In early May 2026, ahead of the 27th TGMA ceremony on May 9 at the Grand Arena, M.anifest voiced frustration over narratives around the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) award.
He called the true winner “painfully obvious” but claimed industry insiders and fans “hate the truth.” “It’s painfully obvious who should be artist of the year. But mo mpɛ nokware baako sei,” he said.
His comments fueled heated fan debates between frontrunners like Black Sherif, Stonebwoy, and Medikal.
As an insider-outsider, M.anifest is widely regarded as one of Africa’s top lyricists—The Guardian dubbed him “Africa’s foremost rapper” in 2025. Yet he hasn’t submitted music to Charterhouse for nearly a decade.
His last big wins came in 2017, hiphop song of the Year and Rapper of the Year. Though he named no one specifically, the 2026 TGMA race remains fiercely competitive, rewarding a year of intense hard work.
M.anifest (Kwame Ametepee Tsikata) is an award-winning Ghanaian rapper and songwriter known for his lyrical prowess, blending hip-hop with African cultural influences. Emerging from a background of intellectual excellence as the son of renowned lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata and grandson of ethnomusicologist J.H. Kwabena Nketia, he has created a unique, globally recognized sound.
Story by Nana Akua Amponsah || Metro Digital
