On Saturday (June 1), Stonebwoy delivered an outstanding performance at the 25th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), paying tribute to his Volta Region roots in a captivating display of cultural homage and musical mastery.
Despite having less than a week to develop and rehearse the concept, Stonebwoy and his team successfully reflected his hard work and heritage through a meticulously crafted performance. The show not only showcased his musical talent but also his deep connection to his cultural heritage, making it a memorable highlight of the event.
The performance opened with a video showcasing life in the Volta Region, accompanied by proverbs spoken in Ɛʋɛ by elder and dancers from the cultural troupe displaying regional dance that added authentic cultural elements to the performance. Stonebwoy entered the stage with his back to the audience, symbolizing the escape of the Ewe people from Notsé. This historic event, where the Ɛʋɛ people ingeniously escaped oppression by breaking through the walls of Notsé, was a powerful representation of resilience and liberation, mirroring Stonebwoy’s own journey and triumphs.
He went on to perform a series of impactful songs, including “Manodzi”, an ancestral collaboration with 5-time GRAMMY award-winning singer Angelique Kidjo, “Life and Money” featuring GRAMMY nominated rapper Stormzy, alongside unreleased single “Your Body”. Performances of “Into The Future”, “Apotheke”, “Ekelebe” and “Overlord” heightened the energy on the night with sharp, aggressive dance movements, fire fans.
On the night, the internationally acclaimed musician Stonebwoy reached a significant milestone by being honored with the Artiste of the Year award at the 2024 Ghana Music Awards, following a monumental year that saw him headline multiple sold-out shows across the continent and release multiple hit singles as well as an album. This historic win makes Stonebwoy the second artiste to receive this notable recognition twice.
He was also awarded his 8th Reggae & Dancehall Artiste of the Year, the most by an artiste in that category. His collaboration with multi-Grammy award-winning singer Angelique Kidjo, “Manodzi,” won multiple awards, including Best International Collaboration, Record of the Year, and Best Songwriter of the Year, while “5th Dimension” was adjudged Best Album of the Year. Additionally, Stonebwoy’s collaboration with Ridi on “Likor” also earned Best Collaboration of the Year.
