Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy
The board of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) has finally lifted the ban placed on the two celebrated dancehall kings Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy in 2019.
The ban was imposed following a brawl that ensued between the two artistes at the 20th edition of VGMA held at the National Theatre in Accra. The two were barred from filing nominations in the following year’s edition.
In a press statement issued by the board last Friday, the board said it had decided to reinstate the two artistes to fill for nominations at the 22nd VGMA Awards celebration.
“The Board of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) has lifted the ban imposed on Ghanaian artistes, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy. This decision was taken at the inaugural meeting of the 22nd VGMA Board on January 28, 2021.
“The indefinite ban was imposed in 2019 as a result of a brawl caused by the two artistes during the Awards Ceremony of the 20th Anniversary edition of the VGMA, which disrupted the ceremony and threatened the safety of patrons. The two were thus excluded from participating in the 21st VGMA held in 2020,” the statement said.
“The board agreed to admit them back to the scheme, hoping that such altercations that bring the scheme into disrepute, do not occur in future events. This makes them eligible to participate in this and subsequent editions of the VGMA if they so desire. By extension, their collaborative works with other artistes are eligible for participation in the VGMA,” it added.
The two dancehall kings, Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale, have since smoked the peace pipe though the matter is still in court.
The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards is dedicated to celebrating Ghanaian musicians and projecting the Ghanaian music industry in a positive light and will continue to work with the music industry stakeholders to uphold the image and integrity of the scheme.
The journey to the 22nd edition of the VGMA has started with a call for nominations from artistes of music works (Songs, EPs/Albums) released between January 1 and December 31, 2020. The call for nominations will close on Monday, February 15, 2021.