Entertainment
26th TGMA: Who win Ghana’s Artiste of the Year?
Ghanaian music lovers will be anxiously waiting for Ghana’s Artiste of the Year at this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards slated for today at the Grand Arena.
The coveted crown was won by Stonebwoy who is still in contention for a back-to-back feat.
The category which is the ultimate on the night is a top battle for Stonebwoy, King Promise, King Paluta, Kweku Smoke, Black Sherif, Team Eternity and Joe Mettle.
Stonebwoy is quite optimistic that he will make history today, to become the first Artiste to grab the crown twice in a row, and the only artiste to have won the crown thrice.
King Promise is also eager to wrestle the crown for the first time and deliver on his promise after his failed attempt last year.
Clearly, King Paluta, Kweku Smoke, and Team Eternity are not leaving any stone unturned in readiness to clinch the title on their first attempt.
Some entertainment pundits are not ruling out the possibility of Joe Mettle and Black Sherif making a strong comeback after their first wins some years ago.
The Best Rap Performance category would be a tough one for Okyeame Kwame, Sarkodie, Flowking Stone, Eno Barony, Kweku Smoke and Lyrical Joe.
Joe Mettle, Piesie Esther, Diana Hamilton, Empress Gifty, Team Eternity Ghana and MOG Music face off for the Best Gospel Artiste of the Year.
One other interesting category is the Telecel Most Popular Song of the Year category which will see fierce competition from Olive The Boy’s ‘Asylum’, Paris from King Promise, Lomo Lomo from KiDi ft Black Sherif, Very Soon by Fameye, Stonebwoy’s Jejereje, King Paluta’s Aseda, Puul from Lasmid, Defe Defe by Team Eternity Ghana and Black Sherif’s January 9.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Shatta Wale pulls out of Afro+ Fest 2025
The management of Shatta Wale has announced that the artiste will not be able to perform at Afro+ Fest 2025 in Washington, D.C.
In a statement, Media and Public Relations Manager for the Shatta Movement team, Samuel Atuobi Baah, popularly known as Sammy Flex, said the cancellation was due to “unforeseen logistical constraints and tight timelines” which were outside the control of both Shatta Wale and the festival organizers.
According to the statement, Shatta Wale and his team had worked tirelessly over the past weeks to make the performance possible, and the artiste was fully prepared to join his fans in Washington, D.C.
It added that Shatta Wale was “truly disappointed” to miss the moment.
It stressed that the decision was not because of any lack of effort or willingness from Shatta Wale or Afro Plus, but rather a result of challenges many artistes face when traveling internationally under evolving regulations and time-sensitive requirements.
It further assured fans that Afro+ Fest 2025 “will still deliver an incredible experience” and noted that plans were already underway to set a future date for Shatta Wale to connect with his fans in person.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Entertainment
Empress Gifty wins Artiste of the Year at the 6th Ghana Music Awards USA
Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician, Empress Gifty Adorye, has been crowned Artiste of the Year at the 6th edition of the Ghana Music Awards USA held on August 16, 2025, at ACX1 Studios in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The gospel star, who attended the event with her husband, Mr. Hopeson Adorye, also won the Gospel Song of the Year, making it a double victory on the night.
For the ultimate award, she beat stiff competition from King Promise, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Diana Hamilton, Joe Mettle, Fameye, KiDi, King Paluta, and Team Eternity.
The ceremony, which celebrates Ghanaian music talents in both Ghana and the diaspora, saw US-based Ghanaian artistes such as Jay Hover, C-Ben and Kay Rockz receive honors.
Special tributes were paid to late Highlife icons Dada KD and Daddy Lumba, while Gyedu-Blay Ambolley was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The night featured thrilling performances from Empress Gifty, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Kofi Kinaata, and comedian OB Amponsah.
In her acceptance speech, Empress Gifty thanked God, her fans, her manager, and the Ghana Music Awards USA organizers for the recognition.
She expressed her gratitude to radio stations, DJs, and all supporters who have stood by her throughout her career, saying: “I have a grateful heart. Thank you to everyone who voted for me and continues to support my journey. God bless you all.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
