Ghanaian dancehall artiste, Livingstone Etse Satekla popularly known in the industry as Stonebwoy has revealed he often gets routinely stopped and searched at airports when traveling because of his dreadlocks, with security officials often checking “deep into the hair.”
Speaking in an interview about his travel experiences, Stonebwoy noted that the searches typically happen when he is traveling outside Ghana. “They would even search the locks too like deep into the hair. They would pick me up for secondary interrogation and once they find out who I am then it’s all good,” he said.
The “Silent Samurai” hitmaker said he is unsure whether the practice is racial, but acknowledged why it occurs. “I understand because most times people hide illicit substances in their locks when crossing borders so I feel it’s necessary,” he stated.
Stonebwoy added that he does not take the profiling personally. “I don’t let it get to me because it is through these profilings that I get to meet the boss, the big man in charge,” he said.
He also reflected on the wider social stigma attached to dreadlocks. “But I’ve realized even with the stigma associated with dread, people respect you for how you carry yourself,” he said. “Locks are frowned upon and I even saw it when I went to visit my auntie. The look she gave me was louder than words even though she said nothing.”
Stonebwoy has always been known for his signature dreadlocks and has previously spoken about his choice to wear them as part of his identity and brand.
