Shatta Wale

• Name — Shatta Wale • Alias — Bandana • Birth Name — Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. • Born — 17 October 1984 • Birthplace — Accra, Ghana • Genre — * Highlife • hiplife • reggae • dancehall • Afrobeats • Occupation — * Singer • songwriter • record producer • actor • sound engineer • Instrument — * Vocals • keyboard • Years Active — 2004–present • Label — * Shatta Movement Records • Zylofon Music

Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. was born in Korle Gonno from 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. He 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 continued to the Winneba Secondary School, where he obtained his second cycle education. At the start of his career, he was called Doggy.

Wale started with the stage name "Bandana" after senior high school, and released the hit track "Bandana from Ghana" in 2004. Wale's 2004 recording "Moko Hoo" was nominated for a Ghana Music Award. His sudden rise to fame happened at the 2013 VGMA awards, when he threw lyrical insults to the VGMA (now Telecel Ghana Music Awards), because he said they had robbed him of the Dancehall Artist of the Year award. Although the song had vulgar lyrics, it was anticipated by the media, which created his musical breakthrough. His biggest hit in 2013, "Dancehall King," gained significant radio airplay in Ghana. His primary source of revenue is hosting events, which attract thousands of young Ghanaians. In 2014, he peaked at number 38 on E.tv's "Top 100 Most Influential Ghanaian" Awards chart. He has since then appeared on the chart every year. In 2015, Wale asked not to be nominated in the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards even though he could have won the 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. His best-known singles are "Dancehall King", "My Level" and "Taking Over". "Dancehall King" earned him the Artiste of the Year at the 2014 edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Wale is also an actor, and appeared in the films Never Say Never, The trial of Shatta Wale and Shattered Lives. 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. In 2019, Wale had a collaboration with Beyoncé titled "Already" on her album The Lion King: The Gift, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. 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 (IRAWMA). 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, 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.

Wale was the first Ghanaian to organize a digital concert on YouTube, which was dubbed the Faith Concert. This was organized to bring hope to Ghanaians and his global audience at large during the fight against the 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 31 December 2024, Vybz Kartel invited Wale to perform at his Freedom Street Concert in Jamaica, due to the love and support he had 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, and Popcaan. On 18 October 2025, 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.

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, Kasapreko Company Limited (KCL) renewed Wale's ambassador deal. On 17 November 2017, 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.

On June 12, 2024, 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.

On 16 September 2024, Wale announced the Accra Invasion Project (AIP), an initiative to discover and support talented individuals in Accra, the capital of Ghana. The project has since promoted nine artists: Papillon Blood, Shattonzy, Zicoranking, JoeQuaye, Blakid, Boy Cray, Kinjunia, Dosted Gennah, and Sanaa, the only female among them.

In October 2021, Wale allegedly created a hoax that he was shot and was receiving treatment. He later turned himself in to the police. 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. In June 2025, Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) seized 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 (FBI) in connection with Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian convicted in the United States for money laundering and fraud. 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 Wale as a person of interest while awaiting a U.S. request to repatriate the vehicle under a mutual legal assistance treaty. On 20 August 2025, Wale was detained after voluntarily appearing at the EOCO for questioning related to the Lamborghini, which U.S. authorities said may be linked to proceeds from a $4 million fraud case. He was held overnight and released the next day 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. Wale's legal team stated they were cooperating with authorities, and he remains a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.

Being a controversial artiste in the Ghana music industry, Wale has had arguments with many of his fellow artistes, such as: • 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. In 2023, Wale and Kwadwo Sheldon of Kwadwo Sheldon Studios (KSS) 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 Wale on charges of belittling his work. On May 3, 2024, upon Wale arriving at the London airport before his performance at Indigo at The O2, Wale visibly snubbed Sheldon, who had extended his hand in greeting.

Wale joined the discussion surrounding the OccupyJulorbiHouse protest, expressing his disapproval of the arrest of demonstrators who were marching towards Jubilee House on September 21. His criticism of the arrests garnered support from many of his fans, some of whom suggested that he should create a song dedicated to President Akufo-Addo.

