9 gospel artistes who should have won Artiste of the Year

Joe becomes the first gospel artiste to win the Artiste of the Year award in its 18th edition.

Daughters of Glorious Jesus

Gospel trio made up of two sisters Cynthia Appiadu, Edna Sarpong, and a cousin Monica Owusu-Ansah took Ghana by storm in the late 80's with their soul-searching music and have continued to win souls with their 11 studio albums. In 2004, the Daughters of Glorious Jesus lost to another group, V.I.P for the coveted Artiste of the year award. Despite, sweeping several including the Gospel Song of The Year (Brebrebeyi), Gospel Album Of The Year (Aseda) and Gospel Artiste Of the Year. They also grabbed the overall Album of The Year (Aseda) and the Best Female Vocal Performance.

Esther Smith

Multiple Award-winning Gospel act, Esther Smith is described as the most successful musician in her genre according to VGMA standards until Saturday when Joe Mettle took that title. Esther Smith, a former member of the Voices of faith Choir first came into the limelight after the success of her maiden single "Gye no di" was a commercial success. She won the ‘Gospel Album of the Year’, ‘Gospel Artiste of the Year’, and ‘Best Female Vocal Performance’ awards at the 2003 Ghana Music Awards. Smith also holds the record for being the Gospel Artiste with the highest number of awards from the awards scheme. She was even nominated as the Artiste of Decade and lost out to Kojo Antwi narrowly.

Cindy Thomspon

The critically acclaimed Cindy Ama Thompson is one of Ghana's biggest Gospel acts and is celebrated all over the African continent. An alto singer, Cindy Thompson sang in her church choir, the MDDC in Dansoman but later moved to the church of Pentecost after the death of her sister. Her track "Awurade Kasa" was the choice of song for the New Patriotic Party in the 2000 elections which saw former President Kuffuor beat the late Prof J.E.A Mills in a fiercely fought contest. The party has used the song in subsequent elections including the recent 2016 elections. She also has other popular songs including "Awanwan do" and "Awurade Kasa". Her “Cindy's Messiah” album picked three awards at the 2000 edition of the Ghana Music Awards including Gospel Song of the Year, Gospel Album of the Year and Best Female Vocal Performance of the Year.

Tagoe Sisters

Twin sisters, Lydia Dedei Yawson (nee Tagoe) and Elizabeth Korkoi Tagoe make up the legendary gospel group. They have 7 albums to their credit namely; ‘Stay In My Heart’, ‘Nyame Ye Kese’, ‘Yesu Be Ye Ama Wo’, ‘Manya Yesu’ , ‘Anka Matete’, Watua Maka ,‘Eto Betwarevelers The siblings who are the aunties of missing hip-life artiste Castro have never won the coveted Artiste of the Year in spite of a successful career spanning 30 years.

Pastor Joe Beechem

Born Robert Boham Beechem, Reverend Joe Beechem shook the Ghanaian gospel scene with his worship songs and inspirational message in Fanti, his local dialect, and sometimes English. He won the New Artist of the Year at the 1998 Ghana Music Award with his “Asɛm bia me kakyirɛ wo” track. Joe Beechem has six albums to his name but has never won the Artiste of the Year title.

Cee, Issac, and Great Ampong

This group comprising of Isaiah Kwadwo Ampong, Isaac and Cee also took Ghana by storm with back to back hits including "Osabarima", "Asafo Yehowa" and "Kookokoo". In 2008, they won the best collaboration for their album but failed to clinch the Best Artiste award sadly.

Kwaku Gyasi

Pentecostal big shot, Kweku Gyasi was another Gospel musician who set musician revelers on their feet. A protegee of one of Ghana's finest Gospel music brains, Elder Mireku, Kweku released

3 albums during his eventful music career until he moved to settle in Canada. Kweku Gyasi won 3 awards in 2006 during the Ghana Music awards and has received several nominations for other albums. He, however, has not won the title for Best Artiste even in his peak day.

Christiana Love

Christiana Love now Obaapa Christy is known as the Queen of Ghanaian gospel music with hits dating back to as far as 2003. Some of her popular songs include Onyame Ba', 'Meti Ase', 'Ayari Sa' and has received massive airplay. Obaapa Christy was conferred with the National honor by former President John Ayekum Kuffuor in 2008. She beat hiplife group, Praye for song of the year and swept all the other Gospel awards but failed to win the big award.

Sonnie Badu

International Gospel Singer Minister, Sonnie Badu took over Africa with his "Baba" track. In 2014 he was nominated for the Gospel artiste of the year, Gospel song of the year with his Wonder God track, Best male vocal performance, Album of the year with his Aroma of Love album and the Artiste of the year. He took home the Gospel Artiste and Best Male Vocal performer but missed out on the Best Artiste to Shatta Wale. Sonnie Badu has received several international awards across the world but has not won the coveted title. He was one of the big supporters of Joe Mettle to win this year's Award after its 17 years existence.