By Daniel Bampoe
Ghanaian Afrobeats star King Promise has ascended to the pinnacle of Ghanaian music after winning the coveted Artiste of the Year award at the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).
The victory marks his first time securing the topmost honour at the prestigious event, placing him among an elite league of Ghanaian music heavyweights.
The win did not go unnoticed by fellow industry titan Stonebwoy, who graciously extended his congratulations on social media. In a post on X, Stonebwoy wrote, “Congratulations @IamKingPromise on your win and on your debut entry into the league of AOTY winners. You’re Welcome.”
The gesture was particularly notable given the duo’s intense rivalry in the previous edition of the awards.
In 2024, the Artiste of the Year race was a closely contested battle between Stonebwoy and King Promise, with the former eventually taking the title.
This year’s competition proved even more intense, with the emergence of breakout acts such as King Paluta, who added fresh energy and unpredictability to the lineup.
King Promise triumphed over a strong field of nominees that included Stonebwoy, gospel heavyweight Joe Mettle, trap and drill star Black Sherif, King Paluta, the gospel ensemble Team Eternity Ghana, and rapper Kwaku Smoke.
Beyond winning Artiste of the Year, King Promise had a dominant night. His hit single “Paris” earned him the Afropop Song of the Year, while his critically acclaimed project True to Self won Album of the Year.
He also bagged Best Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste of the Year, solidifying his position as a genre leader.
Stonebwoy, while not taking the top prize, still walked away with three notable awards—Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year, Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year for Psalm 23, and Best Music Video of the Year—maintaining his legacy as a consistent performer on Ghana’s music scene.
Other key winners at the 26th edition of the TGMAs included Ayisi, Empress Gifty, Kofi Kinaata, KiDi, Tulenkey, Kweku Smoke, Esther Godwyll, and Team Eternity Ghana.
The event celebrated musical excellence across genres, drawing together the biggest names in Ghanaian entertainment and delivering dazzling performances that lit up the stage.
Held at the Grand Arena in Accra, this year’s ceremony featured vibrant stagecraft, high fashion, and an electrifying atmosphere, underscoring the TGMAs’ status as the premier event on the Ghanaian music calendar.
King Promise’s rise to the top reflects not only his musical growth but also the increasing global recognition of Ghanaian Afrobeats.
