In a night that belonged to the bold, Ghanaian superstar Wendy Shay etched her name into the history books at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos, Nigeria. The “Survivor” hitmaker was crowned Best Female Artiste in Western Africa, marking a monumental milestone for both her career and the Ghanaian music industry.+1
The Victory in Lagos
Competing in one of the most fiercely contested categories of the night, Wendy Shay triumphed over a star-studded list of nominees, including Nigeria’s Tiwa Savage and Ayra Starr, as well as fellow Ghanaian powerhouses Amaarae and Moliy.
The win is largely attributed to the massive continental success of her hit song “Too Late,” which became a viral sensation in late 2025.
An Emotional Acceptance
Taking the stage at the Eko Convention Centre on January 11, 2026, an emotional Wendy Shay expressed her deep gratitude to the “Shay Gang” and her team at RuffTown Records. She also gave a special shout-out to her protégé, Tracy Shay, whose viral dance moves helped propel “Too Late” to the top of the charts across West Africa.+1
“I want to thank my Lord and Savior. I am grateful to my fans, my partners, and my baby, Tracy Shay—her dance made the song go viral!” — Wendy Shay
Ghana’s Lone Victory
While Nigerian artists like Rema and Burna Boy dominated the night’s overall tally, Wendy Shay’s victory was particularly significant as it was Ghana’s only win of the night. Her success ensured that the “Gold Coast” was well-represented on Africa’s biggest musical stage, proving that Ghanaian female acts are more than capable of leading the continental charts.
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