Kwesi Slay Is Back With New EP From The Longest Ghosting Session.

 July 3rd, 2025, CLOSAG Hall in Accra is buzzing. The Ghana Music Awards Europe (GMAEU) just dropped their list of nominees, and no joke the place was packed. You had everyone from music big shots to chiefs and even some folks in fancy diplomatic suits wandering around, all jamming together from 7 till late. Honestly, if you missed it, sucks to be you.

This is only the fourth time they’ve done these awards, but man, it’s already a big deal. The whole thing is about shining a light on Ghanaian music, not just at home but wherever Ghanaians have set up shop. Their theme’s a bit of a mouthful—“Celebrating Excellence in Ghanaian Music Beyond Borders”—but, hey, it gets the point across.

Now, here’s the spicy bit: they tossed in a new award this year Political Campaign Song of the Year. Yup, music that’s got people talking (or arguing) politics. The nominees? You’ve got Akwaboah’s “Asorkorrr,” Nacee flexing with two tracks (“Kwen Kwen” and “Asempa No Aba”), Robest’s “Maha Maha,” and a whole bunch more. Even Broda Sammy’s “NPP Campaign Song 2024” made the cut. I mean, political bangers are a thing now, apparently.

The guest list was something else. Beverly Afaglo showed up, dragging along Choir Master (her hubby), Kwaisey Pee looked sharp as always, and Keche Andrew was there too—probably scouting the competition. Oh, and don’t forget AJ Poundz from Onua TV and Adom FM’s Jerry Justice, both making the rounds.

One moment that got the crowd hyped? Salinko yeah, the actor/comedian straight-up pledged GH¢20,000 to support the awards. People lost it. I mean, who just whips out that kind of cash on a Wednesday night?

The room had its fair share of industry folks, too Prophet Atara, Mable Okyere, Kwesi Ernest. Plus, the Creative Arts Agency’s big boss, Gideon Aryeequaye, showed up looking all official.

Diplomatic folks didn’t miss out either. Fallou Galass Bakhoum was there, repping Switzerland, Benin, and Togo. Not sure if he’s collecting stamps in his passport or what.

And then, you had the royalty queen mothers, chiefs, you name it. Nana Animah BadeƐ, Nana Akua Apaade, Nana Akuwa Kwaawa I, Barima Arkoh-Frempong I, Manye Atofonye Naa Kwadum II, Nana Akyere Sika… Honestly, it felt like a who’s who of Ghanaian society.

All in all, the night was glitzy, rowdy, and just plain fun. If you weren’t there, well, better luck next year.

So, the lineup keeps rolling with Manye Naa Kwaatsoo (the Queenmother over at Mallam Gbawe), Nana Afua Sasa, Nana Akwaaba III (Ekumfi Akwaakrom), Mamaga Kyrawa IV (she runs the Have Traditional Area), Mama Atrato II (Queen of Ho-Dome), Her Royal Highness Naa Adesey Omanyesane III (Nungua Divisional Queen Mother), and Nana Animah Dankwah (Ankobea Hemaa from Akem Adonkwata). Yeah, that’s a mouthful of royalty right there.

Now, straight to the juicy bit the 2025 GMAEU nominees. There’s a wild mix of Ghanaian talent, both homegrown and repping the diaspora, spread out over forty categories. It’s like the Avengers, but with more afrobeats.

Nominees? Here’s the lowdown:

Local Artiste Nominees

• Artiste of the Year: You’ve got Fameye, Kidi, King Promise, Kweku Smoke, King Paluta, Joe Mettle, Team Eternity Ghana, Stonebwoy, and Diana Hamilton going head-to-head. Stacked.

• Best Gospel Artiste: MOG Music, Piesie Esther, Joe Mettle (again—dude’s everywhere), Empress Gifty, Diana Hamilton, and Team Eternity Ghana.

• Best New Artiste: Moliy, Mandem Yopic, Beeztrap KOTM, AratheJay, Rap Fada, Eternity Team, Kojo Blak, and Akelerh. Fresh faces, some wildcards. 

• Best Hiplife/HipHop Artiste: Amerado, Beeztrap KOTM, Kweku Smoke, Black Sherif, King Paluta, Sarkodie (of course), and Medikal.

