Stonebwoy confirms collaboration with Ne-Yo

Ghanaian dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has confirmed there is a song collaboration in the works with American R&B sensation, Ne-Yo.

According the 2015 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards Best International Act: Africa winner, there are currently talks to get the deal executed.

In July this year, a photograph of Stonebwoy with Grammy Award winning artiste hit the internet, fuelling rumours that the two could be hitting the studio.

After months of silence on the collaboration, Stonebwoy, born Livingstone Etse Satekla, confirmed the initiative exclusively to Myjoyonline.com in an interview at the 2015 MultiChoice Africa Content Showcase in Mauritius.  

“[In] the US we are speaking with Ne-Yo like the last time there was a picture that came out. Communication is going on with management...” he said.

The ‘Go Higher’ hit singer did not state when the song will be released but said, “It will take time but gradually we just hope to put smiles on the faces of Ghanaians.”

Apart from his collaboration with Ne-Yo, Stonebwoy said he has been busy working with Burna Boy (Nigeria), Cynthia Morgan (Nigeria), AKA (South Africa), Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) and Jamaican-born US-based dancehall star, Kranium.

After winning the 2015 Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year, there has been pressure on the Ashiaman-based artiste not to rest on his oars.

After winning that award, he went on the win the BET Award and later performed at the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) in South Africa. He received a nomination at the 2015 MAMA.

Asked how he is coping with the pressure, Stonebwoy said, “I would always give the best that I can because it doesn’t take only me as an artiste to keep moving forward. It takes me and the fans, and the media going as well.”  

He said he is working hard not to disappoint his fans and Ghanaians.

“This year particularly has been hectic for me... I’ve been running around trying to better myself as an artiste and living up to expectations for the masses and for [Ghanaians [to] say that ‘oh yeah that is Stonebwoy and that is our artiste’,” he added.