VIRTUALLY ticking all the category’s boxes as well as habouring a strong conviction of making history as the first artiste to win the ultimate Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs) Artiste of the Year (AOTY) award back to back, Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has declared he has no challenger in this year’s race.

Stonebwoy, the reigning TGMA Artiste of the Year believes it is a done deal for him although he is vying for the TGMA topmost prize again this year against strong contenders including King Promise, Black Sherif, Kweku Smoke, Joe Mettle, King Paluta and Team Eternity Ghana.

According to the category’s definition, “The Artiste of the Year is the Artiste(s) adjudged by the Academy, Board and the General Public as the artiste with the highest audience appeal and popularity in the year under review. The artiste(s) must have released a hit single/EP/album and must be one of the artistes with the highest nominations in the year under review.

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, March 24, Vida Adutwumwaa Boateng, Head of Public Relations for Burniton Music Group (BMG), the music label of Stonebwoy, explained that with regard to work done in the year under review, the Jiggle and Whine artiste stood tall.

“With regard to the category definition that places premium on the artiste with the highest audience appeal and highest nominations, no one in that category beats Stonebwoy.”

“First, Stonebwoy has three major hits, Psalm 23, Ekelebe and Jiggle and Whine on the Up and Runnin6 album and they have been nominated in various categories in this year's TGMAs. This is a record no artiste in the calendar year can boast of.”

“Imagine a solid 13-track album which features Wyclef Jean, Spice, Odumodublvck, Ginton IR Sais, Duncan Mighty, Amaria BB, which has gained popularity not only in Ghana but the Caribbeans and globally.

“Also, this year, Stonebwoy had eight nominations, making him the highest nominee in this year's TGMA, and none of his contenders in AOTY category beats that record.”

“His street credibility is unmatched, his shows are always sold out not just in Ghana but his recent tour in the UK proves his appeal beyond our country,” she said.

Ms Boateng argued that the ongoing debate and opinions of why Stonebwoy shouldn’t be the favourite since he has won twice already and as such this year’s bragging rights should be given to younger artistes is needless.

She mentioned that the award is given on merit, cautioning industry players not to be swayed by the fanatic views of followers of artistes.

“For those saying that he's won it before so he should leave it for the youngsters, let them understand that Stonebwoy's brand is built on hard work and consistency. His consistency has made him the people’s favourite performer and Ghana's biggest music export. We shouldn't compromise on consistency just to reward new entrants into the AOTY category,” she stated.

Describing Artiste of the Year as healthy competition, Stonebwoy congratulated the other nominees, noting that such creative competitiveness should be encouraged.

On the back of a successful Up and Runnin6 concert in London where he filled the 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Stonebwoy expressed appreciation to Live Nation, for the partnership that made it successful.

“This wasn't my first time performing in the UK but this live concert brought refreshing connection to the fans in U.K who cut across natives of the Caribbean, Nigeria, Ghana and the U.K,” he said.