Stonebwoy Sets The Stage For 2021: Buju Banton, Sean Paul Collabs And More
Fresh off the premiere of his new music video Motion featuring Jahmiel, Stonebwoy revealed he has much more in store for 2021.
The Ghanaian artist and reigning king of Afro-dancehall recently spoke on the trajectory of Afrobeats as well as his upcoming projects. Songs are currently in the works with Sean Paul, Jah Cure, and Buju Banton as he steps it up to stamp his genre-bending signature on the world.
His efforts in pioneering the Afro-fusion movement have seen countless payoffs including the trophy for Best International Act at the 2015 BET Awards. The 31-year-old alluded in the past to the relentless drive that helped secure his spot as the go to hitmaker of his sub-genre.
“From 2009 I have been pushing that scene,” Stonebwoy said. “I am inspired by Afrobeats, reggae and dancehall, so I thought how can we merge this? This special style is what has got me here today. So, no matter how young I may be, I am grateful to be a leader of my generation,” he told Gaffer last year.
Just a decade later the global ambassador would be linking with the likes of Beenie Man on catchy tunes like Shuga, but not before impressing dancehall vanguard Sean Paul. The two appeared on 2018’s Most Original and the Temperature deejay had nothing but praises for his old collaborator in a recent IG interview.
He told DJ 4EIGN in the live session that Stonebwoy was the only non-Jamaican featured on his upcoming album. “The [Guns of Navarone] remix features Stonebwoy. Big up StoneBwoy, He is the only outside person not from Jamaica gonna feature on the album,” Sean Paul said.
He added that the younblood’s homage paying set him apart from the genres many culture vultures.
“You know what I rate about him, a lot of people do dancehall but they don’t say they do dancehall, they don’t come to Jamaica for the production,” he said. “I really respect that about Stonebwoy. He knows what we developed here over the years is really authentic. Other People do dancehall, they don’t tell us it’s dancehall, they don’t give the respect.”
For now though, Stonebwoy is still “bridging the gap and connecting the vibe musically” ensuring he doesn’t leave out the conscious side of things. He said this process means “linking with the right people to get the information and the education” and raved about being hosted by Buju Banton during his 48-hour stopover last week.
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“I feel like in today’s time a lot of people are just jumping onto the fun fun fun thing and leaving the conscious thing behind,” Stonebwoy told OnStage host Winfred Williams.
He gave a big shout out to the Gargamel who ‘has been schooling him on a lot of things’ which he thinks will give his music mass appeal as a purposeful youngster. “Spiritually, physically there is a need to connect to Jamaica,” he added. “Jamaica has a role to play.”
He divulged very few details on the link-up or its outcome, but was optimistic in summing up the onslaught of Afrobeats on the world. “Afrobeat now is gaining good grounds internationally. Jamaica is like a master point so if you hear a lot of our names over here then you know there’s something good going on. It’s getting there, it’s going somewhere, it’s beautiful.”
“What I can say is that we are now understanding one another’s music even more and sharing in it. Africans have always shared in reggae, Caribbean music and soca, so I feel like African music is now getting that love as well on the other side.”