Ghanaian music superstar Stonebwoy has returned with his sixth studio album, Up & Runnin6, a project that sees him continue to refine his signature Afro-Dancehall sound. While the album’s title suggests forward momentum, it largely stays true to the artist’s established style, blending African pop, reggae, and dancehall in a commercially polished package.
Stonebwoy opens with familiar beats and catchy hooks, using English, Patois, and local languages—hallmarks of his style that have won him a massive fan base. Tracks like Your Body and Fvck Up Summer (featuring Amaria BB) exemplify his talent for producing infectious, radio-friendly hits that fuse dancehall energy with modern African pop. However, for fans who have followed his journey through six albums, Up & Runnin6 may feel more like a continuation than an evolution, focusing on party anthems and love songs without venturing into deeper thematic territory.
One of the album’s high points is Jejereje, produced by Grammy-winner Ginton, where Stonebwoy artfully combines traditional Ghanaian rhythms and folklore with contemporary production. Tracks like Betta Tin, featuring Nigerian artist Duncan Mighty, showcase his ability to tell compelling stories, and the chemistry between the two artists adds depth to the song.
Stonebwoy also nods to the popular Amapiano genre on Shine, demonstrating his adaptability by weaving trending sounds from across Africa into his music. Additionally, collaborations are a strong suit for Stonebwoy, and the album’s lineup includes both familiar names and exciting new partners. The track Overlord, featuring Larruso, Jahmiel, and 10Tik, highlights the diversity within the dancehall genre, while the closing track Pray For Me, featuring Haitian-American legend Wyclef Jean, delves into introspective themes of resilience, hinting at Stonebwoy’s potential for exploring deeper subject matter.
Up & Runnin6 is designed with commercial success in mind, crafted to maximize impact across streaming platforms and dance floors alike. While this approach may leave fans craving a more conceptual or thematically ambitious project, it speaks to the demands of today’s music industry. The production is crisp and modern, seamlessly integrating dancehall, afrobeats, and pop. Stonebwoy’s vocal delivery is confident, and his ability to blend languages adds layers of nuance while keeping the music accessible.
Lyrically, Up & Runnin6 doesn’t tread much new ground, focusing on themes of love, celebration, and success. Stonebwoy’s wordplay and multilingualism, however, add texture for those who can catch all the cultural references. As he proclaims on Overlord, “A me did a feel say fi go drop some hits pon di Afrobeats/ So nuh bother think otherwise, the dancehall give me name,” Stonebwoy remains a trailblazer in defining Afro-Dancehall within the larger Afrobeats movement.
In the end, Up & Runnin6 is a steady continuation of Stonebwoy’s musical journey, delivering well-crafted Afro-Dancehall anthems that reflect his mastery of the genre. New listeners will find an engaging introduction to Stonebwoy’s style, while longtime fans will have plenty of new songs to add to their playlists. As for his seventh album, fans may hope to see Stonebwoy break new ground, especially given the glimpses of introspection in tracks like Pray For Me. For now, Stonebwoy confidently stays in the fast lane he knows best, a lane that shows no signs of slowing down.