Shatta Wale


Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr.,, is a Ghanaian Singer, Songwriter,Actor and CEO of Shatta Movement Empire. He won Artiste of the Year at the 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards for his best known single "Dancehall King", and has appeared films such as Never Say Never, The trial of Shatta Wale, and Shattered Lives.
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 afterward, 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 record label.
In 2014, he peaked at number 38 on E.tv's "Top 100 Most Influential Ghanaian" Awards chart. He has since appeared on the chart each year. He was ranked "Most Influential Musician" on social media in 2017. He won 8 awards at the 3Music Awards in 2019 and also the most awarded dancehall artist in Africa.

Early life

Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. was born in Accra, Ghana at the Police Hospital on 17 October 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 drama series, By the Fireside, at the National Theatre of Ghana. 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. 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 travelling with him to the UK to meet his relatives who were half Jamaicans. These exposures made him develop a 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 the 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 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 resonates with the people. I am thankful to God for making me see the daylight." Stated in an interview.
Shatta Wale later went to Jamaica to polish and master his dance hall craft. "Every boy in Ghana doing dance hall came for tutelage from me before mastering the dance hall genre. So no wonder my fans call me King because they know the history of the modern dance hall 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 the took time to work on his music. Having achieved street credibility in a fairly undeveloped Ghanaian dance hall genre at the time, he soon gained 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 re-branded name from Bandana to Shatta Wale, he started a new career which largely bothers on dance hall 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 fan base, who were influenced by him and felt empowered by his songs. 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 dance hall 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 dance hall 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 Peace Fm.
He explained in an interview with King Lagazee why he had been less active and what the reason for his decreased popularity was.

2013–2015

Largely producing and mastering majority of his songs such as "Havana", "Shatta City", "Enter the Net", "Everybody Likes My Tin", and "Dance hall 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 dance hall as many Ghanaian were only used to the type of dance hall called Hip-life with a touch of ragga. 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.
By 2015, without a doubt, he has cemented his place on the global music space as a force to reckon with in dance hall 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 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 ", "Biegya ", "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. 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 dance hall 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.
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. He released his third album, Reign, on 13 October at the Fantasy Dome in Accra, and used the occasion to propose to his longtime girlfriend Michy on stage. The album achieved a record for a Ghanaian act by appearing on the Billboard Top World Albums Chart, placing sixth.

2019-2020

In 2019 he also had a collaboration with Beyoncé titled “Already” on her which climbed international charts and was nominated at the Grammy Awards. He had the most packed concert in the history of Ghana music with his Reign Concert as the only performer. Shatta Wale also featured on the compilation album of the Reggae Edition of The Tropical house Cruises to Jamaica.
On July 31, 2020 Shatta wale was featured in Beyonce's, Already music video as part of  music album released in 2019.

Concerts

He organized a digital concert on YouTube which was dubbed the Faith Concert. The concert was organized to bring hope to Ghanaians and his global audience at large during the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
He was selected by The Ministry of Communications, Ghana, alongside Highlife musician Kuami Eugene as the headline artistes for the Covid-19 app virtual launch concert held on Monday April 13,2020

Accolades

, Joseph Petty, presented Shatta Wale with the Key to the City on 8 July 2017, in recognition of his contributions to the arts.
On 18 March 2018, Wale was presented an honoree award for his outstanding contribution to reggae in Ghana and globally at the 37th Annual Chicago Music Awards, in conjunction with the 36th International Reggae & World Music Awards.
Wale received an honoree award on 11 May 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. The Obaland plaque was reportedly valued by specialized anthropologists and museum critics in Benin City, and declared to be worth US$34 million.

