There are days I just have random thoughts like; what beats good looks? Or what beats the delight that comes with chewing on a a good food?
Well, I won’t say I’ve arrived at an answer yet but I definitely have the. Artistes in Focus for the week. We feature Stone boy and Seyi Shay.
Stonebwoy
His name is Livingstone Etse Satekla. The Ghanaian musician’s name is not so far from his professional name. He is a singer and the CEO of Burniton Music Group. He was also one of the lots that discovered that they could sing at a very early age. He discovered that he had the niche to become a lyricist and a scriptwriter. He was known for writing and acting drama pieces as far back as the fourth year in primary school.
He also studied at Methodist Day Secondary School the same year with rapper Sarkodie where he gained his High School Leaving Certificate.
Soon after his education, Stonebwoy was signed to Samini Music, he recorded his first hit single titled “Climax” in it he featured Samini. “Climax” was still making waves when he released another singles “Ghetto Love” featuring Irene Logan.
The songs earned him recognition and nominations at the Ghana Music Awards. It was a proof that his interest in music was bound for success. He released his debut album “Grade 1 Album” in 2012.
The album was bombarded with seventeen tracks which featured prominent Ghanaian artists including Tinny and Edem. This album made the Stonebwoy brand a household name in the music industry.
In 2014, Stonebwoy released his second album, called the Necessary Evil. This album contains twenty-nine tracks, including the famous Baafira track that featured Sakordie. He released Epistles of Mama in 2017 and Anloga Junction in 2020.
He has won many awards and nominations. He won in the category of Artist of the Year” to “Album of the Year”.
His second album won him three Ghana Music Awards from six nominations.
His style of music is a matchup of Afropop, dancehall and reggae. He is one of the faces of Afrobeats in Ghana.
Seyi Shay
Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua is a Nigerian-based singer, songwriter and actress. She was born and raised in London. Her interest in music was influenced by her family members. Her mother was a chorister and her two elder siblings used to compose songs for TV shows. Her brother was also a radio and club disc jockey. In her secondary school days, joined her secondary school choir. She performed for the London Community Gospel Choir during their world tour, which included 13 cities in Japan. As a result of that performance, she chose to study music at a local UK college and went on to study business management at the University of East London against her mother’s wish. Her mother wanted her to become a lawyer or a doctor.
Her first official shot at music when she signed her first ever record deal with No Apology, a record company affiliated with George Martin (commonly referred to as the “Fifth Beatle”).
In 2006, Seyi Shay formed a girl band in the UK called Boadicea; they were managed by Ron Tom, the founder and manager of All Saints and Sugababes.
Soon after the band broke up, she auditioned in the From Above UK singing audition. Shay decided to partake in the From Above UK singing audition. She emerged as the lead vocalist for the now defunct girl group From Above.
On 27 July 2012, Shay released “Irawo” as the album’s lead single. This song was her gateway into the Nigerian music industry. It was produced by Del B. The music video wasn’t out till 2013. It was shot and directed in Nigeria. In August 2013, Shay released the album’s second single “Killin’ Me Softly”, featuring Nigerian singer Timaya.
In 2014, she released Dokta Frabz-produced single “Murda”. The song also made wave in the music industry.
Seyi Shay sound is a mix of Afropop, R&B and reggae. She has won many awards like the Best New Musician of the Year (Female) at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2013, Best R&B Single in 2019 at the Headies for “Gimme love”
Seyi Shay’s impact in Nigerian music is unique and beautiful.
