Ghanaian Entertainment analyst Derrick Manny Everywhere has sparked industry-wide discussion after openly criticising the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) for misclassifying Empress Gifty’s hit single “Watch Me.”
Speaking on Ahotor Mmre with Obaapa Janee, he stated firmly that the song was placed in the wrong category, creating confusion about its true musical identity.
According to Derrick Manny, Empress Gifty’s “Watch Me” is not a traditional gospel song, yet it was submitted under the Traditional Gospel Song category of the TGMA.
He argued that the song’s modern rhythms, urban beats, and contemporary fusion clearly position it within the contemporary urban gospel space — not the indigenous traditional gospel style.
He noted that the more accurate category should have been:
“Traditional Contemporary Urban Gospel Song”
— a classification that acknowledges its blend of gospel roots with modern, urban elements.
Derrick Manny explained that such misplacements can distort public perception, misrepresent an artist’s creative direction, and even affect award outcomes.
“Empress Gifty’s ‘Watch Me’ is fused with contemporary urban gospel style. It does not fit the traditional gospel category at all. TGMA must get the category definitions right,” he insisted.
Derrick Manny’s critique of Ahotor Mmre with Obaapa Janee contributes to the growing call for TGMA to revisit and refine its gospel music classifications, better reflecting the current soundscape and artistic expressions dominating the industry.
For now, the debate rages on, genre accuracy remains crucial, and Derrick Manny is committed to making sure it is treated with the seriousness it deserves.