STONEBWOY: THE RISING PHOENIX
2015 IS SHAPING UP TO BE the best year for Livingstone Etse Satekla aka Stonebwoy Burniton, as his winning spree at both the local and international scene continues. Last weekend in Los Angeles, the 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards winner added the 2015 BET International African Act trophy to his growing collection.
Stonebwoy, the dancehall/reggae artists warded off competition from fellow Ghanaian, Sarkodie, Nigeria’s Yemi Alade, The Soil and AKA from South Africa. What made Stonebwoy’s win a memorable one was that he came from behind to snatch the victory. Perhaps, apart from the BHIM Nation hardcore fans, many musical bookers placed him behind Sarkodie and AKA for the honours.
The Baafira hitmaker began his career under his ‘father’ Samini’s High Grade Family imprint after exhibiting incredible talent on Adom FM’s Kasahare Level show (a rap battle platform).
Though I may not be a super fan of Stonebwoy, my interest in his music was piqued after hearing him on the Samini featured Climax tune. His ability to lace all the titles of Samini’s top hits on a verse was to say the least amazing. Nobody had done so since TH4Kwages on their Taxi Driver album. Stonebwoy went independent, after what seemed a difference between him and his ‘father’.
SUCCESS STORY
Stonebwoy’s rise to stardom did not come cheap. He worked his bones to reach this height. After the Samini departure, I was one of the few who questioned that decision and wondered if he would survive. The BHIM and Ashaiman god is alive and rising, making Ghana proud with his exploits and feats.
Stonebwoy’s success has been pinned on, among other things his tenacity, passion and humility. Samini was one of the people who spoke about Stonebwoy’s tenacity in an interview earlier in his career. According to him, he realized the hunger for success in Stonebwoy the first day he encountered him at Dansoman. He actually journeyed from Ashaiman to meet with him. That was one of the top reasons why he signed him.
Stonebwoy is not only a good music artiste but an incredible songwriter and performer. His lyrics are rich (content wise) and is rumoured to have ghost written for many artistes including Samini, Kaakie and MzVee. Again, he knows how to touch a record and make it good whether singing or ‘ragga-ing’. Anybody who has seen him perform will realize what a true artiste he is-one of the few artists who play with life bands.
His fellow artistes took to twitter to express their excitement on his win
And GHANA Won !!!!!!!!!!!!! @stonebwoyb pic.twitter.com/YOo7b6KWBN
— Sarkodie (@sarkodie) June 28, 2015
stonebwoyb 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 I’m sure you know exactly how… https://t.co/EZmvc5mHPA
— SAMINI (@samini_dagaati) June 28, 2015
Bhiiiiiiiiim worldwide. Big up @stonebwoyb we love and appreciate you.. Tears of joy for this kid if you know his story. Forwaaaaaaaard
— R2b’s(Refus2BeBroke) (@r2bees) June 28, 2015
Congrats to my Natural Boy 😁😁😁 @stonebwoyb U r a massive inspiration #BhimNation #BETAwards2015 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
— MzVee (@mzveegh) June 28, 2015
His humility and respect for people of all shades is something well spoken about by those who have met him. He earned respect among music fans when he refused to indulge in trade-offs (beefs) with other dancehall acts who came attacking. On The KSM Show days after winning the 2015 VGMA Artiste of the Year award, he explained he was more interested in spending time doing good music than beefing with others. And truly, he has kept his words.
