Shatta Wale
Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., known by his stage name Shatta Wale, formerly Bandana. is a Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist. Shatta Wale started with stage name "Bandana
His greatest song hit in 2013, Dancehall king took the airwaves by surprise. Shatta wale's musical revenue is mostly generated through hosting shows, which attract thousands of Ghanaian youths.
In 2015, Shatta Wale asked not to be nominated in the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards even though he could have won the prestigious Artiste & Song of the year for the second time running with his hit songs Dancehall Commando featuring Sarkodie, Party all night long featuring Jah Vinci, Wine Ya Waist featuring Davido and Korle Gonno among many hit songs he released the preceding year: because of an impending court case with the organisers of the Awards Charter House Productions Ltd for allegedly making defamatory remarks against the CEO of Charter House in a video he uploaded on his Facebook page. Shatta Wale's hard work in 2014, got him nominated for the maiden and highly prestigious GN Bank Awards as the People’s Choice Male Musician of the Year.
His best-known singles are "Dancehall King", "My Level" and "Taking Over". He is also known for "Already" from Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift, which also featured Major Lazer. His song "Dancehall King" earned him the Artiste of the Year at the 2014 edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Wale is also an actor who appeared in the films Never Say Never, The trial of Shatta Wale and Shattered Lives''. Wale's 2004 recording "Moko Hoo" was nominated for a Ghana Music Award.
In 2014, he peaked to number 38 on E.tv's "Top 100 Most Influential Ghanaian" Awards chart. He has since then appeared on the chart every year. He was ranked "Most Influential Musician" on social media in 2017. He made a record-setting as a dancehall artist to have won 11 awards at the 2019 3 Music Awards ceremony.
Early life
Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. was born in Accra, Ghana at the Police Hospital on 17 October 1984 to Charles Nii Armah Mensah Snr and Elsie Evelyn Avemegah. His father is 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. He then continued to the Winneba Secondary School where he obtained his second cycle education. At the start of career, Wale was called Doggy.
2019–2020
In 2019 he had a collaboration with Beyoncé titled "Already" on her album The Lion King: The Gift which was nominated at the Grammy Awards.2021–present
In 2021, he was nominated for two awards and won the 'Best Virtual Entertainer of the Year' Award at the International Reggae and World Music Awards.Wale released a song in January 2024 titled "Balloon", with an accompanying video.
He performed at Vybz Kartel's Freedom Street concert in Jamaica.
On April 10, 2025, Shatta Wale hosted Nigerian TikTok influencer Peller at his mansion in Ghana, sparking viral online attention through their collaborative videos and promotional appearances, particularly in connection with Shaxi, his ride-hailing company.
Concerts
He was the first Ghanaian to organize 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. On Saturday 17 October 2020, he threw a massive birthday party, which saw attendance by family and friends at his East Legon residence to mark his 36th birthday.
Last year 31st of December 2024, Vybz Kartel invited Shatta Wale to come and perform at his Freedom Street Concert in Jamaica. Due to the love and support, he's shown him over the years even when Vybz Kartel was in prison. The show featured top International artistes like Busta Rhymes, Chronic Law, Shawn Storm, Masicka, Bounty Killer, Jah Vinci, Rvssian, Spice, Popcaan etc.
On 18 October 2025, Shatta Wale hosted Shatta Fest 2025 x Shattabration: The King Calls at Black Star Square in Accra, drawing tens of thousands of fans for a free all-night concert. The event featured performances by top Ghanaian artists and tributes, marking his birthday celebration with support from MoMo Fest, Shaxi, and Charterhouse.
Accolades/Recognition
, Joseph Petty, presented Shatta Wale with the Key to the City on 8 July 2017.On 18 March 2018, Wale was presented an honoree award for his contribution to reggae in Ghana at the 37th Annual Chicago Music Awards, in conjunction with the 36th International Reggae & World Music Awards.
On the 24th of April 2025, Shatta Wale was again recognized at the University of Ghana's Brands and Marketing Masterclass, where his brand and marketing skills were studied.
