King Paluta, Stonebwoy and King Promise
At the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards, performances weren’t just about vocals and energy, set design played a starring role.
From symbolism to storytelling, several artistes brought their A-game in visuals and props. But which act had the most memorable stagecraft?
Stonebwoy: A Golden Symphony of Symbolism
Reggae/Dancehall heavyweight Stonebwoy proved once again that he’s a master of spectacle. His performance was a layered visual experience , from the orchestra donning golden masks to his dramatic descent down the staircase, each element was deliberate.
The inclusion of the ‘Ankh’ symbol and carefully curated outfits added spiritual and cultural depth. Every visual beat complemented the music, resulting in a fusion of storytelling and sound. Stonebwoy didn’t just perform, he narrated an experience.
Fameye: A Journey from Grass to Grace
Fameye’s set was rich with emotion and symbolism. The dry scenery, modest costumes, and wooden cross reflected a narrative of struggle, faith, and eventual triumph.
His costume transition, from a tattered look to a star-studded appearance, mirrored his personal and artistic evolution. Dancers enhanced the story with their own props and choreography. Though some critics argued it felt brief or slightly cluttered, the creative direction and execution were undeniably powerful.
King Promise: Simplicity with Purpose
King Promise, the newly crowned Artiste of the Year, opted for subtlety over extravagance, and it worked. His set wasn’t filled with grand structures, but the few props used carried meaning.
A telephone booth opened the performance, cleverly tying into his hit single “Paris.” It served as both a visual hook and a narrative bridge. With minimal set pieces, the focus remained on his performance and choreography, a gamble that paid off with elegance and precision.
KiDi: Intentional Minimalist
KiDi also choose a well-utilised minimalist set design, starting with a ‘Lord’s Supper’ style table which he stood on while starting out his performance.
This left ample space for him and his dancers to take center stage and put the attention on them.
Kweku Smoke: A Missed Opportunity
Billed as the closing act, Kweku Smoke’s performance had the most time for setup, but perhaps not the best payoff.
He emerged dramatically from a jail cell, a strong metaphor for liberation.
However, the prop was quickly sidelined and became more of an obstruction than a feature. The promise of a climactic stage moment became a disappointment due to under-utilisation of the set, leaving the performance visually disjointed.
Verdict: Stonebwoy Leads the Pack
While each artiste brought something unique to the table, Stonebwoy’s performance stood out for its thematic cohesion, grandeur, and purposeful design. It wasn’t just music, it was theatre.
ID/EB
