Sumfest got a taste of Africa
The influence of Jamaica’s music on the wider world was brilliantly displayed at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay, as Ghanaian dancehall deejay Stonebwoy took the venue by storm with an energetic performance, which earned him rich applause.
“Jah know him bad,” said a female patron as she watched the lanky artiste sing and dance around, utilising Patois in a manner that could easily fool anyone that he is Jamaican.
“Big up Canterbury, big up Flanker, big up Glendevon,” Stonebwoy shouted out as he bounced around the stage in unison with the music. “A five African language mi speak but mi nuh know which one fi speak tonight so mi a speak Patois then.”
According to the artiste, who said he was influenced as a youngster by the music of Bob Marley, Beres Hammond and Capleton, it was a great honour to perform in Jamaica.
“Is 11 hours me fly fi come here come represent,” said Stonebwoy in smooth Patois. “All Japanese a speak patois so why mi as a black man shouldn’t be speaking Patois?”
Ghanian journalist Benjamin Asomoah, who is based in Jamaica, was absolutely delighted with his countryman’s performance.
In-between snapping photographs, as Stonebwoy and his dancers grabbed the spotlight, he proudly waved his Ghanaian flag.
“I believe he did well, excellent,” said Asomoah. “It would have been nice if he had been booked to perform later in the line-up as some of the people who are coming in now missed his performance.”