Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., (born October 17, 1984) is a Ghanaian-born producer and reggae-dancehall musician. He is known by his stage name Shatta Wale, formerly Bandana.[1] His best known song is "Dancehall King", which led to winning the Artiste of the Year at the 2014 edition of the Ghana Music Awards. Wale is also an actor, having appeared in the films Never Say Never[2],The trial of Shatta Wale[3] and Shattered Lives.[4]
Having achieved street credibility in a fairly undeveloped Ghanaian dancehall genre at the time, he achieved popularity with his 2004 single, "Moko Hoo", which features Tinny. Then known in the industry as Bandana, the song earned him a Ghana Music Awards nomination. There afterwards, Bandana went missing in the music circus for nearly a decade until rebranding himself in 2013. He began releasing music under a new name, Shatta Wale, under his own record label (SM For Lyf Records).[5]
In 2014, he peaked number 38 on E.tv's "Top 100 Most Influential Ghanaians" Awards chart.[6][7] He has since appeared on the chart each year. He was ranked "Most Influential Musician" on social media in 2017.[8] he won 8 awards at the 3music awards in 2019
Early life
Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. was born in Accra, Ghana at the Police Hospital on October 17, 1984. The son of a couple from Accra and the Volta Region of Ghana, his father is Charles Nii Armah Mensah Sr, a politician, businessman and legal practitioner. Shatta Wale attended Seven Great Princes Academy at Dansoman, a suburb in Accra, where he demonstrated an affinity for arts and acted in a popular Akan drama series, By the Fireside, at the National Theatre of Ghana.[9] Growing up, he lived with his family in Laterbiokorshie, Dansoman and then later Korle Gonno during his formative years. In a Facebook live video, Wale stated that he did not enjoy motherly love and care at the early stages of his life because a pastor caused a separation between his parents which made him remain under his father's care and later ending up on the streets.[10] His mother is Elsie Evelyn Avemegah.
As a child, his father introduced him to the Jamaican culture by playing Reggae records in the house and also continuously traveling with him to the UK to meet his relatives who were half Jamaicans. These exposures made him develop love for music at a tender age. His intense passion to do music made him lose interest in schooling but his father forced him to complete his high school education later in the Volta Region of Ghana which had initially kicked off at the Winneba Secondary School in the Central Region of Ghana. Even in school and right after school he pursued his musical dream but his father did not agree and wanted him to become a lawyer, this led to a misunderstanding between the two eventually tearing down their beautiful relationship. Shatta Wale lived in almost all the ghettos (Nima) in Accra just to survive: "There were many times I slept without food. I have been through all the hustle in life, I mean hell. I have lived with the people and became one of their own. No wonder my music easily resonate with the people. I am thankful to God for making me see the day light." Stated in an interview.
Shatta Wale later went to Jamaica to polish and master his dancehall craft. "Every boy in Ghana doing dancehall came for tutelage from me before mastering the dancehall genre. So no wonder my fans call me King because they know the history of modern dancehall in Ghana" Shatta Wale stated in an interview.
Career
2004–: Career beginnings
His musical career began during his high school days at the Winneba Secondary School where he learned to play keyboard and received routine vocal training at the school's music class department, then known as Doggy. After secondary school, he took time to work on his music. Having achieved street credibility in a fairly undeveloped Ghanaian dancehall genre at the time, he soon gain recognition with his hit single, "Moko Hoo", which featured fellow Ghanaian musician Tinny in 2004 using Bandana as his stage name. The song earned him a nomination at the Ghana Music Awards that year. Bandana followed with the hit songs "No Problem" and "Obaa Yaa". At this point, he was receiving heavy rotation on radio and was backed by a fan base that shot him into the mainstream Ghanaian music scene. Despite his prominence, Bandana went missing in the music circus in Ghana.
2009–2012
With a rebranded name from Bandana to Shatta Wale, he started a new career which largely bothers on dancehall in a Jamaican style of production in Nima, a small community in Accra, Ghana, a place that harbors a lot of Muslim youth and ghettos. It was there he amassed a fanbase, who were influenced by him and felt empowered by his songs.[citation needed] Wale released songs almost everyday on his social media handles free to download and would performed them in small communities in Accra mostly in Nima. He started gaining slow attention again with songs like "Telephone No" "Anastasia" "My Eyes Pon Di Money" and others. This approach revived dancehall in Ghana, a genre which had been left abandoned. The likes of Root Eye, General Marcus, Yoggy Doggy and others years ago had started but could not breakthrough. Shatta Wale gives credit to the likes of Terry Bonchaka and Yoggy Doggy for nurturing him when he began his dancehall journey. "It was under their tutelage that they told me I was going to blow up and that my style is so unique." Stated in an interview on PeaceFm. He explained in an interview with King Lagazee why he had been less active and what the reason for his decreased popularity was.
