After being recorded six years ago, ‘Manodzi’ was literally not in its best form to be released, a lot of fine-tuning had to be done to it before coming out in 2023.
Reggae Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy has shared how he begun with the recording of the song which won him the songwriter of the year award at the 25th TGMA.
In an interview with Berla Mundi on TV3, Stonebwoy revealed that ‘Manodzi’ was first recorded at the ninth hour while he was working on a different song and was about exiting the studio.
He said the song came to mind when he was suddenly struck by a particular guitar string while he was recording a different song.
According to him, he was working with Mix Master Garzy at the time and told him to put aside the song after it was recorded so they could later fine-tune it.
“That song was actually recorded before we recorded ‘Le Gbagbe’. That’s like six years ago…There was a guitar string that I could relate to so that’s where the record started and we did it and left it.
“I put out a whole album, Anloga junction in 2020 so that’s like four years ago, it did not even make it so we left it, we knew there was something about it,” Stonebwoy recounted.
People from Ghana have contributed to the music climate globally to the extent that it hasn't been broken yet –@stonebwoy#TV3GH #3Xtra pic.twitter.com/W8L4nWCJYE
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) June 7, 2024
The two-time Artiste of the Year noted that all through his mind, his intention was to bring out some traditional song with ‘Manodzi’ indicating that his idea was to feature Angélique Kidjo on it.
Eventually, he got in touch with the Grammy-winning African music icon, Angélique Kidjo via actress Akosua Dentaa Amoabeng.
Stonebwoy said Angélique Kidjo liked the song and hopped on it by recording her verse after which he together with Mix Master Garzy “brought out the fire out of it.”
“I think him and I must have spoken, I said this song needs a big feature which I see like Angélique Kidjo or something so I left it because I wanted to do a very traditional kind of music and it grew from there.
“I got the opportunity to meet Angélique Kidjo via Lady Dentaa and we connected. When I sent that to Angélique, she loved it immediately,” Stonebwoy stated.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step – Artist of The Year, @stonebwoy talks about his musical journey.#TV3GH #3Xtra pic.twitter.com/Oi9vREsv5Z
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) June 7, 2024
The ‘Ekelebe’ hitmaker applauded the producer for ‘Manodzi’, Mix Master Garzy for his impeccable works in making the song a blockbuster.
“At the time, it was not in the form that you guys are hearing it now but she could relate and then she went on to do her record, it came back to Ghana then him and I had to sit and bring out the fire out of it.
“Garzy did all the magic but we finished the song and when I heard the final one, I was like I need some horns on it and Garzy hit the most notorious horn and that was it,” Stonebwoy narrated.
‘Manodzi’ was part of Stonebwoy’s 5th Dimension album which was released in 2023. The song featured Angélique Kidjo and was produced by Mix Master Garzy.
‘Manodzi’ was nominated for the International Collaboration of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Record of the Year at the 25th TGMA winning all of its nominations.
