As widely expected, late Rufftown singer, Ebony Reigns has made history as the first female act to ever win the coveted VGMA Artist of the Year prize.

The announcement was made to thousands of cheering fans at the Accra International Conference Centre in the early hours of Sunday, April 15. She beat Joe Mettle, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, and Stonebwoy to annex the throne. The singer also won Album of the Year and Afropop Song of the Year.

Ebony Reigns (Priscilla Opoku Kwarteng) rose to fame after releasing her debut single ‘Dancefloor’ at 18. She recorded resounding success with her subsequent submissions, including ‘Kupe’, ‘Sponsor’ ‘Date Your Father’, ‘Hustle’, and ‘Maame Hwe’.

Over her brief career, which ended sadly on February 9, the singer towered over many mainstream acts even at such a young age and was easily the most influential Ghanaian act of 2017.

Ebony is also the first posthumous winner of the topmost prize. The award was received on her behalf by members of her family, and Rufftown Records.