EDITOR’S LENS: Paluta is a king. Period!

As anticipation builds ahead of this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs), one debate is dominating the headlines — who truly deserves to be crowned Artiste of the Year?

From the streets to social media, the buzz is deafening, and the list is stacked with undeniable talent and heavyweights such as reigning champ Stonebwoy, hit machine King Promise, rising firebrand Kweku Smoke, global export Black Sherif, gospel powerhouse Joe Mettle, breakout choir Team Eternity Ghana, and the fast-rising lyrical beast, King Paluta.

Stonebwoy, Black Sherif and Joe Mettle won the bragging rights in 2024, 2023 and 2017, respectively, and industry players and critics alike have been weighing in on the topic of who deserves the crown this year.

Already, King Promise, King Paluta and Stonebwoy are emerging as clear front-runners. However, among the trio, one artiste who seems to be flying under the radar is King Paluta.

Let’s set the record straight. The Artiste of the Year crown is about impact and relevance, performance, consistency, creativity, and connection with the masses — not who wears the fanciest designer outfits on stage or looks.

 Sadly, in a music industry where public image sometimes earns higher marks than output, some industry players have veered off course and are rather playing the “looks” card, unfairly focusing on Paluta’s appearance instead of his body of work. 

But the reality is that the young man delivered in the review year and substance must triumph over style.

Let us not forget that Paluta dropped three back-to-back hits in the year under review such as “Aseda,” “Makoma,” and “For The Papping (Apicki).” He did not just release songs — they became movement music and owned the airwaves, including providing a connection with the people during political rallies in the heat of the campaign season ahead of last year’s general election. (Read also: EDITOR'S LENS: The intertwined relationship between the arts (music) and politics, Editor's Lens: Shine the spotlight on Choral music)

Among his fans is respected comedian OB Amponsah who described him as the “most sought-after” artiste, arguing that his music resonated widely with the general public more than his fellow nominees in a social media post recently. OB Amponsah’s position is, however, debatable.

Graphic Showbiz stands for fair recognition and supports a healthy, fact-based debate, and encourages that the debate should not get personal and low on a contender’s looks and appearance. It’s not a beauty contest. 

With his impressive body of work and dedication to his craft in the year under review, Paluta is undoubtedly a king in his own right. Without TGMA Artiste of the Year crown, Paluta is still a King. Period.