Wendy Shay says the obstacles she faced at the start of her career have shaped her into a stronger artiste and positioned her for even greater success in Ghana’s music industry.
As anticipation builds ahead of this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), the singer is entering the competition with confidence after securing seven nominations, including a spot in the highly competitive Artiste of the Year category.
For Wendy Shay, the number itself carries special meaning. After spending seven years in the industry, she sees the recognition as symbolic of her growth and persistence.
“Seven is one of my favourite numbers,” she said. “Last year was my seventh year in the industry, and now I have seven nominations.”
She believes her output over the past year puts her in a strong position to challenge for the top prize, insisting her work and impact have already spoken loudly enough.
“The numbers are already speaking for themselves,” she stated. “I have worked hard. I have done whatever an artist is supposed to do in that category.”
Highlighting the scale of her activities, Wendy Shay referenced performances in multiple countries, including a recent run of back-to-back shows in Sierra Leone. She also pointed to the growing success of her hit single “Too Late,” which she said has surpassed 32 million views on YouTube.
Another milestone she proudly mentioned was her self-organised “Shake Concert,” which drew a massive crowd and remains one of the defining moments of her recent career journey.
Beyond personal glory, the singer said an Artiste of the Year win would represent something bigger for women trying to break through in the music industry.
“It’s going to inspire a lot of female artists,” she said. “If Wendy Shay could do it, I can do it too.”
The RuffTown Records artiste also reflected on the difficult beginnings of her career after she was introduced into the music scene by Bullet. According to her, the criticism and resistance she endured at the time forced her to stay focused and determined.
She said surviving those moments has become proof that consistency and resilience eventually pay off.
“It’s going to be a testimony of hard work and not giving up,” she added.
During the discussion, award-winning musician Black Sherif was also mentioned after he publicly questioned why Wendy Shay was not being widely recognised as a serious Artiste of the Year contender.
Responding to his comments, she expressed gratitude for the support and praised him for being thoughtful and observant.
“I’m grateful he mentioned my name,” Wendy Shay reacted.
