Upon being crowned ‘Artiste of the Year’ at the 25th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs), Stonebwoy delivered a heartfelt victory speech, sharing long-held sentiments.
Here are five noteworthy points from his address:
Dedication to his mother:
Stonebwoy credited his success to his late mother, calling her his ‘lucky charm’ whose blessings have guided him.
He expressed profound gratitude to her for the blessings he has received and admitted being overwhelmed with emotion, struggling to articulate his feelings.
“Thanks to the most high God and my mother wherever you are resting in peace, thank you for showering your blessings upon your son. I wrote a very long speech but I am short for words,” he said.
Firm belief in winning three times:
Contrary to popular belief, Stonebwoy asserted that he had won the ‘Artiste of the Year’ award not twice, but three times, including in 2019.
He urged Charterhouse to acknowledge his 2019 victory, emphasizing his consistency and hard work over the years.
“I have been very consistent and I have been working very hard throughout the years. Ever since I won the Ghana Music Awards in 2015, I won it again in 2019, but we all see what happened. So I just want to plead with Charterhouse that as honourable as they are, they should make sure that they announce the winner which I am confident that it was me,” he stated.
Stonebwoy’s comments come five years after an infamous onstage altercation with Shatta Wale during the 2019 VGMAs, which led to both artists being stripped of their awards and issued indefinite bans.
At the 2019 event, Stonebwoy won ‘Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Best Collaboration of the Year,’ while Shatta Wale secured ‘Highlife Song of the Year’ for ‘My Level’ and ‘Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year’ for ‘Gringo.’
Following the incident, Charterhouse did not announce a winner for the ‘Artiste of the Year’ category, leaving the late Ebony Reigns, the previous year’s recipient, as the reigning ‘Artiste of the Year.’
Addressing unwarranted criticism:
Stonebwoy spoke about the unwarranted hate he has faced as he progressed in his career, attributing it to envy and spite from detractors.
He acknowledged that increased success brings increased scrutiny and negativity but remained undeterred by these challenges.
“We all saw it in the news. A lot of things were going on in the news because of how hard I work. No matter what you do, the higher you go, the more your haters,” he remarked.
Recognition of his fanbase and team:
Stonebwoy expressed gratitude to his fanbase, BHIM Nation, for their unwavering support.
He thanked everyone from Ashaiman to the global stage, highlighting the unity and strength of BHIM Nation.
He also thanked his team members for their dedication and contribution to his success.
“I couldn’t have done it without BHIM Nation. Thank you to everyone, from Ashaiman, Volta region to the world. BHIM Nation to the world. To all my team members I say thank you,” he stated.
Tribute to his wife:
Stonebwoy honored his wife, acknowledging her as his pillar of strength and confidante. He expressed his gratitude and invoked blessings upon her for her unwavering support.
In his victory speech, Stonebwoy not only celebrated his triumph but also emphasized the importance of family, fans, and perseverance in the face of challenges.
“I want to acknowledge my wife (draws her close into his arms). She is my friend, my companion, and everything. God bless you.”