In a night destined to be remembered in the annals of Ghanaian music history, hiplife sensation Stonebwoy was honored as the 2024 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) Artiste of the Year. The glittering award ceremony, held at the Grand Arena in Accra, saw Stonebwoy triumph over a stellar lineup of nominees including Black Sherif, King Promise, Kuami Eugene, Nacee, and Sarkodie. This victory marks Stonebwoy’s second TGMA Artiste of the Year title, his first being in 2015. With this win, he joins the ranks of an elite group, becoming only the third artist in history, alongside rapper Sarkodie and the group VIP, to claim this prestigious award twice.
“I just want to say thanks to the Most High God,” Stonebwoy said in his heartfelt acceptance speech. Surrounded by friends and family, including his wife Dr. Louisa Satekla, he continued, “Thank you mama wherever you are, thank you for showering your blessings upon your son.” Overcome with emotion, the usually articulate artist added, “I wrote a long speech but I am lost for words.”
The night belonged entirely to Stonebwoy, who swept the board with five additional awards: Best International Collaboration, Best Reggae/Dancehall Artist, Songwriter of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Dancehall Artiste. This impressive haul highlights his versatility and dominance across multiple genres.
Stonebwoy’s victory comes after a year of chart-topping hits and international collaborations that have solidified his status as a global ambassador for Ghanaian music. Industry insiders see this as a reflection of Ghana’s growing influence on the world stage. Throughout the evening, Stonebwoy’s humility and respect for his peers were evident. He expressed appreciation for his fellow nominees, saying, “To all the artistes in this category, you put up a good fight.” He also made sure to thank his loyal fan base: “Thank you [to my fans] for their constant support.”
However, the night was not without its drama. Before leaving the stage, Stonebwoy made an unexpected appeal to Charterhouse, the TGMA organizers. “Before leaving the stage, Stonebwoy appealed to the organizers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards, Charterhouse, to announce the results of the 2019 Ghana Music Awards.” This request revisits a controversial chapter in TGMA history. The 2019 event was halted and eventually canceled after a physical altercation between Stonebwoy and fellow artist Shatta Wale, leading to their suspension for a year. Stonebwoy believes he won that night’s top award and, if confirmed, he would become the only artist ever to win it three times.
As the Ghanaian music industry looks ahead, one thing is certain: Stonebwoy’s historic win at TGMA 2024 cements his status as a titan of African music. With his blend of talent, versatility, and global appeal, he’s not just winning awards—he’s redefining what it means to be a Ghanaian artist in the 21st century.
