In New York City, one of Ghana’s biggest music stars, Stonebwoy, joined AfroVibes for an exclusive conversation about his career, personal journey, and the importance of unity in African music.

The multi-award-winning artist, known for his fusion of dancehall, reggae, and Afrobeats, opened up about the experiences that have shaped him and offers advice to other artists and leaders in the African music industry.

When asked about early challenges he faced, Stonebwoy told AfroVibes, "Where we're coming from, we don't know give up. Growing up in a ghetto, growing up in a slum, … life wasn’t easy, but I see obstacles as opportunities for miracles." He credited his parents for instilling in him the resilience that defined his music and life journey. "My mom always told me, ‘No matter how big the size of the darkness, all you need to be is a tiny torch, and you’re going to cut through.," he said.

Beyond his personal trials, Stonebwoy stressed the importance of collaboration in African music, emphasizing that one artist's success uplifts the entire industry. "I don't have a problem with Nigerians leading in the [music] charter because when they go, we go—we are one people," he said. He highlighted his recent performance with Nigerian superstar, Davido at Madison Square Garden and explained how such partnerships solidify African music's global presences. "When African music comes to play, Nigeria will be the lead. But when Nigeria speaks, Nigeria will tell you the contributions that have been for it to be in the lead," he added.

Stonebwoy's vision extends beyond just music. He is also focused on using his influence for greater impact. "My wife is a doctor, and she reminds me every day how fragile life is. That’s why I use my platform for more than just entertainment—I want to inspire, to uplift, to give people hope through my music," he said. "My legacy to be is to leave an impact. I go with the quote that says, 'a good name is better than riches'. That doesn't mean riches is not good, it's just better to have a good name also."

Watch the full interview on AfroVibes' YouTube to hear more from Stonebwoy. This interview also includes, Osita "Duke" Ugeh, the founder of Duke Concept Entertainment.

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