GHANA MUSIC AWARDS CATEGORIES & DEFINITIONS – 2026
1. ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the artiste adjudged by the Academy, Board, and the public as the most outstanding Ghanaian artiste within the year under review. The winner must have demonstrated exceptional popularity, influence, and impact through released music, performances, and/or international tours during the period
under review.
2. UNCOVERED ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award recognises an emerging Ghanaian artiste who has shown exceptional promise and talent within the year under review but is yet to achieve mainstream recognition. The artiste must have released a single or project and demonstrated notable audience engagement and growth.
3. REGGAE/DANCEHALL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding Ghanaian artiste within the Reggae/Dancehall genre, based on audience appeal, performance, and impact during the year under review. The artiste must have released a notable single, project, or undertaken significant performances.
4. NEW ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award recognises a breakthrough Ghanaian artiste who has gained significant attention and impact within the year under review. The artiste must have released a successful debut or breakout single or project.
5. GOSPEL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most influential Ghanaian Gospel artiste within the year under review, based on popularity, impact, and audience engagement through music releases, performances, or tours.
6. HIPLIFE/HIP HOP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding Ghanaian artiste within the Hiplife/ Hip Hop genre based on popularity, influence, and musical impact during the year under review.
7. HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding Hip Hop song released during the year under review, based on popularity, audience appeal, and cultural impact.
8. HIGHLIFE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most influential Ghanaian Highlife artiste based on popularity, impact, and audience engagement during the year under review.
9. BEST RAPPER OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the rapper adjudged by the Academy, Board, and the public as having demonstrated exceptional lyrical skill, creativity, and influence within the year under review.
10. MOST POPULAR SONG OF THE YEAR
This award is determined solely by public vote and is presented to the song with the highest level of popularity, engagement, and cultural impact during the year under review.
11. BEST COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding collaborative song between two or more artistes, based on creativity, popularity, and overall impact during the year under review.
12. GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding Gospel song released during the year under review, based on popularity, impact, and audience engagement.
13. SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the songwriter who has demonstrated outstanding lyrical composition, originality, and songwriting excellence during the year under review. The nominated work must have been commercially released and/or publicly recognised.
14. AFROBEATS/AFROPOP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding Ghanaian artiste within the Afrobeats/Afropop genre, based on popularity, influence, and overall impact during the year under review.
15. MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the male artiste who has delivered the most outstanding vocal performance on a released musical work during the year under review.
16. FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the female artiste who has delivered the most outstanding vocal performance on a released musical work during the year under review.
17. BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most creative, visually compelling, and impactful music video released during the year under review.
18. AFROPOP SONG OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding Afropop song released during the year under review, based on popularity, creativity, and audience engagement.
19. AFROBEATS SONG OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding Afrobeats song released during the year under review, based on popularity, cultural impact, and audience reception.
20. HIPLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding Hiplife song released during the year under review, based on popularity, influence, and audience engagement.
21. HIGHLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding Highlife song released during the year under review, based on cultural impact and audience appeal.
22. REGGAE/DANCEHALL SONG OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding Reggae/Dancehall song released during the year under review, based on popularity, impact, and audience engagement.
23. PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the music producer who has demonstrated outstanding excellence in production, sound engineering, and contribution to successful musical works during the year under review.
24. MOST DOMINANT FANBASE OF THE YEAR
This award is determined by public engagement and recognises the most influential and active fanbase, based on support, visibility, and impact on streaming, sales, and social media engagement.
25. UK-BASED BEST DJ OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding DJ based in the United Kingdom, based on influence, performance quality, and contribution to the music scene during the year under review.
26. UK-BASED UNCOVERED ARTISTE OF THE YEAR This award recognises an emerging Ghanaian artiste based in the United Kingdom who has shown exceptional promise and impact during the year under review.
27. UK-BASED AFROBEATS/AFROPOP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding UK-based Ghanaian artiste within the Afrobeats/Afropop genre, based on popularity and impact during the year under review.
28. UK-BASED AFROBEATS/AFROPOP SONG OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding Afrobeats/Afropop song by a UKbased Ghanaian artiste during the year under review.
29. UK-BASED HIGHLIFE SONG OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding Highlife song released by a UK-based Ghanaian artiste during the year under review.
30. UK-BASED HIGHLIFE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding UK-based Ghanaian Highlife artiste based on popularity and impact during the year under review.
31. UK-BASED ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding Ghanaian artiste based in the United Kingdom, based on overall performance, popularity, and influence during the year under review.
32. UK-BASED GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding Gospel song released by a UKbased Ghanaian artiste during the year under review.
33. UK-BASED GOSPEL ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding UK-based Ghanaian Gospel artiste based on impact, popularity, and audience engagement during the year under review.
34. UK-BASED BEST COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding collaboration between UK-based Ghanaian artistes during the year under review.
35. UK-BASED PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding UK-based Ghanaian music producer based on production quality and contribution to successful projects during the year under review.
36. GHANAIAN EUROPEAN SONG OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding song released by a Ghanaian artiste based in Europe, based on popularity, impact, and audience engagement during the year under review.
37. GHANAIAN EUROPEAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the most outstanding Ghanaian artiste based in Europe, based on influence, popularity, and musical impact during the year under review.
38. BEST TOURING BAND OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the most outstanding live band based on performance quality, consistency, and impact during live tours and events throughout the year under review.
HONOURARY & SPECIAL AWARDS
39. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This honorary award is presented to a music legend in recognition of outstanding and long-term contribution to the Ghanaian music industry and cultural influence over time.
40. SPECIAL HONOUREE AWARD
This award is presented to individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions to the music industry in a unique or outstanding capacity during the year under review.
41. INDEPENDENT ARTISTE EVENT OF THE YEAR
This award recognises an artiste who has independently conceptualised, organised, and headlined a live music event during the year under review. The event must demonstrate creativity, strong audience engagement, and relevance to Ghanaian or Afro music culture in the United Kingdom.
42. CORPORATE SPONSOR OF THE YEAR
This award recognises a corporate organisation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting Ghanaian or Afro music events through sponsorship, partnerships, and investment during the year under review.
GENERAL NOTICE : GMAUK reserves the right to verify all submissions. Any false or misleading information may result in disqualification.
