Excellence is suffering because of mediocrity

Ghanaian dancehall sensation Stonebwoy has opened up about his concerns for the creative industry, stating that the celebration of mediocrity is stifling excellence.

Speaking on the Afrobeats Podcast in New York monitored by MyNewsGh, he stressed that while excellence should naturally stand out, it is being overshadowed because substandard work is being aggressively promoted.

“They used to say in Ghana that good beads don’t talk, but in today’s world, nonsense is being pushed because of substandard work and the celebration of mediocrity,” he remarked.

Stonebwoy emphasized that true excellence does not require self-promotion, comparing it to the wealth of billionaires who do not need to announce their riches. He cited Aliko Dangote and other African business moguls as examples of individuals who let their achievements speak for themselves.

“Excellence must speak for itself. If you have to explain it, then something is wrong. Look at Dangote, Ibrahim Mahama—these men don’t go around saying they are rich, because their work proves it. But in our industry, people with no real achievements are the loudest,” he added.

The award-winning artist believes that part of the problem is the influence of the wrong people in shaping industry trends. According to him, those dictating the cultural narrative often lack knowledge and depth.

“The class of people influencing trends don’t know anything, yet they have the biggest voices. That’s why we are retrogressing as a people,” he lamented.

Stonebwoy also took a trip down memory lane, recalling the golden era of Azonto music and how it played a crucial role in shaping the Afro-dance sound. He believes that era had the potential to solidify Ghana’s place in global music history but was not properly nurtured.