Stonebwoy is the stage name of Livingstone Etse Satekla (born 1988), a Ghanaian afropop, dancehall and reggae artiste. He is the CEO of Burniton Music Group. In 2015, he won Best International Act: Africa at the 2015 BET Awards and Artist of the Year at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards. Many Ghanaians recognize him as one of the leading Reggae and Dancehall artists in the country.
Life and music career
Satekla was born in Ashaiman in the Greater Accra region of Ghana and began making music in his early school days. He studied at Methodist Day Secondary School the same year with rapper Sarkodie where he gained his High School Leaving Certificate. He continued his tertiary education at University of Professional Studies to earn a degree in Marketing in 2013.
He began performing as Stonebwoy since high school as an underground rapper. With motivation from his family, he appeared on a popular rap competition "Kasahare Level" on Adom FM which featured Sarkodie, Dr Cryme and the like saw him knocking out several other rappers gaining himself underground popularity. It was through these rap battles and his style of music which caught the eye of Samini to sign him to his "Samini Music" record label.
Under "Samini Music", Stonebwoy recorded his first hit single "Climax" featuring Samini and subsequently "Ghetto Love" featuring Irene Logan. Both songs earned him nominations at the Ghana Music Awards. After this exposure, he released his debut album "Grade 1 Album" under Samini Music which made him, Stonebwoy a household name in the music industry. In 2015 Stonebwoy signed a deal with VP Africa a division of VP Records.
Recognition and musical style
Stonebwoy often ragga in Jamaican Patois (Patwa or Patwah), and is considered a "multifaceted rapper" due to the various musical styles he possess. In 2015, he received many awards and nominations ranging from "Artist of the Year" to "Album of the Year". His sophomore album, Necessary Evil, was the recipient of 3 Ghana Music Awards from 6 nominations.
Awards and nominations
WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards
Ghana Music Awards
Bass Awards
BET Awards
African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMA)
Videography
| Year | Title | Director | Ref |
|---|
| 2017 | One Thing ft. Damaris | Lex McCarthy |
| 2017 | Enku Lenu | Alexx Adjei |
| 2016 | Problem | Faido Mugaba |
| 2016 | Go Higher | Lex McCarthy | |
| 2016 | Mightylele | Edith | |
| 2016 | Auntie Dede As featured artiste | Prince Dovlo | |
| 2016 | Sheekena Featuring R2bees | Lex McCarthy | |
| 2016 | True Love As featured artiste | N/A | |
| 2015 | Run Go | Joey William | |
| 2015 | Million Styles | Darius Big.D |
Discography
- 2012: Grade 1 Album
- 2014: Necessary Evil
Major singles
- Climax featuring Samini Produced by JMJ
- Ghetto Love featuring Irene Logan Produced by JMJ
- Pull Up Produced by MixMasta Garzy
- Kwenaamu Produced by Beat Dakay
- Baafira featuring Sarkodie Produced by Beat Dakay
- Sheekena featuring R2Bees Produced by Beat Dakay
- Body Hot As featured artiste
