What
changed
A changelog for an institution. Every edition of the Ghana Music Awards is a slightly different scheme from the one before it: awards appear, are renamed, split, merged, quietly skipped for a year, or given for the last time without anyone saying so. Read downward and you are reading 26 years of Ghanaian popular music deciding what to call itself.
356 things happened to the awards. 208 more are just the table spelling something differently — listed under each year, and counted apart, because they are not history.
356
208
2007
01
How to read it
Eight kinds of entry, and one that is deliberately not a change.
A rename is read three ways. Terminology means the words for the music moved — Afro Pop becoming Afrobeat is Ghana renaming a genre, not an awards body renaming a prize. Sponsor means a company or institution entered or left the award’s own name. Framing means nothing about the award moved except its phrasing. The same three words appear as tags down the right-hand side.
Each year ends with the awards the source wrote a different way that year. An award respelt is still the same award, so those sit in their own fold and are never counted as history.
The number beside each year is how many things changed in it.
The changelog
Every edition from 2026 back to 2000.
2026
27th TGMA
The scheme carried over from 2025 unaltered.
2025
26th TGMA
VGMA becomes TGMA
The awards change their own name
Institution
Group of the Year → Best Group · Relabelled at the TGMA rebrand.
Framing
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
11 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Record of the Year → Record of The Year
Spelling
Album/EP of the Year → Album/Ep of the year
Spelling
Songwriter of the Year → Songwriter of the Year -
Spelling
Best Music Video (Director) → Best Music Video Director
Spelling
Collaboration of the year → Collaboration of the Year
Spelling
International Collaboration of the year → International Collaboration of the Year
Spelling
Best Hip-Hop Song → Best Hip-hop Song
Spelling
Best Reggae/Dancehall Song → Best Reggae / Dancehall Song
Spelling
Best Hiplife/Hip-Hop Artiste → Best Hiplife / Hip-hop Artiste
Spelling
Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste → Best Reggae / Dancehall Artiste
Spelling
Best Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste → Best Afrobeats / Afropop Artiste
Spelling
2024
25th VGMA
Telecel enters the category names
Sponsor named inside an award for the first time
Institution
Vodafone leaves the category names
Last edition carrying this name
Institution
Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year → Telecel Most Popular Song of the Year · Sponsor change only. Vodafone Ghana became Telecel Ghana in 2024; the award did not change.
Sponsor
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, after 4 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 4 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 3 editions
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
2023
24th VGMA
Best Afrobeats → Best Afrobeats Song · "Song" added to the award name.
Framing
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, after 3 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 3 editions
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
6 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Record of the year → Record of the Year
Spelling
Best Music Video Director → Best Music Video (Director)
Spelling
Collaboration of the Year → Collaboration of the year
Spelling
Best Hip Hop Song → Best Hip-Hop Song
Spelling
Best Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste → Best Hiplife/Hip-Hop Artiste
Spelling
Best Afrobeats/ Afropop Artiste → Best Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste
Spelling
2022
23rd VGMA
Sound Engineer of the Year → Audio Engineer of the Year · Relabelled.
Terminology
Album of the Year → Album/EP of the Year · Album and EP combine into one award.
Merged
Best Afrobeats/ Afropop Song → Best Afropop Song · The combined 2021 award separates in 2022; Afropop runs continuously from there.
Split
Best Afrobeats/ Afropop Song → Best Afrobeats · The Afrobeats half of the 2021 award, held under this shorter name for 2022 only.
Split
EP of the Year → Album/EP of the Year · EP of the Year was held once, in 2021, before being folded in.
Merged
Best Music Video of the Year → Best Music Video Director · The 2022 award names the director rather than the video. Whether this replaced or split from the video award is not stated.
Disputed
First awarded
New
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
1 award written differently this year — not a change to the award
Record of the Year → Record of the year
Spelling
2021
22nd VGMA
Highlife Song of the Year → Best Highlife Song · Same 2021 relabelling.