• Best Rap Performance: Eno Barony with “Without a Manual,” Kweku Smoke, Okyeame Kwame’s “No Competition,” Sarkodie’s “Brag,” Lyrical Joe’s “August 5, 8,” and Flowking Stone’s “The Return of the King.” Don’t sleep on these bars.

• Best Afrobeat Song: OlivetheBoy’s “Asylum,” Lasmid’s “Puul,” Kidi and Black Sherif teaming up for “Lomo Lomo,” Dope Nation’s “Asabone,” King Promise with “Favorite Story,” Beeztrap KOTM’s “Yes,” and Stonebwoy’s “Jejereje.” Bangers.

• Best Highlife Song: Akwaboah’s “Pressure,” Kweku Darlington’s “Grateful to Your Ex,” King Paluta’s “Aseda,” Fameye’s “Very Soon,” Amerado’s “Abronoma,” Rap Fada ft King Paluta with “Odo Bi Ye Bad,” Kofi Kinaata’s “Effiakuma Broken Heart,” and Stonebwoy’s “Jejereje.” Classic vibes.

• Best Reggae/Dancehall Song: Epixode’s “ChooBoi,” Amerado and Samini on “Ankonam Remix,” Stonebwoy’s “Psalm 23,” Shatta Wale’s “Killa Ji Mi,” and Afriyie Wutah’s “Zormizor.” Fire.

• Collaboration of the Year: King Promise, Sarkodie, and OliveTheBoy on “Favorite Story,” Kidi and Black Sherif with “Lomo Lomo,” Rap Fada and King Paluta’s “Odo Bi Ye Bad,” Sarkodie and Beeztrap KOTM’s “Amen,” Joe Mettle and Sandra Boakye Duah’s “Give Me Oil,” and Diana Hamilton with Mercy Chinwo’s “Doing of the Lord.” Collabs on collabs.

• Songwriter of the Year: Aunty Ama (Kofi Kinaata), Okyeame Kwame (“No Competition”), Stonebwoy (“Psalm 23”), Kwabena Kwabena and Obaapa Christy (“Fakye Me”), Ayisi (“Can I Live”), and Diana Hamilton with Mercy Chinwo (“Doing of the Lord”).

• Most Popular Song: OlivetheBoy’s “Asylum,” Kidi and Black Sherif’s “Lomo Lomo,” DopeNation’s “Zormizor (Asabone)” and “Gbohe,” King Paluta’s “Aseda” and “Makoma,” King Promise’s “Paris,” Team Eternity’s “Defe Defe,” Stonebwoy’s “Jejereje,” and Fameye’s “Very Soon.” If you haven’t heard these, where’ve you been?

• Best Highlife Artiste: Kofi Kinaata, Fameye, Kuami Eugene, Sister Afia, Kwabena Kwabena, Akwaboah. Legends and newcomers—pick your fighter.

• Political Campaign Song: Akwaboah’s “Asorkorrr,” Nacee’s “Kwen Kwen” and “Asempa No Aba,” Robest’s “Maha Maha,” Eno Barony’s “Bawumia Beba,” Samini’s “No Pressure,” Nero X’s “Mahama For 2024,” Great Ampong ft Kaakyire & Naphtali’s “Ɛmmoa Asem Nkoaa,” Broda Sammy’s “NPP Campaign Song 2024,” and Grace Ashly’s “Ghana Will Rise Again.” Election year playlist, sorted.

Diaspora Artiste Nominees

• Best Instrumentalist: Arkband, Luckystar Band, NKYINKYIM Band, Shab Crew Band. Bands holding it down across continents.

• Best Diaspora Collaboration: Bakilla, Jane Rita, Benji, Black Kat, Emperor T-Jiga, Gifty Kpodo, Jay Baba, Kro Leo, LadyP, Muzic Mensah, Rebbel Ashes, Supa Cindy. Too many combos to count.

• Best Diaspora Afrobeat Artist: Bakilla, Danny Lampo, Geo Wellington, Kuame Sucre, LadyP, Muzic Mensah, Tee Kae, Yurvibes. Bringing the sound global.

• Best Diaspora Afrobeat Song: Adabor Asiedu, Assy Gentle, Jay Baba, Kgee, Nee Oseye Ade Leke, Original Boy BXY, Tyga Beat, Yaw Scott. 

