Ghanaian dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has disclosed that he pioneered the Afro-dancehall sound more than a decade ago, describing it as a genre deeply rooted in Ghanaian musical heritage.
Speaking in an interview on Angel FM on Wednesday, March 25, the award-winning musician said his sound is not just a style but a fusion inspired by multiple influences, particularly highlife.
“I am known for Afro-dancehall music, which I coined some decade plus ago,” he stated, asserting his role in shaping the genre.
Stonebwoy explained that Afro-dancehall draws heavily from Highlife, a genre he believes remains central to Ghana’s musical identity.
He credited Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, for intentionally promoting highlife as part of the country’s cultural development.
“And highlife was created by our founding fathers… intentionally promoted by Kwame Nkrumah,” he noted, stressing that Ghanaian music cannot be separated from its roots.
According to Stonebwoy, Afro-dancehall is a blend of highlife and other global influences, making it both authentic and versatile.
He added that his ability to move between genres reflects this fusion.
“It is not just a genre… but born out of the inspiration from High Life as well and all the other musical genres that I believe I get influence from,” he explained.
While embracing innovation, Stonebwoy maintained that highlife remains the backbone of Ghanaian music.
“For Ghana, definitely High Life all the way,” he said.
The artiste also underlined his versatility, noting that he is able to “double or triple” across different musical styles while staying true to his Afro-dancehall identity.
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