Founder & CEO
Emmanuel Bassey is a seasoned entertainment entrepreneur, music business strategist, and cultural promoter with over two decades of experience in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
He began his entertainment career in 2000 with Kennis Music, one of Nigeria’s most influential record labels at the time, where he worked in music marketing and promotion alongside major Nigerian artists and entertainment stakeholders.
Over the years, Emmanuel has developed experience in:
Artist Promotion, Event Production, Music Marketing, Entertainment Branding, Talent Management
Cultural Entertainment Development.
He is passionate about building platforms that promote African music, comedy, culture, and creative talents both locally and internationally.
His vision is to position Stonebridge Music & Entertainment as a global African entertainment brand connecting Nigeria, Canada, and international markets.
Emmanuel Bassey
Who we are
Stonebridge Music & Entertainment is a dynamic African entertainment and tourism company focused on transforming culture into experiences, opportunities, and economic growth with roots in the Nigerian music industry dating back to the early 2000s.
Our mission is to position Akwa Ibom State, Cross River & River State, Lagos, Abuja Nigeria and Africa as global destinations for entertainment, tourism, creativity, and cultural excellence. With locations in Toronto Canada, Pottstown, Pennsylvania USA, and Lagos Nigeria.
Stonebridge Entertainment develops & promotes:
Concerts & Live Shows Tourism Experiences Afrobeats Culture Comedy & Festivals Media & Digital Content Talent Discovery Brand Partnerships Diaspora Entertainment Projects Cultural Promotion Youth Empowerment Initiatives
The BUILD UP story
Building Culture, Empowering Youth, Transforming Communities from the Roots of Afrobeats to a Vision for a New Creative Africa. The story of Stonebridge Music & Entertainment Ltd is not merely the story of concerts, celebrities, or events.
It is the story of culture.
It is the story of vision.
It is the story of transformation.
It is a movement built on the belief that entertainment can become one of the greatest tools for economic development, youth empowerment, tourism growth, and cultural rebirth across Nigeria and Africa. Founded by entertainment entrepreneur and music business strategist Emmanuel Bassey, Stonebridge Entertainment was born from years of direct involvement within the foundation of modern African entertainment during the earliest rise of Afrobeats in Nigeria. Long before Afrobeats became a global movement selling out arenas in London, Toronto, New York, Paris, and Dubai, there were pioneers, promoters, marketers, and cultural builders laying the groundwork for what the world celebrates today. Stonebridge Entertainment emerged from that foundation.
THE KENNIS MUSIC ERA - WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGAN
The roots of Stonebridge Entertainment can be traced back to the legendary era of the early 2000s. During this period, Emmanuel Bassey actively engaged in the historic annual Kennis Music Easter Fiesta concerts organized by iconic Nigerian entertainment pioneers:Kenny Ogungbe and Otunba Dayo Adeneye. These unforgettable concerts took place at Motherlan in Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, as well as beach concert venues that became major gathering points during the emergence of urban African music culture. At that time, Nigerian music was evolving rapidly into what the world would later recognize as Afrobeats. Those stages featured legendary artists and pioneers who shaped an entire generation of African entertainment, including:
The Remedies (Eedris Abdulkarem and Eddy Montana), Lagbaja, Tony Tetuila, Kingsley Ike, Wale Thompson, Azadus, Kenny Saint Brown etc.
The CONNECTION
Stonebridge Entertainment’s foundation was built not only in Lagos, but through exposure to major concerts and cultural experiences across Nigeria including Benin City, Edo State, and the famous Shark Stadium in Port Harcourt. One of the defining moments of that era was the dominance of the iconic African hit: by a song that became a continental anthem and symbolized the growing power of African urban music by "ier Gaou by Magic System".
THE WEST AFRICAN CONNECTION - GHANA'S HILIFE & HIPLIFE MOVEMENT
Stonebridge Entertainment’s journey also connected deeply with Ghana’s music evolution through the legendary hiplife group: formerly known as VIP (Vision In Progress). Originating from Nima, Accra, the group played a major role in shaping Ghana’s hiplife movement by blending traditional Ghanaian highlife music with hip-hop culture and local Twi-language rap expression. The group, initially made up of Zeal (Lazzy), Prodigal, and Promzy, later expanded with the inclusion of hiplife pioneer . VVIP became one of Africa’s most celebrated music groups, influencing youth culture across West Africa while earning both domestic and international recognition.
This period helped shape Stonebridge Entertainment’s broader understanding of African music as a unifying cultural force beyond borders.
