Joe proves his Mettle

Until Joe Mettle ‘shattered the glass ceiling’ by grabbing the Artiste of the Year award in the wee hours of  yesterday (Sunday, April 9), the flagship prize of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) had always eluded the gospel music fraternity.

It nearly fell to Kwaku Gyasi in 2007 but he was upstaged by King Ayisoba with his hugely popular ‘I Want To See My Father’ song. The following year, Ohemaa Mercy was tipped to walk away with the flagship award but Kwaw Kese denied her the glory.

However a decade later, Joe Mettle settle all arguments to make the strongest case for the gospel music family beating a stiff competition made up of Sarkodie, EL, Medikal, Stonebwoy and MzVee to be crowned the 2017 VGMA Artiste of the Year.

And although his ‘victory’ breaks the jinx of no gospel artiste ever going home  with the ultimate award since the inception of the VGMA 18 years ago, the Owawani singer says  it is not a win for just him but also for every player in the gospel music fold .

In an exclusive telephone conversation with Graphic Showbiz  yesterday afternoon, Joe Mettle said “of course I could not have done it without God but this was also made possible because of my colleague gospel musicians. It would not have happened without their support. They have been amazing and have rallied behind me from when I was nominated”, said Mettle who also won Gospel Artiste of the Year and the Best Male Vocalist awards on the night.

Asked how he felt when his name was mentioned as the winner, Joe Mettle said he just could not believe it. And as he walked up stage to receive his award, he said the excitement that surged through him was just overwhelming  although he did not show it.

 “ I am not a very expressive person but I was really excited. I am not one you will see jumping up and down but I was elated when my name was mentioned. 

“ The feeling was just awesome. It was a humbling experience.  I mean I get to be the first gospel musician to win the ultimate award since the awards scheme started 18 years ago”, added the aritste who won two additional awards on the night.

Joe Mettle who had closed from church when he spoke to Showbiz yesterday said he had slept for only two hours due to the excitement of  earning the bragging rights of the Artiste of the Year as well as from his phone  literally ringing off the hook.

“ Since the awards night, I have had only two hours of sleep. I couldn’t believe I had won the award. You know the adrenalin from winning was still pumping and it takes a while for it to settle. Winning the award has been a high pitch.  In addition to that, my phone has been ringing with well wishers congratulting me”, he added.

Touching on what would have happened if he had not won, Joe Mettle said “contending for the topmost award was a tough call and I would have been down.

 

It will be a lie for any one nominated in that category to just brush it off  if he or she does not win because it is the flagship award. It would have been a big blow but of course it would not have been the end of the world. Life goes on.”

Until Joe Mettle ‘shattered the glass ceiling’ by grabbing the Artiste of the Year award in the wee hours of  yesterday (Sunday, April 9), the flagship prize of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) had always eluded the gospel music fraternity.

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