Is Blacko serious over VGMA Artiste of the Year win?
Rapper Black Sherif and gospel singer Piesie Esther have dominated discussions about this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) since Charterhouse, the event’s organizers, revealed this year’s nominated list on Saturday, March 18.
Why not, then? Due to their large body of work and discographies from the year in question, the two are thought to be the greatest contenders in the Artiste of the Year category. Along with Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, King Promise, Camidoh, KiDi, and Joe Mettle, they are competing for the top prize.
Yes, the two are eligible for the Artiste of the Year award, but Piesie Esther has been adamant in her campaigns ever since the nominations were announced. We hear about Black Sherif, also known as Blacko, and her numerous media appearances, interviews, and—most importantly—her serious social media initiatives to win over the people.
Checks by Rapid Showbiz on the various social media pages of the Kwaku The Traveller hitmaker show he has not made a single post about his VGMA nominations as of Tuesday, May 2, four days before the main show, which kicks off on Saturday, May 6 at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). In contrast to Piesie Esther, whose social media pages are flooded with fliers appealing for votes.
Even though Kofi Kinaata, Reggie Rockstone, and comedian OB Amponsah among others have predicted that Blacko will carry the night, Blacko himself has not demonstrated much dedication.
He very recently (3 May) posted. “You have seen my sweat, blood, and tears. You have witnessed my journey’s highs and lows. Ever since I entered the game, my lips have been sealed and my eyes are open. That is not something I intend to change, not now and not tomorrow. Come on, VGMA.
It’s interesting to note that the competition between Blacko and Piesie Esther for the title of Artiste of the Year has generated yet another Gospel/secular “battle.”
That’s it. It was reasonable to presume that the “Ambassadors of Christ” were unaware of the category prior to 2017, when gospel musician Joe Mettle made history by receiving the VGMA Artiste of the Year.
At the time, it appeared that secular artists only competed for the VGMA Artiste of the Year award. But four years after Mettle’s victory, Diana Hamilton, a different gospel performer, took home the top prize at the VGMA ceremony from the Grand Arena of the AICC.
These “last-minute” results demonstrate that Gospel artists are unquestionably not to be taken lightly in the top category, which is why Blacko’s “loud silence” in contrast to the vocal efforts of Waye Me Yie raises doubts about the former’s sincerity in pursuing the top VGMA honor.
Definition of the Artist of the Year
The artist(s) chosen as the Artist(s) of the Year by the Academy, Board, and General Public as having the greatest appeal to the general public and popularity during the year under consideration.
The aforementioned points out that the public has a voice in addition to the Board and Academy, hence it is disheartening that Black Sherif isn’t making any attempt to garner votes.
Reactions
Media personality Caleb Nii Boye wrote this on Facebook, “VGMAs x Blacko !!!
“Is Black Sheriff really interested?? 4 days to the main event and there hasn’t been a single post from him on his socials!!
“Anyway—- let’s wait”.
Music producer, Wei Ye Oteng told Graphic Showbiz that Blacko deserves to win but Piesie had been working tirelessly for it.
“If Black Sherif is not careful, Piesie Esther might pull a surprise on Saturday because she is busily campaigning for votes and she also did well last year,” he noted.
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