Rapper and singer King Paluta released not one, not two, but three hit songs during the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) year under review.
This has left his manager, Cofy Dela, puzzled as to why King Paluta is often labeled an underdog in the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) race.
Cofy Dela is baffled by the persistent underdog designation whenever the three potential AOTY winners—Stonebwoy, King Promise, and King Paluta—are mentioned, even though it’s clear that King Paluta has more than earned a seat at the table.
He believes that after dropping three bangers—‘Makoma,’ ‘Aseda,’ and ‘For the Papping (Apicki)’—King Paluta, born Thomas Adjei Wireko, deserves to be acknowledged as a serious contender, not just an afterthought in AOTY conversations.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, April 22, Cofy Dela passionately defended his artiste’s status following a standout year.
Cofy Dela argued that the ‘Makoma’ hitmaker’s influence in the music industry during the review year has been unmatched. He highlighted King Paluta’s consistency, hit releases, and strong fan engagement as indicators of his leading position among his competitors.
“By the records available, King Paluta deserves it more than any other artiste in the AOTY category because his presence and impact in the year under review are dominant across the board. Among the contenders, can anyone mention even two hit songs in the award year?
“King Paluta doesn’t only have one or two but three hits—‘Aseda,’ ‘Makoma,’ and ‘For the Papping (Apicki),’ which are not mere releases, but pure bangers. They are street anthems that dominated the airwaves and resonated deeply with the people.
“And during last year’s election campaign season, Paluta’s songs played a significant role in energising political rallies. Did any of the contenders have such influence? No!”
Cofy Dela also expressed his frustration that the AOTY debate has shifted to international influence, and that King Paluta’s physical appearance is being used against him for an award whose criteria are already spelt out.
Moving away from the AOTY discussion, Cofy Dela shared what motivated him to manage King Paluta, saying, “I was inspired and drawn to King Paluta’s unique vision, drive, passion, and commitment to his craft.
“He is the true definition of perseverance, dedication, and consistency. This belief has fueled the desire to help realise his full potential and achieve success,” he said.