Framing
Gospel Song of the Year → Best Gospel Song · Same 2021 relabelling.
Framing
Hiplife Song of the Year → Best Hiplife Song · The 22nd edition put "Best" in front of most genre awards and dropped "of the Year".
Framing
Gospel Artiste of the Year → Best Gospel Artiste · Part of the 2021 relabelling: "X Artiste of the Year" becomes "Best X Artiste".
Framing
Highlife Artiste of the Year → Best Highlife Artiste · Same 2021 relabelling.
Framing
African Artiste of the Year → Best African Artiste · Same 2021 relabelling.
Framing
Traditional Artiste of the Year → Best Traditional Artiste · Same 2021 relabelling.
Framing
Instrumentalist of the Year → Best Instrumentalist · Same 2021 relabelling.
Framing
Hip Hop Song of the Year → Best Hip-hop Song · Same 2021 relabelling.
Framing
Hiphop/Hiplife Artiste Of The Year → Best Hiplife / Hip-hop Artiste · Same 2021 relabelling, but the two genre words also swap order: Hiphop/Hiplife becomes Hiplife/Hip-hop.
Framing
Best New Artiste of the Year → Best New Artiste · "of the Year" dropped in the 2021 relabelling.
Framing
Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year → Best Reggae/Dancehall Song · Same 2021 relabelling.
Framing
Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year → Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste · Same 2021 relabelling.
Framing
Afrobeat Song Of The Year → Best Afrobeats/ Afropop Song · Held once, in 2021, as a combined Afrobeats/Afropop award.
Terminology
Best International Collaboration of The Year → International Collaboration of the Year · The 2021 relabelling drops "Best" here rather than adding it.
Framing
Best Rapper of the Year → Best Rap Performance · The award moves from honouring a rapper to honouring a performance. Related, not demonstrably continuous.
Disputed
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded
New
9 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Artiste Of The Year → Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Record of The Year → Record of the Year
Spelling
Songwriter of The Year → Songwriter of the Year
Spelling
Collaboration Of The Year → Collaboration of the Year
Spelling
Producer of The Year → Producer of the Year
Spelling
Album Of The Year → Album of the Year
Spelling
Vodafone Most Popular Song Of The Year → Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year
Spelling
Group Of The Year → Group of the Year
Spelling
Sound Engineer of The Year → Sound Engineer of the Year
Spelling
2020
21st VGMA
Afro Pop Song of the Year → Afrobeat Song Of The Year · The genre word on the award changes from Afro Pop to Afrobeat for a single edition.
Terminology
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, after 6 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 3 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 3 editions
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
15 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Artiste of the Year → Artiste Of The Year
Spelling
Record Of The Year → Record of The Year
Spelling
Songwriter Of The Year → Songwriter of The Year
Spelling
Producer of the year → Producer of The Year
Spelling
Best Collaboration of the Year → Best Collaboration Of The Year
Spelling
Highlife Artist of the Year → Highlife Artiste Of The Year
Spelling
Instrumentalist Of The Year → Instrumentalist of The Year
Spelling
Hip-hop Song Of The Year → Hiphop Song Of The Year
Spelling
Hip hop/Hiplife Artiste of the Year → Hiphop/Hiplife Artiste Of The Year
Spelling
Best New Artist of the Year → Best New Artiste Of The Year
Spelling
Sound Engineer Of The Year → Sound Engineer of The Year
Spelling
Reggae/Dancehall Artist of the Year → Reggae/Dancehall Artiste Of The Year
Spelling
Best Group of the Year → Best Group of The Year
Spelling
Female Vocalist Of The Year → Female Vocalist of The Year
Spelling
Male Vocalist Of The Year → Male Vocalist of The Year
Spelling
2019
20th VGMA
Best Collaboration of the Year → Collaboration of the Year · Both are awarded in 2019 and 2020, so this is not a clean succession. The record does not say whether it is one award written two ways or two awards.
