Ghanaian Highlife and Afrobeats artiste Marfo Kwame Eugene, popularly known as “The Rockstar,” has revealed the hurt and disappointment he has endured over the years regarding the lack of recognition for his songwriting abilities at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).

Appearing on TV3, the celebrated artiste stated that despite writing several quality songs for himself and other industry players, he has never won the Songwriter of the Year award at the TGMAs.

According to him, it hurts to see songs he wrote receive awards while he, as the songwriter, receives no recognition in the Songwriter of the Year category.

“I have never received the Songwriter of the Year award before. Trust me, I’m hurt. It is something that hurts me so much. They don’t seem to recognize my songwriting abilities. They enjoy the songs and say, ‘Kuami Eugene wrote this song. He is good,’ but they won’t give you the award for it, and it’s crazy sometimes. I think I have had nominations before, but never a Songwriter of the Year award,” he said.

Kuami Eugene further alleged that Charterhouse Productions, organizers of the TGMA, do not recognize hit songs in the Songwriter category. According to him, the awards scheme often favors less popular songs that focus on deep social themes or lifestyle issues over commercially successful tracks.

He explained that while obscure songs are considered timeless and reflective, hit songs are often viewed as fleeting. However, he insists that writing hit songs is his style and that he will continue creating music that resonates with the masses.

“It is also because most of the songs I write are hit songs. I have never seen TGMA give Songwriter of the Year to a big song. They normally give it to obscure songs. I would rather write hit songs. Most of the songs that I have written are big bangers, but they don’t see big bangers as lasting music. They see them as fleeting songs. But then again, because we also want to gain huge fans from it, I go all out,” he stated.

Addressing suggestions that his lack of recognition may be due to popularity, content, or genre, The Rockstar concluded that the issue lies solely with the TGMA board and not with the public.

According to him, if the public were allowed to decide the winners, they would do justice to his songs because of the love and support they have for him and his music.

“I don’t think it’s the public. It’s TGMA. TGMA decides what gets into the category, and they don’t put me there. So it’s them, not the public, because the public love me. If we give them the chance to vote, people will vote for songs like ‘Nyame Ye’ or ‘Watch Me.’ ‘Watch Me’ or ‘Victory’ should have received nominations. I write all these songs, but they don’t put them there. It hurts sometimes. It’s the fault of TGMA, not the public. If they allow the public, they will do justice to my songs,” he added.

Kuami Eugene has written, directed, and produced several hit songs in recent years, cementing his reputation as one of Ghana’s most talented musicians.

Check out his video here:

Source: Yvonne Nyarko Agyemang