Ghanaian Afro-dancehall and reggae star Stonebwoy has remained committed to strengthening the blend between African and Jamaican music genres.

The entertainer — who sat down with the Jamaica Observer in Kingston on Friday following his performance at Dream Weekend’s Igloo on August 5 — emphasised his passion for unity among the genres for combined growth.

“Eventually, truth be spoken, we have to be thinking as a collective people, because it’s been years and years of segregated people being brainwashed to think that we’re separate. There is empirical evidence to suggest that, once you’re black, you come from Africa… We couldn’t just say we’ve only travelled where the melanin and the colour originated, but not the skill, the style, the talent, [and] the passion. On that tangent, reggae [artistes] will tell you that they take [inspiration] from the African genres. What I’m saying is reggae belongs to Ghanaians as much as it belongs to Jamaicans, and Afrobeat belongs to the Caribbean or Jamaica as much as it belongs to Africa… it’s ‘Out of Many, One People’,” the entertainer said.

Stonebwoy (given name Livingstone Etse Satekla) has collaborated with over 50 Jamaican acts, including Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Dexta Daps, Kranium, Kabaka Pyramid, Bounty Killer, Agent Sasco, Spice, Jahmiel, and many others.

Meanwhile, he underscored the importance of continuously tapping into the Jamaican talent pool.

“I’ve done collabs outside of the dancehall fraternity, anyway, but if I’m an Afro-dancehall pioneer that tells you that largely my inspiration would come from reggae and dancehall music, plus the African music that we have. Reggae music — which is the mother — still has some identical roots to the Motherland. It actually goes ‘round and ‘round like that, so I feel the need to be very specific with it, which is Afro-dancehall,” Stonebwoy told the Observer.

The international star beamed with talk of his Dream Weekend début, marking his third overall performance in Jamaica, having previously graced the Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest stages.

He shared that the Jamaican crowd isn’t easily impressed because of the calibre of artistes who have emerged from the island. So, the positive perception he has received is meaningful.

“I just come with my message and A-game, in terms of delivery and technicality. Of course, I come from Ghana and we have widely expanded our production, so a lot of the times, most of the shows that I host back home you’ll realise that the production has improved to the highest standard. Therefore, we know what to deliver to our Jamaican crowd, and I don’t think it’s too much to match up with all the experience from the shows and festivals et cetera,” he said, adding that he looks to host a ‘Stonebwoy and Friends Live’ in Jamaica in the foreseeable future.

With a new EP to be released this week, the artiste promises continued mutual support of Jamaican culture, as much as the prior have rallied behind him.

“I’m grateful and happy for the reception that I get in Jamaica every time… out of not being a Jamaican, I carry the responsibility, as well, for continuing to amplify and connect the reggae and dancehall music to the Africans. By so doing I have my festival running for the tenth year. I brought Spice last year, and Jahshii and Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Kranium, Morgan Heritage, 10tik, have also been on it. I’m very grateful for the support. Continue to support it, ‘cause it’s only going to get bigger and better,” he said.