Stonebwoy drops 5th Dimension album

Comprising 17 songs, 5th Dimension is Stonebwoy’s first studio collection in three years after the release of Anloga Junction in 2020.

The LP, while leaning heavily to pop and pop-related themes, also uses genres like Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, amapiano and folk. It was heralded by the singles ‘Far Away’ and ‘More of You’.

As for collaborations, Stonebwoy enlists everyone from Nigeria’s Davido, Oxlade, Tiwa Savage to Beninese legend Angélique Kidjo and South African amapiano progenitor DJ Maphorisa. Others include Shaggy (Jamaica), Dexta Daps (Jamaica) and Mereba (US) and Jaz Karis (UK).

“The work just began,” the musician tweeted upon the release of the project, adding that he has “delivered the best album from Ghana.”

In May 2022, speaking to Music In Africa, Stonebwoy said the intention behind 5th Dimension is to “stabilise the Stonebwoy style to global audiences by tapping into sounds that travel beyond the typical Ghanaian or African mindset yet appeal to all.”

Stonebwoy also touched on the need to preserve the locality of his sound in the midst of the Afrobeats explosion and its growing global acceptance.

“Firstly, the true definition of Afrobeats tells you that it’s only a fresh name that is used today to represent the many styles coming out from Africa. I always have to keep my Ghanaian-ness as a more detailed identity; that’s how I can continue to have a voice and speak or sing on behalf of the African lot. There’s no contradiction between being a citizen or keeping the very elements that represent where you’re from and who you are and Afrobeats. No matter the country you’re from in Africa, everything we do continues to contribute to the thriving of Afrobeats,” he said.