Ghanaian rapper Teephlow has expressed surprise at his inability to win the Rapper of the Year award at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), despite receiving multiple nominations over the years.
The rapper, who has also credited renowned music producer Hammer of the Last Two for his professional development, believes his contributions to Ghanaian rap music deserve greater recognition.
Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM, Teephlow said he found it surprising that he had not won the award, particularly when other artistes nominated alongside him had previously received the honour.
“I can say one thing I’m surprised about is the fact that, of all the people who have been nominated, I’m the only one who hasn’t won Best Rapper before,” he stated.
He explained that although awards were not his primary motivation for making music, his repeated nominations without a win had occasionally raised questions about the criteria used to determine winners.
Teephlow maintained that the quality of an artiste’s lyrical content and overall contribution to rap music should receive greater consideration in the assessment process.
Teephlow Questions Award Criteria
The rapper questioned the emphasis placed on commercial performance and streaming numbers in assessing artistes for technical awards.
According to him, popularity and streaming figures do not necessarily provide an accurate measure of lyrical ability, songwriting quality or an artiste’s influence.
He argued that the Rapper of the Year category should place greater emphasis on technical proficiency, the quality of an artiste’s body of work, lyrical content and the messages conveyed through music.
Teephlow consequently proposed separate judging teams for technical categories such as Rapper of the Year and broader categories such as Artiste of the Year.
He believes the distinction would allow assessors with relevant expertise to evaluate artistes according to the specific requirements of each category.
The rapper also expressed his willingness to contribute to discussions on improving the awards scheme if given the opportunity.
Despite his concerns, he maintained that his music career was not driven primarily by awards or industry recognition.
Hammer’s Mentorship Shaped My Career
Reflecting on his professional journey, Teephlow described his decision to work with celebrated producer Hammer of the Last Two as one of the most significant choices of his career.
The rapper joined Hammer’s Last Two Music Group in 2014 after emerging as the first runner-up in the Next Big Thing in GH Hip-hop competition.
He explained that the experience provided valuable mentorship and professional guidance beyond the opportunity to record music.
According to Teephlow, Hammer’s influence helped shape his songwriting abilities, lyrical discipline and overall approach to music production.
He said the arrangement was largely a management relationship rather than a conventional recording contract, but the opportunity to learn from an experienced producer was more important than the nature of the agreement.
Teephlow noted that Hammer’s mentorship exposed him to the importance of careful songwriting, artistic development and sustained professional growth.
“My pen game is at a certain level because of the experiences I had with Hammer. I don’t just think of the first thing and say it,” he said.
He explained that the lessons acquired during their working relationship continued to influence his music long after their active collaboration ended.
Mentorship Beyond Music Production
Teephlow further observed that some emerging artistes enter the music industry with limited professional guidance, leaving them to navigate its challenges independently after releasing their first songs.
His experience with Hammer, however, provided an opportunity to develop his skills under the supervision of an established industry professional.
He credited the producer’s experience, commitment and passion for music with helping him develop a more deliberate approach to his craft.
The rapper’s reflections come as he continues to assess his career achievements and the recognition accorded to his contributions to Ghanaian hip-hop.
While Teephlow remains without a TGMA Rapper of the Year award, he maintains that his professional development and the quality of his music remain more important than winning trophies.
