Livingstone Etse Satekla, better known by his stage name Stonebwoy is in my opinion the epitome of excellence when fusing influences from Afro-Dancehall, Dancehall and Reggae. The multi-award winning Ghanaian native boasts accolades including but not limited to best International Act in Africa at the 2015 BET Awards, Artist of the Year at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards and two billboard awards.
Though the artist is deservedly rewarded for his exceptional contributions in music, it is not these awards that validate him but rather his mystique, his artistry, his humility, his diversity and his personality. The Ashaiman native began composing music from a tender age and has evolved into one of the most polished, proficient and dexterous entertainers to ever grace the Dancehall stage. The “Pull Up” deejay is unquestionable a generational talent with a diverse catalogue of music to match any Jamaican Dancehall artist. He is a unique talent who possesses a variety of musical styles and variations, incorporating the Jamaican Patios, Afro Beat and native Ghanaian dialogues to produce edgy, vibrant, acoustic and harmonic overtones that can be appreciated by any Dancehall enthusiast.
Stonebwoy, who has released several chart topping studio albums which includes Grade 1 Album in 2012, Necessary Evil in 2014 and the widely successful Epistles of Mama in 2017 is a superstar and philanthropist in his own right within is home country of Ghana, celebrated, revered and admired by a cult following he likes to call the Bhim Nation, consisting of dedicated fans from all over the world that adapts his influences as a model citizen, an activist and a cultural icon.
As a student of Dancehall, I have studied its landscape for over 13 years now, dissecting the Politics, the Relationships, the Theories, the Methods and the Science as it relates to the music industry and I can declare to you that with the emergence of Afro-Beat-Dancehall, Stonebwoy is a pioneer and protagonist for the genre , playing a vital role in metastasizing the music beyond borders that were once inaccessible.
Stonebwoy, who I had the pleasure to meet in 2017 is not only a great musician but also a natural stage performer. A characteristic that is lacking in many of the new comers in the Dancehall arena today. On stage, the “Real Warrior” deejay possess the rhythm, the tempo, the melody and dynamism to keep a crowd entertained for hours on end. He has travelled the world, gracing stages in Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Canada & the United States to name a few, while making appearances on some of the biggest Reggae festivals such as Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica, Afro Nation festival in Portugal, Uppsala Reggae Festival in Scandinavia and Rototom Sunsplash in Spain.
Stonebwoy is also a husband and a father to two lovely children, an actor with a guest appearance in the movie called My name is Ramadan and a brand ambassador for Voltic Natural Mineral Water and ‘Big Boss’ energy drink. The artiste is set to release Anloga Junction, his fourth studio album, premiering on the 24th of April, 2020 on all digital stores.
Authors: Michael Williams & Yung Barrista, The Jamaica Times
