GH acts doing ‘fake’ Dancehall music –Jamaican artiste Hezron

JAMAICAN Reggae artiste, Hezron’s stoked a heated conversation in the music industry with his assertion that Ghanaian artistes are not making authentic Dancehall music.

While he appreciated them for giving the best representation of their kind of Dancehall music in Ghana, it sounded different from what was done in Jamaica, the origin of the music genre.

Hezron, who was speaking at the press launch of his Man on a Mission African Tour concert at VinesSplash music studios in Accra recently, said Ghanaian artistes doing Dancehall were not staying true to the genre's roots and authenticity.

“I can say that Ghana’s Dancehall music isn’t authentic because what we know in Jamaica isn’t what they are doing here. However, what they are doing is how they represent themselves, and their truest expression.

“I don’t expect them to do authentic Jamaican Dancehall music because they aren’t Jamaicans. Besides, I love that Africans and Ghanaians are doing it but they need to understand the tips and the language and the style as well. I’m from a Dancehall country so I can tell what is real and not,” he said.

Even though he is not a Dancehall artiste himself, Hezron offered to provide the needed guidance and mentorship to Ghanaian artistes.

“I’ve not had the chance to meet any of Ghana’s dancehall artistes yet. Last year, when I came down, I had information that I had been invited to perform at Stonebwoy’s concert but when I got there, it seemed like it was false information so I couldn’t meet him,” he said.

In August this year, renowned Reggae artiste, Buju Banton, criticised Afrobeats as uninspiring and failing to uplift people across Africa.

In an appearance on Drink Champs with host N.O.R.E and DJ EFN, Buju said there was no Afrobeats song that uplifted listeners and condemned the genre for its poor impact.

“Tell me one Afrobeats song that can uplift us,” he said. “Kenya is suffering; young men in Kenya are revolting. South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan—everywhere is struggling. But which of these Afrobeats songs can relate to me for a peace of mind, to tell me that we are in the struggle, and even though it’s hard, we will overcome? Tell me,” Buju Banton said at the time.

However, Hezron believes his colleague Jamaican artiste erred on his stance, noting that music was always inspiring and it was wrong to undervalue any genre.

“I respectfully disagree with Buju Banton's stance on Afrobeats. Music is a universal language that inspires and uplifts people in different ways. To undervalue any genre is wrong, as every style of music has its unique message and impact. 

“Afrobeats, just like Reggae, has the power to inspire and bring people together, and we should celebrate our diversity in music rather than criticise it,” he said.

 Hezron also disclosed that he traces his roots back to Ghana, specifically to the Ashanti tribe, and was excited to connect with his ancestral roots.

He also said even though he hasn’t seen a vibrant Reggae movement in Ghana, he had lots of admiration for Black Prophet’s talent.