Mzbel Labels Stonebwoy 'Bitter' Over Grammy Hiplife Article Dispute and Addresses Industry Backlash

Ghanaian hiplife veteran Mzbel has publicly criticized Afro-dancehall star Stonebwoy, describing his recent behavior as "bitter" following a disagreement over international recognition. The friction stems from Stonebwoy’s reaction to a Grammy-published article celebrating the history and impact of Ghanaian hiplife—a genre Mzbel is synonymous with—from which Stonebwoy was excluded. Mzbel expressed disappointment that the feature, which should have been a celebratory moment for the genre’s pioneers, was instead overshadowed by Stonebwoy’s public grievances about his absence from the list.

Detailing their personal history, Mzbel revealed that she and Stonebwoy once shared a friendship that has since soured. She noted that as Stonebwoy’s global career ascended, he began to distance himself, eventually unfollowing her on social media. According to Mzbel, this personal disconnect made his critical reaction to the Grammy article even more hurtful. She argued that since Stonebwoy is primarily an Afro-dancehall artist rather than a hiplife act, his criticism of a genre-specific list was misplaced and served only to detract from the recognition given to veteran artists who helped build the foundation of Ghanaian music.

In the wake of these comments and a separate interview where she voiced a preference for Shatta Wale over Stonebwoy, Mzbel has faced significant backlash from industry figures. Addressing the situation in a Facebook live video, the "16 Years" singer clarified that her remarks were not intended as insults but were honest reflections of her disappointment. She criticized the industry’s selective outrage, noting that while she had made various choices and comments about other artists, it was only her critique of Stonebwoy that drew sharp reprimands from certain industry personalities.

This public spat highlights the ongoing tensions regarding genre definitions and recognition within the Ghanaian music industry. While Stonebwoy continues to be one of the country's most successful exports on the global stage, Mzbel’s stance reflects a broader sentiment among veterans who feel their legacies are sometimes sidelined by modern stars. As the debate continues, Mzbel has remained firm in her position, calling for more respect for the pioneers of the hiplife movement and questioning why her professional observations have been met with such heavy-handed criticism from peers.