focus strengthens the connection between our communities and showcases the diversity of Ghanaian music to the world.”

The night featured performances from Kumasi-based artistes including Adom Kiki and Xheila, offering a glimpse of the talent set to compete at the main ceremony later this year. The event also created opportunities for networking among artistes, promoters and stakeholders, further encouraging collaboration within the global Ghanaian music community.

As anticipation builds towards the awards night, fans and industry watchers are keen to see which artistes will emerge winners, with GMA-USA continuing to spotlight Ghanaian talent on the world stage.

Below are the nominees:

GHANA NOMINEES CATEGORIES

Artiste of the Year

Stonebwoy
Shatta Wale
Diana Hamilton
Piesie Esther
Black Sherif
Wendy Shay
Sarkodie
Medikal
Kofi Kinaata

Most Popular Song of the Year

Black Sherif – Sacrifice
King Paluta – Foko
Medikal – Shoulder (ft. Shatta Wale & Beeztrap KOTM)
Wendy Shay – Crazy Love (ft. Olivetheboy)
Moliy – Shake It to the Max (Remix) (ft. Shenseea, Skillibeng, Silent Addy)
Kwabena Kwabena – Aso (Remix) (ft. Stonebwoy & Kofi Kinaata)
Diana Hamilton – Aha Ye (ft. Elder Mireku & Ntokozo Mbambo)
KiDi – Gymnastic (ft. Olivetheboy & Kojo Blak)
Shatta Wale – Street Crown
Piesie Esther – Nyame Ye

New Artiste of the Year

Kojo Blak – Next Door (ft. Sarkodie)
Lalid – The Matter
Gonaboy – Same Timbs
Paul Enana – Baba God
Morgan Nero – Agbozume Naomi
Cojo Rae – Aketesia
Rcee – Agenda
Adom Kiki

Gospel Artiste of the Year

Diana Hamilton
Joe Mettle
Mabel Okyere
Piesie Esther
MOG Music
Kofi Owusu Peprah

Highlife Artiste of the Year

Fameye
Kofi Kinaata
Kuami Eugene
Kwabena Kwabena
Sista Afia
Akwaboah

Hiplife/Hip-Hop Artiste of the Year

Black Sherif
Kweku Smoke
Sarkodie
Amerado
Medikal
AratheJay
Beeztrap KOTM

Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste of the Year

Wendy Shay
KiDi
Kojo Blak
King Promise
Olivetheboy
Gyakie
Lasmid

Emerging Artiste of the Year

Yaw Dhope
Bosoma
Bellogod
Bogo Blay
Salome Nketia
Kwadwo Tinz
Supa Sandy
AlorG
Joojo Addison
Kim Maureen
Xheila
Tony Dath

Music Concert of the Year

Shatta Wale – Shattafest (Independence Square)
Stonebwoy – BhimFest (Accra Sports Stadium)
Sarkodie – Rapperholic (Grand Arena & Kumasi Sports Stadium)
Diana Hamilton – Awake Experience (Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, Maryland)
Joe Mettle – Praise Reloaded (El Wak Sports Stadium)
Kofi Kinaata – Made in Taadi (Takoradi)
Black Sherif – Zaama Disco (Untamed Empire, Accra)
Kwabena Kwabena – Valentine Love Night (Grand Arena, Accra)
Kweku Smoke – Revival Concert (Ghud Park, Accra Mall)
Piesie Esther – Made By Grace (Accra International Conference Centre)
Amaarae – The Black Star Experience: Homecoming Concert

Gospel Song of the Year

Mabel Okyere – So Far, So Good
Piesie Esther – Nyame Ye
Paul Enana – Baba God
Diana Hamilton – Aha Ye (ft. Elder Mireku & Ntokozo Mbambo)
Ewura Abena – Ebefa

USA NOMINEES CATEGORIES

Emerging Act of the Year

PLC44 Xclusive
Peter Life (Maryland)
Koby Trice (Bronx, NY)
Selina Sunshine
Odogwu Aziza
Daniel Shedy
Elizabeth Turkson
Mabel Love

New Artist of the Year

Tokyo Yaw (Baltimore, USA)
Ohemaa Daystar (Connecticut, USA)
Kate and Ruth (Bronx, USA)
Kobby Maxwell
Saucelord

Best Ghana International Act of the Year

Qhophi Delly (UAE, Abu Dhabi)
Silla Sky (Canada)
Lauren Akosia (UK / USA / Ghana)
Samuel Sey (UK)
Minister Ike (Canada)

Male Artiste of the Year

Jay Baba
RevGraceMan Nana Yaw Prempeh
Nana NYC
Qpee Vibez
HTSongz
Daniel Nii Nertey Nettey
Emperor T-Jiga
C Burn
Edmund Eghan
Jamin Beatz

Female Artiste of the Year

Herty Corgie
Royal Mama
Dr. Ama Kutin
Cee Music
Mz Nana
Millicent Yankey
Rosey Music

