The 2023 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) was a mix of emotions for many. 

Excitement, nostalgia, surprises and other emotions were displayed at the Grand Arena, on Saturday, as artists took to the stage to either perform or take home an award or both.

To start off the show this year, talented Gospel musicians, Celestine Donkor, Ceccy Twum, MOG Music and Ohemaa Mercy joined Piesie Esther for a soulful rendition of her hit song Waye Me Yie - which also meant no midnight praise and worship.

From leading the audience and viewers into a night of good music and unexpected surprises, Piesie Esther was the first artiste to grab an award on the night - Gospel Song of the Year award with ‘Waye Me Yie’ and later the Gospel Artiste of the Year.

#VGMAonTV3: The Perfect Opening to Kickstart the Biggest Music Fiesta - #24thVGMA#24thVGMA #3Entertainment pic.twitter.com/bKvNUBxjSs

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 6, 2023

Meanwhile, although she was tipped to win the Artiste of the Year award, she lost it to Black Sherif and the Songwriter of the Year award to Perez Muzik.

In 2022, Black Sherif, showed, up on stage riding his pragya to perform Second Sermon, this year he ascended from above - levitating in the sky while singing Sad Boys Don’t Fold.

As VGMA stayed with its tradition of mostly live music, Black Sherif was widely praised for his performance which included songs like Oh Paradise and Kwaku The Traveller.

More snippets of Black Sherif's performance at the #24thVGMA. pic.twitter.com/4VE7jDGEXJ

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) May 7, 2023

Snippets of @blacksherif_ʼs performance at the #24thVGMA pic.twitter.com/IAJQm7DBk2

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) May 6, 2023

Descending from the clouds, he appears. A star, with passion and no fears. Black Sherif, the new Artiste of the Year At #24thVGMA, his talent we revere. 🍾❤️‍🔥👑💯#VGMAonTV3 #3Entertainment pic.twitter.com/hZ5FJNqIwy

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 7, 2023

Perhaps the biggest winner on the night, Black Sherif won the overall Artiste of the Year award but the one award he truly believed he deserved and on many occasions talked about winning was taken by another act - King Promise.

Once upon a time ✨

A little boy from Konongo Zongo✨🎉

24th VGMA ARTISTE OF THE YEAR 🎊 @blacksherif_ pic.twitter.com/D4D8sB58m1

— Ghana Music Awards (@GHMusicAwards) May 7, 2023

King Promise, after going home empty-handed from VGMA events years prior, won the Album of the Year award with his sophomore LP '5 Star'.

Many Ghanaians on social media were taken aback because, like Blacko, they had also predicted ‘The Villain I Never Was’ to win.

King Promise later delivered an impressive acapella medley of Anodwo, Jealous and Terminator.

The range is astonishing! King Promise. #24thVGMA pic.twitter.com/5ivcYK9l2l

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) May 7, 2023

He also took home Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste of the Year to the delights of many.

Also, KiDi made his first appearance, in months, after he suffered from an undisclosed illness.

Although he had been billed to perform his presence was a surprise to those who questioned if he was in good health to show up.

KiDi performs 'I Lied' for the first time at the #24thVGMA pic.twitter.com/8cMGrKsVFz

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) May 6, 2023

Charterhouse, on Saturday, also upped their game when they surprised Ghanaians with Ofori Amponsah.

The Highlife legend graced the stage performing back-to-back tracks to his classic hits that characterised the genre in the early 2000s - leaving the audience on their feet and viewers showering him with praises.

Mr. All4Real, Prophet, songwriter and singer Ofori Amponsah 🔥🔥🔥! #24thVGMA pic.twitter.com/Tkazi2SS9g

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) May 7, 2023

I just realized I've missed Ofori Amponsah's music. What a gem 💎. Thank you VGMA for bringing back the memories of Mr. All4Real.

— 🦅EG🇬🇭 (@eagleyez7) May 7, 2023

Ofori Amponsah performing at this year's VGMA was a great great idea.. One of Ghana's greatest in the business.

Almost everyone's on his feet

— Welcome2🇬🇭 (@Selimbryan) May 7, 2023

Back to back hits in his days. Listening to Ofori Amponsah was relatable and engulfing. He should be given his flowers already #vgma

— Mr. Alidu (@Vilejah) May 7, 2023

Like Ofori Amponsah, Kwabena Kwabena was also one of the pleasant surprise artistes to take the stage performing songs like ‘I’m Afraid to Lose You’ and ‘Adult Music’ for fans.

Kwabena Kwabena’s performance at VGMA.
His songs are 🔥
Video credit: @paulaammabroni #VGMA2024 #VGMAonTV3 #VGMARedCarpet #tinaasante pic.twitter.com/z2Oyk1hAv6

— Ernestina Serwaa Asante (@Yaa_Serwaa1) May 7, 2023

KWABENA KWABENA is a National Asset ooo yooo hmmm. Nice performance at the Vgma

— Samuel Oduro (@SamuelO34847408) May 7, 2023

Kwabena Kwabena just displayed professionalism at VGMA🔥🔥 His performance separated the Men from the boys 💯💯 You can watch him for hours without getting tired #24thVGMA #VGMA #VGMAonTV3 pic.twitter.com/XPBDY9khVJ

— Mr. Kings (@MrKingsjnr) May 7, 2023

As one of the new acts gracing the VGMA state for the first time, many had higher expectations which fell short when Lasmid’s performance failed to impress.

.@LASMIDOFFICIAL1 got the whole auditorium on their feet with his performance at the #24thVGMA #VGMAonTV3 #3Entertainment #3Xtra pic.twitter.com/mCp3jPGxmB

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 7, 2023

Meanwhile, Medikal's appearance at the VGMA may not have been a surprise but his bedazzled face mask and suit sure raised a lot of eyebrows, especially during his performance.

How Medikal pulled up for the VGMAs

#24thVGMA #PulseEvents #VGMA #VGMA24 pic.twitter.com/biIuyYNTWy

— Pulse Ghana (@PulseGhana) May 7, 2023

See more highlights below:

Snippets of Sarkodieʼs performance. #24thVGMA pic.twitter.com/GI90WEkylb

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) May 7, 2023

Songbird @Gyakie_ performs her latest ‘SCAR’ at #24thVGMA. So beautiful❤️💯🔥#VGMAonTV3 #3Entertainment pic.twitter.com/oNTcs2h6Hx

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 7, 2023

Ofori Amponsah telling Ghanaians Highlife is Alive 🔥🔥🔥 You gotta be on your feet when the gods ( highlife ) calls #24thVGMA #VGMA #VGMAonTV3
He is HIM pic.twitter.com/Ov1UysuAla

— Mr. Kings (@MrKingsjnr) May 7, 2023