• Best Diaspora Artist: Benji, Danny Lampo, Fadu, Geo Wellington, Jay Baba, Lady Vicky, Nana Yaa Otchere (Mz Nana), Rebbel Ashes, Royal Mama, Samuel Sey.

Honestly? That’s a monster list. If you’re a Ghanaian music fan, you’re eating good this year.

• Best Diaspora DJ of the Year: DJ Clenarie The Original (no, not the knockoff), DJ Clif, DJ Master P (not that Master P, chill), DJ Nanash, DJ Sonatty, and DJ Edward Amponsah. Honestly, if your party’s dead, blame yourself for not booking one of these folks.

• Best Diaspora Gospel Artist of the Year: Akubless, Belinda Owusu, Francisca Amoah, Jane Rita, Lady Vicky, Laura Sika, Lorinda Williams, Mini Felicia Boadu, Nana Amankwah Tiah, Mz Nana (because having “Nana” in your name is basically a cheat code), Royal Mama, and Samuel Sey. That’s a whole church choir right there.

• Best Diaspora Gospel Song of the Year: Akubless with “Meda Nyame Ase,” Belinda Owusu dropping “Okronkron Nii,” Francisca Amoah’s “Your Love,” Lady Ann with “Amen,” Mana Fastury on “Eregyna,” Maa U’s “Wase Da,” Mimi Yaa Pomaah’s “Sound of My Worship,” Mimi Felicia Boadu’s “Atiom Wura,” Nana Amankwah Tiah serving “Ama Achiaa Way3 Bi,” Mz Nana’s “Pentecostal Praise Medley,” and Royal Mama plus Grace Dansewaa (because gospel needs a medley and a duet, right?).

• Best Diaspora Highlife Artist of the Year: Ade3f3 Kwakye, Benji Title Asante Nkae ft Samini (collab alert!), Borga Red, KC, Kojo Black, Kuame Sucre, Muzic Mensah, Nee Oney Ade Leke, Tyga Beat, and Z16 Awelaga Music. This is where the party starts. Bring your dancing shoes.

• Best Diaspora Hiplife-Pop Artist of the Year: Assy Gentle, Black Kat (no, not the superhero), Danny Lampo, Emperor T-Jiga (sounds like a boss fight to me), Fadu, Kojo Black, Kro Leo, Nee Oney Ade Leke, Sami Adams, Supa Cindy, Tee Kat, and Tyga Beat. If you ain’t sweating by the end, you weren’t listening.

• Best Diaspora New Artiste of the Year: Adabor Asiedu, Air B Nie (say it out loud, you’ll get it), Forgive Aittsogge Midza (that name’s a workout), Gifty Kpodo, Isacco, Kgee, Kojo Black (dude’s everywhere), Mini Felicia Boadu, Original Boy BXY, Supa Cindy, Tee Kae, Tee Torie. Fresh blood, wild cards could be anyone’s game.

• Best Diaspora Reggae Dancehall Artist of the Year: Danny Lampo (again!), Leo Leo, Kwame Mulzz, Queen Lee Title Bad Gal (that’s a mouthful), Starkay Gee. If you’re not at least bobbing your head, you might be dead inside.

• Best Female Vocalist of the Year: Akubless, Belinda Owusu, Jane Rita, Lady Ann, Lady9 (what happened to Lady1-8?), Laura Sika, Maa U, Mz Nana, Ohenmaa Gladys, Royal Mama, Sandra Oduro. They’ll sing circles around you, don’t even try.

• Best Male Vocalist of the Year: Adabor Asiedu, Assy Gentle, Borga Red, Kwame Mulz, Minister Ike, Nee Oseye Ade Leke, One Time Bay XY, Oxmart Prah, Pastor Palmipong, Samuel Sey, Teni Time, Elijah The Worshipper, Charlie Barnes. That’s a lot of pipes in one list.

• Digital Content Creator of the Year: Agvengo Entertainment, Akuabako TV, Geo Wellington, Obroni Yere. Basically, the people your aunt shares videos from on WhatsApp.

• Songwriter of the Year: Ade3f3 Kwakye, Black Kat, Christy Ogbewi, Dod Osman, Francisca Amoah, Geo Wellington, Jane Rita, Nana Amankwah Tiah, Oxmart Prah, Rebbel Ashes, Samuel Sey. The brains behind the bangers.

There you go. If you don’t know these names yet, you probably will soon or you’re living under a rock. Your move.