Grammy Hip-life article: Stonebwoy defends outburst over omission 

Ghanaian Dancehall Sensation Stonebwoy has explained the reasons for his outburst over an article published on the Grammy website. 

Speaking on the Portfolio podcast with MC Portfolio, Stonebwoy insisted that his name still deserved to be added to the list due to his massive contribution to Ghanaian music.

“I'm centred on the article being half-dozed. You cannot disagree with the fact that this is a very hardworking guy who is undoubtedly representing and adding to the catalogue of Ghanaian music. 

“So when Livingston says Stonebwoy deserves a mention in an article that would represent us on an international platform, it should be taken seriously.

“On that platform, Stonebwoy has the most written articles about him, so it is not about my name on the platform but about some of the things that we have to stand up for,” he said.

On the case of why he insisted on being involved in an article geared toward Hip-life artistes, Stonebwoy cited other artistes including Black Sherif and King Paluta who were mentioned in the article and stressed that his music draws inspiration from Hip-life.

He further claimed that the article was focusing on the overall Ghanaian sound and not just Hip-life, hence his name deserved a mention.

“Hip life is our foundation. Hip-life will pay credit to Highlife…. So I definitely draw inspiration. I'm a son of Hip-life till today. But it doesn't change the fact that the article.. is capturing the state of Ghanaian sound and is disguising itself under Hip-life somehow. And we know better.

“Black Sherif and King Paluta. I want to ask, what are their roles in Hip-life? Have they said they are Hip-life artistes? 

Stonebwoy stressed that the issue is not about personal recognition but about ensuring that the full spectrum of Ghanaian music is represented accurately.

“This article has tried, but does not capture the full state of the Ghanaian sound. May it not hide under Hip-life to try to coin it in a certain way, then what is Samini doing in there? If their style is contemporary, what is Shatta Wale doing in there? If their style is contemporary, what is Sonny Bali doing in there? Is my style not contemporary enough to be mentioned as even the current artist of the year? Are we writing in the past? I'm confused,” he questioned.

He called for more diligence in writing about the Ghanaian music industry to avoid misrepresentations and omissions that could undermine the genre's rich history and current achievements.

What happened?

An article on the Grammy website listed notable Hiplife artists like VIP, Sarkodie, Reggie Rockstone, and Obrafour. 

However, Reggae/Dancehall musician Stonebwoy criticized the article for omitting his name, arguing that he has made significant contributions to Ghanaian music.

Stonebwoy's post sparked backlash on social media, with many questioning his inclusion in a Hiplife-focused list.

Stonebwoy defended his stance, arguing that his impact and inspiration from Hiplife artists warranted his inclusion. 

ID/OGB

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