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Shatta Wale: Africa’s Dancehall King Plots His Global Takeover

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Shatta Wale Is Not Just a Star, He’s a Movement!

The king of Afro-dancehall who turned controversy into culture, hits songs into history and fans into family. His next act? Taking over the globe…and it will be EPIC!

 

Written by Mel Kwesi Davis – Vice President, Foundation Of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP)

 

If there is one artist in Ghana who knows how to keep an entire nation talking, dancing, arguing and sometimes even fighting over music, it is Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jnr. — the one and only Shatta Wale.

 

From his early days as Bandana, when he blessed us with “Moko Hoo”, to his spectacular rebirth as Shatta Wale, he has done what very few African musicians have managed: stay relevant for over two decades while reinventing himself in style. Love him or hate him, Shatta Wale has conquered Ghana’s music space, cemented his name as the Dancehall King of Africa and is now quietly or rather loudly, preparing to storm the world.

 

If there’s one thing about Shatta Wale, it’s this: he never stops moving. The man who once shook Ghana with “Dancehall King” and shook the world with Beyoncé’s “Already” and he is back in the headlines with a new fire — his hit single Street Crown. Just when we thought it couldn’t get bigger, the “World Boss” himself, Vybz Kartel, jumped on the remix. Two kings of dancehall, one track. The streets don’t just love it, they’ve crowned it.

 

This time, Shatta isn’t just aiming for charts. He has officially submitted “Street Crown” for Grammy consideration, a bold but perfectly timed move. With Afrobeats, Amapiano and African dancehall dominating global playlists, Shatta’s Afro-dancehall sound sits at the crossroads of cultures, exactly the kind of fusion the Recording Academy is finally paying attention to.

 

If successful, he’ll not only break new ground for Ghanaian music but also cement his place as one of Africa’s most influential exports.

 

The Ghana & Africa Chapter: Conquered

Shatta’s story is not just music, it is strategy.

In Ghana, he turned dancehall into a mainstream sound, mixing patois with Ga, Twi and Pidgin, making it ours.

 

He dominated the charts with hits like Dancehall King, Ayoo, Kakai, and Taking Over — records that instantly became street anthems.

 

It’s not like Shatta is new to winning. His career is a shelf stacked with trophies and milestones:

 

Over 80 awards and 120+ nominations, making him one of Africa’s most decorated artists.

 

3-time International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) winner, including Best Virtual Entertainer of the Year in 2021.

 

2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artist of the Year, the year he officially took over Ghana.

 

Billboard recognition: Dancehall King spent weeks on the Billboard charts, proving his appeal goes beyond Africa.

 

Collaborations with global names like Beyoncé, Major Lazer, and Vybz Kartel, which only a handful of African acts can boast of.

 

Beyond the music, he built a movement — Shatta Movement (SM4Lyf) — a loyal fan base that doubles as his PR army, hype machine and sometimes, his human shield in controversies.

 

Across Africa, he has performed in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and other countries. He has performed to fans in Europe, United States, United Kingdom and was personally invited by the World Boss Vybz Kartel to Jamaica to perform at the historic Freedom Road concert.

 

By 2019, when Shatta teamed up with Beyoncé on “Already” for the Lion King: The Gift album, he sent one clear message: he was no longer just Ghana’s problem; he was Africa’s export.

 

The World Awaits

Now, Shatta Wale is in the next phase of his career and it promises to be epic.

 

He has set his eyes on the global stage, not as a feature but as a headline act.

Shatta’s unique blend of Afro-dancehall is perfectly positioned to break into the international market.

He’s working on collaborations with producers and labels outside Africa, carefully crafting a sound that still feels authentically Shatta, but with global appeal.

 

His massive social media following (over 4 million on Instagram alone) gives him direct access to fans worldwide, allowing him to bypass traditional gatekeepers.

 

Why Shatta Will Succeed

Shatta’s secret weapon has always been his fearless attitude and work ethic. While some artists release one hit and go to sleep, Shatta releases ten and stays up all night live-streaming with fans. He understands the new music economy: consistency, connection and controversy.

