Shatta Wale, born Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., is a Ghanaian dancehall artist who has become a household name in the music industry. With his energetic stage presence, captivating music, and controversial persona ( let’s not forget that), Shatta Wale has carved a niche for himself on the Ghanaian and African music scene.
This article will briefly examine his journey from a young music enthusiast in Accra to becoming one of the most influential and successful Ghanaian artists.
Table of Contents:
- Early Life and Background
- Rebranding as Shatta Wale
- His Style and Influences
- Discography and Hit Songs
- Shatta Wale’s Recognition and Collaborations
- Controversies
- Other Pursuits: Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship
- Conclusion
Early Life and Background
Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. was born in Accra, Ghana, on October 17th, 1984. From a young age, he developed a deep passion for music, which was heavily influenced by his father, who was also a musician. This familial connection helped shape Charles’s aspirations and provided a strong foundation for his musical journey.
Although he faced numerous challenges while growing up, such as experiencing his parent’s divorce, he remained determined and focused on pursuing his dream of becoming a successful artist. He honed his musical skills while drawing inspiration from local and international acts, particularly in the dancehall and reggae genres.
During his formative years in the music industry, Charles started off with the stage name Bandana. He initially gained media attention when he dropped his debut hit track, ‘Bandana from Ghana,’ but unfortunately, his fame later waned within a few years after its release. In an effort to revamp his career and establish a new identity, Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. decided to change his stage name to Shatta Wale. It was later, in 2016, that he revealed that he thought the name was “too local.”
Rebranding as Shatta Wale
To reintroduce himself to the music scene, Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. dropped his stage name, Bandana and adopted Shatta Wale. He believed the name change represented his reinvention and a fresh start in his musical journey. During this time, he released a series of successful singles, collaborated with both local and international artists, and gained a massive following across the globe.
One very notable achievement during this period was the release of his hit single, Dancehall King, in 2014.
The song went wild and became an instant sensation in Ghana. And no, he didn’t stop there. Following his success, he released a string of hit songs, including Enter the Net, Kakai, and Ayoo.
His Style and Influences
Shatta Wale’s music is primarily influenced by Jamaican dancehall and reggae, blended with traditional Ghanaian sounds. Some key influences on his music include Jamaican dancehall artists such as Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel.
Part of Shatta Wale’s appeal is how he uniquely combines English and Nigerian ‘Pidgin’ in his lyrics. That and his infectious melodies have contributed significantly to his popularity with both Ghanaian and international audiences.
In addition to how he makes his musical style relatable, Shatta Wale’s stage presence is also another contributing factor to his success. He is known for his electrifying performances, oftentimes adding some groovy dance moves and theatrical elements to get his fans immersed and moving.
Discography and Hit Songs
Here are a few highlights from Shatta Wale’s extensive discography and catalogue of hit songs.
| Year | Album Name | Hit Songs |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Bandana From Ghana (album) | Moko Hoo |
| 2014 | Answers (The Hybrid) | Dancehall King |
| 2015 | Foundation | Shatta Movement |
| 2016 | After the Storm (studio album) | Kakai, Baby Chop Kiss, Mahama Paper |
| 2018 | Reign (studio album) | Gringo, Amount |
| 2018 | Shatta Wale | Ayoo |
| 2020 | Hajia Bintu, The Manacles of a Shatta (EP) | Hajia Bintu |
| 2022/2023 | On God, Denge II, Incoming, YKTV(You Know The Vibes) |
Shatta Wale’s Recognition and Collaborations
Shatta Wale has gained international recognition and collaborations with several prominent artists. He consistently delivered hit songs and won numerous awards both in Ghana and across the continent of Africa.
He has worked with Jamaican reggae and dancehall artists like Vybz Kartel and Alkaline. His collaboration with Vybz Kartel saw the creation of the hit song Mansa Musa Money, which has been well-received by fans across the world. He previously teamed up with Queen Bey herself on her ‘Black Is King’ visual album, where he performed on the song ‘Already’.
Moreover, Shatta Wale has also received multiple international awards and recognitions for his music and contributions to the industry. He was nominated alongside African greats like Burna Boy and Diamond Platnumz for the Best International Act at the 2020 BET Awards. He also won the 2021 International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) for Best Virtual Entertainer of the Year.
Controversies
Shatta Wale is known for being outspoken and often finding himself in the midst of controversies. One of his controversies involved his public fallout with his former friend and collaborator, Stonebwoy, during the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. The altercation resulted in both artists being stripped of their awards and suspended indefinitely from the scheme. However, the two have since reconciled, with Stonebwoy looking forward to a possible music collaboration between them.
Another controversy that Shatta Wale has been involved in is the alleged theft of song lyrics from other artists. In 2020, he was accused of stealing lyrics from a Nigerian artist, Danlil, for his song, Mansa Musa Money. Additionally, in 2019, he was also accused of song theft by an up-and-coming Ghanaian artist, Kweku Smoke.
Furthermore, Shatta Wale has been involved in several public altercations with other musicians and industry players, including Wiyaala, Samini and Sarkodie. These confrontations have often been fueled by personal disagreements and issues that have spilt into the media, causing a frenzy among fans and followers.
His controversial statements and social media posts have gotten both positive and negative reactions from fans and the public. However, that has also gotten him a dedicated fan base attracted to his fearless and unapologetic nature.
Other Pursuits: Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship
Outside of being the CEO of Shatta Movement Records and producer, Shatta Wale has been involved in initiatives aimed at improving the lives of underprivileged individuals and communities in Ghana. For example, making significant donations to schools, orphanages, and hospitals. He has also organized charity concerts and events to raise funds for various causes.
He ventured into entrepreneurship, using his brand and influence to create business opportunities. He has launched his own clothing lines, which include branded t-shirts, caps, and other accessories featuring his logo and slogans. In addition to his clothing line, he took an interest in the beverage industry and launched his own brand of energy drink called Shatta Bitters in 2016. Since then, he has collaborated with various brands and companies for endorsement deals and partnerships.
Conclusion
Overall, Shatta Wale has not only achieved tremendous success in his career but has also influenced the music industry in Ghana and Africa as a whole. Yes, his personality may have sometimes been the subject of criticism, but we can’t deny that his music and performances have continued to draw fans from all over.
