the controversial Ghanaian dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, has thrown his support behind fellow musician Fameye disclosed that there is lack of support shown to Ghanaian acts overseas. This move has ignited discussions within the Ghanaian music industry and among fans, as it showcases a surprising moment of unity and empathy from the often divisive Shatta Wale.
Fameye, during an appearance on the “Day Show with Berla Mundi,” expressed his disappointment regarding a recent concert he held in the United Kingdom. The event failed to attract a favorable turnout, and Fameye attributed this setback to the perceived lack of support from Ghanaians living abroad.
Shatta Wale, known for his controversial and outspoken nature, took to Twitter to voice his support for Fameye. In a tweet, he urged his fans to applaud Fameye for speaking out about this issue. Shatta Wale also acknowledged that had he made similar comments, he would have been accused of hating his colleagues in the music industry. He posted, “Guys clap for @Fameye ????????????????????. If I talk p3 dem go talk say, Ade hate my colleagues… Over to you, Travel and tour artiste!!”
This unexpected show of solidarity from Shatta Wale highlights the pressing concerns faced by Ghanaian artists when they venture overseas. It is not uncommon for artists from emerging music scenes to struggle with limited support and recognition on the international stage. Fameye’s candid remarks brought this issue to the forefront, sparking a conversation about the need for more substantial support systems for Ghanaian musicians abroad.
Shatta Wale did not stop at supporting Fameye. In another post, he called upon some of the industry’s ‘A-list’ artists, suggesting that if five of them united to address the challenges faced by Ghanaian musicians overseas, significant progress could be made. This plea underscores the potential for collaboration and collective action to address the obstacles that musicians encounter when trying to break into international markets.
However, it’s important to note that Shatta Wale’s recent posts on social media have not been without controversy. On August 17th, he congratulated Nigerian musician Asake for a successful O2 arena concert in London while simultaneously poking fun at his Ghanaian colleagues for not achieving similar heights. This post led to a wave of backlash from industry players who accused Shatta Wale of undermining his fellow musicians instead of supporting them.
The Ghanaian music industry is at a critical juncture, with artists like Fameye shedding light on the difficulties they face when attempting to gain recognition and support overseas. Shatta Wale’s unexpected support for Fameye and his call for unity among industry leaders could potentially pave the way for constructive dialogue and collective efforts to address these challenges. However, his recent comments about his colleagues suggest that tensions and divisions within the industry still persist.
