‘I won 2019 VGMAs Artiste of the Year; prove me otherwise if you doubt’ — Stonebwoy

Ghanaian dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has asserted that he was the winner of the 2019 Artiste of the Year title at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs), despite the category remaining unannounced after a violent altercation broke out on stage between him and colleague Shatta Wale that year.

In a recent interview on MC Portfolio's "The Portfolio" podcast, Stonebwoy said, "I won 2019 VGMAs Artiste of the Year; prove me otherwise if you doubt."

The 2024 Artiste of the Year explained that he has consistently claimed victory in that category over the past three years and challenged anyone who doubts his assertion to publicly prove him wrong.

“I have boldly spoken about the three times, and I will continue to speak up until anyone doubts to speak otherwise," Stonebwoy said.

The incident in question occurred after Stonebwoy was awarded the Dancehall Artiste of the Year prize in 2019.

Shatta Wale and members of his entourage then stormed the stage as Stonebwoy went up to receive his award, sparking a brawl between the two acts.

Stonebwoy was seen brandishing a gun during the altercation.

Both artists were subsequently banned from the awards scheme by organizers Charterhouse, and the highly-anticipated Artiste of the Year category was left unannounced due to the controversy.

However, Stonebwoy remains steadfast in his claim that he was deserving of the top prize that year.

“I'm not dragging it with them. How deep can it get when Kwame Sefa Kayi, DJ Black, and myself are in the know? It is not about me proving it now. It’s about those who want to prove otherwise," he asserted confidently in the interview.