Rapper M.anifest has questioned the growing culture of toxic fandom in the music industry, arguing that intense fan rivalries are creating more division than value for Ghanaian music.
M.anifest’s comments come as the disagreement between Sarkodie and Stonebwoy continues to generate heated reactions from fans and fellow artistes.
In a post on X, M.anifest questioned why music lovers cannot enjoy rivalries without turning them into outright hatred.
“Stan culture is a net minus for the culture. The division it creates isn’t adding up. Rivalries are cool, but is it really so difficult to remove toxic hate from the equation?” he wrote.
His latest comment follows an earlier post in which he rejected the idea that Ghana’s creative industry needs “unity” at all costs.
According to M.anifest, the industry instead needs cooperation, ethical behaviour, quality control, proper knowledge of the business and the application of best practices.
“We DON’T need unity in our music/creative scene. Unity is a MYTH and a banner often waved by selfish people when they want everyone to rally behind them,” he stated.
That position has become particularly relevant amid Stonebwoy’s recent criticism of Sarkodie, with the Bhim Nation boss accusing the rapper of hypocrisy.
Stonebwoy’s stance appeared to be rooted in the same broader question M.anifest had raised earlier; whether artistes should simply rally around the idea of unity or be allowed to call out behaviour they believe is wrong.
The situation has since drawn Shatta Wale into the conversation.
Shatta, who appeared on TikTok Live dressed as a “lawyer”, defended Sarkodie and urged Stonebwoy to apologise, arguing that Sarkodie’s post which triggered the reaction was not directed at him.
The back-and-forth has also divided fans online, with supporters of the artistes defending their respective camps and reigniting old comparisons between Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale.
