Ghanaian reggae icon Blakk Rasta has stirred controversy with his strong critique of Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, and other musicians who collaborated on a posthumous album paying tribute to the late Bob Marley.
In January 2023, Sarkodie joined the “Africa Unite” project, featuring on a remix of Bob Marley’s ‘Stir It Up’. Blakk Rasta, however, denounced this move as disrespecting the essence of Marley’s music.
His comments sparked reactions from figures like Nana Aba Anamoah and singer Efya.
In a recent interview on Hitz FM, Blakk Rasta reiterated his disappointment, arguing that such collaborations dilute Marley’s personal and authentic style.
As a self-proclaimed reggae purist, Blakk Rasta emphasized Bob Marley’s refusal to collaborate during his lifetime, even with icons like Michael Jackson.
He emphasized the need to honor Marley’s artistic integrity.
“Bob Marley, as we knew him, said that every song that he wrote was personal to him. When he was alive, he never collaborated with anyone. He even refused a collaboration with Michael Jackson, the King of Pop at the time.
“That’s the reason I had to come out and tell one or two artistes who had collaborated posthumously with Bob Marley that you have desecrated his music. When I heard the Buster Rhymes one, I was so nauseous. Lauryn Hill? Yes. You have a relationship with Bob Marley’s son. So what? Then you come and desecrate his music?” he said.
Blakk Rasta clarified that his criticism was about preserving Marley’s legacy, not envy towards those who collaborated posthumously.
He urged respect for the late reggae legend’s musical heritage.
“We Reggae purists want the legacy of Bob Marley to be respected. That was all I was saying and some Ghanaians thought that Blakk Rasta was jealous,” he said.