The late Dancehall and Afro-pop star Priscilla Opoku Kwarteng, known professionally as Ebony Reigns, posthumously led the nominations and achieved a historic win at the 2018 Ghana Music Awards UK (GMA UK).
The ceremony, held on October 6, 2018, at the Gaumont Palace (Dominion Centre) in Wood Green, London, saw Ebony dominate the spotlight, earning nominations in several major categories and ultimately making history.
Major Win and Recognitions
Ebony’s posthumous dominance was capped by her securing the night’s top honour:
- Artiste of the Year (Winner): Ebony Reigns became the first female artist to win the GMA UK Artiste of the Year award, beating contenders like Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, and Kuami Eugene.
- Other Nominations: Her nominations included Gospel Song of the Year, Highlife Song of the Year, and Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year.
| Category Ebony Was Nominated In | Winner at GMA UK 2018 |
| Artiste of the Year | Ebony Reigns |
| Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year | Stonebwoy |
| Highlife Song of the Year | “Bronya” (Wutah) |
| Gospel Song of the Year | “Obi Nyane Me” (Patience Nyarko) |
A special tribute performance was made in her honour by her colleague dancehall artiste, Kaakie, who performed Ebony’s hit songs like “Maame Hw3,” “Hustle,” and “Sponsor.”
Other Notable Winners
The 2018 GMA UK also saw wins for several other major Ghanaian artists:
- Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year: Stonebwoy
- Most Popular Song of the Year: “One Corner” – Patapaa
- Best New Artiste of the Year: Kuami Eugene
- Best Male Vocalist of the Year: King Promise
