Black Sherif
Black Sherif was crowned Artiste of the Year at the 2026 Telecel Ghana Music Awards after beating competition from Medikal, Stonebwoy, Wendy Shay, Sarkodie and Diana Hamilton.
The award recognised Black Sherif’s impressive run over the past year, driven largely by the success of his album Iron Boy, which made a strong impact on the Ghanaian music scene.
In addition to winning the topmost award on the night, Black Sherif also picked up other major honours, including Album of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Hip-Hop Song of the Year, and Best Afropop Song.
This marks the second time the musician has won the Artist of the Year title at the TGMAs. He previously secured the award at the 2023 edition, following the success of songs such as Kwaku the Traveller and his debut album ‘The Villain I Never Was’.
The 27th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards featured more than 25 categories celebrating excellence across gospel, highlife, hiplife, afrobeat, reggae/dancehall and other genres.
Several artistes also enjoyed successful nights at the ceremony. Moliy won Best International Collaboration and Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year with ‘Shake It to the Max’ Remix, while Diana Hamilton took home the Best Gospel Artiste of the Year award.
Medikal earned Best Hiplife Song of the Year and Most Popular Song of the Year with ‘Shoulder’. Kofi Kinaata also won Best Highlife Song of the Year with ‘It Is Finished’ and Best Highlife Artist of the Year.
Late highlife legend Daddy Lumba was posthumously honoured with the Highlife Achievement Award for his contribution to Ghanaian music. As part of the tribute, Ofori Amponsah performed some of Daddy Lumba’s classic songs, drawing emotional reactions and loud cheers from the audience.
Organisers said Daddy Lumba’s music continues to influence generations of Ghanaian artistes and remains an important part of the country’s highlife tradition.
Other winners on the night included Enam, who won Best Female Vocal Performance, and Strongman, who secured the Best Rap Performance award.
Music duo, Keche, received the Group of the Year award, marking nearly two decades in the music industry. Stonebwoy was named Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year, while ‘With You’ by Davido and Omah Lay, won African Song of the Year.
The Record of the Year award went to Kwabena Kwabena, while Wendy Shay picked up the Best Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste of the Year Award. Piesie Esther won Best Traditional Gospel Song, and AratheJay won Best Music Video of the Year for a video directed by David Duncan.
The Best Afrobeats Song of the Year award went to ‘Excellent’ by Kojo Blak featuring Kelvyn Boy.
Aside from the awards, the ceremony featured performances from artistes including Medikal, Samini, Wendy Shay, Black Sherif, Chief One, Lasmid and music duo R2Bees, who kept patrons entertained throughout the night.
By Francis Addo