Endorsements

In 2014, Wale became a brand ambassador for Guinness Ghana Breweries. and as the brand ambassador for Rush Energy Drink.
In September 2017, Kasapreko Company, producers of several alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Ghana, unveiled Wale as their newest brand ambassador for Storm Energy Drink.
On 17 November 2017, Shatta Wale signed a deal with Boss Baker Beef Roll as the brand ambassador.
Infinix Ghana, a smartphone company, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 announced Shata Wale as its Brand Ambassador

Discography

Albums

YearTitleAlbumRef.
2016AromaCurrency Year Mixtape
2016Like YouAfter the Storm
2016LongtimeAfter the Storm
2016Dancehall King After The Storm
2017HatersUnknown
2017Affi Di MoneyUnknown
2017Shame On YouUnknown
2017DisasterAfrican Takeover
2017PatorankingAfrican Takeover
2018ZylofonUnknown
2018True BelieverUnknown
2018Ego Taya DemUnknown
2018StormUnknown
2018ShitoUnknown
2018PerformerUnknown
2018Thunder FireUnknown
2018Don't Baby My babyReign
2018Bend OverReign
2018SqueezeReign
2018I RegretReign
2018If i SeeReign
2018Give Dem SomethingReign
2018CrazyReign
2018AmountReign
2018WondersReign
2018RosalindaReign
2018Sister SisterReign
2018Mama StoriesReign
2018GringoReign
2018My Mind Is Made UpReign
2018CaesarReign
2018ExodusReign
2018One Way StyleReign
2018My LevelUnknown
2019Shatta with 9 Unknown
2019Packaging Unknown
2019Run 4 yuh lifeUnknown
2019No LookUnknown
2019Weather ForecastUnknown
2019I Hate NonsenseUnknown
2019BorjorUnknown
2020Miss MoneyUnknown

Videography

YearTitleDirectorRef.
2019IslandYaw Skyface
2019Crazysesan
201My levelSesan
2018GringoSesan
2018Bullet ProofSesan
2017Nobody Go TalkRex
2017Life ChangerRex
2017WaittiWill Drey
2017AyooSire Chopperson
2017Taking OverSire Chopperson
2016Shatta StoryMexx Studio
2016Krom Aye Shi Lex MacCarthy
2016Too SweetWill Drey
2016Story to TellPrince Dovlo
2016Too Much ChemicalPrince Dovlo
2016Kill Dem with PrayersLex MacCarthy
2016KakaiXpress Philms-
2016Baby Lex MacCarthy
2013Every Body Like My TinPressPlay Vidz48
2015Gather AroundLex MacCarthy49

Filmography

YearTitleRoleRef.
2016Shattered Lives
2014Never Say Never
2018"The Trial of Shatta Wale"Shatta Wale-

