Ras Kuuku
Reggae dancehall artiste Ras Kuuku has disagreed with the assertion that reggae dancehall is a genre of music that only thrives on associations with violence.
Speaking on stage at the 2020 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) in Accra after winning the reggae dancehall artiste of the year, he noted that the genre is peaceful and “not violent.”
“Reggae dancehall is a hot genre; you don’t know. Last year by this time, this place was boiling but we are here. We are here to let the world and Ghanaians know that reggae dancehall is not violent,” he stated.
“Big men where are you? Corporate bodies where are you? Ghana music is sinking; they said beefing is the only way. If that is the only way, then I tell you there won’t be respect. We should rather love one another, support each other’s rise and respect the elders,” he added.
But many music followers have read a lot into his statement, with some saying he was throwing shades at Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale for fighting on the VGMAs stage.
Last year, there was an exhibition of sheer lawlessness and pandemonium when the then two rival dancehall artistes and their followers clashed on stage over the reggae dancehall artiste of the year category.
They have since been banned from the awards ceremony and their case is still in court as one of them allegedly brandished a gun during their altercation.
By Francis Addo