The 18th edition of the Ghana Music Awards comes off tonight at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

The event is arguably the biggest night on the Ghana music calendar as artistes are recognised for their work over the year under review.

Read: Nominees for 2017 Ghana Music Awards

This year, E.L, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Joe Mettle, MzVee, and Medikal will be hoping to bag that ultimate award - ‘Artiste of the Year’ - and the bragging rights that come with it.

This year, no matter who wins the ‘Artiste of the Year’ title, history will be made.

Read: History will be made no matter who wins ‘Artiste of the Year’

The ‘Artiste of the Year’ is the topmost award at the awards. It is given to the artiste(s) adjudged by the Academy, Board and the general public as having the highest audience appeal and popularity in a particular year.

To win the topmost award, an artiste must have released a hit single/album during the year under review.

Read: Road to 2017 VGMA: Artiste of the Year winners since 2000

Recap: Ghana Music Awards 2016 - EL wins Artiste of the Year

Watch the awards live:

Traditional Artiste of the Year – Sammy Amed

Instrumentalist of the Year – Philip Acquah

Highlife artiste Akwaboah Jnr and singer Adina join forces to perform Paapa Yankson's greatest hits, 'Tena Me Nkyen'

Alhaji Sidi Buari, former Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) president presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Paapa Yankson. He dedicated the award to C K Mann. Paapa Yankson receives GHS10,000.

Rapper M.anifest hits the stage. He dishes out song his best tunes including B.E.A.R, W’ani Aba, a bit of godMC and then Forget Them. He was joined on stage by Worlasi to perform 100%.

Gospel Song of the Year – Nacee – ‘Yewo Nyame A Yewo Adze’ feat. Ernest Opoku

Highlife Song of the Year – Kofi Kinaata - Confession

Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year – Stonebwoy – People Dey

Kofi Kinaata finished performing his award-winning Confessions with his masquerade dances. 

Becca has taken over with Beshiwo.

Hiphop Song of the Year – M.anifest – godMC

Hiplife Song of the Year – Flow King – Go Low

Afropop Song of the Year – E.L – Kaa Bu Ame

The VGMA takes audience through Ghana's musical journey on a time machine which has so far featured Naa Amanua from the popular Wolumei group. 

Charles Amoah is next on stage to perform hit song Odo Asem. Wow! That was a spectacular performance by Charles Amoah!! Class is indeed permanent. What did he do at the end of the performance? Woow!

Another award for Nacee...

Also winning another award is Taadi-based Kofi Kinaata

Sarkodie won his first award for the night...

Tall man E.L doing his own thing on the stage...yeah you are right, he performed Koko, Kaabu ame...dance.dance..dance...dancing... 

Like he said, he has so far won a hat-trick of awards for his exceptional songwriting prowess

People really Dey for Stonebwoy as he bags another award for Dancehall Reggae artiste of the Year. 

Nima-based VVIP wins the award for Best Collaboration on the club banger Alhaji which features Patoranking

A glowing tribute paid to all departed souls in the showbiz industry lead by Amandzeba with the All Stars singing signature Obaatampa song. Soothing and inspiring!

Adina has the bragging right for having the best voice amongst all the Ghanaian female singers. It is Too Late to argue or?

It is interesting that on the foreign front the debate to put an end to gender-based award, Joe Mettle won't have any of those as his distinct voice wins him the best male Vocalist in Ghana for the 2016 musical year. He dedicated the award to the late gospel great who passed last year Danny Nettey.  

VVIP win another award for the best group. This is the third time in a row the group has won the best group award. 

Medikal's performance with Sister Deborah is too risky because if care is not taken, the roof will come down.!

Best Music Video of the Year – Okyeame Kwame ‘Small Small’ feat. MzVee

Rapper of the Year – M.anifest

African Artiste of the Year - Runtown

Strongman did his verse on ‘Trumpet’, then Sarkodie performed ‘RNS’. He then performed ‘Gboza’ after which Runtown joined Sarkodie to perform ‘Pain Killer’.

Nigerian artiste Runtown took over to perform his hit track, ‘Mad Over You’.

Best New Artiste – Fancy Gadam

Record of the Year – Adina Too Late

Congratulations to Joe Mettle, you have shown that hard work pays!

Thanks for staying up to follow the updates. See you again next year!