Popular entertainment pundit Sally Mann has strongly criticized Ghanaian Dancehall musician Shatta Wale for referring to his colleague, Stonebwoy, as a ‘curtain-raiser’ artiste.
She argued that Stonebwoy is one of the Ghanaian artists who has consistently raised the country’s flag high on the international stage, while Shatta Wale has not yet had that opportunity. Mann believes that Shatta Wale’s criticism of Stonebwoy stems from feelings of hatred and jealousy, as he may be unable to achieve the level of success that Stonebwoy has attained on the global stage.
He praised Stonebwoy for his global success and chided Shatta Wale for his negative statements on Power Entertainment.
“If you say that [Stonebwoy being a curtain-raiser artiste] about your own colleague, that is not fair. A whole artiste who dreams of such a thing, Stonebwoy is living Shatta’s dream,” said Sally.
“Shatta wanted to be on the Grammy platform to go and showcase himself, has he gotten the opportunity? Has Shatta Wale seen Taylor Swift before? He hasn’t. Has Shatta Wale’s album gotten 100 streams before? No. Has Shatta Wale been signed by a record label? No. Stonebwoy is living Shatta’s dream, so you can’t say that to him. The Ghanaian artiste waving the nation’s flag high on the international stage is Stonebwoy,” she added.
Further, Sally Mann suggested that Shatta Wale’s decline in the music industry contributed to his criticism of flourishing artists.
“Not even the collaboration with Sarkodie or Bob Marley did him [Shatta Wale] magic. But Stonebwoy’s fifth Dimension album, did you see how he was celebrated? He did a bit of everything. Why can’t Shatta Wale appreciate Stonebwoy? When Shatta Wale was coming, we thought he was the messiah of Ghana music,” she added.
Background
In light of Nigerian artiste Asake’s successful O2 Arena concert, Stonebwoy discussed the state of the Ghana music industry with media personality Berla Mundi.
It was Stonebwoy’s narrative, along with others, that such pressures would not yield solutions unless the proper systems were in place. In order to foster the growth of the industry, he emphasized the need for increased awareness.
In a video that has been widely circulated on social media, Shatta Wale vehemently countered Stonebwoy’s comments. He contended that Stonebwoy was undermining his own value and went on to predict that Stonebwoy would never achieve the same level of respect and recognition as some of the top Nigerian artists.
“Stonebwoy was asked if he was facing pressure, and he said no pressure, but awareness. You dress and do your Instagram photos like Burna Boy. Hasn’t anyone told you? You are facing pressure, which is why you want to go on stage later, you want to be on stage at the same time as Wizkid? Look at what you did at AfroNation Detroit. You were given time to come on stage, you wanted to go at the time you wanted.
“You allow yourself to be paid $10,000 while Burna Boy gets paid $300,000. Did you expect to be treated like an important person? You are just a curtain raiser!! You will never get the same platform as Wizkid, Davido, or Burna Boy!” Shatta Wale fumed.