Universal Music Group signs Stonebwoy to Def Jam Africa
Livingstone Etse Satekla, better known as Stonebwoy, a Ghanaian Afropop, dancehall, and renowned reggae performer and pioneer, has joined the global Def Jam artist family, according to Universal Music Group (UMG) label divisions Def Jam Recordings, 0207 Def Jam, and Def Jam Africa.
The record label stands tall as home to some of the continent’s biggest names in hip-hop, Afrobeats, and trap music.
0207 Def Jam Ghanaian-British co-presidents Alec & Alex Boateng expressed satisfaction at the artist’s signing, in their words, “Stonebwoy is one of the great Ghanaian based modern music artists and ambassadors. Hopefully this is the first of many more collaborative projects to come.”
Although the artist signed his first deal with Universal Music Group in 2018, his Def Jam Africa contracts will add bigger icings to his career cake. The label will promote his music in Africa, while Def Jam Recordings will serve as his label home in the United States, with 0207 Def Jam providing support in the United Kingdom.
UMG’s global dedication to promote Stonebwoy’s diverse style and Ghanaian music culture to new audiences around the world is exemplified by this collaboration between labels.
“Stonebwoy is a true African talent. He works to lift the heart and spirit of those around him, whilst producing fresh sounds that keep blowing the world away. We look forward to what 2022 has in store for him,” says Sipho Dlamini, Universal Music’s CEO for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, is ecstatic to welcome yet another African megastar to the Def Jam lineup.
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The ‘Burniton Music Group’ CEO is super active and participating on social media, with over 4 million Instagram followers, 3 million on Facebook, and 2.3 million on Twitter, he can be regarded as one of Africa’s most followed musicians.
Following his signing, Stonebwoy released his first single through Def Jam Recordings, 0207 Def Jam, and Def Jam Africa, on May 3, titled Therapy, with backing from UMG labels all throughout the world. It’s also the lead single from Stonebwoy’s upcoming album, which is set to drop in mid-2022.
Stonebwoy has always been a standout in his musical career, with big-leagued recognitions to his name. At the 2015 BET Awards, he was named Best International Act: Africa, and at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards, he was named Artist of the Year. He has also been awarded two Billboard plaques and has been dubbed the African king of reggae and dancehall. Stonebwoy has also acted in films like Happy Death Day and My Name Is Ramadan. He represents Tecno in Ghana as a brand ambassador. He’s an all round talent.
Source: UMG
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
