Stonebwoy’s former manager, Karl Kporgla Gidiglo, has defended the musician’s claim to pioneering the Afro-Dancehall genre, asserting that the award-winning artist laid the foundation for the now-popular sound long before it gained mainstream acceptance.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Karl emphatically stated that the term “Afro-Dancehall” and the style itself originated with Stonebwoy, who in the early 2010s took bold steps to merge African musical roots with Caribbean Dancehall rhythms.
“Let’s set the record straight: the term Afro-Dancehall was coined and championed by none other than Stonebwoy,” Karl said. “He boldly pioneered the genre, blending African rhythms with Dancehall elements at a time when such innovation was met with criticism.”
Karl revealed that the sound, which is now widely embraced by artists across Ghana, Nigeria, and the African diaspora, had its beginnings in Stonebwoy’s experimental music journey more than a decade ago.
He recalled the resistance the artiste faced during the early stages of this musical fusion, including public criticism from highlife veteran Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, who reportedly described the style as “diluted Dancehall.”
“Despite facing backlash from some quarters and the likes of Gyedu-Blay Ambolley,” Karl noted, “Stonebwoy stayed true to his vision, helping shape a unique sound that now resonates across the continent and beyond.”
The statement comes at a time when debates continue over the true origins of Afro-Dancehall, with several artists laying claim to having influenced or started the genre. However, Karl believes the timeline and intent behind Stonebwoy’s early work speak for themselves.
Afro-Dancehall, now a defining feature in Africa’s contemporary music scene, blends Caribbean energy with African percussions and melodies. While many have helped refine the genre, Karl insists Stonebwoy was the one who lit the torch.
“Others may have followed, but he was the first to dare,” Karl concluded.
