Ghanaian reggae and dancehall star Theophilus Nii Arday Otoo, popularly known as Epixode, has addressed recent comments made by veteran musician-turned-evangelist Lord Kenya regarding the authenticity of the Patois used by Ghanaian artistes.
Lord Kenya, now a pastor, recently questioned the originality of the Jamaican Patois spoken by local dancehall and reggae musicians, suggesting that much of it lacks authenticity.
Reacting to the statement during an interview on Okay FM with host Nana Romeo, Epixode defended his fellow artistes, explaining that language authenticity is often a challenge for non-native speakers. He compared it to how foreigners struggle to fluently and accurately speak Ghanaian dialects, stating that it’s only natural for Ghanaians to have some difficulty with a foreign language like Patois.
Epixode acknowledged that musicians like Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale may not speak Patois exactly like native Jamaicans, but emphasized that their effort and artistry should be respected.
He also expressed disappointment in Lord Kenya’s remarks, cautioning that discrediting the hard work of younger musicians could breed resentment and disrespect toward music legends.
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