A lot of people wan mi fi dead but mi dehya. I know my fans have missed me but mi naa dead. I was learning how to produce beats, mix and master and also perfecting my craft. So basically that is what is keeping me away.
– Wale, then known as Bandana, on his decreased visibility in the music industry
2013–2015
Largely producing and mastering majority of his songs such as "Havana", "Shatta City", "Enter the Net", "Everybody Likes My Tin", and "Dancehall King", the latter of which became his biggest hit after his comeback. The tracks were well received in Ghana and globally, with critics talking about the influence of Jamaican dancehall as many Ghanaians were only used to the type of dancehall called Hiplife with a touch of ragga.[citation needed] Wale then successfully toured Canada and United States in 2014.
The Guardian qualified "Wine Ya Waist" featuring Davido among its five must listened new tracks from around the world.[11] By 2015, without a doubt, he has cemented his place on the global music space as a force to reckon with in dancehall music with a solid repertoire of hit songs that were receiving international awards and nominations which some includes; International Reggae & World Music Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, MOBO etc. He toured Europe in 2015, and also shared the same stage with P-Square, Flavor and others at the Wembley Arena in London.
2016–2018
In a heated political atmosphere, Wale became one of the most powerful men in Ghana as two biggest political parties, National Democratic Congress[12] and the New Patriotic Party used his hit songs; "Mahama Paper" and "Kakai" to run their campaign in the 2016 general election. In a desultory conversation with an interviewer, Wale stated that: There were some attempts by some members from the political parties to coax him to endorse their party but he did not cling because of his fans. There were banners in town bearing Shatta Movement for NDC but Wale in a Facebook post made it clear that he has not endorsed any political party and all parties running their campaign under the Shatta Movement Banner should desist or face legal action. However, wale did not hesitate to perform for any of the political parties as his service was demanded.
Songs released from After the Storm album like "Mahama Paper", "Baby (Chop Kiss)", "Biegya (Open Fire)", "Hol'It", and "Kakai" were successful in Ghana. Wale stayed atop the charts locally and also had "Hol'It" top BBC Radio 1Xtra's Afroboss Top 5 songs chart.[13] Rockstar Games co-founder Sam Houser also said he was deeply impressed by the popularity of "KAKAI" and that it made waves within the African community in the United States and beyond, including topping several dancehall charts globally. For that, he stated his wish that bureaucrats would confirm "Kakai" to appear in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6. If confirmed, Wale could earn up to $744,000 annually.[14]
In 2017, he toured the US to promote After the Storm, then traveled to Jamaica to shoot videos for projects he had jointly done with some producers there.
Wale signed with Zylofon Music in January 2018.[15] He released his third album, Reign, on October 13 at the Fantasy Dome in Accra, and used the occasion to propose to his longtime girlfriend Michy on stage.[16] The album achieved a record for a Ghanaian act by appearing on the Billboard Top World Albums Chart, placing sixth.[17]
Accolades
Mayor of Worcester, Joseph Petty, presented Shatta Wale with the Key to the City on July 8, 2017, in recognition of his contributions to the arts.[18]
On March 18, 2018, Wale was presented an honoree award for his outstanding contribution to reggae in Ghana and globally at the 37th Annual Chicago Music Awards (CMA), in conjunction with the 36th International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA).[19]
Wale received an honoree award on May 11, 2018, alongside Sizzla, Queen Ifrica, Chronixx, Daddy Fresh, Winning Jah, Jah Cure, Sean Paul, Ben Priest and other personalities at the Obaland Royal Awards in Nigeria. The awards were held by an entertainment firm owned by King Ewuare II of Benin City, Edo State.[20][21] The Obaland plaque was reportedly valued by specialized anthropologists and museum critics in Benin City, and declared to be worth US$34 million.[22]
Endorsements
In 2014, Wale became a brand ambassador for Guinness Ghana Breweries.[23] and as the brand ambassador for Rush Energy Drink.[24][25][26]
In September 2017, Kasapreko Company, producers of several alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Ghana, unveiled Wale as their newest brand ambassador.[27]
