Stonebwoy Unfiltered: This is Africa (Interview) - BBC Africa
Stonebwoy joins DJ Edu for one of his most candid interviews yet, reflecting on the journey from Ashaiman's tough streets to becoming one of Africa's biggest music stars. Ahead of making history as the first Ghanaian artist to headline London's OVO Arena Wembley, the Afro Dancehall pioneer opens up about the resilience that shaped his career and the journey that brought him to this moment.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Stonebwoy reflects on growing up in poverty, when his family struggled to pay his medical bills after a life-changing accident that nearly cost him his leg, and why music became his only way forward. He also speaks openly about the devastating loss of his mother, the support of his family, his vision for Afro Dancehall, the respect he's earned from Jamaica's dancehall community, and why he believes Ghanaian artists are ready to take their place on the global stage.
Part of the This Is Africa podcast series, where we explore the stories behind the music and the voices shaping global culture.
00:00 Intro
02:17 Reflecting on his journey from his very first BBC interview in the UK
02:48 Breaking down the music influences that make up Afro Dancehall
03:42 Building the momentum of his BHIM Nation over the past 16 years.
04:22 The history of the BHIM festival
04:58 Breaking down the African and Jamaican influences that form the Afro Dancehall genre.
06:06 His music influences, and the importance of Hi Life
07:57 Impromptu performance “Go Higher” to demonstrate the different aspects of Hi Life, dancehall
09:00 Being happy with the Afro Dancehall scene and the success of other artists in the scene across the continent
10:33 The significance of winning the BET awards
11:21 Being accepted by the Jamaican dancehall scene, but recognising that they need to more to bring in more African artists,
13:39 Why clashing doesn’t really occur in the Afro dancehall scene.
14:40 What holds Ghanian artists back within the music scene.
16:30 The significance and inspiration behind his recent project the Torcher series
17:40 The release of his hit song Therapy
18:21 His life changing road accident that led to him having a prosthetic leg the struggles he had to endure afterwards.
18:47 Rapping fast naturally (Fast rap demonstration).
21:40 Constantly getting stopped at the airport because of his leg
22:43 Feeling alone growing up.
23:50 Overcoming adversity and dealing with trauma of his leg accident
26:00 Dealing with the loss of his mother
28:04 The financial burden of the accident, not being able to avoid medical bills and watching his mother sacrifice herself.
30:20 No longer feeling bitter anymore.
31:22 The active role his children play when his making music
33:23 The unwavering support from his wife, and the challenges that come with understanding the differences with Jamaican dancehall culture within African culture.
35:23 What he would tell his younger self.
38:52 Overcoming the stigma of Ashaiman and being proud of where he comes from
39:38 Being irritated by the invasion of privacy, wanting to be seen as a human first.
40:40 A typical day in the life of Stonebwoy and what he likes to do when things have wind down at the end of the day to find peace,
42:26 What you can expect to experience at the BHIM fest at the Ovo Wembley
43:25 What Stonebwoy would like the world to remember him by.
#stonebwoy #ghanamusic #africamusic
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Jamaica (Original)
Published Jul 24, 2026
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