RuffTown Records has made history in Ghana’s music industry by becoming the first record label to have two different female artistes earn nominations for the prestigious Artiste of the Year category at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. The milestone also establishes Ricky Nana Agyemang, popularly known as Bullet, as the first executive producer in Ghana to guide two female talents to this level of recognition.
Leading RuffTown’s current wave of acclaim is Wendy Shay, one of the most nominated female artistes at this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Her consistent chart success and strong fan engagement have earned her nominations for Artiste of the Year, Album / EP of the Year for Ready, and Best Afrobeats / Afropop Artiste.
Wendy Shay’s hit single “Crazy Love” featuring Olivetheboy has also earned nominations for Most Popular Song of the Year, Best Afrobeats Song, and Collaboration of the Year. Additionally, her international record “Too Late Remix (2.0)” with Bedjine, Phina, and Guchi is nominated for International Collaboration of the Year. These nominations highlight her growing influence both locally and internationally.
Before Wendy Shay’s rise, RuffTown Records had already made history with the late Ebony Reigns, whose meteoric career redefined the space for female artistes in Ghana. Ebony’s hits like “Poison,” “Sponsor,” and “Maame Hwɛ” quickly positioned her among Ghana’s top artistes. She was first recognized with a nomination for Unsung Artiste of the Year in 2016, signaling her emergence as a leading female talent. In 2018, she made history by winning Artiste of the Year at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, along with Afropop Song of the Year and Album of the Year, cementing her legacy in Ghanaian music.
With Ebony Reigns’ historic achievements and Wendy Shay’s current nominations, RuffTown Records has set a new benchmark in Ghanaian music. The milestone reflects Bullet’s vision and the label’s dedication to nurturing female artistes capable of reaching the very top. Beyond awards, it demonstrates the impact of intentional investment in women in music, creating opportunities for female creativity to thrive and shaping the future of Ghanaian music.
By Fiifi Adinkra