Wale has a son with Ghanaian socialite Michelle Diamonds. He proposed to Diamonds on stage at the launch of his Reign album in 2018, but they separated in 2019 over domestic violence issues. Wale and his girlfriend, Maali, announced the birth of their first child, a girl. They made their relationship public in 2023 after sharing photos and videos. This is Wale's fifth child but his first with Maali. During an October 2023 interview with the BBC's Stefania Okereke, Shatta Wale expressed regret for not pursuing a career in law. He said he was considering becoming a lawyer in the future, when he feels "financially ready", despite his music career, as law was his initial aspiration.

• Green Times Mixtape (2014) • Answers (The Hybrid) (2014) • After the Storm (2016) • Reign (2018) • Wonder Boy (2019) • Manacles of a Shatta (2020) • Maali (2023) • Konekt (2024) • Shatta and Fans Album (2024) • African King (2026)

• Year — Title — Album — Ref. • 2016 — Aroma — Currency Year Mixtape • 2016 — Like You — After the Storm • 2015 — Reality — Unknown • 2016 — Kill Dem with Prayers — Unknown • 2016 — Kakai — Unknown • 2016 — Longtime — After the Storm • 2016 — Dancehall King (Part 2) — After the Storm • 2017 — Haters — Unknown • 2017 — Affi Di Money — Unknown • 2017 — Shame On You — Unknown • 2017 — Disaster — African Takeover • 2017 — Patoranking — African Takeover • 2018 — Zylofon — Unknown • 2018 — True Believer — Unknown • 2018 — Ego Taya Dem — Unknown • 2018 — Storm — Unknown • 2018 — Shito — Unknown • 2018 — Performer — Unknown — • 2018 — Thunder Fire — Unknown • 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 • 2019 — No Look — Unknown • 2019 — Weather Forecast — Unknown • 2019 — I Hate Nonsense — Unknown • 2019 — Borjor — Unknown • 2020 — Miss Money — Unknown • 2020 — Ahodwo Las Vegas ft Kofi Jamar, Amerado, Ypee, Kweku Flick, King Paluta, Phrimpong & Phaize — Unknown • 2020 — Party with the Stars (Feat. Munga Honorable, Tifa) — Unknown • 2022 — Born Crey — Unknown • 2022 — Bess Lyf ft Jupitar — Unknown • 2022 — Fear Mi — Unknown • 2022 — On God — Unknown • 2022 — Shoulder — Unknown • 2022 — Hunter — Unknown • 2024 — 2024 — Unknown • 2024 — Designer — Unknown • 2024 — Who say — Unknown • 2024 — Blessings ft Amerado — SAFA • 2025 — Jo Lese — Unknown • 2025 — Street Crown — Voice of the Crown

• Year — Title — Director — Ref. • 2020 — Hajia Bintu (feat. Ara B & Captan) — Shatta Wale & PKMI • 2019 — Island — Yaw Skyface • 2019 — Crazy — sesan • 201 — My level — Sesan • 2018 — Gringo — Sesan • 2018 — Bullet Proof — Sesan • 2017 — Nobody Go Talk — Rex • 2017 — Life Changer — Rex • 2017 — Waitti — Will Drey • 2017 — Ayoo — Sire Chopperson • 2017 — Taking Over — Sire Chopperson • 2016 — Shatta Story — Mexx Studio • 2016 — Krom Aye Shi (Town Make Hot) — Lex MacCarthy • 2016 — Too Sweet — Will Drey • 2016 — Story to Tell — Prince Dovlo • 2016 — Too Much Chemical — Prince Dovlo • 2016 — Kill Dem with Prayers — Lex MacCarthy • 2016 — Kakai — Xpress Philms • 2016 — Baby (Chop Kiss) — Lex MacCarthy • 2013 — Every Body Like My Tin — PressPlay Vidz — 48 • 2015 — Gather Around — Lex MacCarthy — 49

• Year — Title — Role — Ref. • 2016 — Shattered Lives • 2014 — Never Say Never • 2018 — The Trial of Shatta Wale (Kejetia Vs Makola) — Shatta Wale • 2023 — Serwaa

Shatta Wale is recorded with the occupation record producer. Classed in the genre dancehall. Classed in the genre Afrobeats. Classed in the genre highlife. Classed in the genre hiplife. Classed in the genre reggae. Recorded as musician, record producer and composer.

