‘Makoma’ Isn’t Profane! …King Paluta Fires Back

Ghanaian rapper and singer Thomas Adjei Wireko, famously known as King Paluta has responded to comments made by former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, regarding his song ‘Makoma.’

The musician has faced criticism from some people who believe the song contains profane lyrics. However, King Paluta insists that the line in question simply expresses joy in finally obtaining something long sought after.

Okraku-Mantey, during a discussion on Peace FM’s Entertainment Review show, labeled the song as profane. He even suggested that it contributed to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) loss in the 2024 elections.

“Do you know that the song we were playing, ‘Sisifia,’ is profane? It is profane. This party has people like me and George Quaye, those of us in the music industry. Take me as an example; nobody will consult you on music. Then we take a profane song for someone like Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, look at his brand, then we, as a party, ask Dr. Bawumia to dance to it.

“He (Paluta) used a profane word, and media houses still play that song. I have defended King Paluta’s ‘Aseda’ before, but this other one (‘Makoma’) is profane,” Okraku-Mantey stated.

However recently, speaking on Undercover with Pulse-on-Pulse Ghana, the 26th TGMA Artist of the Year nominee dismissed the criticism. He argued that such remarks only serve to discourage him from his craft.

“I think I saw a video where the senior man (Mark Okraku-Mantey) said ‘Makoma’ is profane just because I said, ‘hwe pe a mape bi a manya.’ Let me break it down for you: If you’ve been searching for a rare item in the market and finally find it, you would normally say, ‘Look at what I’ve been looking for, for so long,’” he explained.

“We came to hustle, so you people should allow us to hustle. What you’re doing makes it seem like you want us to go back to the streets. What you’re doing won’t help us,” he added.

Despite Makoma becoming a popular hit, it was left out of the nominations for the upcoming TGMAs, even after being submitted for consideration in four categories.

The singer has since petitioned the award scheme’s board, seeking an explanation for the snub.