The Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) is the biggest stage for Ghanaian music, and the Artiste of the Year award is the ultimate prize. To win it, an artiste must dominate the year with hit songs, chart-topping albums, electrifying performances, and a massive cultural impact.
The TGMA board, academy, and public votes look for consistency, influence, and undeniable star power.
In 2024, three giants, Stonebwoy, King Promise, and King Paluta, rose to become the frontrunners for the 26th TGMA Artiste of the Year, set to be decided on May 10, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre. Let’s dive into their incredible year and see why this race is too close to call!
Stonebwoy: The Dancehall King
Stonebwoy is no stranger to the TGMA stage. He’s the reigning champ, having clinched the Artiste of the Year title in 2024 with six awards. This year, he’s gunning for a historic back-to-back win, which would make him the first-ever three-time winner. His 2024 was a masterclass in dominance.
Stonebwoy dropped his sixth studio album, Up & Running, packed with bangers like “Jejereje,” “Your Body,” and “Ekelebe” featuring Odumodublvck. The album racked up over 175 million streams across platforms like Boomplay (50M+), Audiomack (70M+), Spotify (25M+), and YouTube (30M+ views). He didn’t stop there—six music videos, including collabs with global stars like Wyclef Jean and Spice, kept fans glued to their screens.
His live game? Stonebwoy performed at over 50 events, from Ghana’s BHIM Festival to international stages like Cali Vibes Festival in the USA and Reggae Geel in Belgium. He lit up local shows like the TGMA Xperience Concert and Adom FM’s Hogbetsotso Festival, proving he’s a hometown hero and a global icon. Add over 20 awards, including IRAWMA’s Best African Dancehall Entertainer, and his charity work featured on CNN and VOA, and you’ve got a man building a legacy.
But here’s the catch: some fans argue Stonebwoy’s momentum isn’t as “street-heavy” as his rivals. Can his global reach and consistency seal the deal?
King Promise: The Afrobeats Heartthrob
King Promise is the smooth-voiced crooner who’s been knocking on the Artiste of the Year door for years. In 2024, he came closer than ever, with a year that screamed “it’s my time!” His album True to Self (released June 15, 2024) and its deluxe version (December 13, 2024) delivered hits like “Paris,” “Continental” featuring Shallipopi, and “Favourite Story” with Sarkodie and Olivetheboy. Billboard even called True to Self one of the best albums of the year, praising “Continental” as a breezy summer hit.
King Promise took his music to five continents, performing at high-profile events like the MOBO Awards in the UK, Paris Fashion Week, and Afrofuture 2024 in Ghana. From Singapore to Sierra Leone, his True to Self tour was a global flex, with sold-out shows in Dubai, Japan, and Spain. His streams hit 50.5 million on DSP platforms, cementing his place as Ghana’s Afrobeats ambassador.
King Paluta: The People’s Champion
King Paluta is the underdog who became a titan. Nicknamed the “Local Champion,” he turned 2024 into his playground with street anthems that became cultural moments. His album Give Time Some Time and singles like “Aseda,” “Makoma,” and “For the Popping” dominated Ghana’s airwaves. “Aseda” was the No. 1 song on Boomplay and Apple Music’s Top 100, with “Makoma” at No. 2. Together, they racked up 42 million streams, and Paluta was the second most-streamed artiste in Ghana with 15.5 million YouTube views.
His live performances? . King Paluta played over 95 shows, from Ghana Party in the Park in London to the NDC Peace Concert in Jomoro. He rocked stages in Qatar, Germany, Italy, and South Africa, while local gigs like the Okyehene 25th Anniversary and TGMA Xperience Concert had fans screaming his lyrics. His features on tracks like Wendy Shay’s “Special Love” and Camidoh’s “NLF Rmx” showed his versatility.
The Grammys even named him a Top 10 artiste essential to Ghanaian hiplife, and Apple Music crowned him an “Up Next” artiste. Fans like @NanaKAbabio on X are adamant: “None of them got hits more than King Paluta. Let’s be real!!!” But some, like music executive Ricky Tenneson, argue his influence doesn’t match Stonebwoy or King Promise. Can the streets push Paluta to the throne?
The Battle of the Titans
This isn’t just a competition, it’s a clash of giants. Stonebwoy brings unmatched global clout and a trophy cabinet bursting at the seams. King Promise offers chart-topping hits and a fanbase that spans continents. King Paluta? He’s got the streets on lock and a cultural grip that’s hard to ignore. Each has a case:
Stonebwoy: A win would make history. His 175 million streams, 50+ shows, and 20+ awards scream dominance. But is he too “global” for the local vote?
King Promise: His 50.5 million streams, five-continent tour, and Billboard love make him a fan favorite. Will his consistency finally pay off?
King Paluta: With 42 million streams, 95+ shows, and hits like “Aseda” uniting beer bars and churches, he’s the people’s champ. Can he outshine the others ?
The TGMA stage is set for May 10, 2025, and Ghana is buzzing. Social media is a warzone of fan debates, radio stations are dissecting stats, and the streets are picking sides. Will Stonebwoy cement his dynasty? Will King Promise finally claim his crown? Or will King Paluta shock the world? One thing’s for sure, this is the tightest TGMA race yet, and the winner will make history.
Who’s your pick?
