Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy has sparked a debate after questioning the inclusion of Black Sherif and King Paluta in a recent GRAMMY article about the history of hiplife music in Ghana.
The article, which explored the origins and evolution of hiplife from the late 90s to present, recognized pioneers like Reggie Rockstone, Mzbel, and Obrafour, as well as newer artists keeping the genre alive.
However, it also acknowledged Black Sherif and King Paluta for their contributions to putting Ghanaian music on the global stage, a move that Stonebwoy criticized.
Stonebwoy defended his statement, clarifying that he’s not opposed to the mentioned artistes but rather queries the relevance of Black Sherif and King Paluta to the 90s hiplife conversation, as they hadn’t yet entered the mainstream.
He asked, “What are the roles of Blacko and Paluta in hiplife? One may argue that they tap inspiration from hiplife, but so do I.”
He further expressed disappointment over the omission of his own name, which he viewed as part of a larger agenda to discredit his efforts in the industry.
“It’s not about my name being on the Grammy platform,” Stonebwoy remarked. “I’ve had more articles written about me there. But the story should capture the true essence of Ghanaian music, especially hiplife, which is our foundation. The article didn’t do due diligence.”
The debate raises questions about the representation and recognition of artists in the Ghanaian music industry.
Aside Stonebwoy, other legends including Tic and Kwaw Kesse have also voiced their reservations.
