#VMA2018: The Winners, The Shouts,The Misses And How It All Happened

Undoubtedly the biggest awards event to ever hit the shores of the Volta Region, the Volta Music Awards was successfully held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 inside the Ho Technical University Auditorium.
With a staggering 1,000 sitter auditorium almost totally filled, the award was a moment to cherish firstly as a voltarian and secondly as a music lover. Though things started a little too late than we had been informed with red carpet running into the dying minutes of 9 PM, there was still enough goodness within the auditorium itself to keep fans and music lovers awake till the early hours of Sunday when the program was brought to a final close.
Some electrifying stage performances from some well-cooked Volta music arts including the likes of Agbeshie, Volta’s own darling boy, Israel Nanevi Maweta as well as a live ‘Borborbor’ performance on stage were the main toasts of the event. Majority however tagged Kula Gh’s performance as the best on the night as he took over the stage with some moment of uniqueness and horse energy.
THE BIG WINNERS
The big winners on the night included the likes of Keeny Ice who was caught in a tie with Kasare with three beautiful awards each. The biggest award on the night, The Overall Artiste Of The Year Award was presented to Agbeshie who also received an undisclosed sum of money from Zylofon cash as well as a year-long free blogging deal with Elorm Beenie. Zygee who was crowned as the discovery of the year also took home a cash sum of 15,000 cedis from Brainy Beats, a member of the High-grade Family.
SPECIAL AWARDS
In honour of their generous contributions to music in the Volta Region and beyond, some individuals were given some special awards. Torgbui Edinam Kwamena Ansah who was a past president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement award. Elorm Beenie, Jonilar and Edem were awarded with citations and portraits of themselves for their contributions to music in the region as well as the Volta Music Awards.
THE SHOUTS
Though a great night, most attendees were left with no option than to leave the auditorium  with awful shouts immediately the artiste of the year was announced. To many, they were surprised that the artiste of the year who had a couple other nominations won no other awards on the night except for the most prestigious one. The crowd was therefore uncomfortable with the declaration and made for the exit even before Leonard Korku Lumor, the official MC of the occasion could draw curtains on proceedings.
THE BIG MISSES
With more than one nomination, one would expect that some artistes go home with at least a single award especially for their talents, hardwork and commitment to growing the music industry in the Volta Region. However, the case has been far from this for some artistes. They include Faffa who had four nominations but could not go home with a single one. Ace hiplife group, Kemenya also got six nominations but none of those was converted into an award on the final showdown. Kula, Hecta and Cano Z who had 5 nominations at par won no awards on the night. JJ Gonami was also unable to bag a single award out of his four nominations. Jah Phinga and Venunye could not also convert their three nominations each into an award on the biggest night. Goodluck next year!
ELORM BEENIE
In his speech, blogger, publicist and PR Consultant, Elorm Beenie expressed grief over the apathy shown by stakeholders towards musicians in the region, stressing that little support is given to Volta artistes.
’’Most of our artistes are not even managed or financed by our own people. They lack financial support. They lack the resources. Other regions are supporting their artistes and pushing them but what are our people doing in the volta Region?
If you look at all our top musicians in the country, they are all from the Volta Region. Shatta Wale’s Mother is from this region, Sarkodie’s mother is from here, Stonebwoy is from here but what are our people doing to help our talents?’’ he lamented.
 

