Stonebwoy – Livingstone Etse Satekla

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

YearNominee/workAwardResultRef
2016People DeyBest Reggae/Dancehall VideoNominated
Best West African VideoNominated

Ghana Music Awards

YearNominee/workAwardResult
2015HimselfReggae/Dancehall Song of the YearNominated
2015HimselfReggae Song Of The Year 2012Nominated
2016HimselfReggae/Dancehall Song Of The Year 2016Won
2016HimselfReggae/Dancehall Artiste Of The Year 2016Won

Bass Awards

YearNominee/workAwardResult
2015HimselfAlbum of the YearWon
2015HimselfBest PerformerWon
2015HimselfBest Reggae VideoWon
2015HimselfDancehall Artiste of the YearWon
2015HimselfArtiste of the YearWon
2015HimselfReggae Song of the YearWon
2014HimselfDygjhghgghgWon
2013HimselfBest CollaborationWon

BET Awards

YearNominee/workAwardResult
2015HimselfBest International Act: AfricaWon

African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMA)

YearNominee/workAwardResult
2015HimselfBest African Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall: AFRIMAWon

VIDEOGRAPHY

YearTitleDirectorRef
2017One Thing ft. DamarisLex McCarthy
2017Enku LenuAlexx Adjei
2016ProblemFaido Mugaba
2016Go HigherLex McCarthy
2016MightyleleEdith
2016Auntie Dede As featured artistePrince Dovlo
2016Sheekena Featuring R2beesLex McCarthy
2016True Love As featured artisteN/A
2015Run GoJoey William
2015Million StylesDarius 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