TGMAs 2024 Best New Artiste: King Paluta names Kwaw Kese, Asem as original inspirations

He raps, he sings, and he produces. His name is King Paluta, born Thomas Adjei Wireko.

According to the author of the Best Hiplife Song of the Year at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) 2024 – 'Y’ahitte Remix' – and the overall Best New Artiste of the Year, he was first moved to pen lyrics after watching hiplife star Kwaw Kese and the artistes of his era.

“So music started when we got inspired by Kwaw Kese's way back in 2004. That’s when we started to write our own lines,” he said.

King Paluta also eulogised rap star Asem: “We carried on till 2007 when Asem came out with 'Gimme Blow'. I think that time gave us the chance to start recording a whole lot.”

The 'Aseda' hitmaker asserted he is on a divine mission.

“I chose music because I love music. I feel like I was sent to do this. I feel like if you’re called, it’s because they couldn’t get anyone else to do it and that’s why they called you to go do it. But if you’re sent, you have a mission, and I feel I have a mission here. So that’s why I chose it,” he said.

As a record producer, “my best musical instrument is the keyboard” because “you can play anything on the keyboard; you can even play a guitar on the keyboard,” he revealed.

He was happy to note music “has taken me to places – I've been overseas, you know, because of music,” and expressed his gratitude to the Ghana Music Awards for 25 years of honouring music makers, including him.

After more than 15 years in the music industry, King Paluta's life changed in 2023, releasing multiple hits, working with legends like Okyeame Kwame and Samini, and contemporaries like Amerado, Kuami Eugene, etc.

For the TGMAs 2024, he had two awards out of four nominations, was highlighted with a mini-documentary, and ultimately got to perform his megahit 'Aseda' to the delight of patrons.

His latest offering is a Kumerican Drill anthem titled 'More Money', featuring Sista Afia.