A Sneak Peek into the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards: Categories and Nominees Unveiled
The Ghanaian music scene is buzzing with excitement as the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) gears up for another spectacular celebration of talent, creativity, and cultural pride. On March 15, 2025, the official nominees were announced live on TV3 and streamed across TGMA’s social media platforms, revealing a stellar lineup of artists vying for honors in various categories. With the awards night scheduled for May 3, 2025, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, let’s dive into the key categories and the gifted artists nominated for this year’s TGMAs, reflecting the vibrant diversity of Ghana’s music industry.
Celebrating Ghanaian Music Excellence
Organized by Charterhouse Productions, the Telecel Ghana Music Awards—formerly the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards—has been a cornerstone of Ghana’s entertainment landscape since 1999. Now in its 26th year, the TGMAs continue to honor the best in genres like highlife, hiplife, Afrobeats, gospel, reggae, and more. The 2025 edition promises to be a thrilling showcase, with nominations reflecting works released between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Below, we outline the major categories and the talented nominees competing for the top prizes.
Key Award Categories and Nominees
1. Artiste of the Year
- Description: The ultimate accolade, recognizing the artist with the most significant impact, popularity, and appeal in 2024.
-Nominees: While the full list is yet to be finalized, past winners like Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, and Black Sherif set a high bar. Expect names like King Promise and KiDi to be strong contenders based on their 2024 dominance.
2. Best New Artiste
- Description: Celebrates an emerging artist who made waves with a breakout hit or project in 2024.
- Nominees:
- Lali X Lola
- AratheJay
- Rap Fada
- Team Eternity
- Beeztrap K.O.T.M.
- Kwesi Amewuga
- Buzz: Posts on X highlight Team Eternity’s gospel resonance and Beeztrap K.O.T.M.’s fresh trap vibes as standout picks.
3. Telecel Most Popular Song of the Year
-Description: Awarded to the track that dominated airwaves, streams, and public playlists in 2024.
- Nominees
- OliveTheBoy – “Asylum”
- KiDi – “Lomo Lomo”
- Lasmid – “Puul”
- King Paluta – “Aseda”
- Black Sherif – “January 9”
- King Promise – “Paris”
- Fameye – “Very Soon”
- Buzz: King Paluta’s “Aseda” and Black Sherif’s “January 9” have sparked massive fan support online, making this a tight race.
4. Songwriter of the Year
- Description: Honors the artist or writer behind the year’s most compelling and well-crafted lyrics.
- Nominees:
- Ayisi – “Can I Live”
- Kofi Kinaata – “Saman”
- Okyeame Kwame – “No Competition”
- OliveTheBoy – “Asylum”
- Team Eternity – “Defe”
- Buzz: Kofi Kinaata’s storytelling prowess and Team Eternity’s emotive gospel lyrics are generating chatter as frontrunners.
5. Best Gospel Artiste
- Description: Recognizes the gospel artist with the most impactful contribution in 2024.
- Nominees: Likely to include past favorites like Empress Gifty, Joe Mettle, and Team Eternity (based on their Songwriter nod), though the full list is pending.
- Buzz: Team Eternity’s rise signals a fresh contender in this spiritual category.
6. Best Male Vocal Performance
- Description: Awarded for exceptional vocal delivery in a 2024 release.
- Nominees: Specific names are yet to be confirmed, but expect vocal powerhouses like Stonebwoy or King Promise to feature prominently.
7. Best Female Vocal Performance
-Description: Celebrates a standout vocal performance by a female artist.
-Nominees: Likely contenders include Efya or Gyakie, though official names are still under wraps.
8. Best Rap Performance
-Description: Recognizes lyrical skill, flow, and delivery in rap music.
-Nominees: Past nominees like Kweku Smoke and Sarkodie hint at the caliber—watch for Kwesi Amewuga to make a splash here too.
9. WBest Hip-Hop Song
-Description: Honors the top hip-hop track of the year.
-Nominees: Specific tracks are pending, but Beeztrap K.O.T.M.’s momentum could land him here.
10. Best Afrobeat Song
-Description: Celebrates the fusion of African rhythms with modern pop.
- Nominees: KiDi’s “Lomo Lomo” and King Promise’s “Paris” are prime candidates based on their Most Popular Song nods.
11. Best Hiplife Song
-Description: Recognizes the best blend of hip-hop and highlife.
-Nominees: Full list TBD, but Okyeame Kwame’s “No Competition” could crossover into this category.
12. Best Highlife Song
-Description: Awards the top highlife track, traditional or contemporary.
- Nominees: King Paluta’s “Aseda” is a strong contender, blending gratitude with highlife vibes.
13. Best Reggae/Dancehall Song
-Description: Highlights the best in reggae or dancehall genres.
-Nominees: Stonebwoy remains a titan here—expect his 2024 releases to compete.
14. Best Music Video
-Description: Awarded to the artist and director for the most visually captivating video.
-Nominees: Full list pending, but Gambo’s creative visuals have been praised on X.
15. Collaboration of the Year
-Description: Celebrates the best joint effort between Ghanaian artists.
- Nominees: Specific pairings TBD, but KiDi’s collaborations often shine here.
16. International Collaboration of the Year
-Description: Recognizes a standout track with a non-Ghanaian artist.
-Nominees: King Promise’s global reach could see him featured here.
17. Producer of the Year
-Description: Honors the producer behind 2024’s biggest hits.
-Nominees: Past nominees like Killbeatz and MOG Beatz set the tone—full list still forthcoming.
18. Record of the Year
-Description: Awarded for artistic excellence and production quality, often board-selected.
-Nominees: TBD, but expect a mix of technical and creative standouts.
19. Album of the Year
-Description: Recognizes the best full-length project of 2024.
-Nominees: Full list pending, but Black Sherif’s consistency could earn him a spot.
Additional Notes and Anticipation
While the above categories highlight the “Big 5” (Artiste, New Artiste, Most Popular Song, Record, Album) and other fan-favorite awards, the TGMAs also feature technical honors like Audio Engineer of the Year and Best Video Director, as well as special recognitions like Lifetime Achievement. The full nominee list is still unfolding, with some categories awaiting further announcements. Posts on X and updates from Ghana Music suggest a competitive year, with artists like King Paluta, Black Sherif, and OliveTheBoy riding high on public sentiment.
The awards night on May 3 will not only crown winners but also feature electrifying performances and celebrate Ghana’s musical heritage. With over 1,500 entries submitted from January to February 2025, the TGMA board has ensured a rigorous, transparent selection process, making this year’s lineup a true reflection of the industry’s dynamism.
Who Will Take the Crown?
As the countdown to May begins, fans are already debating their favorites. Will King Paluta’s “Aseda” sweep multiple awards? Can Black Sherif reclaim Artiste of the Year? Or will a newcomer like Beeztrap K.O.T.M. steal the show? Share your predictions, and tune in to TV3 and Akwaaba Magic on May 3, 2025, to see how it all unfolds at the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards!
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