Shatta Wale, a dancehall sensation, has claimed that Nigerian stars like Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid cannot be compared to Ghanaian artists, including himself.
He attributed the quicker rise to fame of Nigerian musicians to the fervent support they receive from their countrymen in an interview with Takoradi-based Empire FM.
In order to highlight the unity and camaraderie among Nigerian musicians, Shatta Wale cited instances in which artists from that country, including Davido and Burna Boy, visited Ghana and developed close relationships with him.
He emphasized that, in comparison to their Ghanaian counterparts, Nigerian artists now enjoy a higher level of international recognition.
In addition, Shatta Wale criticized entertainment shows for frequently portraying him negatively. Despite this, he acknowledged that he takes advantage of these chances to turn negativity into advantages for himself.
Shatta Wale questioned why other artists, like Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, who have also faced controversy, were not similarly singled out in response to criticisms about his eligibility for a diplomatic passport, in particular from entertainment commentator Ola Michael.
Instead of disparaging particular artists during discussions, Shatta Wale said he wanted media figures to promote the idea of Ghanaian artists getting diplomatic passports. He emphasized that politicians might not take such negativity seriously, impeding progress for all.
A lively discussion about the state of the Ghanaian music industry and the support given to artists has been sparked by Shatta Wale’s remarks. While some people agree with his assessment of the difficulties facing the sector, others think it goes too far in the other direction.
It is yet to be seen whether Shatta Wale’s comments will result in any real modifications to the system that provides support for Ghanaian artists.
His remarks have, however, been successful in drawing attention to these problems and starting a crucial dialogue about changing the state of the music business as a whole.