Awards and nominations

In 2014, Shatta Wale was nominated for the Maiden GN Bank Awards as the People's Choice Male Musician of the year. 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.
YearEventPrizeRecipientResultReference
2013Ghana Music AwardsReggae Dancehall Song of the Year – Shatta CityShatta Wale
2014Channel O Music Video AwardsMost Gifted Ragga Dancehall Video"Everybody Likes My Ting"
20144Syte TV Music Video AwardsBest Reggae/Dancehall Video"Everybody Likes My Ting"
20144Syte TV Music Video AwardsMost Popular Video"Everybody Likes My Ting"
20142014 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsAfrican Artiste of the Year
2014African Muzik Magazine AwardsBest Male West Africa
2014African Muzik Magazine AwardsBest Dancehall Artiste
2014Ghana Music AwardsArtiste of the Year
2014Ghana Music AwardsBest Collaboration of the Year"Hot Cake"
Pope Skinny feat. Shatta Wale
2014Ghana Music AwardsReggae/Dancehall Song of the Year"Hot Cake"
Pope Skinny feat. Shatta Wale
2014Ghana Music AwardsReggae/Dancehall Song of the Year"Fever"
D2 feat. Shatta Wale
2014Ghana Music AwardsReggae/Dancehall Song of the Year"Dancehall King"
2014Nigerian Entertainment AwardsAfrican Artiste of the Year
2014BASS AwardsBest Performer of the Year
2014BASS AwardsBest Collaboration of the yearD2 ft. Shatta Wale – "Fever"
2014BASS AwardsBest Collaboration of the yearShatta Wale ft. D Black – "Ina the Party"
2014BASS AwardsBest Video Dancehall"Like My Thing"
2014BASS AwardsDancehall Artiste of the yearShatta Wale – "Enter the Net"
2014International Reggae and World Music AwardsBest New EntertainerShatta Wale
2014Jigwe AwardsJigwe Musician of the YearShatta Wale
2014Ghana DJ AwardsDJ's Song of the YearShatta Wale – Dancehall King
2015African Entertainment AwardsBest African Reggae / Dancehall ArtisteShatta Wale
2015African Muzik Magazine AwardsBest Dancehall ArtisteShatta Wale
2015Swish HQ UK AwardsBest SongShatta Wale & Sonni Bali
2015International Reggae and World Music AwardsBest Music VideoYou Can't Touch MeShatta Wale
20153G AwardsPublisher's Choice AwardShatta Wale
2015MOBO AwardsBest African ActShatta Wale
2015GN Bank AwardsPeople's Choice Male MusicianShatta Wale
2016Blogging and Social Media AwardsArtiste with the Best Social Media PresenceShatta Wale
2016Golden Movie Awards AfricaGolden DiscoveryShatta Wale
2016Africa Europe DJ Awards Best Song of the Year – KakaiShatta Wale
2016Nigeria Entertainment AwardsAfrican Male Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2016Afrimma AwardsDancehall Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2016Africa Youth Choice AwardsArtiste of the YearShatta Wale
2016City People Entertainment AwardsGhana Musician of the Year Award – MaleShatta Wale
2016Africa Entertainment Awards – USBest Dancehall ArtisteShatta wale
2016International Reggae and World Music AwardsBest African Song/Entertainer – Chop KissShatta wale
2016International Reggae and World Music AwardsBest Music Video -Chop KissShatta Wale
2016Ghana Kids Choice AwardsBest Dancehall Icon of the YearShatta Wale
2016African Royal AwardsBest International ActShatta Wale
2016Ghana DJ AwardsDJ's Song of the Year – KakaiShatta Wale
2016African Entertainment Legends AwardsAfrican Dancehall Act of the YearShatta Wale
2016Ghana Music Awards UKMusic Producer of the YearShatta Wale
2016Ghana Music Awards UKMost Popular Song – KakaiShatta Wale
2016Ghana Music Awards UKMost Popular Song – Chop KissShatta Wale
2016Ghana Music Awards UKReggae / Dancehall Song of the Year – KakaiShatta Wale
2016Ghana Music Awards UKReggae / Dancehall Song of the Year – Hol' ItShatta Wale
2016Ghana Music Awards UKReggae / Dancehall Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2016Ghana Music Awards UKAlbum of the YearAfter the Storm – Shatta Wale
2016Ghana Music Awards UKArtiste of the YearShatta Wale
2016Ghana Music Awards UK 2018Raggae/Dancehall song of the YearShatta Wale
2016WatsUp African Music Video AwardsBest West African VideoChop Kiss – Shatta Wale
2016WatsUp African Music Video AwardsBest African Male VideoChop Kiss – Shatta Wale
2016WatsUp African Music Video AwardsBest African PerformanceAfter The Storm – Shatta Wale
2016WatsUp African Music Video AwardsBest African Reggae/Dancehall VideoChop Kiss – Shatta Wale
20164Syte Music Video AwardsBest Reggae/Dancehall VideoShatta Wale
20164Syte Music Video AwardsMost Popular VideoShatta Wale
20164Syte Music Video AwardsBest Directed VideoShatta Wale
