Is TGMA neglecting Northern artists?

 

Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) is currently trending, especially for artistes from the Northern Region. Tamale and other urban centres are actually becoming music centres in Ghana! It's just so thrilling to see the great success of emerging artistes like Ricch Kid and Fad Lan. It's however somewhat disappointing to see them excluded from some of the top TGMA awards for this year.

Both Ricch Kid and Fad Lan released incredible records in 2024 that topped music charts and garnered record-breaking stream counts on music streaming websites like Audiomack and Apple Music. Since their success went mainstream, the question then would be why TGMA has yet to discover both artists.

This is reflective of larger issues. There is only so much musical talent from the Northern Region, and Tamale is generating new sounds and new voices that must be reckoned with. Yet each year, musicians here one way or another fall short of receiving top honors nominations in top-of-the-line award nominations meant to reflect the rich diversity of Ghana's music industry.

In keeping with the spirit of properly representing the open nature of Ghana music, TGMA should best institute a freer policy that goes out to look for talent as far as talent takes it. An Accra, Kumasi, or Tamale talent would be deserving of having his or her talent and influence recognized.