The act who wins the coveted Artist of the Year laurel at this year’s Ghana Music Awards, would have had to fight off he fiercest competition in recent years.

Throughout Saturday (March 3), 2018 nominees were announced via the scheme’s social media handles, and an “Unveil Party’ held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra later that night.

Perhaps the most anticipated of all categories was the Artist of the Year slot. This was predicated by late singer, Ebony Reigns’ unprecedented run all through 2017, and Shatta Wale’s surprise inclusion after a 4- year ban.

Gospel singer Joe Mettle, who currently wears the crown, looks to retain the title, especially off the impact of “Bo Noo Ni” (ft Luigi Maclean) and the “God of Miracles” album.

The category is completed by usual suspects Sarkodie and Stonebwoy, who have, for the past decade or so, remained firmly rooted among the first rank of acts from Ghana, and indeed the VGMAs.

Sponsored by telecom giant Vodafone, festival will witness an official launch on March 5, a nominees’ jam in Cape Coast on March 24, a music seminar at the Movënpick Hotel on 12th April, and the main event at the Accra International Conference Centre on April 14. The main event will be followed by a celebration jam in Tema on April 28.