Entertainment of Thursday, 19 March 2026

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Prominent Ghanaian artistes who have never won a TGMA award

For over two decades, the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs) has remained the ultimate measuring stick for music success in Ghana. Winning a plaque is often seen as validation of an artiste’s impact, consistency, and relevance.

However, despite their influence on Ghana’s music scene and their chart‑topping hits, some notable artistes have never bagged a TGMA award.

Below is a breakdown of a few of them, including their nominations, notable 'snubs', and key moments.

1. Patapaa

Patapaa remains one of the Ghanaian artistes who have never won a TGMA despite his massive popularity.

In 2018, his viral hit 'One Corner' received two nominations: 'Song of the Year' and 'Hiplife Song of the Year', but lost to Fancy Gadam’s Total Cheat. The snub sparked debate, with many fans calling it one of the biggest upsets in TGMA history.

2. Guru

From Lapaz Toyota to Samba, Guru has delivered multiple hits but continues to miss out on TGMA awards. Despite several nominations, including Hiplife Song of the Year and Collaboration of the Year, he has never secured a plaque. Guru has publicly criticized the awards scheme, citing disputes over nominations.

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3. Jupiter

Active in Ghana’s dancehall space for years, Jupiter has struggled to convert recognition into awards.

His 2015 hit 'Enemies' featuring Sarkodie was one of the biggest songs of the year, but failed to earn a nomination. Fans argue he was overshadowed by bigger names like Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale.

4. Eazzy

Popularly known as the “First Lady,” Eazzy had chart‑topping songs like 'Wengeze' but never won a TGMA.

In 2011, she received five nominations, including Most Popular Song of the Year and Afro‑Pop Song of the Year, yet walked away empty‑handed. Despite her early influence, she gradually faded from the awards spotlight.

5. Wisa Greid

Wisa rose to fame with 'Ekiki Mi', which featured Sarkodie on the remix, but he did not secure a TGMA win. In 2016, he earned four nominations, including Best New Artiste of the Year, but won none. His career momentum was later affected by controversies.

6. Screwface

In the early 2000s, Screwface was among Ghana’s most popular artistes, with several singles and collaborations. Yet, he remains under‑recognized in the awards space.

In 2007, he lost the 'Discovery of the Year' award to King Ayisoba.

While some artistes continue to dominate TGMA wins, others, despite their hit songs and strong fanbases, are without a single award, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the scheme.

PAT/EB