For the past few years, one music genre that has really stood out in Ghana is Dancehall. Although Dancehall originates not from Ghana, it has in some way grown roots that have been firmly established. Among Dancehall artistes like Stonebuoy, Jupiter, Shatta Rako, Iwan, Kaakie and the rest, two profound Dancehall musicians who have stood out from the crowd are Samini and Shatta Wale.
For some time now, there has been serious lyrical feud between these top-notch acts concerning who deserves to be referred to as the crème de la crème of Dancehall music in Ghana.
This battle of superiority continues to grow each and every day. GhanaCelebrities.Com has today decided to evaluate these two musicians in terms of their performances, songs, awards won, and who really understands the Dancehall culture to ascertain who truly deserves to be crowned the Dancehall King.
Performance
If truth be told, one doesn’t qualify to be called a musician if such fellow cannot thrill music lovers with electrifying performances. This is not different from Dancehall artistes.
Samini has performed on several music platforms, likewise Shatta Wale. On the grounds of creative act opening, Shatta Wale has and is still on top. An example is how he mounted the stage during the Guinness Big Eruption Concert.
He defied all odds and was brought to stage in a crane, which added more flavour to the concert. At the just ended Ghana meets Naija Concert, he ascended the stage with three strong bulldogs. Such acts raise the curiosity levels of patrons, leaving them to wonder what’s going to happen next.
However, Samini has the performer – fans communication appeal, something that Shatta Wale seems to be lacking. He (Samini) understands the rudiments of stage acts and how to interact with music patrons present at events. One distinctive feature that puts Samini ahead of Shatta Wale is his versatility – the propensity to play with live band.
Nonetheless, both artistes are extremely good at exhibiting high energy levels when on stage. Whatever helps them to achieve that, I do not know a thing about it.
Branding
As Jarod Kintz, an American author, puts it, “personal branding is sales, because you’re selling an image of yourself, a mirage, and you are the product.” Likewise in music, musicians sell themselves through an image they portray to the general public.
Over the years, both Shatta Wale and Samini have branded themselves in various ways. In assessing who deserves to be the King, it’s imperative to look at what each brand has been able to achieve.
In 2007, the Samini brand was able to secure a contract with Ghana’s telecommunication giant, MTN. As the brand continued to grow, Phamous Music signed a 2 year recording deal with him. Just last year, he launched his personalised mobile application; a move to add value to his brand.
Shatta Wale has been in the music industry for quite a long time, just as Samini. Conversely, Samini has apparently been more consistent with his brand than him. The Bandana brand was somehow able to appeal to music lovers in some way before its sudden hiatus, or actually death. It was however resurrected as Shatta Wale, which can be described as the greatest comeback ever in the history of Ghanaian music.
Even though the previous brand did not achieve anything meaningful, the current brand – Shatta Wale – alongside his Shatta Movement Family is doing quite a lot. Just some few weeks back, he was chosen as an ambassador for the 2014 World Cup for the Black Stars. Even if he does not enjoy any money from corporate bodies, he is rest assured to benefit from the state’s coffers (Ministry of Sports).
Self-Discipline
Training and controlling oneself and conduct is very necessary in the music industry. Self-Discipline also includes how an artiste is able to restrain him/herself from reacting to every negative publication about him/her.
With regards to Samini and Shatta Wale, the latter seems to be in the news often over controversies whilst the former sometimes prefers to keep issues on a low key. His publicity style might be thriving on controversies. Whatever the case may be, that has not added any value to his self-disciplining fruitage.
Originality & Versatility
It will be quite convoluted to substantiate who really – among the two – is original. Both are on top of the game in terms of originality. Out of nothing, all are capable of creating something worthwhile that is able to catch the eye of the general public.
Personally, I love it when Shatta Wale composes a song for a particular situation he finds himself in. Such is what happened when he lost the ‘Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year’ to Kaakie at the 2013 VGMAs and when he won the VGMAs ‘Artiste of the Year’. In all instances, he composed songs to throw insults at Charter House, the organisers of the award. It is not the moral issue of the case that I am looking at, but the creativity aspect of it.
In all that, he isn’t that versatile like Samini. Samini is able to adapt to industrial changes. What I mean by industrial change is the dynamic facet of music. Over the years, Samini has tried his music dexterity on other genres like Hiplife, Reggae, and Highlife. If music were to be an exam, he would have notched up some additional marks there.
Awards
The number of credible awards a musician has to his/her name adds some sort of value to his/her personality and the work he/she is doing. The two artistes under evaluation here have both been nominated and received recognised awards.
The 2014 VGMAs saw Shatta Wale surfacing as the ‘Artiste of the Year’, which was the biggest award on the night; an award Samini received in 2007 as well. In 2013, Shatta Wale pulled out from the Bass Awards, for which Samini emerged the ‘Dancehall Artiste of the Year’. Who knows Shatta Wale would have won if he had not pulled out. Samini has also won awards at the Headies, MOBO, and MTV Africa Music Awards.
In other development, Shatta Wale has received nominations at the upcoming African Muzik Magazine Awards.
Who Really Deserves the Kingship?
The assessment has been done. All the major facts have been discussed. It’s now time to declare who fits the position of the Dancehall King. Even though we have done the evaluation, we cannot judge. It’s up to you to decide; from the analysis and what you know, who deserves that title?
By way of commenting, kindly use the comment box and tell us who really deserves to be called the Ghana’s Dancehall King in Ghana and why?
The ans to this very obvious. Sa Sa Mini Mini. Samini all d way. BTW, who’s Shatta Wale?
Hmmm, I will say samini cos wen it comes branding, versatality, awards, self discipline he stands tall. for me ghanas most exported musician is samini. remember bandana went dead n resurrected in shatter wale but samini has stood his grounds for good 10 years n still going strong.
I agree with you. Samini is the best.
Samini shud go back to hiplife that dancehall thing is not good for him his pronunciations of some word is ugly wen it comes to dancehall shatta is way better
Samini of course. Shatta wale will fade like bandana let just wait nd see
First it was bandana for two days,then yeeeeaaarrrs later, he emerged as shatta wale….samini was has always been samini from day one…ten years later, samini is still samini. Samini wins,hands down!!!
Samini all the way!! this Shatta wale scares me
SAMINI OF COURSE. PLEASE NEVER COMPARE HIM WITH SHATA WALE.
Good article but for me, Shatta Wale is the dancehall King because I love his music and he stays relevant to what is happening. He talks about current music with catchy lines
Did you do mathematics at School?