Stay Jay
{{Multiple issues|
{{Notability|1=Music|date=March 2023}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=March 2023}}
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{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Stay Jay
| image =
| birth_name = William Kojo Johnson
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = Fante
| alias = Kojo Stylish
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|01|05}}
| origin = Tema, Ghana
| genre = Afropop, hiplife, afrobeat
| occupation = Rapper, singer, songwriter
| instrument =
| years_active = 2011–present
| label = ASB Music
| associated_acts = Sarkodie (rapper), Jesse Jags, Stay Jay, Fuse ODG, Chemphe, D-Black,
Wizkid, Shatta Wale, R2Bees, Tekno Miles, Wande Coal, Stonebwoy, Samini, Dr Cryme, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, Medikal
| website =
}}
William Kojo Johnson (born 5 January 1986) known by the stage name Stay Jay is a Ghanaian hip hop and afrobeat artist, songwriter and performer from Tema. He is best known for his hit single "Shashee Wowo" produced by Ghanaian producer Killbeatz, which gained popularity in Ghana and other parts of the world.{{Cite web |title=Stay Jay, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Stay-Jay-1258#:~:text=In%202012,%20he%20won%20%E2%80%9CBest,the%20Vodafone%20Ghana%20Music%20Awards. |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}}https://www.modernghana.com/entertainment/16888/stay-jay-one-on-one-with-the-hit-making-machine.html{{Cite web |date=2016-07-09 |title=I correct indecent girls with my songs – Stay Jay |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/I-correct-indecent-girls-with-my-songs-Stay-Jay-454008 |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-01-28 |title=Stay Jay hints at featuring new acts on remake of his hit songs - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/stay-jay-hints-at-featuring-new-acts-on-remake-of-his-hit-songs/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}
He won the best new artiste of the year at the 2012 Ghana Music Awards and also gained 6 other nominations.
He is one of the main pillars of Azonto in Ghana.{{Cite web |last=Gabs |date=2020-04-28 |title='You Should All SHUT Up'- Stay Jay Fires Gh Artists As He Declares Himself King Of Azonto |url=https://www.ghbase.com/you-should-all-shut-up-stay-jay-fires-gh-artists-as-he-declares-himself-king-of-azonto/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=GhBase•com™-Everything & News Now |language=en-US}}https://www.modernghana.com/news/376302/azonto-the-new-music-and-dance-craze-in-ghana.html
Early life and music career
Stay Jay was born and raised in Tema where he began making music in his early school days. He studied at the Tema Regular Baptist School in Community 10 and then attended Tema Methodist Day Secondary School with the likes of Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Mix Master Garzy, Piesie Super, Eno Barony and many others.
He started as an underground rapper taking part in rap battles at kasahare level at a local radio station in Ghana called Adom FM. Stay Jay was signed by Unda One Entertainment under which he recorded most of his hit songs. After years of working with the management of Unda One Entertainment and signing a deal was due, he then set up his own record label which is ASB MUSIC (African StarBoi Music). Stay Jay has shared the stage with Spliff Star, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and more.
In 2015, Stay Jay endorsed Kalahari Bitters and Airforce Bitters for Kasapreko Company Limited which he made a sound track.
