Ghana mourns dancehall veteran Sonni Balli

The musician’s death was confirmed by one of his friends, Mark Darlington, on Facebook, and local media reports suggest that he succumbed to cardiac arrest a few days after his 40th birthday on 6 June.

Considered a champion of the reggae subgenre in Ghana, and lauded for his unique fusion of dancehall and hiplife, Sonni Balli was behind local staples such as ‘The Truth’, ‘Frienemy’, ‘Ama Frimpong’ and ‘When You Are Gone’, among others. He is also credited with mentoring a new generation of Ghanaian dancehall artists, notably Samini.

News of his death sparked an outpouring of grief on social media.

“Sonni Balli how could you do this bro,” Darlington posted. “I wished you a happy birthday just this past Monday! This is not fair! I am devastated and heartbroken!”

“Can’t believe you’re gone Sonni Bali,” veteran hiplife producer Jay Q said. “In the late 90s John Agbenu of Precise Music, executive producer for [rap group] VIP, Daasebre Dwamena and Ex-Doe, required my services to work for G-Life. I had already produced VIP’s first album Rana Salla for his record label, so we had a business relationship going. We went to the studio and I met Sonni Bali and Abiola (G-Life) for the first time. With their voices and my beats, we churned the hit song ‘Wate Wani Ayera’. Sonni Bali on that track was a rap artist. It was great working with you. May your musical soul rest in peace.”

“Rest in perfect peace, legendary Sonni Balli,” Reggie Zippy posted. “Thank you for paving the way for most of us to go through the "raglife-hiplife" music scene in Ghana. Sleep well, king. Your name shall forever remain in the good books of Ghana music.”

“Smh, Sonni Balli”, Samini tweeted. “No words”.

Born Sonny Kwabena Amoako Akoanor in the UK, Sonni Balli started his music career at the age of 17, recording his first mainstream success under the tutelage of veteran producer Nana King, who headed Ashanti International record label. Sonni Balli formed the G Life band shortly after. The group, composed of three other friends, was behind the Kotoho and Abrabo in Ghana LPs, before breaking up.

Sonni Balli returned to his solo career, scoring collaborations with hiplife acts Mary Agyapong, Slim Buster and Lord Kenya among others. His debut solo album, recorded after he teamed up with London-based producer Eugene Nartey and Bad Habit CEO Bright Okah, is titled First Scene Second.