Disputed
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
1 award in this edition
has no winner in the record: Traditional Artiste of the Year.Missing
20 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Record of the Year → Record Of The Year
Spelling
Songwriter of the Year → Songwriter Of The Year
Spelling
Album of the Year → Album Of The Year
Spelling
Highlife Song of the Year → Highlife Song Of The Year
Spelling
Gospel Song of the Year → Gospel Song Of The Year
Spelling
Hiplife Song of the Year → Hiplife Song Of The Year
Spelling
Gospel Artist of the Year → Gospel Artiste Of The Year
Spelling
Music Producer of the Year → Music Producer Of The Year
Spelling
African Artiste of the Year → African Artiste of The Year
Spelling
Traditional Artist of the Year → Traditional Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Instrumentalist of the Year → Instrumentalist Of The Year
Spelling
Afro-pop Song of the Year → Afropop Song Of The Year
Spelling
Hip Hop Song of the Year → Hip-hop Song Of The Year
Spelling
Best Rapper of the Year → Best Rapper Of The Year
Spelling
Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year → Vodafone Most Popular Song Of The Year
Spelling
Group of the Year → Group Of The Year
Spelling
Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year → Reggae/Dancehall Song Of The Year
Spelling
Sound Engineer of the year → Sound Engineer Of The Year
Spelling
Female Vocalist of the Year → Female Vocalist Of The Year
Spelling
Male Vocalist of the Year → Male Vocalist Of The Year
Spelling
2018
19th VGMA
Best Female Vocalist of the Year → Female Vocalist of The Year · "Best" dropped.
Framing
Best Male Vocalist of the Year → Male Vocalist of The Year · "Best" dropped.
Framing
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
3 awards in this edition
have no winner in the record: Producer of the Year, Sound Engineer of the Year, Unsung.Missing
11 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Record of the year → Record of the Year
Spelling
Song Writer of the Year → Songwriter of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Artiste of the Year → Gospel Artist of the Year
Spelling
Highlife Artiste of the Year → Highlife Artist of the Year
Spelling
African Artiste of The Year → African Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Traditional Artiste(s) of the Year → Traditional Artist of the Year
Spelling
Afro Pop Song of the Year → Afro-pop Song of the Year
Spelling
Hiplife /Hip Hop Artiste of the Year → Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year
Spelling
Best New Artiste of the Year → Best New Artist of the Year
Spelling
Sound Engineer of the Year → Sound Engineer of the year
Spelling
Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year → Reggae/Dancehall Artist of the Year
Spelling
2017
18th VGMA
Best Female Vocalist → Best Female Vocalist of the Year · "of the Year" added.
Framing
Best Male Vocalist → Best Male Vocalist of the Year · "of the Year" added.
Framing
Best Group of the Year → Group of the Year · Both run between 2017 and 2020. Group of the Year starts earlier and ends later, which a rename cannot explain.
