2023 VGMAs: ‘The most important person on the planet’ Black Sherif crowned Artiste of the Year

A new king of music has been announced.

Ghana’s first and topmost music awards scheme, the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs), which took place on the same day British Monarch King Charles III was crowned and anointed, Saturday, May 6, has unveiled sensational Ghanaian artiste Black Sherif as the ultimate music award winner for the year 2023 – the Artiste of the Year (AoTY).

Executive Director and co-founder of the organiser of said awards scheme, Charterhouse, Mrs Theresa Ayoade and Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Mark Okraku-Mantey presented the feverishly anticipated award.

“So Mark, I want to ask you – you know there’s been this controversy leading up to this night – there was the Gospel camp and the Hiplife/Hiphop camp,” observed Mrs Ayoade, asking: “So, who takes the night?”

“Ladies and gentlemen, when a person endures suffering, the same is glorified by God,” Mr Okraku-Mantey noted after thoroughly teasing the Grand Arena, Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) crowd.

At this, the VGMAs patrons went rapturous with some calling out “Blacko!” in screams as others rose to their feet in gleeful anticipation.

Amid pleas from two-thirds of the hosting team – Berla Mundi and James Gardiner – for the state man to spare the audience the near-cruel suspense, he declared that: “The most important person on the planet now is right here.”

“Black Sherif,” he firmly announced after a second’s pause.

The crowd went bananas presenting Sherif with a standing ovation.

The ‘Soja’ hitmaker, clad in black with hair braided, gave a slight nod of contentment welcoming the news before he rose.

The camera found his advertised avid competitor Gospel star Piesie Esther – she was seated with her team – but captured with a wide smile as she passionately applauded the Hiplife/Hiphop artiste’s triumph.

While the Konongo-born-and-raised star made it up to the mic on the stage, James Gardiner noted the significance of the win.

“What a year it has been for Black Sherif,” he said. “I can tell you for a fact that this didn’t come easy.

“This was pure hard work; he was just [relentless for] this year [under] review – a huge congratulation!”

The confetti popped. “Eii!” exclaimed Blacko, as Gardiner added: “This is an inspiration to all budding artistes…”

With a mean face, star-shaped trophy in hand, rapper Mohammed Ismail Sherif broke into a spontaneous performance of his Jae5-produced hit; 45 – “Kwaku Rasta, trapping my way up. I do this [thing] my way… I learned this [thing] hard way, man… I’ve suffered, jack…”

Signalling for the DJ to halt the music, the singer-songwriter broke into an emotional acapella of Highlife veteran Adane Best’s megahit Maafio. His ecstatic entourage joined in the chorus.

“Yo,” he spoke, revealing that: “22nd June I’m dropping KK Pack. I’ve got some number of songs on it.”

Finally getting to his acceptance speech, the RBA/EMPIRE signee said: “And I dedicate this award to my mommy, to my poppy, to my family, to Konongo Zongo.”

“Sending love to my rastas, we’ll be great [so rest easy],” he chanted track 6 Sad Boys Don’t Fold from his debut The Villain I Never Was album.

“Yeah, man,” the known Muslim returned to prose, declaring in thanksgiving also: “Allahu Akbar!”

As he and his company left for backstage, host Naa Ashorkor thanked the patient audience and announced the location for the Sunday, May 7 2023, VGMAs after-party.

Kwaku Killa (KK), 21, went up against KiDi, King Promise, Camidoh, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Joe Mettle and Piesie Esther.

The night was his indeed.