It seems utterly unfair that King Paluta’s ‘Makoma’, considered one of the biggest hits of the year, did not make it to the 2025 TGMAs nominations.
However, after going through this analysis, one might better understand some of the technical reasons the TGMAs board used in not choosing to include ‘Makoma’ in the list of nominations, despite it being seen by many as a standout track.
It is indisputable that ‘Makoma’ performed exceptionally well during the year under review.
It topped the charts, trending as number one on BoomplayAfricaTop100 for three consecutive weeks, raking in millions of streams during its first week of release, reaching number one on Apple Music’s Top 100 in Ghana, accumulating 3 million views on YouTube, and dominating weekly local charts for an extended period.
With all these accomplishments, fans naturally expected their ‘favorite’ song to earn a nomination.
It is also worth mentioning that the song was everywhere on the airwaves, at parties, and even being consistently used by politicians on campaign platforms during the 2024 general elections.
King Paluta and his fans have every right to be frustrated about this particular song not receiving nominations.
The core issue is why the song wasn’t nominated in the categories they were submitted in.

Moreover, the exclusion of King Paluta’s ‘Makoma’ sparked a heated debate, with many questioning the selection criteria for nominees, particularly in the ‘Most Popular Song of the Year’ category.
Some entertainment figures and fans have speculated that ‘Makoma’ may have been excluded due to an alleged profane lyric captured in the hook of the song.
However, if this was the reason, why did other songs with similar or equally questionable lyrics still cut?
King Paluta, together with his management team, officially petitioned the TGMA board for not considering the song for any nominations.
Speculation has intensified as some link the song’s exclusion to Mark Okraku-Mantey’s recent comment about parts of the ‘Makoma’ song being profane.
If profanity was indeed the reason for the exclusion, the TGMA board must clarify its stance, as other nominated songs equally contain equally questionable lyrics.
For example, Lasmid’s hit song ‘Puul’, which was nominated for ‘Most Popular Song of the Year’, includes lyrics that many consider explicit.
With these inconsistencies in mind, the organizers of the TGMA must provide a clear and fair justification for why ‘Makoma’ was not included.
Delay Reacts to King Paluta’s TGMA Snub

Media personality, Deloris Frimpong Manso, also known as Delay, weighed in on musician King Paluta’s ‘Makoma’ song not being nominated in the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).
Taking to her X account, Delay expressed disbelief when she realized that King Paluta’s ‘Makoma’ song which made waves in 2024 did not earn any nomination in the 2025 edition of the TGMA.
In her powerful message, she questioned how the song was not nominated and, “Is why I keep praying without ceasing.”
“Under your very eyes, what belongs to you will be snatched away if you cease praying.”
Delay
Meanwhile, King Paluta has petitioned the organizers of the TGMA for not nominating his ‘Makoma’ song in the 2025 edition of the prestigious awards show.
In a letter dated Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the ‘Apicki’ hitmaker demanded an explanation from the TGMA board regarding their decision to exclude the song from its Most Popular Song of the Year category, despite his team officially submitting it for nomination.
The comment section was filled with praise for Delay as she spoke up against the award scheme for not nominating King Paluta’s top charting song, Makoma.
Other social media users shared their views on the 26th TGMA nominations list and the various categories.
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