Disputed
First awarded
New
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
3 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Hip Life Song of the Year → Hiplife Song of the Year
Spelling
African Artiste of the Year → African Artiste of The Year
Spelling
Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste(s) of the Year → Hiplife /Hip Hop Artiste of the Year
Spelling
2016
17th VGMA
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, after 4 editions
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
9 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Record of the Year → Record of the year
Spelling
Producer of the Year → Producer of the year
Spelling
Hiplife Song of the Year → Hip Life Song of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Artiste(s) of the Year → Gospel Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Highlife Artiste(s) of the Year → Highlife Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Afro-pop Song of the Year → Afro Pop Song of the Year
Spelling
Hiphop Song of the Year → Hip Hop Song of the Year
Spelling
Hip Hop/Hiplife Artist Of The Year → Hip hop/Hiplife Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Best New Artiste(s) of the Year → Best New Artiste of the Year
Spelling
2015
16th VGMA
MUSIGA leaves the category names
Last edition carrying this name
Institution
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
Last awarded, after 12 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 9 editions
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
9 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Hip life Song of the Year → Hiplife Song of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Artiste of the Year → Gospel Artiste(s) of the Year
Spelling
Highlife Artiste of the Year → Highlife Artiste(s) of the Year
Spelling
Traditional Artiste of the Year → Traditional Artiste(s) of the Year
Spelling
Afro Pop Song of the Year → Afro-pop Song of the Year
Spelling
Hip Hop Song of the Year → Hiphop Song of the Year
Spelling
Hip life/Hip-hop Artiste of the Year → Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste(s) of the Year
Spelling
Best New Artiste of the Year → Best New Artiste(s) of the Year
Spelling
Reggae/ Dancehall Song of the Year → Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year
Spelling
2014
15th VGMA
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
1 award written differently this year — not a change to the award
Musiga Merit Award → MUSIGA Merit Award
Spelling
2013
14th VGMA
Recording Engineer of the Year → Sound Engineer of the Year · Both name an engineering award and their runs do not overlap, but no source states a formal continuation.
Disputed
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
13 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Artiste(s) of the Year → Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Best female Vocal Performance → Best Female Vocal Performance
Spelling
Hiplife Song of the Year → Hip life Song of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Artiste (s) of the Year → Gospel Artiste of the Year
Spelling
MUSIGA Merit Award → Musiga Merit Award
Spelling
Music Producer of the year → Music Producer of the Year
Spelling
Highlife Artiste (s) of the Year → Highlife Artiste of the Year
Spelling
African Artiste (s) of the Year → African Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Traditional Artiste(s) of the Year → Traditional Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Afro-Pop Song of the Year → Afro Pop Song of the Year
Spelling
Hiphop Song of the Year → Hip Hop Song of the Year
Spelling
Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste (s) of the Year → Hip life/Hip-hop Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Best New Artiste (s) of the Year → Best New Artiste of the Year
Spelling
2012
13th VGMA
New Artist Of The Year → Best New Artiste of the Year · "Best" added.
Framing
Most Popular Song Of The Year → Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year · The sponsor name enters the award title.
Sponsor
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, after 12 editions
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
10 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Artiste of the Year → Artiste(s) of the Year
Spelling
Record of the year → Record of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Artiste of the Year → Gospel Artiste (s) of the Year
Spelling
Highlife Artiste of the Year → Highlife Artiste (s) of the Year
Spelling
African Artiste of the Year → African Artiste (s) of the Year
Spelling
Afro Pop Song of the Year → Afro-Pop Song of the Year
Spelling
Hip Hop Song of the Year → Hiphop Song of the Year
Spelling
Hip life/Hip Hop Artiste of the Year → Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste (s) of the Year
Spelling
Best music Video Year → Best Music Video of the Year
Spelling
Vodadone Most Popular Song of the Year → Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year
Spelling
2011
12th VGMA
Vodafone enters the category names
Sponsor named inside an award for the first time
Institution
World Bank leaves the category names
Last edition carrying this name
Institution
First awarded
New
Last awarded, after 5 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
18 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Artist Of The Year → Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Record Of The Year → Record of the year
Spelling
Best Female Vocal Performance → Best female Vocal Performance
Spelling
Song Writer Of The Year → Song Writer of the Year
Spelling
Album Of The Year → Album of the Year
Spelling
Highlife Song Of The Year → Highlife Song of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Song Of The Year → Gospel Song of the Year
Spelling
Reggae Song Of The Year → Reggae Song of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Artist Of The Year → Gospel Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Best Collaboration Of The Year → Best Collaboration of the Year
Spelling
MUSIGA Merit award → MUSIGA Merit Award
Spelling
Discovery Of The Year → Discovery of the Year
Spelling
Highlife Artist Of The Year → Highlife Artiste of the Year
Spelling
African Artiste Of The Year → African Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Traditional artist of the year → Traditional Artiste(s) of the Year
Spelling
Instrumentalist of the year → Instrumentalist of the Year
Spelling
Afro-Pop Song Of The Year → Afro Pop Song of the Year
Spelling
Best Rapper Of The Year → Best Rapper of the Year
Spelling
2010
11th VGMA
Hip life/Hip-hop Artiste of the Year → Hiphop/Hiplife Artiste Of The Year · These differ only in which genre is written first, and their runs overlap. Our normaliser folds spelling, not word order, so they are kept apart and the question is left open.
