‘Without Principle, Advice Is Just an Opinion’ – Stonebwoy to Sarkodie

A fresh conversation about principles, loyalty and behaviour within Ghana’s music industry has emerged following comments surrounding performances at the Royal Albert Hall (RAH) and OVO Arena Wembley in the UK.

Stonebwoy has detailed private conversations held with sarkodie following the artiste’s RAH performance, as well as subsequent exchanges after an OVO Arena Wembley show.

According to S‘Without Principle, Advice Is Just an Opinion’ – Stonebwoy to Sarkodie

Ghanaian music heavyweights Stonebwoy and Sarkodie appear to have had a rather lengthy conversation about the music industry, personal principles and the fine art of navigating relationships in showbiz.

Stonebwoy has opened up about private conversations he had with Sarkodie following the latter’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall in the UK and subsequent events surrounding Stonebwoy’s show at the OVO Arena Wembley.

According to Stonebwoy, he called Sarkodie the day after his Royal Albert Hall performance to congratulate him, with the conversation lasting more than 10 minutes.

“After your RAH show in the UK, I called you the next day to congratulate you and we spoke for 10 minutes+,” Stonebwoy stated.

Things, however, appear to have taken a more interesting turn after Stonebwoy’s OVO Arena Wembley show, following a second video posted by Sarkodie on social media.

“After my OVO, you posted the second video on social media. Whatever message you meant to send across, only you can explain,” Stonebwoy said.

Rather than let social media do all the talking, Stonebwoy said he decided to reach out to Sarkodie directly. This came after he had posted what he described as a factual tweet and noticed some cryptic posts from the rapper.

Sarkodie, according to Stonebwoy, called him back almost immediately. Although Stonebwoy missed the initial call, he returned it, leading to a conversation that lasted more than an hour.

And apparently, this was no quick “what’s good?” phone call.

Stonebwoy said the lengthy discussion covered several issues within the music industry, including artiste behaviour, personal perspectives and the principles musicians choose to uphold.

One particular point from the conversation appears to have stuck with Stonebwoy.

According to him, Sarkodie made it clear that no artiste can be forced to uphold any particular principle.

Stonebwoy explained that, from Sarkodie’s perspective, artistes in the industry will naturally make decisions based on what benefits them, because everyone has different priorities and values.

“In our industry, artistes must play along so far as it benefits them, and it cannot matter how, because we all care about different things,” Stonebwoy recounted.

For Stonebwoy, however, that philosophy raises a bigger question about the role of principle in the entertainment business.

He suggested that the perspective could already be seen in what he referred to as “Video 1” and said that, for now, he was choosing to base his argument on only two videos.

The issue, therefore, appears to stretch beyond two social media videos. At its core is a debate about loyalty, professional relationships and whether personal interests should always take the driver’s seat when navigating the music industry.

Stonebwoy’s position is particularly clear when it comes to advice.

He believes advice loses its authority when it is not backed by principle. In other words, without a consistent standard guiding the person giving the advice, it becomes little more than a personal opinion dressed in professional clothing.

“Without PRINCIPLE, advice is an OPINION,” Stonebwoy concluded.

The comments add another chapter to the never-ending conversation about how Ghanaian artistes manage friendships, competition, business relationships and personal interests in an industry where one social media post can turn a private conversation into public entertainment.

And perhaps that is the real question sitting underneath all of this: when personal interests and professional principles meet at the same crossroads, which one gets to hold the steering wheel?

One particular position from the conversation appears to have left a lasting impression.

Stonebwoy claimed Sarkodie was clear that no musician could be “forced” to uphold any particular principle.

The argument, as recounted, was that artistes ultimately make decisions based on what serves their individual interests, and that different people within the industry naturally place value on different things.

“In our industry, artistes must play along so far as it benefits them, and it cannot matter how, because we all care about different things,” the statement read.

Stonebwoy suggested that this perspective could be seen in what they referred to as “Video 1,” adding that they were deliberately focusing on only two videos for the moment.

The wider issue, however, appears to be less about the videos themselves and more about the principles that guide relationships and professional conduct within the entertainment industry.

The Stonebwoy argued that advice only carries genuine weight when it is rooted in principle. Without that foundation, they believe advice becomes merely a matter of personal opinion.

“Without PRINCIPLE, advice is an OPINION,” the statement concluded.

The comments have added another layer to an ongoing conversation about how Ghanaian artistes navigate friendships, professional relationships, competition and personal interests, particularly when their actions are interpreted publicly through social media.

For an industry where perception can sometimes travel faster than facts, the statement raises a broader question: when personal interests and professional principles collide, which one should ultimately guide an artiste’s decisions?