“I’ve always represented African Dancehall” – Samini defends his legacy as key influence on Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale

As the conversation around who truly birthed Afro-Dancehall intensifies, legendary Ghanaian reggae/Dancehall artist Samini has stepped in—not to claim the genre, but to remind the industry of the roots and ripple effects of his influence.

In a series of tweets, Samini made it clear that while he doesn’t lay claim to the term “Afro-Dancehall,” the movement wouldn’t have existed without the groundwork he laid. “I’d be lame to claim #AfroDancehall. I saw and inspired it into being with my #AfricanDancehall,” he wrote, referencing his pioneering work fusing dancehall with African elements long before it became mainstream.

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The veteran artist also revealed he had a direct impact on the artistic evolution of two of Ghana’s biggest names—Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy. According to Samini, he inspired Shatta Wale to “start looking this way” and even directed and released Stonebwoy’s debut album. “I told my boy to tone down the patois and fuse Ayigbe, since he’s more comfortable with that over Twi,” he added.

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