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Artiste Of The Year
Chief One
Keeny Ice
Enamily
Torgbe 9
Agbeshie
Jah Phinga
Kula
Gospel Artiste Of The Year
Bro. James
Enerst Komla Ayer
X-Cel
Mama Peace
The Truth
Helen Jewel
Faffa
Gospel Song Of The Year Song Title
Bro. James – Nu Nyui Gede Fuu
Enerst Komla Ayer – Yesu Le Nugorgbenam
X-Cel – Love Wantenten
Deladem – Mawue
Mama Peace – Da Yesu Beba (When Jesus Comes)
Cano-Z – Akpe
The Truth – Great Provider
Helen Jewel – Holy Ghost Fire
Faffa – Ewoe Koe Nye Mawu
Reggae/Dancehall Artiste Of The Year
Willing Wana
Pacy
Dan Zaki
Enamily
Shadow Wane
Kush Elikem
Bongo 1
Reggae/Dancehall Song Of The Year
Willing Wana – Poor No Friend
Pacy – Hammer Me
Danzaki – Work Hard
Enamily – Bad Charger
Shadow Wane – Vorvor Melio
Kush Elikem – When Things Go Wrong
Skery Zee – 360
Jah Phinga – Hold Me
Hiplife Artiste Of The Year
Seyfame
Chief One
Jj Gonami
Cano-Z
Agbeshie
Latino Gh
Zygee
Kasare
Kemenya
Kosi Bone
Hiplife Song Of The Year
Hecta – Ayele
Torgbe 9 – Killer Boobo
Jj Gonami – I Dey Go
Cano-Z – Tsorkordedzi
Agbeshie – Beyonce
Kasare – Gomene
Highlife Artist Of The Year
Erastus
Shaggy Mensah
Kasare
Highlife Song Of The Year Song
Erastus – Say I Do
Cola Chris – Turn Me On
Tony Web – Shine
Kemenya – Me And You
Kasare – Melorwo
Shaggy Mensah – Agbana
Hip-Hop Song Of The Year Song
22 Foli – Duwoaji
Hecta – Voodoo
Chief One – Amin
Torgbe 9 – Number 9
Startick – Nanewoem
Kosi Bone – Limit
Tony Web – Enemies
Zygee – Adukoun
Remy J – Ahoe Gbevuvi
Kula – Ahoe Roundabout
Keeny Ice – Gankivi
Most Popular Song Of The Year Song Title
Hecta – Ho Vivina
Torgbe 9 – Number 9 (Ft. Kwawkese)
Jj Gonami – Dzidzorkporkpor
Belce – Ngorgbe
Cano-Z – Tsorkordedzi
Kasare – Gomene
Agbeshie – Beyoncé
Producer/Sound Engineer Of The Year
Timz Beatz – Gomene
Kush Elikem – Eseveve
Kemenya – Family
Ik On-De Beat (My Babe) Ik Ft. Agbeshie
Mr. Lord – Love Wantenten
Song Writer Of The Year
Venunye – We Are One
Faffa – For My God
Remy J – Keonam
Kush Elikem – Everybody Needs Somebody
Kasare – Gomene
Best Rapper Of The Year
Seyfame – All For You
Hecta – Voodoo
Keeny Ice – Gankivi
Torgbe 9 – Above The Law
Zygee – Adukoun
Kula – Ahoe Roundabout
Fiamor – Edzorxoxo
Best Male Vocalist Of The Year
Venunye – Love Me Now
Lega – Enemies
Belce – Yudala
Cola Chris – Turn Me On
Efemor – Air + Water
Bongo I – Chaty Chaty
Best Female Vocalist Of The Year
Pacy – Hammer Me
Mama Peace – Da Yesu Beba (When Jesus Comes)
Linchpin – All The Time Cover
Forgyve Kemmy – Ogba Dzinam
Faffa – Ewoe Koe Nye Mawu
Traditional Song Of The Year Song
Zagunor Selasi – Aborbi
Evivim – Xegbe Xedona
Shaggy Mensah – Kelewawa
Selorm Razy – Dzakpata
Forgyve Kemmy – Wuse Wuse
Kemenya – Dzigbordi
Best Collaboration Of The Year Song
Keeny – Ice Move (Ft. Kofi Kinata)
Torgbe 9 – Tasi (Ft. Edem – T-Phlow)
Jj Gonami – Dzidzorkporkpor (Ft. Keeny Ice)
Kemenya – Good Morning
Kula – Problem (Ft. Edem & Episode)
Kasare – Gomene (Ft. Lega)
Best Music Video Of The Year Song
Venunye – Love Me Now
Hecta – Voodoo
Keeny Ice – Gankivi
Belce – Ngorgbe
Agbeshie – Original
Tony Web – Blessing
Kula – Amen
Chief One – Gh Akuvi
Best Entertainment School Of The Year
Ketasco
Biheco
Spaco
Sogasco
Ola
Dzosec
Mawuli
Kpantech
Hepps
Sosec
Best Dj/ Promoter Of The Year
Dj Fcon
Dj Quest
Swanqy Jay
Dj Spenxa Gh
Dj Flexal
Dj Kindergarten
Real Showbiz
Dj Sygnature
Dj Donzigi
Dj Tellerone
Dj Dani
Dj Karanja
Best Entertainment Company Of The Year
Loyce Entertainment
Promo Guru
Eledzi Empire
Mac D Empire
Airly Events
Asta Print Hub
Best Group Of The Year
X-Cel
Drizzle & Jed Swizz
Phame
Belce
Ygmc
Kemenya
Discovery Of The Year
Skye Brain
Mama Peace
King Enam
Maverick Kiddie
Shotkode
Zygee
Fiamor
Best Performer Of The Year
Enamily
Cano-Z
Agbeshie
Jah Phnga
Nuh Prince
Kula
Danzaki
Online Influincer Of The Year
Dj Quest
Dklass
Promo Guru
Ndwompa.Com
Dj Sygnature
Volta Connect
Nogokpo.Com
Media Houese Of The Year
Kekeli Radio
Hogbe Radio
Trilion Media
Jubilee Fm
Kuul Fm
Light Fm
Global Fm
Tosh Fm
 
Credit: Gabla Godwin/ Showbiz Network Ghana