Popular entertainment analyst, Arnold Baidoo, has criticized the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) board for failing to communicate properly after King Paluta’s hit song ‘Makoma’ was excluded from the 2025 nominations.
Arnold argued that the board should have engaged the three main stakeholders- the musicians, the fans, and the board itself before finalising decisions.
“TGMA board lack of transparency has created confusion and frustration among artistes and their supporters.”
Arnold Baidoo
The issue escalated further after MC Portfolio, a member of King Paluta’s team, shared details of the TGMA board’s explanation during a phone call conversation.
According to him, the board told them that two major songs could not be nominated in the same category under the new rules.
He said they also ruled that ‘Makoma’ did not qualify as a highlife song, which led to its exclusion from that category.
Lastly, while the song met the Songwriter of the Year and Record of the Year, it did not make the final shortlist per Portfolio’s report.
He added that TGMA officials denied speculation that ‘Makoma’ was disqualified due to profane lyrics. However, this clarification only came after the nominations were announced.
King Paluta had submitted ‘Makoma’ for consideration in four categories: Most Popular Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Hiplife Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
Despite its massive success, it was left out, leading to disappointment among fans. Many took to social media to question why one of the year’s biggest songs was not nominated.
Following the snub, King Paluta and his management petitioned the TGMA board for answers. They argued that ‘Makoma’ was one of the year’s most widely played and celebrated songs, making its exclusion questionable.
Ghanaian entertainment pundit, Ziga, also stated that there is a possibility that the disqualification of King Paluta’s hit song from TGMA contention might have something to do with politics.
“It cannot be ruled out that the song’s use by the former ruling NPP, who are currently in opposition, contributed to the song’s exclusion from TGMA nomination. The Board’s lack of clarity is fueling speculation over the real reason for the disqualification.”
Ziga
The entertainment pundit called on the TGMA Board to release a statement on the matter to put everything to rest and end all speculations.
MC Portfolio on King Paluta’s Song Snub
An MC and radio personality, MC Portfolio, stated categorically that King Paluta is the only worthy nominee for the Artiste of the Year category at the 2025 TGMAs.
He claims even though all artists nominated under the category worked hard, only the ‘Apicki’ hitmaker is worthy of the prestigious title of overall best artist. “The nomination for AOTY should have been King Paluta, YES or NO?” he quizzed.
MC Portfolio highlighted reasons for his assertion, including the number of hits and collaborations of King Paluta.
MC Portfolio asserted that King Paluta’s achievements in 2024 are unparalleled, making him the most deserving candidate for Artiste of the Year.
According to him, no other artist in Ghana had such a consistent reign at the top of the charts. He emphasized that the artist kicked off the year with the number-one song, “Aseda”.
Midway through the year, he achieved the rare feat of replacing himself at number one with the hit song “Makoma”, reinforcing his influence in the industry. “In the year where few songs were dominant, King Paluta’s songs were on the charts for several months,” he said.
In the first quarter, King Paluta dominated with a standout verse on Rap Fada’s “Odo Bi Yɛ Bad,” a song that became a nationwide anthem.
“Rap Fada got nominated for new artiste of the year and is a favourite in that category because of King Paluta’s influence on the song. Eno Barony, long known for her rap prowess, secured a nomination for Hip Life Song of the Year because of King Paluta’s feature with her.”
MC Portfolio
His influence even reached Camidoh, reportedly playing a role in securing another BET nomination for the singer.
MC Portfolio also noted that the artist’s appeal goes beyond mainstream music, as he is the only artist who has sparked debate within the Christian community on whether he should be embraced within their space.
With unmatched chart dominance, influence on the industry, and cultural impact, MC Portfolio believes King Paluta embodies every metric that defines the Artiste of the Year title.
MC Portfolio insisted King Paluta ended the year on a high note with “Apicki”, a song that not only became a household favorite but also sparked widespread debate on his true dominance.
READ ALSO: GETFund Allocation for MPs Sparks Accountability Concerns
