Empress Gifty is gospel artiste
Entertainment analyst Macall Mensah has described Empress Gifty’s win as Artiste of the Year at the 2025 Ghana Music Awards USA as “comical.”
Speaking in an interview with Feeling Daddy on Starr Showbiz on Starr 103.5 FM on Saturday, August 23, Macall Mensah questioned the credibility of the award scheme, stressing that the gospel singer’s recognition as the overall winner does not reflect the reality of Ghana’s music scene in 2024.
“It sounds very comical that Ghana’s biggest and most influential artiste in 2024 is being presented as Empress Gifty,” he remarked. “How can you tell me you are the overall Artiste of the Year when in your own genre you are not even the best? Gospel Artiste of the Year went to Piesie Esther, not Empress Gifty.”
According to him, the situation mirrors controversies seen at international award shows like the Grammys, where winners sometimes spark outrage among fans and industry players. He emphasised that factors such as presence at events, promotions, and voting played a major role in her victory, rather than pure artistry or dominance in the industry.
Macall Mensah further pointed out that other nominees in the category, including King Promise, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Diana Hamilton, Kofi Kinaata, Fameye, and Joe Mettle, had stronger claims to the title. “If you don’t win in your own category, you don’t deserve to be crowned the overall Artiste of the Year,” he insisted.
While acknowledging that Empress Gifty invested in the scheme, promoted it, and was present during key events, he maintained that the award paints a misleading picture of the Ghanaian music landscape.
His comments follow heated reactions from music lovers and industry stakeholders after Empress Gifty and her husband mounted a strong defence of her win on social media.
The Ghana Music Awards USA 2025 ceremony was held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Celebrity Theatre inside the Claridge Hotel (also referred to as ACX1 Studios) in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
While Empress Gifty made headlines with her Artiste of the Year win, she also took home the award for Gospel Song of the Year with Watch Me. Veteran Highlife legend Gyedu-Blay Ambolley received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his iconic contribution to Ghanaian music.
Other notable winners included: Stonebwoy – Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year (GH) and Music Concert of the Year (GH) for the BHIM Concert; Kofi Kinaata – Songwriter of the Year (GH) for Auntie Ama; King Paluta – Most Popular Song of the Year (GH) with Makoma; Fameye – Highlife Artiste of the Year (GH); Beeztrap KOTM – New Artiste of the Year (GH); and Piesie Esther – Gospel Artiste of the Year (GH).
