Blakk Rasta and Sarkodie
Renowned Ghanaian reggae musician Blakk Rasta has given reasons for his harsh critique of Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and some other musicians who ventured into a collaboration with the late Reggae legend Bob Marley.
It can be recalled that in January 2023, Sarkodie featured on the remix of Bob Marley’s ‘Stir It Up’, as part of the "Africa Unite" album, a posthumous tribute to Bob Marley.
Blakk Rasta, who didn’t take too well to the development, accused Sarkodie of desecrating the legacy of the late Bob Marley.
His outburst was met with reactions from various media personalities, including Nana Aba Anamoah and singer Efya.
In an interview on Hitz FM on May 9, 2024, Blakk Rasta expressed his disappointment with Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and other artistes who have collaborated with Marley's music after his death, stating that such actions disrespect the authenticity and personal nature of Marley's work.
Blakk Rasta who identified as a reggae purist, argued that Bob Marley's music was deeply personal and not meant for collaborations.
He cited Bob Marley's own decision to decline a collaboration with Michael Jackson and stressed the importance of respecting the reggae legend's artistic choices.
“Bob Marley, as we knew him, said that every song that he wrote was personal to him. When he was alive, he never collaborated with anyone. He even refused a collaboration with Michael Jackson, the King of Pop at the time.
“That's the reason I had to come out and tell one or two artistes who had collaborated posthumously with Bob Marley that you have desecrated his music. When I heard the Buster Rhymes one, I was so nauseous. Lauryn Hill? Yes. You have a relationship with Bob Marley's son. So what? Then you come and desecrate his music?” he said.
He argued that his stance was only out of respect for the legacy of the late Bob Marley and not out of envy for any of the artistes who had a posthumous collaboration with the late star.
“We Reggae purists want the legacy of Bob Marley to be respected. That was all I was saying and some Ghanaians thought that Blakk Rasta was jealous,” he said.
ID/ ADG
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