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 Limited, producers of several alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Ghana, unveiled Wale as their newest brand ambassador for Storm Energy Drink. 19 July 2023, Shatta Wale and Kasapreko Company Limited renewed their to see Shatta Wale continue to be the face of 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 September 11, 2019, announced Shatta Wale as its Brand Ambassador
Charity works and Donations
On June 12, 2024, Shatta Wale supported the "Buzstop Boys" in a community clean up exercise at Alajo in Accra and donated some amount through his foundation to the organization to keep up with their environmental initiatives.Accra Invasion Project
Shatta Wale on the 16th of September 2024 announced the hunt for talents in Accra the Capital of Ghana who need some push and support to make their dreams a reality. The project name is “Accra Invasion Project”. So far he discovered 9 young talents including Papillon Blood, Shattonzy, Zicoranking, JoeQuaye, Blakid, Boy Cray, Kinjunia, Dosted Gennah, and Sanaa the only female among them.Controversy
In October 2021, Shatta Wale allegedly created a hoax that he was shot and was receiving treatment. He later turned himself in due to the police declaring him wanted. He was arrested by the Ghana Police Service for allegedly involved in the creation and circulation of information to create fear and panic. He was remanded into prison custody for a week. On Tuesday, 26 October 2021, Shatta Wale was granted a GH¢100,000 self-recognizance bail at today's hearing. The case has been adjourned to November 9, 2021. A fortnight after the artist was released on bail, he got caught in another confrontation with the Police as he stormed out of meeting with celebrities called at the behest of Ghana's Police Chief. Shatta Wale complained of unfair treatment at the meeting after all his colleagues were allegedly allowed to use their phones and he was not. He later reported to the meeting, he is Currently in Jail in US.2025 Lamborghini seizure controvers
In June 2025, Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office seized Shatta Wale’s 2019 Lamborghini Urus during a search at his Trassaco Valley residence. The operation followed a request from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian convicted in the United States for money laundering and fraud.
Shatta Wale voluntarily surrendered the car, but denied links to criminal activity, claiming he bought it for US $150,000 without knowledge of its alleged origins. He later accused EOCO’s executive director of intimidation and abuse of power.
EOCO described the operation as professional and identified Shatta Wale as a person of interest while awaiting a U.S. request to repatriate the vehicle under a mutual legal assistance treaty.
Detention and release
On 20 August 2025, Shatta Wale was detained after voluntarily appearing at the Economic and Organised Crime Office for questioning related to the 2019 Lamborghini Urus, which U.S. authorities say may be linked to proceeds from a $4 million fraud case. He was held overnight and released the next day—21 August 2025—on bail. His bail conditions initially required GH₵10 million with two sureties, but these were later revised to GH₵5 million with continued obligations to report regularly to EOCO. Shatta Wale's legal team stated they are cooperating with authorities, and he remains a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.Feuds
Shatta wale being a controversial artiste in the Ghana music Industry, he has had argument with so many of his fellow artiste like;- Stonebwoy: In 2018, Stonebwoy was asked about Shatta Wale's claim that Stonebwoy had refused to collaborate with him. Stonebwoy responded by saying that Shatta Wale had suggested that Stonebwoy was responsible for his mother's death in 2015. Shatta Wale denied the allegations in an interview. The beef escalated when Shatta Wale and his crew went up on stage to congratulate Stonebwoy after he won the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards for Dancehall Artiste of the Year. This led to Stonebwoy pulling out a gun on stage.
- Sarkodie: Shatta Wale has commented on his beef with Sarkodie, saying that if he replies to Sarkodie, Sarkodie's mother will beg him to stop making music.
- Yaa Pono
- Kwadwo Sheldon
- Samini
- Kwaw kesse
In 2023, Charles and Kwadwo Sheldon of Kwadwo Sheldon Studios went into entertainment beefing. The source of this beef was a comment made by Sheldon; "In his songs, Shatta Wale portrays himself as a gangster, yet he contacted the police following an online dispute". Sheldon said in an interview that he was reported to the IGP of Ghana, George Akuffo Dampare by Shatta Wale on charges of belittling his work. On May 3, 2024, upon Shatta arriving at the London airport before his performance at Indigo at The O2, Shatta visibly snubbed YouTuber Kwadwo Sheldon, who had extended his hand in greeting.