Afro Pop Song of the Year

Chop Life – Tokyo Yaw
Coolam Beleleh – Waliy AbouNamarr
Fine Fine Lady – Emperor T-Jiga
Come to Africa – Mizter Okyere
Push – Jay Baba
Basaa – Qpee Vibez
Mapim – Koby Maxwell ft BigTim
Feel Am – C Burn
More Than – Dreamz
Saucelord – Fatima
Jamin Beatz – Fa )d) Bom
Dreamz GH – More Than

Best Rapper of the Year

Tokyo Yaw (Baltimore, USA)
FredricIcgh (New Jersey, USA)
Waliy AbouNamarr (New York)
K Rocks (Atlanta, USA)
C Burn (New York)

Most Popular Artiste of the Year

Jay Baba (New York)
Royal Mama (Maryland, USA)
Herty Corgie (Maryland, USA)
HTSongz (New Jersey, USA)
C Burn (New York)
Millicent Yankey
Jamin Beatz
Givfi

Best Afro Pop Artiste

Tokyo Yaw (Baltimore, USA)
Jay Baba (New York)
FredricIcgh (New Jersey, USA)
Qpee Vibez (New York)
Emperor T-Jiga
C Burn (New York)
Saucelord
Jamin Beatz
Dreamz GH

Female Vocalist of the Year

Rosey Music
Mabel Love
Joan Bedie
Dr. Ama Kutin
Cee Music
Millicent Yankey
Herty Corgie
Elizha

Male Vocalist of the Year

RevGraceMan Nana Yaw Prempeh
Muzic Mensah
Daniel Nii Nertey Nettey
James K. Owusu
HTSongz
Saucelord
Brother Ishmael

Best Gospel Song of the Year

Akpe – Daniel Nii Nertey Nettey
Faithfullest Friend – Becky Osei
Rev Edmund Eghan – Too Much Love
Hye Mi Animoyam – Royal Mama
My Father – Rev. Grace Man Nana Yaw Prempeh ft. Ernest Opoku
Wodo (Your Love) – Gifty K ft. Piesie Esther
Grace – Ama Kutin ft Chisha
Nyame Beye – Brother Ishmael
Oguamma (Lamb of God) – Cee Music (Chicago) ft. Ernest Opoku Jr.
Ahoto (Comfort) – Mz Nana ft Obaapa Christy
Overdo – Millicent Yankey ft Scott Evans
Living Testimony – Herty Corgie
Onyame Ye (God is Good) – HTSongz
Rosey Musiq – More

Gospel Artiste of the Year

Royal Mama
Dr. Ama Kutin
Brother Ishmael
RevGraceMan Nana Yaw Prempeh
Cee Music
Mz Nana
Millicent Yankey
HTSongz
Herty Corgie
Rev Edmund Hagan

Highlife Artiste of the Year

FnF Musik
Muzic Mensah
C Burn
King Life
Nee Oseye Ade Leke

Highlife Song of the Year

Lies – King Tozua
Medofo Pa – C Burn
Babalomia – Nee Oseye Ade Leke
Ankwanoma – Muzic Mensah
Makoma – Qwamenewking

Hiplife Artiste of the Year

FnF Musik (New York)
Jay Baba
K Rocks (Atlanta, USA)
C Burn (New York)

Hiplife Song of the Year

Hear Me – FnF Musik
Fire Burn Dem – K Rocks
Sika – C Burn

Producer / Sound Engineer of the Year

Mizter Okyere
Kin Dee
C Burn
Jamin Beatz

Music Video of the Year

Ghana Star – Real Kings (New York, USA)
Dr. Ama Kutin – Grace
Muzic Mensah (USA) – Ankwanoma
Enoch Boateng – I Will Love You
Millicent Yankey – Overdo
Emperor T-Jiga – Fine Fine Lady
Robi Debs – Numson
Herty Corgie – Living Testimony
Becky Osei – Faithful Friend
C Burn
Rosey Muziq – More

Best International Collaboration

Real Kings (feat. Kofi Jamar) – Ghana Star
Wodo (Your Love) – Gifty K ft. Piesie Esther
Grace – Dr. Ama Kutin ft Chisha
I Will Love You – Enoch Boateng ft. Efe Grace
Ahoto (Comfort) – Mz Nana ft Obaapa Christy
Overdo – Millicent Yankey ft Scott Evans
Low Key – Kophy Kay ft Fameye
Kriminal – C Burn ft Zie
Babalomia – Nee Oseye Ade Leke ft Skrewfaze

Best Entertainment MC / DJ

DJ Ponto
Okogyefo Mcpipigee
Wavy Bunch Sound
DJ Tech
DJ V.O.V

Best Music Concert of the Year

Royals Praiz 2025 – Royal Mama
And God Said 2025 – RevGraceMan Nana Yaw Prempeh
The Throne of Worship – Joana Bedie
Glory 2025 (Ghana) – Dr. Ama Kutin
Atmosphere of Love – Cee Music
Overflow 2025 – Herty Corgie
Intelligence 2.0 – C Burn