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Livingstone Etse Satekla, born on March 5, 1988, and better known by his stage name Stonebwoy, is a prominent Ghanaian musician celebrated for his contributions to Afropop, Afro-dancehall, and reggae.
As the CEO of Burniton Music Group, Stonebwoy's influence in the music industry is significant. He has garnered numerous accolades, including the Best International Act: Africa at the 2015 BET Awards and Artiste of the Year at both the 2015 and 2024 Ghana Music Awards.
Stonebwoy's impressive achievements also include two Billboard plaques and a Golden Club plaque from Boomplay for surpassing 100 million streams on the platform, earning him the title of the king of reggae and dancehall in Africa.
Stonebwoy's versatility extends beyond music; he is also an actor, having appeared in films like "Happy Death Day" and "My Name is Ramadan." His role as a global ambassador for sanitation underscores his commitment to social causes.
In September 2019, he was appointed brand ambassador for Voltic Natural Mineral Water and also represents Tecno Mobile in Ghana. In 2022, Stonebwoy signed with Universal Music Group's Def Jam Recordings, including Def Jam Recordings Africa, to release his fifth studio album, "5th Dimension," and plans to produce three albums under the label.
Born in Ashaiman in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, Stonebwoy discovered his musical talents early in life. He attended Tema Methodist Day Secondary School and later graduated from the University of Professional Studies, Accra, with a degree in marketing in 2013.
His career has been marked by numerous awards and nominations, with his sophomore album "Necessary Evil" winning three Ghana Music Awards from six nominations.
In addition to his musical prowess, Stonebwoy has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He established the Livingstone Foundation, which has provided scholarships and donations to various causes, including a donation to the accident ward of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and distributing sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation, along with Duffour Foundation, also renovated a basic school serving four towns near his hometown.
Stonebwoy's endorsements include being the brand ambassador for 'Big Boss,' a new energy drink, and Tecno Mobile, for which he unveiled the Camon 16 Series in 2020.
His global influence is evident from his world tours, performing in countries across Europe, North America, and Australia, as well as notable festivals like Reggae Sumfest and the Global Citizen Festival in Accra.
Despite his success, Stonebwoy has faced controversy. In May 2019, a brawl with fellow musician Shatta Wale at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards led to both artists being banned from the event and arrested.
However, they reconciled later that month, and Stonebwoy's ban was lifted in 2022. In a 2023 interview, Stonebwoy expressed his willingness to collaborate with Shatta Wale, indicating that their past issues had been resolved.
Stonebwoy remains a dynamic figure in the music industry, embodying the essence of Afrobeats, reggae, and dancehall, and continues to make significant strides both in his music career and philanthropic endeavors.
Explore the life of Stonebwoy below.