Disputed
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
18 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Artiste of the Year → Artist Of The Year
Spelling
Record of the year → Record Of The Year
Spelling
Best female Vocal Performance → Best Female Vocal Performance
Spelling
Song Writer of the Year → Song Writer Of The Year
Spelling
Most Popular Song of the Year → Most Popular Song Of The Year
Spelling
Album of the Year → Album Of The Year
Spelling
Highlife Song of the Year → Highlife Song Of The Year
Spelling
Gospel Song of the Year → Gospel Song Of The Year
Spelling
Reggae Song of the Year → Reggae Song Of The Year
Spelling
Gospel Artiste of the Year → Gospel Artist Of The Year
Spelling
Best Collaboration of the Year → Best Collaboration Of The Year
Spelling
MUSIGA Merit Award → MUSIGA Merit award
Spelling
Discovery of the Year → Discovery Of The Year
Spelling
Highlife Artiste of the Year → Highlife Artist Of The Year
Spelling
African Artiste of the Year → African Artiste Of The Year
Spelling
Traditional Artiste(s) of the Year → Traditional artist of the year
Spelling
Instrumentalist of the Year → Instrumentalist of the year
Spelling
Afro Pop Song of the Year → Afro-Pop Song Of The Year
Spelling
2009
10th VGMA
World Bank enters the category names
Lender named inside an award for the first time
Institution
Music Producer of the Year → Producer of the Year · Overlapping runs; the record does not establish whether these were one award or two.
Disputed
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
Last awarded, after 7 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 7 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 4 editions
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
4 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Record of the Year → Record of the year
Spelling
Best Female Vocal Performance → Best female Vocal Performance
Spelling
Song writer of the Year → Song Writer of the Year
Spelling
Traditional Artiste of the Year → Traditional Artiste(s) of the Year
Spelling
2008
9th VGMA
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, after 8 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 3 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 6 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
12 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Best Female Vocal Perfromance → Best Female Vocal Performance
Spelling
Album of the year → Album of the Year
Spelling
High life Song of the Year → Highlife Song of the Year
Spelling
Hip life Song of the Year → Hiplife Song of the Year
Spelling
Record Label of the year → Record Label of the Year
Spelling
Hip Life Alum of the Year → Hiplife Album of the Year
Spelling
Song Of The Year → Song of the Year
Spelling
Hip Life Artiste of the Year → Hiplife Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Recording Engineer of the year → Recording Engineer of the Year
Spelling
Musiga Merit Award → MUSIGA Merit Award
Spelling
High Life Album of the Year → Highlife Album of the Year
Spelling
High Life Artiste of the Year → Highlife Artiste of the Year
Spelling
2007
8th VGMA
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, after 7 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 3 editions
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
10 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Songwriter of the Year → Song writer of the Year
Spelling
Album of the Year → Album of the year
Spelling
Highlife Song of the Year → High life Song of the Year
Spelling
Hiplife Song of the Year → Hip life Song of the Year
Spelling
Record Label of the Year → Record Label of the year
Spelling
Hiplife Album of the Year → Hip Life Alum of the Year
Disputed Misspelt
Hiplife Artiste of the Year → Hip Life Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Recording Engineer of the Year → Recording Engineer of the year
Spelling
Music Producer of the Year → Music Producer of the year
Spelling
Traditional Group of the Year → Traditional Group of the year
Spelling
2006
7th VGMA
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, after 3 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
3 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Album Of The Year → Album of the Year
Spelling
Reggae Song Of The Year → Reggae Song of the Year
Spelling
