STONEBWOY is this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year. This makes it the 10th time the talented act is owning the bragging rights.

And it seems one time BET award winner is in no hurry to rest on his oars. He is sparking the Afro Dancehall scene with his new nine-rack, The Torcher album released on Tuesday, September 9.

Ogee The MC, Stonebwoy’s official hype man, kicks off the album with a bang on the Intro track, showcasing his smooth voice and creative flair

Other songs on the album are The Torcher, Send Dem A Prayer, GidiGidi (Fire), Samankudi, Outside Lifestyle, Susuka (feat. Beeztrap & Yaw Tog), Xosetor (feat. Agbeshie & Kenny Ice) and Deeper.

The title track, The Torcher, arrives with a commanding vocal delivery layered over heavy drum patterns, Dancehall riddims, and a pulsating bassline that instantly ignites energy.

Deeper is a song that explores deeper emotions. With soulful music and heartfelt melodies, it highlights Stonebwoy’s impressive vocal range. He seamlessly switches between his signature Dancehall style and a more melodic, spiritual tone.

Since its release, Xosetor featuring Agbeshie & Kenny Ice seems to be catching on well with its Ewe flavour and chants.

“Beyond the sound, The Torcher carries a deeper narrative. It is a call for empowerment, urging fans to carry their flame” and never allow life’s challenges to dim their light,” Stonebwoy said.

The Torcher is the third album released in three years by the 2023 TGMA Artiste of the Year after 5th Dimension and Up and Runnin in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Since he rose to prominence in 2012, Stonebwoy, real name, Livingstone Etse Satekla, has distinguished himself in his field of music.

Over the years, he has strengthened his brand with international tours and standout collaborations with international artistes including Keri Hilson, Sean Paul, Trey Songz, Burna Boy, Alpha Blondie, and many more.

Stonebwoy has rocked some very notable stages across the world from 2019’s Rotom Sunsplash Festival (Spain) to 2020’s Afro Nation (Puerto Rico), 2021’s Yam Carnival (UK), and recently at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival in Qatar last year.

His numerous awards include Best International Act: Africa at BET Awards (2016), Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards (2015 and 2023), and two Billboard plaques.

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A New York judge has thrown out a civil lawsuit filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs that accused the music mogul of drugging and sexually assaulting a then 23-year-old artist at a Los Angeles nightclub.

The ruling is the latest legal victory for Diddy as he continues to face separate criminal proceedings.

The plaintiff filed the complaint in February, alleging that an encounter in 2015 ended with him passed out after drinking a beverage and waking to unwanted sexual contact with Combs.

The suit, brought by attorney Tony Buzbee, also claimed that Combs threatened the young artist’s career if he resisted.

The complaint named Diddy as well as his companies, Bad Boy Entertainment and Combs Enterprises.

In her decision, the judge said the claims were time barred under New York law.

The court noted that the statute of limitations in effect when the alleged incident occurred allowed five years to bring such claims.

 A 2019 change in state law that extended the window for certain sex abuse claims to 20 years does not apply retroactively, the judge wrote, and therefore could not revive the plaintiff’s case.

The order dismissed the lawsuit in full. The decision follows a string of recent civil rulings in Combs’s favour.

Several other lawsuits alleging similar misconduct have been dismissed or otherwise stalled on procedural grounds, even as a number of matters remain active in various jurisdictions.

Combs is currently in custody and awaiting sentencing in a separate federal criminal case. Court filings show his sentencing is scheduled for October 3.

His legal team has vigorously denied wrongdoing in the civil matter and in other complaints.

The dismissed suit carried serious allegations that mirrored other claims the entertainer has faced in recent years.

Still, by focusing the ruling on the statute of limitations the judge avoided reaching the factual merits of the allegations.

That procedural outcome leaves open the broader public debate on accountability and the challenges of pursuing historic claims many years after they allegedly occurred.

As the calendar advances toward October and other civil suits proceed, the legal and reputational stakes for Combs remain high.

For now, the New York court’s ruling removes one potential civil liability from his immediate docket, but it does not end the series of legal battles that continue to shape the public record around one of the music industry’s most prominent figures.

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American rapper, businessman, and Roc Nation founder Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay-Z, has been named the world’s richest musician by Forbes.

With a net worth of $2.5 billion (approximately Sh323 billion), Jay-Z has doubled his fortune since becoming a billionaire in 2019.

His wealth goes beyond music, spanning diverse investments and businesses. Assets such as a fine art collection, music catalog, and shares in companies including Uber have propelled him to the top of the global rankings.

The 55-year-old became the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019, largely through his business ventures. With over 140 million records sold, Jay-Z is also among the world’s best-selling music artists.

Forbes notes that he is followed by American pop star Taylor Swift, whose fortune is estimated at $1.6 billion. Rihanna, the first female artist to reach billionaire status, ranks third with a $1 billion net worth, driven by the global success of her Fenty Beauty brand.

Jay-Z, who is married to singer-songwriter Beyoncé, forms one of entertainment’s most powerful couples. Together, the pair boast an estimated combined net worth of $3.5 billion. They also share a record 88 Grammy nominations each  the most in history.

Across his career spanning more than 35 years, Jay-Z has become one of the most decorated artistes of all time. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, the eighth-most ever, along with three Emmy Awards. In 2023, Vibe and Billboard ranked him the greatest rapper of all time.

Beyond entertainment, Jay-Z’s impact has been recognized in civil rights advocacy. He received the prestigious President’s Award from the NAACP, underscoring his influence both on and off stage.

With music, business, and influence intertwined, Jay-Z’s $2.5 billion empire cements his legacy as a global icon.

msn.com