Hiplife grandpapa, Reggie Rockstone

Legendary Ghanaian musician, Reggie Rockstone, has stood to the defence of Stonebwoy following the latter’s claims of being the founder of the Afro-Dancehall genre.

The brouhaha started following a post by the official Billboard X handle, congratulating musician Moliy for her hit song "Shake it to the Max."

In reaction, Stonebwoy, quoting the post, clarified that he was the founder of the Afrodancehall genre, prompting reactions on social media.

Some netizens doubted his claims, citing other artistes including Samini, while other defended Stonebwoy.

In reaction to this, Reggie Rockstone, in his social media handle on July 3, 2025, stood by Stonebwoy, praising him as the “originator of Afro‑Dancehall,” highlighting his tireless efforts to champion and elevate the genre.

"As far as I know, the originator of Afro-Dancehall is Stonebwoy. He's been at the forefront. He has held the name up and worked tirelessly; he is still working. And so when this debate came up, he immediately stood up like he should and said, ‘Wait, hold up. That's my baby there. I did it for the country. This is my project. And I've been speaking on this project.’

“Anyway, simple and short. Afro-dancehall is at the forefront. You gotta give it to him. The Stonebwoy. I don't care what it is that you represent or which team you are,” he said.

Rockstone noted that Stonebwoy stepped up early, as soon as he sensed attempts to downplay his contributions, citing how he himself was overlooked when the origins of the Hiplife genre were being discussed.

“You tried to pull that same bullshit with hip life with me, remember? You all tried to make it like it wasn't me. Well, people are not stupid. So my younger brother, Stonebwoy, saw that. He must have thought, ‘Damn, that's how they're going to do Uncle Reggie? After y'all enjoyed it and still enjoying hip life, you gonna come and downplay the man's work?'

“So he immediately took a stand when it came to Afro dancehall. So as soon as you mentioned it, he was right there on the forefront, like, ‘Yep. Before you do to me what you did to my uncle, or tried to do to my uncle.’ Because, you know, I had to fight. Yep, I did. And I still fight, you know, even though it's stupid right now, but perception is everything,” he said.

Rockstone argued that silence equates to acceptance, which is why Stonebwoy has been vocal about his role, just as he did decades earlier with Hiplife.

“With Ghana, refusal to deny means acceptance. And so, therefore, if you do not speak. So now Molly blew up, and Afro-dancehall is shining. But you all are going to be like, Stonebwoy should not say anything. And all of a sudden, he's being petty.

"Well, two years ago, when all y'all were being petty about the origin of Afro-dancehall, you did not think that brother Stonebwoy was being petty, did you? No,” he added.

He applauded Stonebwoy for “speaking his truth” and for safeguarding Afro‑Dancehall as a part of Ghana’s musical heritage.

"Brother, speak your speak, talk your shit. Because. They will try to downplay your work. You see what they tried to do to me. They did it to Nkrumah. They don't let them sit on your work. It's a part of your legacy,” he concluded.

Rockstone also issued a broader warning, urging young artists not to let their legacies be distorted.

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