5 artistes leading the conversation for Artiste of the Year 2025

The year 2024 was a remarkable year for Ghanaian music, with numerous mainstream artists releasing albums and EPs, culminating in an eventful “Detty December” season.

As we look ahead to 2025, the music industry is buzzing with speculation about who will claim the coveted Artiste of the Year award at the next Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).

According to the Ghana Music Awards, “The Artiste of the Year is the Artiste(s) adjudged by the Academy, Board, and the General Public as the artiste with the highest audience appeal and popularity in the year under review. The artiste(s) must have released a hit single/EP/album and must be one of the artistes with the highest nominations in the year under review.”

In recent times, names like Kweku Smoke, Fameye, King Promise, Kidi, and King Paluta have consistently dominated conversations regarding the next AOTY. Let’s explore their 2024 activities:

Fameye

The “Very Soon” hitmaker released an EP in 2024 and collaborated with artists such as Patoranking, Sarkodie, Ayisi, and Kweku Smoke. His single, “Very Soon,” topped the Apple Music charts in October.

While his overall media presence might have been less prominent compared to some others, Fameye remains a strong contender for the award.

Kweku Smoke

Hailed by Sarkodie as the “real definition of patience,” Kweku Smoke elevated Ghanaian hip-hop with his lyrical prowess.

His two albums, “Kweku Jesus” and “Born In Hell,” garnered significant attention. He performed at the 3Music Awards and headlined his first concert at Ghud Park, further solidifying his position in the industry.

Kidi

Kidi continued his reign as a chart-topper with hits like “Danger” and the Black Sherif-featured “Lomo Lomo,” which amassed over 7 million streams on Spotify.

He also released “4 Life” and headlined the “Likor on the beach” concert, cementing his status as a leading figure in Ghanaian music.

King Paluta

Following his Best New Artiste win at the previous TGMA, King Paluta enjoyed a successful year with hits like “Aseda,” “Makoma,” and “For the Popping.”

He collaborated with artists like Kidi, DJ Virusky, Rad Fada, Shatta Wale, and Camidoh, generating significant media buzz. He capped off the year with the release of his album, “Give Time Some Time.”

King Promise

A strong contender for the AOTY in 2024, King Promise continued to impress with hits like “Paris” (over 12 million streams on Spotify) and “Favorite Story.” He released his third studio album, “True To Self,” and closed the year with the smash hit “Keep It Sexy” and a deluxe album edition.

These artists have all made compelling cases for the Artiste of the Year award. While the official itinerary for the 2025 TGMA is yet to be announced (usually held in May/June), the anticipation is high.

By: Cyril Senason Anani

The post 5 artistes leading the conversation for Artiste of the Year 2025 first appeared on 3News.

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