Stay Jay has released several other popular singles over the years, including "My Baby", "I Dey Do My Thing", "Yenko Nkoaa" and "Feelings". He has also performed at numerous concerts and events throughout Africa, including Ghana Independence Concert hosted at O2 Arena London and the Perth Festival in Australia.{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Giles |date=2012-04-11 |title=The O2 Arena will host African artists at the Hip-life Festival |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/the-o2-arena-will-host-african-artists-at-the-hiplife-festival-6432439.html |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Peace FM |title=Stay Jay To Headline Perth Festival in Australia |url=https://peacefmonline.com/pages/showbiz/music/201803/345586.php |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news}} Stay Jay has also sold out concert in France, Belgium, Germany, Holland and other European countries.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-08 |title=Stay Jay, 2 Others To Perform In Europe |url=https://dailyguidenetwork.com/stay-jay-2-others-to-perform-in-europe/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=DailyGuide Network |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2016-08-31 |title=Stay Jay thrills fans in Holland |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Stay-Jay-thrills-fans-in-Holland-466355 |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}
= 2011: Repetition album =
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Nominated work !Award !Result !Ref |
| rowspan="6" |2012
| rowspan="2" |Himself |Best New Artist of the Year |{{Won}} | rowspan="6" |{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Peace FM |title=Full List of Ghana Music Awards 2012 Nominations |url=https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/showbiz/news/201202/97600.php |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news}}{{Cite web |date=2012-04-15 |title=Full List Of Winners Of 2012 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards... |url=https://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2012/04/15/full-list-of-winners-of-2012-vodafone-ghana-music-awards/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=GhanaCelebrities.Com |language=en-US}} |
| Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year
|{{Nom}} |
| Yenko Nkoaa
|Best Collaboration of the Year |{{Nom}} |
| rowspan="2" |Shashee Wowo
|Hiplife Song of the Year |{{Nom}} |
| Most Popular Song of the Year
|{{Nom}} |
| Repetition
|Album of the Year |{{Nom}} |
| class="wikitable"
|+Tema Citizens Club Awards Holland !Year !Nominated work !Award !Result !Ref |
| rowspan="2" |2012
| rowspan="2" |Himself |Tema Citizens of the Year |{{Won}} |
| Akwaaba Holland
|{{Won}} |
| class="wikitable"
|+Ghana Lifetime Achievement and Distinguished Awards, USA !Year !Nominated work !Award !Result !Ref |
| 2022
|Himself |Distinguished Achievement Awards for Highlife Music |{{Nom}} |
Discography
= Albums =
- Repetition
= Singles =
- Sue (ft. Sarkodie & Dr Cryme)
- My Love (ft. Jay Ghartey)
- Tema Party (ft. Big Twist)
- My Baby (ft. Mugeez){{Cite web |last=Onos |date=2012-06-11 |title=New Music: Stay Jay Feat. Mugeez (of R2bees) – My Baby |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2012/06/new-music-stay-jay-feat-mugeez-of-r2bees-my-baby/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}}
- Twaame Lala
- Prepaid Gurl
- Baby Lace (ft Mr Eazi)
- Den Tin Som
- I Don’t Think Far Remix - Lil Win x Strongman x Medikal x Yaa Pono x Kwaw Kese x Stay Jay x Opanka
- Gbohe ft Luther{{Cite web |last=Mawuli |first=David |date=2016-08-06 |title=Rapper drops new single "Gbohe" featuring Luther |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/music/stay-jay-rapper-drops-new-single-gbohe-featuring-luther/m6l23bv |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Pulse Ghana |language=en}}
- All Be Lie
- Yenko Nkoaa ft Eduwordzi
- Swagger - Ruff n Smooth x Stay Jay
- Feelings ft Lil Win
- Goodness & Mercy
- Wo Play
- Mugu ft 4×4
- Dw3
- Chocolate ft Kuami Eugene
- 16years ft Medikal
- Odo ft Kosi Sia{{Cite web |last=Kesse |first=Nana |date=2023-07-14 |title=[ LISTEN ] Stay Jay recruits Kosi Sia on new song 'Odo' |url=https://233prime.com/listen-stay-jay-recruits-kosi-sia-on-new-song-odo/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=233Prime |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Stay Jay is in a relationship with Helena Adjabeng.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-05 |title=Stay Jay's wife-to-be writes a touching birthday message to the musician |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Stay-Jay-s-wife-to-be-writes-a-touching-birthday-message-to-the-musician-498794 |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Peace FM |title=Rapper Stay Jay Shows Off Girlfriend (PHOTOS) |url=https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/showbiz/news/201607/286873.php |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- https://open.spotify.com/artist/5y43lOR941Xj5lwV2JQwGW
- https://www.ghbase.com/photos-stay-jay-arrives-belgium-d-cryme-european-tour/
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jay, Stay}}