On 17 November 2017, Shatta Wale signed a deal with Boss Baker Beef Roll as the brand ambassador.[28]
Discography
Albums
- After the Storm (2016)[29]
- Cloud 9 (2017, hip hop mixtape)
- Reign (2018)[30]
Singles
| Year | Title | Album | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Aroma | Currency Year Mixtape | [31] |
| 2016 | Like You | After the Storm | [32] |
| 2016 | Longtime | After the Storm | [33] |
| 2016 | Dancehall King (Part 2) | After The Storm | [34] |
| 2017 | Haters | Unknown | [35] |
| 2017 | Affi Di Money | Unknown | [36] |
| 2017 | Shame On You | Unknown | [37] |
| 2017 | Disaster | African Takeover | [38] |
| 2017 | Patoranking | African Takeover | [39] |
| 2018 | Zylofon | Unknown | [40] |
| 2018 | True Believer | Unknown | [41] |
| 2018 | Ego Taya Dem | Unknown | [42] |
| 2018 | Storm | Unknown | [43] |
| 2018 | Shito | Unknown | [44] |
| 2018 | Performer | Unknown | [1] |
| 2018 | Thunder Fire | Unknown | [45] |
| 2018 | Don't Baby My baby | Reign | |
| 2018 | Bend Over | Reign | |
| 2018 | Squeeze | Reign | |
| 2018 | I Regret | Reign | |
| 2018 | If i See | Reign | |
| 2018 | Give Dem Something | Reign | |
| 2018 | Crazy | Reign | |
| 2018 | Amount | Reign | |
| 2018 | Wonders | Reign | |
| 2018 | Rosalinda | Reign | |
| 2018 | Sister Sister | Reign | |
| 2018 | Mama Stories | Reign | |
| 2018 | Gringo | Reign | |
| 2018 | My Mind Is Made Up | Reign | |
| 2018 | Caesar | Reign | |
| 2018 | Exodus | Reign | |
| 2018 | One Way Style | Reign | |
| 2018 | My Level | Unknown | |
| 2019 | Shatta with 9 (feat. 9TYZ) | Unknown | |
| 2019 | Packaging (feat. Medikal) | Unknown | |
| 2019 | Run 4 yuh life | Unknown |
Videography
| Year | Title | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Island | Yaw Skyface | |
| 2019 | Crazy | sesan | |
| 201 | My level | Sesan | [152] |
| 2018 | Gringo | Sesan | [46] |
| 2018 | Bullet Proof | Sesan | [47] |
| 2017 | Nobody Go Talk | Rex | [48] |
| 2017 | Life Changer | Rex | [49] |
| 2017 | Waitti | Will Drey | [50] |
| 2017 | Ayoo | Sire Chopperson | [51] |
| 2017 | Taking Over | Sire Chopperson | [52] |
| 2016 | Shatta Story | Mexx Studio | [53] |
| 2016 | Krom Aye Shi (Town Make Hot) | Lex MacCarthy | [54] |
| 2016 | Too Sweet | Will Drey | [55] |
| 2016 | Story to Tell | Prince Dovlo | [56] |
| 2016 | Too Much Chemical | Prince Dovlo | [57] |
| 2016 | Kill Dem with Prayers | Lex MacCarthy | [58] |
| 2016 | Kakai | Xpress Philms | |
| 2016 | Baby (Chop Kiss) | Lex MacCarthy | [59] |
| 2013 | Every Body Like My Tin | PressPlay Vidz | 48 |
| 2015 | Gather Around | Lex MacCarthy | 49 |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Shattered Lives | N/A | [60] |
| 2014 | Never Say Never | N/A | [61] |
| 2018 | "The Trial of Shatta Wale(Kejetia Vs Makola)" | Shatta Wale |
Awards and nominations
In 2014, Shatta Wale was nominated for the Maiden GN Bank Awards[62][63] as the People's Choice Male Musician of the year.[64] He was also named the 38th Most Influential Ghanaian by E-TV Ghana in 2015 in their annual survey of influential people in Ghana. He is currently the most Awarded Dancehall artist in Africa and one of the most awarded dancehall artist in the world.[65][66]
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Ghana Music Awards | Reggae Dancehall Song of the Year – Shatta City | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [67][68] |
| 2014 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall Video | "Everybody Likes My Ting" | Nominated | [69][70] |
| 4Syte TV Music Video Awards | Best Reggae/Dancehall Video | Won | [71] | ||
| Most Popular Video | Won | ||||
| 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Won | [72] | ||
| African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Male West Africa | Nominated | [73] | ||
| Best Dancehall Artiste | Nominated | ||||
| Ghana Music Awards | Artiste of the Year | Won | [74] | ||
| Best Collaboration of the Year | "Hot Cake" Pope Skinny feat. Shatta Wale | Nominated | |||
| Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| "Fever" D2 feat. Shatta Wale | Nominated | ||||
| "Dancehall King" | Won | ||||
| Nigerian Entertainment Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Won | [75] | ||
| BASS Awards | Best Performer of the Year | Won | [76][77] | ||
| Best Collaboration of the year | D2 ft. Shatta Wale – "Fever" | Nominated | |||
| Shatta Wale ft. D Black – "Ina the Party" | Nominated | ||||
| Best Video Dancehall | "Like My Thing" | Won | |||
| Dancehall Artiste of the year | Shatta Wale – "Enter the Net" | Won | |||
