At the just-ended/rebranded TGMA awards 24’, Stonebwoy asserted dominance by claiming six awards out of eleven nominations in a night, including the ultimate award, Artiste Of The Year, capping off a night of reflectance on his amazing 2023/2024 run. But what was Stonebwoy’s run like? How did he position himself to be the ultimate one? iMullar highlights some events that helped shape Ghana’s Artiste of the Year.
Stonebwoy’s career is one to study, 5 years ago, on that same stage, he pulled a gun during an altercation with the then-rival artiste, Shatta Wale. The incident did not lead to any casualties or injury, but was a bad stain on Stonebwoy’s career, causing Charter House to indefinitely ban him from the awards show, losing his legibility for nominations, awards, and performances. His fourth album, Anloga Junction, shot him back to the path of balance after a rocky patch regarding the gun incident. Everything felt normal after the album’s release, receiving positive reviews. Stonebwoy proved he still has it, his loyal cult following fanbase dubbed BHIM Nomination, one of the largest fan bases in Ghana, also had his back more than ever. He looked ready to widen his audience across the globe, UMG’s (Universal Music Group) global deal with Stonebwoy was the final piece. The Ghanaian Afropop, dancehall, and reggae artist signed a global deal with UMG label divisions Def Jam Recordings, and Def Jam Africa. Def Jam Africa, which launched in 2020, represents his music across Africa, while Def Jam Recordings will become his label home in the US. Amongst his four albums, several hit records, and movie roles, as well as his philanthropic work as part of the Livingston Foundation, which “aims to provide a better quality of life for the Ghanaian community through education and disability justice”. For an independent artist, these are very impressive achievements, and UMG was just right in time to catapult him to a greater arena of artistry to make music and compete.

His first release under UMG was Therapy, a modernised Afro-fusion love anthem, the song’s success set the tone for his next album 5th Dimension. But before the album’s release, Stonebwoy did a lot of exploring, from attending Grammy parties to performing at European festivals, the buzz around him was massive. 5th Dimension was released in April 2023, and as expected, had UMG’s influence all over it. The album is star-studded, featuring a wide range of producers and artists. Stormzy, Sean Paul, Oxlade, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Angelique Kidjo, Dj Maphorisa, and Shaggy were all on the album alongside JAE5, The Fanatix, Mix Master Garzy handling production with some of the best instrumentalists. The album birthed hits like Into The Future, Apotheke, Far Away, My Sound, and Manodzi. Bundle these achievements alongside his European tour for the album with his Bhim Concert in Ghana, in December 2023, and all of a sudden, the AOY title sounds fitting, thanks to a successful run.
There is a clearer sense of identity for Stonebwoy now, moulded by the shells of a High-Grade record label powered by Samini, well-versed with the industry’s way and very popular amongst traditional media, he has held his own in every wave of change thrown by the nature of the industry. For a hardworking artiste who has been Rebranded and armed with a better structure via UMG, he was the favourite going into the awards. Manodzi was the highlight of the night, winning Stonebwoy 3 awards; Record of The Year, International Collaboration Of The Year, and Songwriter Of The Year. A year ago in an interview with us, he spoke about that record, “You know, that Angelique Kidjo record is almost 5 years old, it was recorded with the intent of being on my last album which was three years ago. That’s how timeless my records are, I have songs that I trust my instincts with, in terms of the time frame and all, waiting for the right time, and right feature. If it were just me on that record, I think it still would’ve been an amazing song, but with African Mama, she brings the originality from her home sounds, adding up to a diverse song—two different languages from different paths of the continent. My part (in Ewe) translates to “I’m gonna keep on gradually”, then she comes in and says “What is yours is yours, nobody can take your destiny when you’ve worked hard for it”. Then I broke things down in English with the second verse, about energy helping you to move forward in life. The trumpet, you’ll feel a lot of African spirits, our language carries a lot of spirits, you can just tell what it is, that’s why she loved the song because it connects directly to her roots, we are all connected by an African spirit.”. Highlighting the elements that made it an amazing record.
His awards weren’t the only highlight of the night, he also put up an energetic performance, on stage, he represented a dancehall King, a crooner full of life and love, costumed in carefully curated retro tuxedos and mid-century silhouettes, with his strong, dark, and handsome profile completed by a slick group of dancers, amongst the crowd was a proud wife, singing everything word for word as her husband run through his catalogue of hits, the perfect night for Stonebwoy. Make no mistake, the other nominees had an unbelievable run too, but Stonebwoy rose above it all, a win for Ghana’s Dancehall scene and the beginning of a new era for 1GAD.