One of Ghana’s most anticipated award schemes, the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), is set to take place in the next two months. As it’s done every year, nominees are announced in March to allow their fans to vet their work and vote, and for artists, managers, and sponsors to use the nomination period to campaign and build momentum for the deserving artiste to bag the award.

Battling for this year’s Best Afrobeats/Afropop Artist are Wendy Shay, OliveTheBoy, Kidi, Jackie and Moliy Nominees.

Given Ghanaians' growing taste for Afrobeats, this category has become one of the most anticipated on the night, celebrating artists who have not only delivered hit songs but also shaped the sound and culture of contemporary Ghanaian music over the year under review.

The 26th edition last year saw its winner, King Promise, beat other artistes in the category due to his dominance in the genre, reaching beyond Ghana with hit songs like ‘Terminator’ that topped charts on Boomplay, Spotify, and YouTube, and gaining massive airplay on radio and TV.

KiDi maintained a steady presence in Ghana’s Afrobeats scene, performing at major concerts and festivals.

However, this year, Wendy Shay has been releasing back-to-back hits and a stream of dynamic collaborations that have etched her voice in heavy rotation on the radio and streaming platforms, which makes it difficult to talk about category winners without mentioning her.

Her ability to blend edgy lyrics with infectious rhythms has sustained her relevance and made her a fixture in conversations around this category.

Kojo Blak has also been consistently stunning his fans within and outside Ghana with soulful tracks and compelling features. His growth as an artist has been evident in both his solo work and partnerships, earning him recognition beyond regional borders.

Meanwhile, OliveTheBoy, Gyakie and Moliy each bring something unique to the table. OliveTheBoy’s smooth vocals and heartfelt melodies have won him a devoted fanbase, while Gyakie’s soulful songwriting continues to resonate widely. Moliy’s creative versatility and international collaborations have further expanded her reach, making her one of the standout female voices in Afrobeats and Afropop today.

CATEGORY DEFINITION

Best Afrobeats / Afropop ArtisteThe Best Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste is the Artiste(s) adjudged by the Academy, the Board and the General Public as the Artiste with the highest audience appeal and popularity in the Afrobeats/Afropop music genre.

The artiste must have commercially released an afrobeats/afropop hit Single / EP / Album during the year under review.

See the lists of some nominees and winners of last year’s TGMABest Reggae/Dancehall ArtisteJupitar

Samini

Ras Kuuku

Epixode

Stonebwoy ****WINNER

Rocky Dawuni

Songwriter of the YearAyisi Kofi

Kinaata ****WINNER

Okyeame Kwame

OlivetheBoy

Team Eternity Ghana

Telecel Most Popular SongOlivetheBoy – Asylum ft Kidi

Black Sherif – Lomo Lomo

Lasmid – Puul

King Paluta – Aseda ****WINNER

Black Sherif – January 9

King Promise – Paris

Team Eternity – Defe Defe

Stonebwoy – Jejereje

Collaboration of the YearBeeztrap KOTM & Oseikrom Osikani – Fly Girl

King Promise ft Sarkodie & OliveTheBoy – Favourite Story

KIDI ft Black Sherif – Lomo Lomo ****WINNER

Rap Fada ft King Paluta – Obo Bi Ye Bad

Sarkodie ft Beeztrap KOTM – Amen

Joe Mettle ft Sandra Boakye Duah – Give Me Oil

Best Afropop SongKwesi Arthur – Fefe Ne Fe

King Promise – Paris ****WINNER

Stonebwoy – Jejereje

Black Sherif – January 9

SmallGod ft Black Sherif – Fallen Angel

AraTheJay ft Black Sherif – Jesus Christ 2

International Collaboration of the YearJoe Mettle ft. SunmiSola Agbebi – Oba Awon Oba

Stonebwoy ft. Odumodu BLVCK – Ekelebe

King Promise ft. Shalipopi – Continental

Stonebwoy ft. Spice – Jiggle and Whine

Diana Hamilton ft. Mercy Chinwo – The Doing of the Lord ****WINNER

Gambo ft. Edem & Jim Jones – Drip RMX

Best Music VideoFallen Angel – Small God Directed by Babs Direction

Auntie Ama – Kofi Kinaata directed by Awudu Musa

Continental – King Promise Directed by Meekah Jagun

Jejereje – Stonebwoy Directed by Banini ****WINNER

Peace of Mind – MzVee Directed by Rex

Keep It Sexy – King Promise Directed by Rex

African Song of the YearRema – OZEBA

Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow & Tebogo G Mashego FT SJE KONKA, Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, Scotts Maphuma & Cowboii – BIRI MARUNG

Titom FT S.N.E, YUPPE, Burna Boy – TSHWALABAM ****WINNER

Darkoo ft. Rema – FAVORITE GIRL RMX

Tems – LOVE ME JEJE

Ayra Star – COMMAS

Producer of the YearKenny Beatz and King Paluta ****WINNER

Best Afrobeats/Afropop ArtisteKIDI

Camidoh

OliveTheBoy

King Promise ****WINNER

Mr Drew

Lasmid

Best Highlife ArtisteKofi Kinaata

Fameye ****WINNER

Kuami Eugene

Sista Afia

Kwabena Kwabena

Best Album/EP of the YearKweku Smoke – Kweku Jesus

King Paluta – Give Time Some Time

Stonebwoy – Up and Running

Kofi Kinaata – Kofi OO Kofi

King Promise – True To Self ****WINNER

Team Eternity Ghana – Testimony

Best New ArtisteLali x Lola

AratheJay

Rap Fada

Team Eternity

Beeztrap KOTM ****WINNER

Kwesi Amewuga

Group of the YearTeam Eternity ****WINNER