Award-winning Ghanaian musician Black Sherif has sparked fresh debate ahead of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards after questioning why Wendy Shay is not being widely considered for the prestigious “Artiste of the Year” category.
Speaking on The Late Nite Celebrity Show with host Kafui Dey, Black Sherif expressed concern over what he described as a lack of recognition for the singer’s contributions.
“I don’t like how people are not mentioning Wendy Shay’s name for the ‘Artist of the Year’,” he stated, while also calling for greater visibility for female artistes in top award categories.
Strong Year for Wendy Shay
Wendy Shay has enjoyed a remarkable run, with industry observers pointing to one of her most successful years to date. Her fourth studio album Ready has reportedly amassed over 50 million streams across platforms and features collaborations with international and regional acts.
She is currently on a three-day tour in Sierra Leone and continues to expand her reach across Africa.
Beyond music releases, the Rufftown Records artiste drew an estimated 100,000 fans to her annual Shay Concert held at West Hills Mall last November. She also secured the Best Female Artist in West Africa award at the 9th AFRIMA 2026, further cementing her continental influence.
Debate Intensifies Ahead of Awards
Black Sherif’s remarks have reignited conversations on social media, with some praising him for advocating fairness and gender inclusion, while others believe the comments may be a strategic move amid a competitive awards race.
As anticipation builds toward the Telecel Ghana Music Awards, discussions around recognition, merit, and gender representation in Ghana’s music industry are expected to intensify.