| International Reggae and World Music Awards | Best New Entertainer | Shatta Wale | Won | [78] | |
| Jigwe Awards | Jigwe Musician of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [79] | |
| Ghana DJ Awards | DJ's Song of the Year | Shatta Wale – Dancehall King | Won | [80] | |
| 2015 | African Entertainment Awards | Best African Reggae / Dancehall Artiste | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [81][82] |
| African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Dancehall Artiste | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [83][84][85][86][87] | |
| Swish HQ UK Awards | Best Song | Shatta Wale & Sonni Bali | Nominated | [88][89] | |
| International Reggae and World Music Awards | Best Music Video – You Can't Touch Me | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [90] | |
| 3G Awards | Publisher's Choice Award | Shatta Wale | Won | [91] | |
| MOBO Awards | Best African Act | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [92][93] | |
| GN Bank Awards | People's Choice Male Musician | Shatta Wale | Won | [94] | |
| 2016 | Blogging and Social Media Awards | Artiste with the Best Social Media Presence | Shatta Wale | Won | [95] |
| Golden Movie Awards Africa | Golden Discovery | Shatta Wale | Won | [96][97] | |
| Africa Europe DJ Awards (Italy) | Best Song of the Year – Kakai | Shatta Wale | Won | [98] | |
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | African Male Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [99][100][101] | |
| Afrimma Awards | Dancehall Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [102][103][104] | |
| Africa Youth Choice Awards | Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [105][106] | |
| City People Entertainment Awards | Ghana Musician of the Year Award – Male | Shatta Wale | Won | [107] | |
| Africa Entertainment Awards – US | Best Dancehall Artiste | Shatta wale | Won | [108][109] | |
| International Reggae and World Music Awards | Best African Song/Entertainer – Chop Kiss | Shatta wale | Won | [110][111] | |
| International Reggae and World Music Awards | Best Music Video -Chop Kiss | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [110][111] | |
| Ghana Kids Choice Awards | Best Dancehall Icon of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [112][113] | |
| African Royal Awards | Best International Act | Shatta Wale | Won | [114] | |
| Ghana DJ Awards | DJ's Song of the Year – Kakai | Shatta Wale | Won | [115][116] | |
| African Entertainment Legends Awards | African Dancehall Act of the Year | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [117][118] | |
| Ghana Music Awards UK | Music Producer of the Year | Shatta Wale (Da Maker) | Won | [119] | |
| Ghana Music Awards UK | Most Popular Song – Kakai | Shatta Wale | Won | [119] | |
| Most Popular Song – Chop Kiss | Nominated | ||||
| Reggae / Dancehall Song of the Year – Kakai | Nominated | ||||
| Reggae / Dancehall Song of the Year – Hol' It | Nominated | ||||
| Reggae / Dancehall Artiste of the Year | Won | ||||
| Album of the Year | After the Storm – Shatta Wale | Nominated | |||
| Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | |||
| Ghana Music Awards UK 2018 | Raggae/Dancehall song of the Year | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [120] | |
| WatsUp African Music Video Awards | Best West African Video | Chop Kiss – Shatta Wale | Nominated | [121] | |
| WatsUp African Music Video Awards | Best African Male Video | Chop Kiss – Shatta Wale | Nominated | [121] | |
| WatsUp African Music Video Awards | Best African Performance | After The Storm – Shatta Wale | Nominated | [121] | |
| WatsUp African Music Video Awards | Best African Reggae/Dancehall Video | Chop Kiss – Shatta Wale | Won | [121] | |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Best Reggae/Dancehall Video | Shatta Wale | Won | [122][123] | |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Most Popular Video | Shatta Wale | Nominated | ||
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Best Directed Video | Shatta Wale | Nominated | ||
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Best Story Line Video | Shatta Wale | Nominated | ||
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Best Male Video | Shatta Wale | Nominated | ||
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Most Influential Artiste | Shatta Wale | Won | ||
| Ghana Peace Awards | Art for Peace of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [124] | |
| muzato emmerson Music Awards | People Choice of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [124] | |
| Africa Youth Awards | Musician of the Year | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [125] | |