20164Syte Music Video AwardsBest Story Line VideoShatta Wale
20164Syte Music Video AwardsBest Male VideoShatta Wale
20164Syte Music Video AwardsMost Influential ArtisteShatta Wale
2016Ghana Peace AwardsArt for Peace of the YearShatta Wale
2016muzato emmerson Music AwardsPeople Choice of the YearShatta Wale
2016Africa Youth AwardsMusician of the YearShatta Wale
2016Jigwe AwardsJigwe Musician of the YearShatta Wale
2017Ghana Music HonoursBest ProducerShatta Wale
2017Ghana Music HonoursPeople's Choice AwardShatta Wale
2017Ghana Naija Showbiz AwardsBest Male ActShatta Wale
2017Ghana Entertainment Awards USABest SongShatta Wale-Kakai
2017EMY Africa AwardsMan of the Year – EntertainmentShatta Wale
2017Ghana Entertainment Awards USABest EntertainerShatta Wale
2017African Pride AwardsArtiste of the YearShatta Wale
2017Ghana Events AwardsBest Event Set UpShatta Wale
2017Ghana Music Awards UKAfro Beats Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2017Ghana Music Awards UKCollaboration of the YearShatta Wale ft Addi sef, Captan & Joint 77
2017Ghana Music Awards UKArtiste of the YearShatta Wale
2017Ghana Music Awards UKAfro Pop Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2017Ghana Music Awards UKReggae/Dancehall Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2017Eastern Music AwardsMost Influential Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2017African Entertainment Awards Best Dancehall ArtisteShatta Wale
2017People's Celebrity AwardsFavourite Male MusicianShatta Wale
2017People's Celebrity AwardsUltimate People's CelebrityShatta Wale
20174Syte Music Video AwardsMost Popular VideoShatta Wale- Taking Over
2017Soundcity MVP Awards FestivalBest Male MVPShatta Wale
2017Soundcity MVP Awards FestivalAfrican Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2017Soundcity MVP Awards FestivalDigital Artiste of the YearHimself
20183 Music AwardsSong of the YearAyoo
20183 Music AwardsSong Writer of the YearShatta Wale
20183 Music AwardsFacebook Star of the YearShatta Wale
20183 Music AwardsMale Act of the YearShatta Wale
2018Ghana Music AwardsBest Collaboration of the YearTaking Over
2018Ghana Music AwardsDancehall Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2018Ghana Music AwardsDancehall Song of the YearDem Confuse
2018Ghana Music AwardsHiplife Song of the YearAyoo
2018Ghana Music AwardsSong of the YearTaking Over
2018African Entertainment Awards Best Dancehall ActShatta Wale
2018Ghana Entertainment Awards Best SongTaking Over
2018Ghana Entertainment Awards Best CollaborationTaking Over
2018Ghana Entertainment Awards Best EntertainerShatta Wale
2018Ghana Entertainment Awards Best Reggae/Dancehall ActShatta Wale
2019Ugandan Music Excellence AwardsBest African Music VideoShatta Wale
20193 Music AwardsViral Song of the YearShatta Wale-Gringo
20193 Music AwardsHighlife Song of the YearShatta Wale
20193 Music AwardsReggae Dancehall Song of the YearShatta Wale-Gringo
20193 Music AwardsDigital Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
20193 Music AwardsFan Army of the YearShatta movement-Shatta Wale
20193 Music AwardsReggae Dancehall Act of the YearShatta Wale
20193 Music AwardsMusic Video of the YearShatta Wale-Gringo
20193 Music AwardsAlbum of the YearShatta Wale-Reign Album
20193 Music AwardsSong of the YearShatta Wale-My Level
20193 Music AwardsMale Act of the YearShatta Wale
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsArtiste of the YearShatta Wale
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsHighlife Song of the YearShatta Wale-My Level
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsReggae Dancehall Song of the YearShatta Wale-Gringo
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsAfro Pop Song of the YearShatta Wale – Thunder Fire feat SM Militants
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsReggae Dancehall Artiste of the YearShatta Wale
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsBest Video of the YearShatta Wale – Gringo
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsVodafone Most Popular Song of the YearShatta Wale-My Level
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsAlbum of the YearShatta Wale-Reign Album
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsBest African CollaborationShatta Wale ft Olamide
2019Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsArtiste of the DecadeShatta Wale
2019Ghana Music Awards UKReggae Dancehall Artist of the YearHimself
2019Ghana Music Awards UKPopular Song of the Year"My Level"