King Promise has responded to claims that a potential win for Artiste of the Year at this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) would be due to sympathy votes. He insists that his remarkable rise and hard work speak for themselves. With a catalogue of hits, ten nominations, and an international tour, the Terminator hitmaker is firmly in the spotlight as a frontrunner for this prestigious honor. He believes he has every right to walk away with the coveted title at the TGMA, set to take place on Saturday, May 10, at the Accra International Conference Centre.
As the industry and fans prepare for what promises to be a spectacular night, some skeptics have suggested that if King Promise wins, it could be seen as compensation for last year’s missed opportunity, where he lost the title to his biggest rival, Stonebwoy. It seems that destiny has arranged for the two music titans to face off once again for the industry’s highest honor. However, King Promise’s camp is fiercely hitting back, dismissing the "pity vote" narrative as insulting to an artist who has earned his place at the top through unmatched hard work, hit records, and global recognition.
In a candid interview with Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, April 22, Tilly Akua Nipaa, spokesperson for King Promise’s TGMA campaign, insisted that a careful look at the artist’s numbers, nominations, and performances clearly indicates that any potential win for him would be based on results rather than sentiments. She emphasized that the numbers look more promising for King Promise this year. Compared to six nominations and two recognized songs last year, he now boasts ten nominations and four chart-topping hits: "Paris," "Continental," "Sexy," and "Favourite Story." This increase, Tilly argued, reflects the artist’s local dominance and global reach, bolstered by performances in Asia, Europe, and North America.
“Last year, when King Promise contended for Artiste of the Year, he had only two songs, including 'Terminator,' and received six nominations. This year, he has four songs and ten nominations, so it’s clear to see the significant progress he has made compared to last year,” Tilly explained. “If anyone claims that King Promise will win solely due to pity, it’s a misconception because, with these numbers, one cannot deny that he has worked hard to achieve this level.”
While the Artiste of the Year category is filled with seven strong contenders, including King Paluta, Black Sherif, Kweku Smoke, Joe Mettle, and Team Eternity Ghana, many fans and pundits are focusing on a potential three-way race between King Promise, King Paluta, and Stonebwoy. Tilly noted that although other nominees have a good chance of winning, King Promise stands out based on his artistry, achievements, reach, consistency, and impact.
“If it’s about the work done in 2024, just compare the artistry head-to-head, and you’ll clearly see how King Promise excels above all of them. In 2024, King Promise’s global reach expanded significantly, with performances across five continents, including Asia, where he successfully entered markets in Singapore, Indonesia, Dubai, Japan, and Malaysia,” she stated, adding that their artist has transformed from a Ghanaian success story to a global act.
Read more: Portable says he would have preferred a song collaboration over ₦20 million gift from burna boy
Read more: Sarkodie endorses rising rap sensation bepor keddi in viral ga freestyle moment
Nonetheless, she acknowledged that talent and chart-topping hits alone are not enough to secure the ultimate honor, as the final decision rests with the TGMA Board, Academy, and the voting public. “It’s not just about having a good chance; it’s about securing votes. The key question is: did the artist’s team...”