Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has opened up about the emotional and physical challenges he has faced living with a disability, saying years of being mocked over his condition have only strengthened his resolve.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Africa, the award-winning musician said he has frequently been subjected to insults, including being called a “cripple,” but has refused to allow such comments to define him.

“Opponents have called me a ‘cripple’ every day they do, and it doesn’t get to me,” he said. “For anybody to use that against you, it means they’re not in the right frame of mind. They don’t know better.”

Stonebwoy also reflected on his childhood, describing how financial difficulties and his physical condition made his education particularly challenging.

He recalled walking several miles from Ashaiman to Tema Methodist Day Secondary School while living with a stiff knee reinforced with metal implants.

“You have to walk some miles to school while having a stiff knee with metals inside,” he said. “So it toughens your mind. You have to have a different source of inspiration to be able to move.”

According to the musician, those early experiences built the resilience that has guided him throughout his life and career.

He also spoke about the limited attention given to mental health during his upbringing, saying he often felt isolated because expressing vulnerability was not widely accepted.

“If you show softness, mental health is not really addressed. That’s how I’ve always felt—that I was alone,” he said.

Stonebwoy said those experiences ultimately shaped his outlook on life, helping him develop the mental strength to overcome both physical and emotional challenges while pursuing a successful music career.