Record Label Of The Year → Record Label of the Year
Spelling
2005
6th VGMA
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
1 award in this edition
has no winner in the record: Gospel Album of the Year.Missing
17 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Artiste Of The Year → Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Songwriter Of The Year → Songwriter of the Year
Spelling
New Artist Of The Year → New Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Most Popular Song Of The Year → Most Popular Song of the Year
Spelling
Highlife Song Of The Year → Highlife Song of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Song Of The Year → Gospel Song of the Year
Spelling
Hiplife Song Of The Year → Hiplife Song of the Year
Spelling
Traditional Song Of The Year → Traditional Song of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Album Of The Year → Gospel Album of the Year
Spelling
Hiplife Album Of The Year → Hiplife Album of the Year
Spelling
Contemporary Highlife Song Of The Year → Contemporary Highlife Song of the Year
Spelling
Hiplife Artist Of The Year → Hiplife Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Contemporary Highlife Artist Of The Year → Contemporary Highlife Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Contemporary Highlife Album Of The Year → Contemporary Highlife Album of the Year
Spelling
Gospel Artist Of The Year → Gospel Artiste of the Year
Spelling
Best Collaboration Of The Year → Best Collaboration of the Year
Spelling
Recording Engineer Of The Year → Recording Engineer of the Year
Spelling
2004
5th VGMA
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
2 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Best Female Vocal Performnace → Best Female Vocal Perfromance
Disputed Misspelt
Best Male Vocal Perfromance → Best Male Vocal Performance
Spelling
2003
4th VGMA
MUSIGA enters the category names
Union named inside an award for the first time
Institution
Recording Engineer → Recording Engineer of the Year · "of the Year" added.
Framing
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
Awarded before and after, not this year
Skipped
4 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Artist Of The Year → Artiste Of The Year
Spelling
Best Female Vocal Performance → Best Female Vocal Performnace
Disputed Misspelt
Best Male Vocal Performance → Best Male Vocal Perfromance
Disputed Misspelt
Contemporay Highlife Song Of The Year → Contemporary Highlife Song Of The Year
Spelling
2002
3rd VGMA
Last awarded, after 2 editions
Ends
3 awards in this edition
have no winner in the record: Contemporary Highlife Song of the Year, Hiplife - Rap Of The Year, Traditional Song Of The Year.Missing
2 awards written differently this year — not a change to the award
Contemporary Highlife Song Of The Year → Contemporay Highlife Song Of The Year
Disputed Misspelt
Hiplife-Rap Of The Year → Hiplife - Rap Of The Year
Spelling
2001
2nd VGMA
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded
New
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
4 awards in this edition
have no winner in the record: Contemporary Highlife Song of the Year, Choral Group Of The Year, Traditional Song Of The Year, Hiplife - Rap Of The Year.Missing
2000
1st VGMA
Fontomfrom enters the category names
Festival named inside an award for the first time
Institution
Fontomfrom leaves the category names
Last edition carrying this name
Institution
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
First awarded, and never again
New
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
Last awarded, the only time
Ends
8 awards in this edition
have no winner in the record: Music Distributor Of The Year, Executive Producer/Producer Of The Year, Highlife Brand Of The Year, Traditional Song Of The Year, Rap Song Of The Year, Fontomfrom Music Merit Award, Fontomfrom Music Ambassador Award, Fontomfrom Evergreen Award.Missing
Not recorded
Not one of these changes was announced anywhere we can cite. They are read from
the winners table: a name stops appearing and another starts, an award is absent for a year, a sponsor’s name
arrives in a title. The organisers publish no rulebook, no minutes and no statement of what was changed or why,
so a category quietly dropped for a year and a category deliberately suspended look identical here.Missing