Stonebwoy criticizes Ghana’s “Pull Him Down” mentality

Dancehall star Stonebwoy is calling on Ghanaians to rethink how they treat artists and entertainers, saying the culture of constant criticism is harming the country’s creative industry.

In a video posted on his Instagram page on May 29, 2025, the “Jejereje” singer shared his frustrations, highlighting how the negativity and lack of support from fans can hold back real progress in Ghana’s music scene. “But we are not mentally changing to adapt to stuff that would make such progress possible,” he stated.

Stonebwoy emphasized the need for a collective mindset shift and encouraged Ghanaians to start celebrating and amplifying achievements instead of downplaying them. He pointed to Nigeria as a strong example of how national pride and support can elevate artists.

Using the Nigerian music industry as a benchmark, the “Psalm 23” hitmaker praised the way Nigerians speak positively about their artists and create narratives that boost their global image. He said this kind of cultural backing has been key to their success on international platforms.

“There is a need for us to speak positively about the strides we make toward progress, rather than immediately comparing or downplaying them. Before any Nigerian artiste in my time would win a Grammy, they were already doing the groundwork,” Stonebwoy said.

He continued, “You’d hear a narrative like, ‘If it wasn’t for Davido, Chris Brown wouldn’t have won a Grammy.’ I love that kind of narrative. But here in Ghana, I humbly say we often create narratives that pull us backward. We have a P.H.D. syndrome Pull Him Down. But what if we change that to ‘Pull Him There?’”

His comments sparked a conversation online about how Ghanaian artists are treated by their own people, with many fans agreeing that the industry needs more encouragement and less criticism. Stonebwoy’s message was clear: Ghana’s music industry can thrive, but only if Ghanaians stand behind their own.