 

He also knows how to reinvent himself. From Bandana to Shatta Wale, from street anthems to international collabs, from Accra to the global stage, every phase has been bigger than the last. If history is anything to go by, the world is about to witness Shatta in his most polished, yet rawest form.

 

Here’s why Shatta’s next chapter looks unstoppable:

 

Street Cred + Global Sound: Street Crown is both a street anthem and a global record, especially now with the Vybz Kartel co-sign.

 

The Grammy Play: His submission shows ambition and confidence. He’s not just playing for Ghana anymore, he’s playing for history.

 

Unmatched Work Rate: Shatta remains one of the most consistent artists in Africa. While others drop an album every 2 years, Shatta drops hits every month.

 

Fan Power: SM4Lyf isn’t just a fan base; it’s an army and a family, ready to amplify him from Accra to Atlanta.

 

Let’s be honest: Shatta Wale is not just an artist, he’s a walking reality show. Who else can go from beefing an entire industry on Monday to dropping a chart-topper on Friday, then performing at a packed stadium on Saturday? Who else can cause chaos with a Facebook Live video, only to trend worldwide for a dance video the next week?

 

The man is unpredictable, but one thing is certain — when Shatta Wale says he’s ready for the world, the world better be prepared.

 

Shatta Wale has already ruled Ghana. He has already made Africa dance but with Street Crown and his global vision, the next phase of Shatta Wale is not just epic — it could be Grammy-winning EPIC!

 

SM4Lyf. The world better be ready.

As he himself would say: “SM4Lyf, the world no go understand until e happen.”

Culture

“We Entertain Stupidity in This Country” — GHOne’s Lilly Mohammed Slams Foreign Affairs Minister Ablakwa Over IShowSpeed Passport Saga

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Broadcast journalist Lilly Mohammed has descended on Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over the decision to issue a Ghanaian passport to American streamer IShowSpeed.

 

Speaking on GH Today, GHOne TV’s morning show, the host expressed strong dissatisfaction with the minister’s action, questioning the justification for granting Ghanaian citizenship to the internet personality after a brief visit to the country.

 

“Let’s get serious as a country. It’s like we’re not serious at all. Somebody comes to Ghana, he’s a streamer, he’s putting Ghana on the global map, he’s doing whatever. He comes for a day or two, and then you shove a Ghanaian passport into his hands. You’re not serious,” she said.

 

Lilly Mohammed stated that she could not see the importance of IShowSpeed’s visit that warranted the issuance of a Ghanaian passport.

 

“You’re not serious. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, you were somebody we had high expectations of. You shoved a Ghanaian passport into the hands of somebody who came here streaming and embarking on his own personal thing. Coming to step on our jollof, jumping on the Black Stars Square, what has that done to our GDP? What has it added to our economy?” she questioned.

 

The media personality further compared the situation to Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, who has consistently promoted Africa on the global stage, asking whether any country had rewarded him with citizenship for his efforts.

 

“Wode Maya has been putting Ghana on the map globally. Have you seen America give him an American passport? Even Nigeria, has Nigeria given him a Nigerian passport? You entertain stupidity so much. You’ve given him a Ghanaian passport for what achievement? What has he done for Ghana?” she asked.

 

She also criticised the public reaction surrounding the visit, particularly an incident where some Ghanaians reportedly ate jollof rice that IShowSpeed had stepped on during his visit.

“You give him a Ghanaian passport because he sat on our jollof, and the moment he steps away, Ghanaians rush to eat it. You are not serious. With the greatest respect, let’s put some value on our passport. Let’s put value on this country,” she stressed.

Lilly Mohammed further lamented the difficulties faced by Ghanaian citizens in acquiring passports, contrasting it with the ease with which the streamer was allegedly granted one.

 

“Meanwhile, Ghanaians are queuing for passports. Ghanaian citizens born in this country, who by the Constitution are entitled to citizenship, are struggling. You say you have opened the passport system to eliminate goro boys, yet people are still finding it difficult to get a basic passport,” she said.

