The highly anticipated 25th edition of the Ghana Music Awards did not kick off with the expected grandeur after a 25-year wait. The start of the event was marred by delays and sound issues that affected the pace of the red carpet and the opening performance. Despite these challenges, the enthusiasm of the crowd, unexpected performances, and long-awaited wins saved the night as the event progressed.
King Promise started the night with a medley of his songs, including “CCTV,” but faced sound quality issues that disappointed viewers. Nevertheless, he continued to give his best performance with the support of dancers led by Dancegod Lloyd.
Other artists like King Paluta and Amewuga also faced performance troubles, but the technical team seemed to have resolved the issues for subsequent performances by Kuami Eugene, Nacee, Amerado, and Mr. Drew.
Efya’s performance was a highlight of the night, with her captivating performance earning her praise from the audience. Stonebwoy stole the show with his spectacular set, unfazed by sound hiccups and showcasing his years of experience in delivering a stellar performance.
Surprises at the event included a tribute to legendary Highlife musician Amakye Dede, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Performances by Kwabena Kwabena, Akwaboah, Eno Barony, and Epixode paid homage to Amakye Dede’s iconic songs.
Additional performances honored music and musicians from the early 2000s, with artists like Tblaze, Mzbel, Okyeame Kwame, and Akatakyie delivering classic hits. Strongman celebrated his first TGMA award for Best Rap Performance, while Kofi Kinaata’s win in the Best Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year category surprised many.
Stonebwoy emerged as the big winner of the night, taking home six awards, including Artiste of the Year and Best International Collaboration. King Promise also received recognition with awards for Afropop Song of the Year and Afrobeat/Afropop Artiste of the Year.
Overall, despite initial challenges, the 25th TGMA proved to be a memorable night filled with surprises, talented performances, and well-deserved award winners.
