Afro Ages: TGMA must spotlight emerging talent

Reggae/dancehall artiste Afro Ages has ignited fresh controversy around the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs), taking a swipe at the scheme over what he describes as poor research and a lack of inclusivity in its nominations.

In a strongly worded social media post, the artiste did not mince words, insisting the awards board must “do better” by intentionally spotlighting new and emerging talents across the country.

According to him, the long-term relevance of the TGMA hinges on its ability to strike a balance between established stars and rising acts making waves beyond the mainstream.

“Personally, I feel TGMA should by now make an effort to gradually initiate new potential artistes into the scene by doing their own extensive research on a regional basis to make the awards more exciting,” he stated.

Afro Ages took particular issue with the Reggae/Dancehall category, arguing that it is gradually being sidelined due to what he sees as a repetitive pool of nominees.

He believes limiting slots to a few familiar names not only dulls competition but also denies deserving artistes the exposure that comes with national recognition.

To fix this, he proposed expanding the category to include at least five additional artistes—blending both mainstream and underground acts—to inject excitement and diversity.

Backing his argument, Afro Ages pointed to several artistes he believes have been overlooked, including Epixode, Shatta Rako, Blakk Rasta, David Oscar, and Larruso.

He questioned whether artistes currently producing Reggae projects even stand a fair chance under the existing system.

He called for a broader assessment framework that considers artistic quality, originality and regional impact, factors he believes better reflect true musical contribution.

“I believe introducing a ‘Best Artiste on a Regional Basis’ category is crucial. It would give recognition to hidden talents across Ghana who might otherwise be overlooked and ensure the awards truly reflect the diversity and richness of our music sector.

“This approach would not only celebrate established stars but also create opportunities for emerging artistes from every corner of the country to gain the spotlight they deserve,” he said.