FOR more than a decade, the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year award has been almost exclusively the preserve of Stonebwoy.
His latest win earlier this month marked his 10th triumph, a staggering record in a category spanning 12 years, during which only two artistes have managed to interrupt his dominance — Ras Kuuku in 2020 and Epixode in 2021.
The recurring victories by Stonebwoy have, over the years, started conversations about the competitiveness of the Reggae/Dancehall category, with some critics suggesting the genre has become an easy ride for the multiple award-winning artiste, but Ras Kuuku, however, pushes back firmly on that view.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, May 25, the Wo hitmaker explained that the issue has nothing to do with lack of effort from the other artistes of the genre but rather the level of investment being made by Stonebwoy into the craft.
“Everybody is working hard. It’s not true that the other artistes are sleeping. Stonebwoy invests more money into the business than most of us. He understands the business side very well and puts a lot into promotion and marketing. The more money you invest, the bigger the visibility,” he said.
Ras Kuuku, who broke Stonebwoy’s winning streak in 2020, said while all Reggae/Dancehall artistes continue to record songs and perform actively, financial commitment ultimately separates the frontrunners from the rest.
“When one person puts far more money into the craft, the results will also be different. I’m happy he’s investing in the industry because it helps the genre grow,” he added. (Read #TGMA27: The 10 times Stonebwoy won Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste award)
Beyond the TGMA category conversation, Ras Kuuku also reflected on his performance during the tribute segment for the late Daddy Lumba at this year’s awards ceremony.
The performance earned him admiration from many music lovers, with several social media users expressing surprise at his vocal range and emotional delivery.
For Ras Kuuku, the moment was far more than a stage appearance; it was deeply personal.
He recalled a particularly moving moment from a previous birthday celebration where the Highlife legend’s reaction left a lasting impression.
“He hugged me three times after the performance and even called me the next day. So performing for him again at the Ghana Music Awards was one of the biggest moments for me.
“When it comes to music, nobody compares to Daddy Lumba. In songwriting, performance, lyrics, style and voice, I don’t think Ghana has produced anybody like him. His impact remains unmatched”, he stated.
Following the tribute performance, many fans questioned why Ras Kuuku has never received a TGMA Male Vocal Performance nomination despite demonstrating his singing abilities.
Ras Kuuku didn’t shy away from the conversation and confidently said, “When it comes to Reggae and Dancehall in Ghana, nobody has a voice like mine. You can’t mention top vocalists in Ghana without mentioning Ras Kuuku,” he declared.
On the music front, Ras Kuuku revealed he is working in collaboration with media personality Andy Dosty and others on a new song scheduled for release on his birthday, July 23 this year.
