Ghanaian dancehall sensation Charles Nii Armah Mensah, widely recognized as Shatta Wale, has taken a fearless step to confront the industry bias and longstanding comparisons that have shadowed his career. The artist, known for his charismatic persona and dynamic music, has frequently found himself embroiled in various controversies. In an exclusive interview with Empire 102.7FM, Shatta Wale shed light on the perceived favoritism and selective spotlight cast on certain artists within the music industry.
Shatta Wale, a prominent figure in the Ghanaian music landscape, candidly voiced his opinions on the industry’s unequal treatment of artists. He expressed his belief that the music industry unfairly elevates individuals like Stonebwoy and Sarkodie to the status of the best, while disregarding their own controversial incidents. Referring to Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, Shatta Wale stated, “If you want to do favoritism and take sides, you support Stonebwoy and Sarkodie and say they are the best, they will keep disgracing us.”
The artist continued by drawing attention to the double standards prevalent in the industry. Shatta Wale astutely pointed out incidents involving his contemporaries that have raised eyebrows but seemingly received less attention. “I can also say imagine Stonebwoy who has pulled a gun on stage. Imagine Sarkodie who has done an abortion with a woman and recorded a diss track for her afterwards. What will you say about it? Nobody is perfect in this world,” he emphasized.
In his effort to redirect the conversation towards music and its business aspects rather than personal controversies, Shatta Wale asserted, “We just have to stop playing around with this business because it is business.” With this statement, he urged the industry to focus on fostering a healthy environment for artistic growth.
Shatta Wale’s commentary comes in the wake of a critical stance taken by radio host Ola Michael, who disapproved of Shatta Wale being granted a diplomatic passport due to what he termed “ill conduct” on social media. This context amplifies Shatta Wale’s belief that the industry’s perception of him is unfairly tainted by controversies.
Notably, Shatta Wale firmly declared that he would not permit comparisons between himself and Sarkodie to undermine his legacy. He emphasized, “The moment you compare me to Sarkodie then you make him feel big. When I talk to him, he wants to rub shoulders with me. Where I have been, he hasn’t been there before. You people make it seem like Sarkodie is bigger than me. He can never be bigger than me in his life.” By taking this stance, Shatta Wale intends to protect his accomplishments and maintain his unique identity in the Ghanaian music realm.
As the “Dancehall King” formerly known as Bandana, Shatta Wale’s outspoken remarks have once again ignited discussions around the challenges of bias and comparisons in the music industry. His unapologetic approach to confronting these issues highlights the need for fair recognition and appreciation of artists, regardless of their past controversies. Shatta Wale’s words serve as a reminder that music should be celebrated for its creative expression, and that individual imperfections should not overshadow the contributions artists make to the cultural landscape.
