Shatta Wale Expresses Worries About The Decline Of Ghanaian Music Amidst Growing Nigerian Influence

Ghanaian dancehall sensation, Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., popularly known as Shatta Wale, has raised concerns about the perceived decline in his country’s music industry.

The self-proclaimed ‘King of African dancehall’ bemoaned the apparent disparity between the progress of Nigerian music and the struggling state of the Ghanaian music scene.

Utilizing his X platform since Sunday, December 17, Shatta Wale observed that Nigerian music is on an upward trajectory, suggesting that Ghanaian musicians are facing challenges in keeping up with their counterparts across the border.

In a candid reflection, he acknowledged a significant gap between the growth of the two music industries, emphasizing the need for a renewed approach within Ghana to regain its competitive edge.

In his tweet, he expressed, “I just woke up to tell you, you can’t fight foreign music. Their 10% music will overshadow the whole Ghana Country with so much jealousy when it’s not them on the frontline. You see how poverty dey worry your artiste with nonsense suggestion… It’s poverty my guy.”

I just woke up to tell you ,you can’t fight foreign music 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Their 10% music will over-shadow the whole Ghana

Country with so much jealousy when it’s not them on the frontline 🤣😂

You see how poverty deh worry your artiste with nonesense suggestion ..

It’s poverty…

— SHATTA WALE (@shattawalegh) December 17, 2023

They say foreign music but deep down their hearts they know it’s naija music they are talking about .🤣🤣🤣

This is Naija’s time ,leave them to shine Biko 🙏🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

Vvip ,TicTac ,Tinny all got that spot in nigeria many years ago

Tell the children the truth @samini_dagaati…

— SHATTA WALE (@shattawalegh) December 18, 2023

Naija ppl I hail oooo

You guys make Ghana music turn like classroom

We are learning 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂👏👏😜👏👏👏👏👏

I love nigeria 🇳🇬 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

— SHATTA WALE (@shattawalegh) December 18, 2023

Naija music going up
Going up
Going up
Naija music going up

You can’t fight themmmmm😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

— SHATTA WALE (@shattawalegh) December 18, 2023

Ghana music falling down
Falling down
Falling down
Ghana music falling down

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

— SHATTA WALE (@shattawalegh) December 18, 2023

This commentary follows a significant development within the Ghanaian music landscape. On December 14, 2023, a coalition of Ghanaian musicians and industry executives, featuring notable figures such as Samini and Smallgod, came together to appeal to the Ghanaian government.

Their collective plea aimed to secure a commitment to prioritize the promotion of domestic music on national airwaves.

This appeal was formally presented during the latest press briefing organized by the Ministry of Information.

The resulting dialogue within the industry has been robust, with various creators voicing their opinions on the matter.

However, Shatta Wale, once an advocate for prioritizing Ghanaian music, has taken a different stance on the recent appeal.

In a tweet, he expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the new campaign, characterizing the plea made during the press briefing as nonsensical.

Implicit in his remarks is an insinuation that the appeal may be influenced by what he perceives as a poverty mindset among fellow artists.

Shatta Wale’s comments have sparked speculation within the industry, with many interpreting his stance as a direct critique of those who facilitated the appeal, including Samini, Black Sherif, and other industry figures.

Shatta Wale’s unexpected reversal has drawn attention and commentary from scores of netizens, who were surprised by the derogatory nature of his remarks.

As the discourse surrounding the state of the Ghanaian music industry continues, stakeholders eagerly await further developments and responses from key figures, seeking a unified and strategic approach to address the challenges faced by the local music scene.