 

While clarifying that she had no personal issue with the streamer, she maintained that the decision to issue him a Ghanaian passport was unjustified.

 

“I have no problem with him. I didn’t even know him until he came to Ghana. It’s a beautiful thing what he’s doing, and it’s risky. For a young man, he’s very bold and deserves a pat on the back. However, to give him a Ghanaian passport, what has he done to deserve it? Let’s get serious in this country, for real,” she concluded.

 

Background

 

On Tuesday, January 27, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the Ministry had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to popular American streamer and internet personality IShowSpeed. According to the minister, the decision followed confirmation of what he described as the influencer’s “irrefutable ties” to Ghana.

IShowSpeed, an American streamer currently on an African tour highlighting the continent’s culture and lifestyle, arrived in Ghana on Sunday. He was officially welcomed on Monday, January 26, with a traditional Akan naming ceremony held in the Eastern Region.

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Entertainment

Ghana Music Awards Europe Appoints Mona Gucci as Chief Operations Officer

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Ghana Music Awards Europe has officially announced the appointment of Abigail Monalisa Semaha, widely known as Mona Gucci, as its new Chief Operations Officer.

The announcement, made in Accra and Europe, marks a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to strengthen its operational leadership as it expands its footprint across Europe and the global Ghanaian music community.

According to the organizers, the appointment reflects Ghana Music Awards Europe’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and forward-thinking leadership. Mona Gucci brings with her extensive experience in media, branding, communications, and creative industry management. She is widely respected for her deep understanding of entertainment culture, audience engagement, and strategic leadership.

In her new role, Mona Gucci will oversee the day-to-day operations of Ghana Music Awards Europe, lead strategic planning, manage partnerships, and supervise the execution of key initiatives aimed at elevating the awards scheme’s brand. Her leadership is expected to improve organizational efficiency, strengthen industry relationships, and enhance the overall experience for artists, stakeholders, and audiences.

Speaking on the appointment, organizers of Ghana Music Awards Europe expressed strong confidence in her ability to drive growth and innovation within the organization. They noted that her professionalism, experience, and insight into the entertainment landscape make her a valuable addition to the executive team.

Mona Gucci also expressed her excitement about the new role, stating that she looks forward to contributing meaningfully to the celebration and global promotion of Ghanaian music and culture.

Ghana Music Awards Europe remains dedicated to recognizing and honoring Ghanaian musical excellence while creating platforms that connect artists to international audiences. The annual awards scheme was established to celebrate and promote Ghanaian music and creatives in Europe and beyond, fostering cultural exchange and global recognition for Ghana’s vibrant music industry.

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High Court Confirms No Will on Record for Late Highlife Icon Daddy Lumba

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The High Court in Accra has confirmed that there is no record of a last will belonging to the late highlife musician Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, widely known as Daddy Lumba, at the Probate and Administration Division’s registry.

This confirmation followed an official search conducted as part of the legal process surrounding the administration of the musician’s estate.

According to court documents, the registry search was initiated to determine whether Daddy Lumba had deposited a will with the High Court. The request also sought details such as the date of deposit, the individual who submitted the document, and the lawyer who prepared it, should such a will exist.

However, a formal response from the registry, dated January 19, 2026, at 2:37 pm, stated that no will associated with the late musician is on record. The document, signed and stamped by the Registrar of the Probate and Administration Division, confirmed that the court’s registry holds no such record.

The absence of a registered will indicates that Daddy Lumba’s estate may be administered under Ghana’s intestate succession laws, unless a valid will is produced from another source. This development introduces additional legal considerations for the family and legal representatives managing his affairs.

Daddy Lumba, one of Ghana’s most influential and celebrated highlife musicians, left behind an extensive musical catalogue that continues to shape the country’s music industry. Since his passing, public attention has remained focused on the handling of his estate, reflecting both his stature and the enduring impact of his legacy.

 

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