The Mayor of Worcester, Joseph Petty, presented 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 (CMA), in conjunction with the 36th International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA). On 24 April 2025, Wale was recognized at the University of Ghana's Brands and Marketing Masterclass, where his brand and marketing skills were studied. Shatta Wale in 2026 has won many awards including Best African Dancehall Entertainer and Concert of the Year for his event, Shatta Fest at the 43rd IRAWMA.

• Year — Event — Prize — Recipient — Result — Reference • 2013 — Ghana Music Awards — Reggae Dancehall Song of the Year – Shatta City — Shatta Wale • 2014 — Channel O Music Video Awards — Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall Video — "Everybody Likes My Ting" • 4Syte TV Music Video Awards — Best Reggae/Dancehall Video • Most Popular Video • 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards — African Artiste of the Year • African Muzik Magazine Awards — Best Male West Africa • Best Dancehall Artiste • Ghana Music Awards — Artiste of the Year • Best Collaboration of the Year — "Hot Cake" Pope Skinny feat. Shatta Wale • Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year • "Fever" D2 feat. Shatta Wale • "Dancehall King" • Nigerian Entertainment Awards — African Artiste of the Year • BASS Awards — Best Performer of the Year • Best Collaboration of the year — D2 ft. Shatta Wale – "Fever" • Shatta Wale ft. D Black – "Ina the Party" • Best Video Dancehall — "Like My Thing" • Dancehall Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale – "Enter the Net" • International Reggae and World Music Awards — Best New Entertainer — Shatta Wale • Jigwe Awards — Jigwe Musician of the Year — Shatta Wale • Ghana DJ Awards — DJ's Song of the Year — Shatta Wale – Dancehall King • 2015 — African Entertainment Awards — Best African Reggae / Dancehall Artiste — Shatta Wale • African Muzik Magazine Awards — Best Dancehall Artiste — Shatta Wale • Swish HQ UK Awards — Best Song — Shatta Wale & Sonni Bali • International Reggae and World Music Awards — Best Music Video – You Can't Touch Me — Shatta Wale • 3G Awards — Publisher's Choice Award — Shatta Wale • MOBO Awards — Best African Act — Shatta Wale • GN Bank Awards — People's Choice Male Musician — Shatta Wale • 2016 — Blogging and Social Media Awards — Artiste with the Best Social Media Presence — Shatta Wale • Golden Movie Awards Africa — Golden Discovery — Shatta Wale • Africa Europe DJ Awards (Italy) — Best Song of the Year – Kakai — Shatta Wale • Nigeria Entertainment Awards — African Male Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Afrimma Awards — Dancehall Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Africa Youth Choice Awards — Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • City People Entertainment Awards — Ghana Musician of the Year Award – Male — Shatta Wale • Africa Entertainment Awards – US — Best Dancehall Artiste — Shatta wale • International Reggae and World Music Awards — Best African Song/Entertainer – Chop Kiss — Shatta wale • International Reggae and World Music Awards — Best Music Video -Chop Kiss — Shatta Wale • Ghana Kids Choice Awards — Best Dancehall Icon of the Year — Shatta Wale • African Royal Awards — Best International Act — Shatta Wale • Ghana DJ Awards — DJ's Song of the Year – Kakai — Shatta Wale • African Entertainment Legends Awards — African Dancehall Act of the Year — Shatta Wale • Ghana Music Awards UK — Music Producer of the Year — Shatta Wale (Da Maker) • Ghana Music Awards UK — Most Popular Song – Kakai — Shatta Wale • Most Popular Song – Chop Kiss • Reggae / Dancehall Song of the Year – Kakai • Reggae / Dancehall Song of the Year – Hol' It • Reggae / Dancehall Artiste of the Year • Album of the Year — After the Storm – Shatta Wale • Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Ghana Music Awards UK 2018 — Raggae/Dancehall song of the Year — Shatta Wale • WatsUp African Music Video Awards — Best West African Video — Chop Kiss – Shatta Wale • WatsUp African Music Video Awards — Best African Male Video — Chop Kiss – Shatta Wale • WatsUp African Music Video Awards — Best African Performance — After The Storm – Shatta Wale • WatsUp African Music Video Awards — Best African Reggae/Dancehall Video — Chop Kiss – Shatta Wale • 4Syte Music Video Awards — Best Reggae/Dancehall Video — Shatta Wale • 4Syte Music Video Awards — Most Popular Video — Shatta Wale • 4Syte Music Video Awards — Best Directed Video — Shatta Wale • 4Syte Music Video Awards — Best Story Line Video — Shatta Wale • 4Syte Music Video Awards — Best Male Video — Shatta Wale • 4Syte Music Video Awards — Most Influential Artiste — Shatta Wale • Ghana Peace Awards — Art for Peace of the Year — Shatta Wale • muzato emmerson Music Awards — People Choice of the Year — Shatta Wale • Africa Youth Awards — Musician of the Year — Shatta Wale • Jigwe Awards — Jigwe Musician of the Year — Shatta Wale • 2017 — Ghana Music Honours — Best Producer — Shatta Wale • Ghana Music Honours — People's Choice Award — Shatta Wale • Ghana Naija Showbiz Awards — Best Male Act — Shatta Wale • Ghana Entertainment Awards USA — Best Song — Shatta Wale-Kakai • EMY Africa Awards — Man of the Year – Entertainment — Shatta Wale • Ghana Entertainment Awards USA — Best Entertainer — Shatta Wale • African Pride Awards — Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Ghana Events Awards — Best Event Set Up — Shatta Wale (After the Storm Concert) • Ghana Music Awards UK — Afro Beats Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Ghana Music Awards UK — Collaboration of the Year — Shatta Wale ft Addi sef, Captan & Joint 77 • Ghana Music Awards UK — Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Ghana Music Awards UK — Afro Pop Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Ghana Music Awards UK — Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Eastern Music Awards — Most Influential Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • African Entertainment Awards (US) — Best Dancehall Artiste — Shatta Wale • People's Celebrity Awards — Favourite Male Musician — Shatta Wale • Ultimate People's Celebrity — Shatta Wale • 4Syte Music Video Awards — Most Popular Video — Shatta Wale- Taking Over • Soundcity MVP Awards Festival — Best Male MVP — Shatta Wale • African Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Digital Artiste of the Year — Himself • 2018 — 3 Music Awards — Song of the Year — Ayoo • Song Writer of the Year — Shatta Wale • Facebook Star of the Year — Shatta Wale • Male Act of the Year — Shatta Wale • Ghana Music Awards — Best Collaboration of the Year — Taking Over • Dancehall Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Dancehall Song of the Year — Dem Confuse • Hiplife Song of the Year — Ayoo • Song of the Year — Taking Over • African Entertainment Awards (US) — Best Dancehall Act — Shatta Wale • Ghana Entertainment Awards (US) — Best Song — Taking Over • Best Collaboration — Taking Over • Best Entertainer — Shatta Wale • Best Reggae/Dancehall Act — Shatta Wale • 2019 — Ugandan Music Excellence Awards — Best African Music Video — Shatta Wale • 3 Music Awards — Viral Song of the Year — Shatta Wale-Gringo • Highlife Song of the Year — Shatta Wale • Reggae Dancehall Song of the Year — Shatta Wale-Gringo • Digital Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Fan Army of the Year — Shatta movement-Shatta Wale • Reggae Dancehall Act of the Year — Shatta Wale • Music Video of the Year — Shatta Wale-Gringo • Album of the Year — Shatta Wale-Reign Album • Song of the Year — Shatta Wale-My Level • Male Act of the Year — Shatta Wale • 2019 — Vodafone Ghana Music Awards — Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Highlife Song of the Year — Shatta Wale-My Level • Reggae Dancehall Song of the Year — Shatta Wale-Gringo • Afro Pop Song of the Year — Shatta Wale – Thunder Fire feat SM Militants • Reggae Dancehall Artiste of the Year — Shatta Wale • Best Video of the Year — Shatta Wale – Gringo (Dir Sesan) • Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year — Shatta Wale-My Level • Album of the Year — Shatta Wale-Reign Album • Best African Collaboration — Shatta Wale ft Olamide • Artiste of the Decade — Shatta Wale • Ghana Music Awards UK — Reggae Dancehall Artist of the Year — Himself • Popular Song of the Year — "My Level"