| Jigwe Awards | Jigwe Musician of the Year | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [126][127] | |
| 2017 | Ghana Music Honours | Best Producer | Shatta Wale | Won | [128] |
| Ghana Music Honours | People's Choice Award | Shatta Wale | Won | [129] | |
| Ghana Naija Showbiz Awards | Best Male Act | Shatta Wale | Won | [130][131] | |
| Ghana Entertainment Awards USA | Best Song | Shatta Wale-Kakai | Won | [132][133] | |
| EMY Africa Awards | Man of the Year – Entertainment | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [134] | |
| Ghana Entertainment Awards USA | Best Entertainer | Shatta Wale | Won | [133][132] | |
| African Pride Awards | Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [135][136] | |
| Ghana Events Awards | Best Event Set Up | Shatta Wale (After the Storm Concert) | Won | [137][138] | |
| Ghana Music Awards UK | Afro Beats Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [139][140] | |
| Ghana Music Awards UK | Collaboration of the Year | Shatta Wale ft Addi sef, Captan & Joint 77 | Won | [139][140] | |
| Ghana Music Awards UK | Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [139][140] | |
| Ghana Music Awards UK | Afro Pop Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [139][140] | |
| Ghana Music Awards UK | Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [139][140] | |
| Eastern Music Awards | Most Influential Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [141] | |
| African Entertainment Awards (US) | Best Dancehall Artiste | Shatta Wale | Won | [142] | |
| People's Celebrity Awards | Favourite Male Musician | Shatta Wale | Won | [143] | |
| Ultimate People's Celebrity | Shatta Wale | Won | [143] | ||
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Most Popular Video | Shatta Wale- Taking Over | Won | [144] | |
| Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Best Male MVP | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [145] | |
| African Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [145] | ||
| Digital Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [145] | ||
| 2018 | 3 Music Awards | Song of the Year | Ayoo | Won | [146] |
| Song Writer of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [146] | ||
| Facebook Star of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [146] | ||
| Male Act of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | [146] | ||
| Ghana Music Awards | Best Collaboration of the Year | Taking Over | Won | [146] | |
| Dancehall Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Nominated | [146] | ||
| Dancehall Song of the Year | Dem Confuse | Nominated | [146] | ||
| Hiplife Song of the Year | Ayoo | Nominated | [146] | ||
| Song of the Year | Taking Over | Nominated | [146] | ||
| African Entertainment Awards (US) | Best Dancehall Act | Shatta Wale | Won | [147] | |
| Ghana Entertainment Awards (US) | Best Song | Taking Over | Won | [146] | |
| Best Collaboration | Taking Over | Won | |||
| Best Entertainer | Shatta Wale | Won | |||
| Best Reggae/Dancehall Act | Shatta Wale | Nominated | |||
| 2019 | Ugandan Music Excellence Awards | Best African Music Video | Shatta Wale | Won | [148] |
| 3 Music Awards | Viral Song of the Year | Shatta Wale-Gringo | Won | [149][150] | |
| Highlife Song of the Year | Shatta Wale | Nominated | |||
| Reggae Dancehall Song of the Year | Shatta Wale-Gringo | Won | |||
| Digital Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | |||
| Fan Army of the Year | Shatta movement-Shatta Wale | Won | |||
| Reggae Dancehall Act of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | |||
| Music Video of the Year | Shatta Wale-Gringo | Won | |||
| Album of the Year | Shatta Wale-Reign Album | Nominated | |||
| Song of the Year | Shatta Wale-My Level | Won | |||
| Male Act of the Year | Shatta Wale | Won | |||
| 2019 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Pending | [151] |
| Highlife Song of the Year | Shatta Wale-My Level | Won | |||
| Reggae Dancehall Song of the Year | Shatta Wale-Gringo | Won | |||
| Afro Pop Song of the Year | Shatta Wale – Thunder Fire feat SM Militants | Nominated | |||
| Reggae Dancehall Artiste of the Year | Shatta Wale | Nominated | |||
| Best Video of the Year | Shatta Wale – Gringo (Dir Sesan) | Nominated | |||
| Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year | Shatta Wale-My Level | Pending | |||
| Album of the Year | Shatta Wale-Reign Album | Nominated | |||
| Best African Collaboration | Shatta Wale ft Olamide | Nominated | |||
| Artiste of the Decade | Shatta Wale | Nominated |
References
