Virtually ticking all the category’s boxes and harboring a strong conviction of making history as the first artiste to win the ultimate Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) Artiste of the Year (AOTY) award back-to-back, Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has declared that he has no challenger in this year’s race.
Stonebwoy, the reigning TGMA Artiste of the Year, believes it is a done deal for him, although he is vying for the TGMA topmost prize again this year against strong contenders, including King Promise, Black Sherif, Kweku Smoke, Joe Mettle, King Paluta, and Team Eternity Ghana.
According to the category’s definition, “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 an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, March 24, Vida Adutwumwaa Boateng, Head of Public Relations for Burniton Music Group (BMG), the music label of Stonebwoy, explained that with regard to work done in the year under review, the Jiggle and Whine artiste stood tall.
“With regard to the category definition that places premium on the artiste with the highest audience appeal and highest nominations, no one in that category beats Stonebwoy.”
“First, Stonebwoy has three major hits—Psalm 23, Ekelebe, and Jiggle and Whine—on the Up and Runnin6 album, and they have been nominated in various categories in this year’s TGMA. This is a record no artiste in the calendar year can boast of.”
“Imagine a solid 13-track album featuring Wyclef Jean, Spice, Odumodublvck, Ginton IR Sais, Duncan Mighty, and Amaria BB, which has gained popularity not only in Ghana but in the Caribbean and globally.”
“Also, this year, Stonebwoy received eight nominations, making him the highest nominee in this year’s TGMA, and none of his contenders in the AOTY category beats that record.”
“His street credibility is unmatched, and his shows are always sold out—not just in Ghana but also in the UK, where his recent tour proves his appeal beyond our country,” she said.
Ms. Boateng argued that the ongoing debate over whether Stonebwoy should win again, given that he has already won twice, and the suggestion that this year’s bragging rights should go to younger artistes, is unnecessary.
She emphasized that the award is given on merit and cautioned industry players not to be swayed by the fanatical views of artistes’ followers.
“For those saying that he’s won it before, so he should leave it for the youngsters, let them understand that Stonebwoy’s brand is built on hard work and consistency. His consistency has made him the people’s favorite performer and Ghana’s biggest music export. We shouldn’t compromise on consistency just to reward new entrants into the AOTY category,” she stated.
Describing the Artiste of the Year race as a healthy competition, Stonebwoy congratulated the other nominees, noting that such creative competitiveness should be encouraged.
On the back of a successful Up and Runnin6 concert in London, where he filled the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Stonebwoy expressed appreciation to Live Nation for the partnership that made it successful.
“This wasn’t my first time performing in the UK, but this live concert brought a refreshing connection to fans in the UK, who cut across natives of the Caribbean, Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK,” he said.