Renowned Ghanaian Hiplife rapper, Kwaw Kese, has stated that Ghana's numerous music award schemes have become tainted by “politicization,” with favoritism and financial influence undermining genuine recognition.

The rapper reflected on his experience at the 2023 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), where his track "Awoyo Sofo" earned a nomination for Hip-Hop song of the Year but did not win.

“That award was supposed to be mine,” Kwaw insisted. “Awoyo Sofo was bigger than all the songs in that category. Little kids were even playing it. But this industry is politics. If you don’t play along, they cut you off.”

He argued that the current award system values popularity and votes over artistic excellence.

“People can buy votes. I’ve seen it happen. Someone can buy 10,000 votes and win. So what happens to the artist who deserves it but doesn’t have money to buy votes?” he questionedDuring his Hitz FM interview which was monitored by MyNewsGh.

The “Abodam” star called for reforms to ensure fairness, hinting that some board members have conflicts of interest.

“Some people on the board are managers of artists. How do you expect transparency in such a setup?” he asked.

Despite the alleged politics, Kwaw said he remains unshaken and proud of his influence on the streets.

“They can keep Accra and their awards. When we go to the hinterlands, that’s where you’ll see who really commands the crowd,” he said.

“I still charge higher than most of the new guys because I perform for two hours straight — that’s real artistry.”

At the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs) in 2024, DJ Black stirred up a storm by playing a medley of Shatta Wale's hits during the jam session, leading to a divided reaction among fans of Shatta Movement.

Songs like "Hosanna," "Dancehall King," "Shatta City," and "Ayoo" resounded through the venue, triggering a wave of responses on social media, including from Shatta Wale himself.

Some viewers found it contradictory for Charterhouse to feature Shatta Wale's music after his withdrawal from the event, seeing it as a conflicting move.

However, others argued that Charterhouse inadvertently acknowledged Shatta Wale's significance by including his music, hinting at his indispensable role despite past disagreements.

Adding to the discussion, Captain Smart suggested Shatta Wale should take legal action against Charterhouse for playing his songs if he was barred from participating.

He emphasized the crowd's enthusiastic response to Shatta Wale's tracks compared to others, implying Charterhouse's reliance on his music for the event's success.

Captain Smart also criticized Charterhouse, highlighting foreign influences, particularly from Nigeria, in Ghana's entertainment industry. He pointed out the frequent awarding of Best African Artiste accolades to Nigerian artists as evidence of biased decision-making.

The 25th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards, held at the Grand Arena, Accra International Conference Center on June 1, 2024, showcased captivating performances from Ghanaian musicians. Stonebwoy emerged as the 'Artiste of the Year,' adding to the event's memorable moments.

Media personality Deloris Frimpong Manso, popularly known as Delay, expressed her disappointment over the exclusion of King Paluta’s hit song Makoma from the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) nominations.

Taking to her X page on Tuesday, March 18, Delay questioned the fairness of the selection process, stating that such incidents reinforce the need for constant prayer.

“How King Paluta’s ‘Makoma’ wasn’t nominated is why I keep praying without ceasing. Under your very eyes, what belongs to you will be snatched away if you cease praying,” she wrote.

Her comment has sparked widespread discussion, with fans and industry stakeholders echoing similar sentiments. Many believe Makoma was one of the most popular and impactful songs of the year and deserved recognition.

Meanwhile, King Paluta and his team have officially petitioned the TGMA organizers, seeking an explanation for the omission. They revealed that the song was submitted for four major categories: ‘Most Popular Song of the Year,’ ‘Record of the Year,’ ‘Hiplife Song of the Year,’ and ‘Songwriter of the Year.’

According to the team, Makoma not only gained massive airplay and public appeal but also met all ethical and moral standards required by the awards scheme.

As reactions continue to pour in, many are calling on the TGMA board to ensure transparency and fairness in the nomination process.