BEFORE THE GLOBAL AFROBEATS EXPLOSION
Before the rise of the Mo’ Hits Records era and the globalization of Afrobeats, Stonebridge Entertainment had already become deeply involved with several influential Nigerian and African artists across different genres including gospel, Fuji, Afropop, hip-hop, and cultural music. The company’s founder, Emmanuel Bassey, also witnessed and participated in the rise of emerging talents during talent discovery competitions and entertainment showcases. One notable example was the emergence of after winning Star Quest at Coliseum Opebi under the platform of entertainment businessman Guvnor Caleb Olumese. These experiences became the early building blocks for a lifelong commitment to discovering talent, creating platforms, and building sustainable entertainment ecosystems.
EXPANDING THE DREAM TO CANADA
After relocating from Nigeria, Emmanuel Bassey continued his entertainment journey in Canada, carrying the African entertainment vision into the diaspora community. One of the earliest major projects was: Master KG Live in Toronto Stonebridge Entertainment initiated plans to host South African global sensation: best known for the worldwide smash hit: Unfortunately, the event could not hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel embargoes, and global lockdown restrictions which prevented the artist and his team from entering Canada. Despite the setback, Stonebridge Entertainment continued expanding its international presence and industry network.
ADEWALE AYUBA LIVE IN TORONTO — JULY 2024
In July 2024, Stonebridge Entertainment successfully organized:Live in Toronto. The event became an important cultural celebration for the African diaspora community in Canada and further strengthened Stonebridge Entertainment’s reputation within the North American entertainment market.
FAAJI WEEKEND IN CANADA
Stonebridge Entertainment also partnered on the successful gospel concert: Faaji Weekend in Canada with the OHEMGEE Band. The event combined music, faith, culture, and community engagement while strengthening relationships within the African-Canadian entertainment ecosystem.
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OKON & FRIENDS LIVE IN UYO NIGERIA- A DEFINING MOMENT
On October 5th, 2025, Stonebridge Entertainment produced one of the most historic entertainment events ever witnessed in Akwa Ibom State: Okon & Friends Live in Uyo. The event attracted thousands of attendees including government officials, corporate stakeholders, entertainment personalities, and the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Following the success of the event, the Governor publicly pledged ₦100 Million towards the establishment of a Creative Village in Akwa Ibom State.
More significantly, the Governor described the event as:
“The first Lagos-standard and internationally organized entertainment event ever held in the history of Akwa Ibom State since its creation.” That moment represented more than entertainment. It represented possibility. It represented a new future for Akwa Ibom State’s creative economy. It proved that world-class entertainment experiences could be created outside Lagos while attracting economic activity, tourism visibility, youth participation, and government interest.
BUILDING A CREATIVE FUTURE FOR AKWA IBOM STATE
Stonebridge Entertainment strongly believes that Akwa Ibom State has the potential to become one of Africa’s leading entertainment, tourism, and cultural destinations.The company is actively working toward: Strengthening the entertainment industry, Developing cultural tourism, Empowering young creatives, Building international partnerships, Creating employment opportunities, Discovering and managing talents, Expanding music and comedy platforms, Promoting local culture globally, Encouraging youth participation through creative industries. Positioning Uyo as a destination city for entertainment and tourism
Stonebridge Entertainment also aligns strongly with the ARISE Agenda of Akwa Ibom State through initiatives focused on: Job creation, Youth empowerment, Community development, Tourism expansion, Creative economy growth, Cultural preservation, International visibility for the state
The company is currently engaging with the state through annual Entertainment Week activities in Uyo as well as discussions surrounding the Christmas Village concert and Christmas Unplugged entertainment experiences.
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OUR BELIEF- ENTERTAINMENT AS A TOOL FOR TRANSFORMATION
At Stonebridge Entertainment, we believe entertainment is more than performances and celebrity culture.
Entertainment is:Economic developmentYouth empowermentTourism growthCultural diplomacyGlobal visibility,
➡️Community transformation
Creative entrepreneurship
➡️Social impact
We believe every state in Nigeria can become a thriving creative economy when government, private sector stakeholders, creatives, and communities work together.
We believe culture is wealth.
We believe Africa’s stories deserve global platforms.
We believe young people deserve opportunities.
We believe entertainment can transform cities.
And we believe Akwa Ibom State can become one of Africa’s leading creative destinations.
STONEBRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT TODAY
Today, Stonebridge Entertainment continues to build bridges between:
➡️Africa and the diaspora
➡️Culture and commerce
➡️Talent and opportunity
➡️Entertainment and economic development
➡️Government and creative industries
➡️Tradition and global innovation
➡️From Lagos to Toronto.
From Uyo to the world.
Stonebridge Entertainment remains committed to building platforms, empowering talents, transforming communities, and shaping the future of African entertainment.
STONEBRIDGE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT LTD
Bringing Sounds, Building Legends
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WHY COMEDY SHOW IN AKWA IBOM
eMMANUEL BASSEY
The Chief Executive Officer of Stonebridge Music and Entertainment Limited and convener of Okon and Friends Live, Emmanuel Bassey, has said the comedy show was created to deliver world class entertainment experiences in Akwa Ibom State.
