The criteria for the ultimate award at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards(VGMA) Artiste of the year states, “Artist of the year is the topmost award at the Ghana music awards; given to the Artiste(s) adjudged by the Academy board and the general public as the artist with the highest audience appeal and popularity.”

As the Online News Surgeon sat down to determine who really deserves the crown of the coveted ‘Artiste Of the Year’ award at this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, names like Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, EL and Guru popped up.

Amongst all these sensational artistes,the artist who really deserves the nod is Shatta Wale. Oh yes! Shatta Wale. The self-acclaimed dancehall king yet again has communicated to the world that he is still the most redoubtable Ghanaian artiste presently .He has dazzled the showbiz fraternity with hit songs like “Mahama Paper’ and “Chop Kiss”; and made a distinctive mark whenever he mounted the stages to perform.

But there is a boisterous problem; Shatta Wale is not going to be part of this year’s award scheme. He has been debarred from the awards, following his beef with the Organisers, Charter House. In line with the exclusion of the multiple award winning self-acclaimed dancehall king, the name Guru becomes the conspicuous alternative.

Although, Sarkodie and EL who happens to be the reigning artiste of the year put in much exertions in 2016, candidly,Guru’s exploits outweigh what they did, hence he deserves the artiste of the year. Why?….

Well, Guru’s presence and relevance was really felt in all aspects of our music industry in 2016.When it comes to provision of hit songs,Guru seems to have the secret of making hits. As artistes struggle to make hits in the industry to help them enjoy the gigs and the shows that assure an artiste’s survival and relevance, songs like ‘Samba’, “Me ba be tea wo’, Are You Aware and presently ‘Gold’ should summarise my first argument.

The multiple hit maker also released quality and expensive music videos like ‘Samba’ and ‘Gold’ that gained adhesions both locally and internationally which won him two awards at the 2016 MTN 4Syte Music Videos awards–Namely Best Edited Music Video(Samba) and Best Choreography Music video(Samba)

Another significant attribute of a potential Artiste of the year Award winner is performances. Talking about performances,Guru is on record as the only artiste who played the most shows in the year 2016, that is; over hundred and fifthy shows. surprised?….

Apart from organising his own shows such as GURU LIVE IN KOFORIDUA,GURU LIVE IN KONONGO,GURU LIVE IN KETA etc,he mounted the stages of all the big events like Citi Fm’s December To Rememder, Raperholic,Y Fm Loud In Accra,MTN 4syte Music Videos Awards,Tigo Ghana Meets Naija etc and on all those platforms,he was warmly received and cheered.

Born in real life as Maradona Yeboah-Adjei,Guru’s rising success has transcended boundaries. He is one of the few Ghanaian artistes to appear on the charts in francophone countries as Well. A quite convincing supporting argument is that On the Urban Fm’s music chart show in Gabon in 2016, Guru’s “Samba” hit song which placed number eight (8) made him the first Ghanaian artiste on the list whiles Pope Skinny who is also a Ghanaian hiplife/hip-hop artiste also placed number twelve(12) with the song titled ‘I don’t think madness’, making him the second Ghanaian artiste on the list.

Guru is also known for his humility and close ties to his roots, constantly referring to the small villages and towns around where he grew up in his music. “Samba” and ‘Me ba be Tia wo” hit singles which he released in 2016 so far has remained on the lips of both the young and old.

.Well, With this assertion from Reagan Mends aka ‘De Online News Surgeon’,i hope you’re convinced that, since Shatta Wale who could have been his impediment has been debarred from the awards,Guru now actually has Ghana music on his shoulders and its evident that crowning him Artiste of the year will really save the award scheme from the spontaneous criticism of the general public.

Kindly Watch Guru Perform With Bukom Banku At Ghana Meets Naija.