Entertainment pundit, Ola Michael
Popular entertainment pundit and broadcaster Ola Michael has taken a swipe at critics of King Paluta, accusing them of ignorance.
This comes as tensions rise over who will win the coveted 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) Artiste of the Year title.
Many have tipped either Stonebwoy, King Paluta, or King Promise to grab the award. However, some pundits have dismissed King Paluta’s chances, claiming that the Aseda hitmaker lacks a solid brand or fanbase compared to his competitors.
Speaking on Neat FM on April 7, 2025, Ola Michael refuted this perception, stating that the belief that King Paluta has not reached the level of other nominees is rooted in ignorance.
According to him, King Paluta had already built a massive following in Kumasi long before gaining mainstream recognition.
“The problem is that many people think they know every part of Ghana. When King Paluta started music, most of the people who know him now didn’t know him then. When he was big in Kumasi, most people in Accra didn’t know him,” he said.
He continued, “It wasn’t until the COVID period, when people began listening to the Asakaa Boys and other acts from Kumasi, that he blew up in Accra.”
Speaking on the impact of the Kumasi music scene, Ola Michael explained that many mainstream artistes have historically depended on the region for strong sales of their CDs, as music lovers there are more likely to purchase works than those in Accra.
“Back in the day, when the value of music was strong, if you produced a song and didn’t market it in Kumasi, you would be found wanting,” he noted.
He added, “If an artiste like Sarkodie releases an album, his fans in Kumasi are more likely to buy the CDs than those in Accra. Maybe it’s because he hosts shows in Accra, so fans there can watch him live. But in Kumasi, where they don’t get to see their favorite artistes as often, they buy their works.”
Addressing critics of King Paluta directly, Ola Michael concluded, “If you don’t know someone, don’t sit in your small room somewhere and say that King Paluta has no brand or no major fanbase. You can’t do that.”
Watch the video below:
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