VGMA 2020: Are Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy eligible to file for nomination?

Charterhouse Productions Limited – the organisers of the annual Vodafone Ghana Music Awards – have announced nomination entry for the 2020 edition.

Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy cry

 According to them, the calendar year is between January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019 – which means songs released between within this period can be filed for nomination.

Nomination for this year’s edition started on January 1, 2020, and will end on January 31, 2020.

Since Charterhouse made the nomination announcement, one question has been on everyone’s lip: are Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy eligible to file for nomination?

Well, the answer is a straight no but rather tricky because the VGMA Board issued an indefinite ban – meaning the ban can be lifted anytime.

What is tricky here is that, when the ban is lifted within the nomination period, Stonebwoy can file but Shatta Wale will not file.

In May last year, a few hours before Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale’s ban was announced, the latter took to social media to announce his exit from the award scheme.

“Upon sober reflections of events in recent times, and having made broader consultations, I wish to announce that I will not be part of the Ghana Music Awards scheme going forward. God bless!” the “Ayoo” hitmaker announced on his personal Facebook account.

So, in this case, Shatta Wale is outrightly ruled out – unless he reneges his decision. And even if he does, the board has the final say.

For Stonebwoy, his chances are very low since the case is still in court. Until the case is closed – both in court and out of court – he will not qualify to pick up a nomination form.

What happened?

During the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards held on May 18 at the Dome at the Accra International Conference Centre, Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale clashed on stage where the former brandished a gun.

It started when Stonebwoy was called to the stage to receive the award for “Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year”. Shatta Wale and his entourage rushed to the stage to stop the process but it quickly escalated.

The case is currently in court.