Legendary Ghanaian musician Samini has clapped back at fans of award-winning dancehall star Stonebwoy over what he describes as blatant disrespect and misinformation surrounding the origin of the term “Afro Dancehall.”
In a fiery exchange on social media, the “Linda” hitmaker did not mince words as he called on Stonebwoy to rein in his followers, who have been dragging his name into an argument about who truly championed the Afro Dancehall sound and label.
“Put some respect on my name G. SMH I blame @stonebwoy,” Samini fired in response to a fan questioning his contribution to the growth of the genre.
Responding to another fan who claimed Samini didn’t do enough to champion the brand, the dancehall pioneer made it clear that the facts are there for those who care to look:
“Tell me the difference. After that tell me who named it and who renamed it. Don’t make me and @stonebwoy fight ooo. He knows the truth I beg. DONT. man start vex these foolish newbies. Massa talk to your fans oooo,” he wrote.
Samini further explained that he directly mentored Stonebwoy in the early days of his career, revealing that he even directed and released Stonebwoy’s first album, an effort that turned out to be a hit.
“I’ve always represented African Dancehall my guy. I inspired @shattawalegh to start looking this way lol. Cus I directed and put out @stonebwoy first album and it was a hit lol. I’ve never been mute when it comes to Stone. Sometimes I come out to defend when I don’t have to. Don’t push me,” he added.
While acknowledging that he would never outright claim to have ‘invented’ Afro Dancehall, Samini insisted that the sound was inspired by his brand of African Dancehall, which fused local Ghanaian dialects with Jamaican patois, a style he advised Stonebwoy to adopt.
“I’d be lame to claim #Afrodancehall. I saw and inspired it into being with my #Africandancehall… #Africandancehall birthed #Afrodancehall,” he said, adding that producer JMJ could attest to this.
