Ghanaian afrobeats and highlife sensation King Promise has opened up about his long journey to winning the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs) Artiste of the Year, highlighting years of perseverance, disappointment, and growth that culminated in this career-defining victory.

Speaking on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with DJ Slim, King Promise, born Gregory Bortey Newman, revealed that unlike previous years, he approached this year's awards with strong expectations—an emotional shift shaped by years of hard-earned lessons.

King Promise’s rise to prominence in Ghana’s music industry began in the late 2010s with hit singles like Oh Yeah and Selfish.

His debut album As Promised earned widespread acclaim, but despite his commercial success and strong fan base, major award wins remained elusive.

“I’ve been nominated so many times, sometimes in six or seven categories, and walked away with nothing,” he recounted.

“But it taught me one thing—just keep pushing. You’ve got to believe in yourself even when others don’t.”

He specifically recalled his first TGMA experience, where he lost out on all seven nominations.

Rather than letting it break him, he said it served as a grounding moment: “That day, I was just happy to be there. I didn’t go with high expectations like I did this year. I didn’t take it too hard. It was a nice experience.”

Hard Work

King Promise attributed his eventual success to consistency and a willingness to create his own path in the industry.

“There wasn’t really a template for what I was trying to do,” he explained.

“I had to carve my own lane with my team. We've always focused on working together, doing things differently.”

Indeed, his career has been marked by both versatility and international ambition.

From collaborations with global stars like Wizkid and Headie One to performances on international stages, King Promise has gradually positioned himself as one of Ghana’s most influential musical exports.

Winning Artiste of the Year at the 2025 TGMAs marks a full-circle moment for the singer, who now stands as a symbol of perseverance in an industry where recognition is often hard-earned.

His story is one of long-term vision, self-belief, and learning to rise above disappointment without losing momentum.

“For me, it’s always been about resilience. Turn non-believers into believers. That’s what I’ve learnt,” he said during the interview.

His latest triumph not only cements his place among Ghana’s music elite but also sends a strong message to up-and-coming artists: success may not come overnight, but consistency and authenticity will eventually be rewarded.