Ghanaian Afro-dancehall artist Stonebwoy’s sixth studio album, Up & Runnin6, is out now. It marks a major milestone as his first unbiased launch below his Burniton Music Group, distributed by way of Warner Music Group’s ADA.
The 13-track challenge showcases Stonebwoy’s dedication to authenticity, seamlessly mixing conventional African sounds with modern beats to create a dynamic fusion that celebrates his heritage.
Up & Runnin6 options a powerful lineup of collaborations, together with Jamaican dancehall queen Spice on the observe “Jiggle and Whine,” which Stonebwoy describes as tapping into “that type of dancehall sound that [people] miss.” The album additionally consists of contributions from Wyclef Jean on “Pray For Me,” Jahmiel, 10TIK, and Larruso on “OVERLORD,” and ODUMODUBLVCK on “EKELEBE,” amongst others.
This launch comes at a time when international consideration is more and more centered on African music, with Ghana enjoying a pivotal position. Stonebwoy notes that “Ghana has all the time been the inspiration to many of those genres,” emphasizing the nation’s affect on the evolution of Afrobeats from highlife music. His dedication to highlighting this wealthy musical heritage is obvious all through the album, aiming to remind listeners of the genuine sounds which have formed modern African music.
Past his musical endeavors, Stonebwoy has been balancing his profession with tutorial pursuits. He not too long ago graduated with a level from the Ghana Institute of Administration and Public Administration and is at present enrolled in an MBA program on the College of Ghana. Regardless of a demanding schedule that features performances at main occasions just like the African Video games Finals and the Ghanaian Music Awards, the place he garnered a number of accolades, Stonebwoy stays dedicated to each his training and his artistry.
EBONY caught up with multi-hyphenate to debate African music, his new album and steering his profession.
EBONY: Your new challenge, Up and Runnin6, is out now. Are you able to inform me why you selected that title and what it represents for you proper now?
Stonebwoy: Up and operating in some methods is self-explanatory. We’re simply up with no matter. It’s what we’ve been doing. And what we’ve been doing is greatness. It’s contributing to the ecosystem of African music coming from the motherland and spreading into the diaspora with its range. And right here on this challenge, we now have captured the Caribbean presence, as nicely, into the African presence as a result of we’re all one folks. I’ve been preaching and been educating that as a result of there’s a necessity to repeatedly set up that truth as a result of it’s essential. So, for all of that, we’re up and operating, yah man.
How does it really feel to see Ghana get a bit bit extra shine when persons are speaking about African music?
Ghana has all the time been the inspiration to many of those genres. Once you go into the historical past books, you’ll be advised that Afrobeats began from a extremely popular style referred to as highlife. And highlife was originated proper right here in Ghana. Highlife nonetheless is the bedrock of the Afrobeats of in the present day. And it was created proper right here in Ghana by Ghanaians who’re legendary. So, it’s only proper from these instances that Ghana has discovered its approach into the tradition.
You labored with Spice on the tack “Jiggle and Whine” off the brand new challenge. That’s an incredible Pan-African second. How did that music come about?
“Jiggle and Whine” is a music that stems from the manufacturing. It’s that type of dancehall sound that [people] miss. Even with the sample and the instrumentation, it goes a bit approach again to the 2010, 2012, 2013 sound, you understand? And that’s the genuine type of sound that I needed to faucet into. This entire album is about authenticity. Then we felt like ‘All proper, cool. Let me get the queen of the dance corridor on this one.’ So, after I despatched it to her, it was like, bang, that’s the one. She took day out to place a stupendous verse on that.
This yr, as a part of your cope with ADA, you introduced persevering with your personal label, going unbiased, and taking better management of your operation. Why did you’re feeling this was the proper time to take full management and lead outdoors the key label system?
In my very own view, I feel I’ve all the time been [in charge] as a result of there are a number of sorts of contractual agreements that artists get into. For me, I’ve accomplished a whole lot of partnerships, and I’ve all the time had my half to very a lot play. You already know, in the case of my data and producing and all of that, it’s by no means actually been a 360 the place you’ve had all of it within the fingers of a label who’s closely investing assets and all of that. It’s all the time been a partnership. I’ve all the time thought of myself extra of a mid-independent [laughs]. You already know, semi-independent. However as a result of I consider in enterprise collaborations as a result of, curiously, music itself is a collaboration.
You’ve additionally centered on larger training. What have you ever been finding out?
I graduated from the Ghana Institute of Administration and Public Administration, which is the premier college for Covenant and Public Administration. I accomplished my first diploma. I graduated a number of months in the past. Now, I’m doing the MBA on the College of Ghana. So, I’m at present at school, principally. And the commencement is gonna be in July.
How do you handle college whereas juggling many huge exhibits?
Oh yeah, it’s actually about distribution—managing your time successfully and deciding what to prioritize so that you keep centered and productive. For me, being this busy is how I do know I’m really alive and dealing. I don’t ever wish to really feel lazy or unproductive in any capability. I’d quite be exhausted from doing an excessive amount of than drained from doing too little.
Proper now, my life is filled with a lot to deal with. However I consider that when every little thing is juggled correctly and falls into place, we’ll look again and thank God for giving us the power and mindset to maneuver at this tempo and function at such a excessive degree.
What are you able to inform us about the remainder of your plans for the yr?
Clear up: This challenge, I pray, will remind folks of the genuine sounds we’ve all the time loved earlier than getting caught up within the present wave. It’s nonetheless very recent, nevertheless it brings again sounds from the previous in a brand new kind. That’s what I need us to take house. For instance, “Jejereje” is a stupendous masterpiece that reminds you of the African sound—not in its very modern kind, however in a approach that makes you miss it. These are the sorts of songs I aimed for, and the sensation they carry to in the present day’s sound is wonderful. It’s refreshing—you may dance to it, jam to it, and really get pleasure from it.
I feel that’s what’s lacking on a worldwide scale, so I’m actually completely satisfied to serve the lots in that approach. They’re going to go away with some lovely vibes, from inspiration to like to tenacity, as all the time.
