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Ghanaian singer Wendy Shay has added another major trophy to her cabinet after being crowned Artiste of the Year at the 2026 Ghana Music Awards USA.
The award places Wendy Shay at the centre of attention once again, recognising her impact and musical output during the year under review. Clearly, the Rufftown star was not just making noise in the studio. She was also making a strong case for the awards shelf.
Wendy Shay emerged ahead of her fellow nominees to claim the night’s biggest individual prize, making her one of the standout winners of the ceremony held in the United States.
She was not the only Ghanaian star to leave the event smiling.
Dancehall giant Shatta Wale won Concert of the Year, while highlife veteran Kwabena Kwabena was named Highlife Artiste of the Year.
Gospel powerhouse Piesie Esther also enjoyed a double celebration, winning both Gospel Artiste of the Year and Gospel Song of the Year.
The award for Most Popular Song of the Year went to Medikal, Shatta Wale and Beeztrap KOTM for their collaboration, “Shoulder.”
Ghana Music Awards USA celebrates homegrown and diaspora talent
The USA-based categories also produced a long list of winners, highlighting the growing influence of Ghanaian musicians and creatives outside the country.
Sena Awudi won Emerging Artiste of the Year USA, while Ohemaa Daystar was named New Artiste of the Year USA.
Cee Music took home Female Artiste of the Year USA, with Nana NYC winning Male Artiste of the Year USA.
Rev Graceman was crowned Most Popular Artiste of the Year USA, while Joana Bidie had a particularly impressive night after winning both Female Vocalist of the Year USA and Music Concert of the Year USA.
Brother Ismeal was named Male Vocalist of the Year USA, while Royal Mama secured Gospel Artiste of the Year USA.
The highlife category also had its moment, with Nii Oseye Adeleke winning Highlife Artiste of the Year USA. King Tozua’s “Lies” was named Highlife Song of the Year USA.
In the hiplife and hip-hop categories, Flavor and Fugeez won Hiplife and Hiphop Artiste of the Year USA, while C Burn’s “Sika” took home Hiplife and Hiphop Song of the Year USA.
Millicent Yankey also earned recognition for Music Video of the Year USA with “Overoo.”
Gospel and international collaborations shine
Gospel music continued its strong showing at the ceremony, with Gifty K featuring Piesie Esther winning Gospel Song of the Year USA for “Wo Do (Your Love).”
The award for International Collaboration of the Year went to Mz Nana featuring Obaapa Christy for “Ahoto (Comfort).”
Samuel Sey was named Best International Act of the Year, adding another international recognition to the night’s celebrations.
The Afropop category also produced winners, with Sauce Lord taking Afropop Song of the Year USA for “Fatima”, while Jamin Beatz won Afropop Artiste of the Year USA.
Full list of major winners
Artiste of the Year: Wendy Shay
Concert of the Year: Shatta Wale
Highlife Artiste of the Year: Kwabena Kwabena
Gospel Artiste of the Year: Piesie Esther
Gospel Song of the Year: Piesie Esther
Most Popular Song of the Year: Medikal ft. Shatta Wale and Beeztrap KOTM, “Shoulder”
USA Categories
Emerging Artiste of the Year USA: Sena Awudi
New Artiste of the Year USA: Ohemaa Daystar
Female Artiste of the Year USA: Cee Music
Male Artiste of the Year USA: Nana NYC
Most Popular Artiste of the Year USA: Rev Graceman
Female Vocalist of the Year USA: Joana Bidie
Music Concert of the Year USA: Joana Bidie
Male Vocalist of the Year USA: Brother Ismeal
Highlife Artiste of the Year USA: Nii Oseye Adeleke
Highlife Song of the Year USA: King Tozua, “Lies”
Hiplife and Hiphop Artiste of the Year USA: Flavor and Fugeez
Hiplife and Hiphop Song of the Year USA: C Burn, “Sika”
Gospel Artiste of the Year USA: Royal Mama
Music Video of the Year USA: Millicent Yankey, “Overoo”
International Collaboration of the Year: Mz Nana ft. Obaapa Christy, “Ahoto (Comfort)”
Best International Act of the Year: Samuel Sey
Gospel Song of the Year USA: Gifty K ft. Piesie Esther, “Wo Do (Your Love)”
Afropop Song of the Year USA: Sauce Lord, “Fatima”
Afropop Artiste of the Year USA: Jamin Beatz
The Ghana Music Awards USA continues to provide a platform for celebrating Ghanaian music, both at home and across the diaspora.
And this year’s ceremony made one thing clear: Ghanaian music may travel far, but the trophies know exactly where to find the talent.
