A new wave of speculation is stirring in Ghana’s music industry following King Promise’s muted response to Stonebwoy’s congratulatory message after his triumph at the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).
King Promise, who clinched the prestigious Artiste of the Year award, appears unbothered by Stonebwoy’s public message on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting there may be underlying tension between the two artists.
In an interview with DJ Slim and Doreen Avio on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, King Promise confirmed he had been informed about Stonebwoy’s post but shrugged off its significance.
“I’ve been told of it, I have actually. Haven’t been on Twitter today. I don’t think it’s a big deal, I’ve received the congratulations. I don’t want to talk about it, I don’t really think it’s anything to speak about,” King Promise said, downplaying the public gesture.
Stonebwoy’s original message on X read:
“Congratulations @IamKingPromise on your win and your debut entry into the league of AOTY winners. You’re Welcome.”
While the post appeared cordial, some have described the tone as condescending, interpreting the phrase “You’re Welcome” as less of a warm embrace and more of a passive-aggressive jab—especially considering Stonebwoy’s win in the same category in 2024, after edging out King Promise in a close contest.
Interestingly, industry observers were quick to draw parallels to 2024, when King Promise congratulated Stonebwoy following his Artiste of the Year win but received no public response. Now, some suggest that the silence from King Promise could be a subtle form of payback.
Despite the brewing tension, both artists had a stellar night at the 2025 TGMA. King Promise took home four awards—Artiste of the Year, Afropop Song of the Year for Paris, Best Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste, and Album of the Year for True to Self. His dominant run reflects his growing influence in Ghana’s music scene and beyond.
Stonebwoy, meanwhile, proved his consistency by securing three major awards: Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year, Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year for Psalm 23, and *Best Music Video of the Year.
While both artists remain at the top of their game, this episode underscores the competitive dynamics in the Ghanaian music industry—where wins and losses often come with public perception and personal pride.
Whether this silence develops into a rift or fizzles out as media speculation remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the TGMA Artiste of the Year title remains a high-stakes honor, with every congratulatory word—or lack thereof—carrying weight.
