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Evaluating Samini and Shatta Wale | Who is Really the Deserving Dancehall King in Ghana?

Shatta Wale and Samini
Shatta Wale and Samini

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.

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VIDEO: Samini Talks About Opening a Restaurant, Selling ‘Korsay’ Those Days, His Charity Work, Shatta Wale + MORE

Samini
Samini

Ghanaian dancehall musician-Samini stopped over at TV3 this morning for an interview and he disclosed that he will be soon opening a restaurant—somewhere at Dansoman.

Also, he talked about his relationship with the self-acclaimed Dancehall King-Shatta Wale, saying, the relationship is just as it has always been.

According to Samini, he has been in the industry for 10 years. He gave out tips on how he has been able to stay focus and relevant. Interestingly, he revealed that he used to carry ‘Korsay’ on his head each morning, following his mother to sell Koko–and today, he has become what we know him for…

Check out the interview below

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CONFIRMED: Shatta Wale Joins Sarkodie, Davido, Guru, Castro, KCee & Others for ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ Mega Concert

Shatta Wale
Shatta Wale

It can’t get any better than this for music lovers who will be attending this year’s ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ concert to be held at the Accra International Conference Centre on 24th May, 2014

As if the tall list of talented African artistes billed to thrill patrons with electrifying performances is not enough, the organisers of annual mega concert have just confirmed to GhanaCelebrities.Com that, the man of the moment-Shatta Wale will be taking us on a long musical adventure on the night.

Shatta will join Sarkodie, Castro, Guru and other talented Ghanaian artistes in a tight competition with Nigeria’s Davido, KCee, Wizboyy and others—and to be frank, now that Shatta Wale has joined the Ghanaian train, I am confident Ghana will push Nigeria to the corner. But then, we are told Nigeria will be surprising us with some unnamed talents—I just hope they don’t bring another stage rocker to help them steal the show.

Just few days after failing to perform at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014, citing Charter House’s inability to meet his 70000GHS performance fee as the reason, Shatta Wale has signed a performance contract with Empire Entertainment—and he will be bringing to fans the great musical performances they’ve been craving for.

This is why ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ is the highest, the hippest and probably the hoppest concert on the Ghanaian event calendar

Where are the Shatta Movement family members? You better be rushing to get your tickets for the 4th Edition of Ghana Meets Naija because the ‘King of dancehall’ and the 2014 VGMA’s Artiste of the Year has just jumped onto the fast running train…

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Did Charter House’s PR-George ‘Aboagye’ Quaye Really Send Shatta Wale these Messages?

George Aboagye Quaye
George Aboagye Quaye

In any competition, the true integrity of the people organizing the competition revolves around fairness and the manner they relate to those taking part.

Following the recent call of bluff on Shatta Wale by Charter House, the organisers of the annual Ghana Music Award, a screenshot of a certain whatssap conversation that looks like a chat between Geroge ‘Aboagye’ Qauye, PR of Charter House and the dancehall artiste-Shatta Wale has emerged online.

Even though the release of the screenshot was to somehow prove that Shatta Wale actually made his demanded 70000GHS performance fee, reading the chat throws out another big question and taint…

What did Aboagye (George Quaye) mean by saying; ‘Massa, ask for the award, NO SHAKING…I dey with you and I believe everything will go well’?

As someone quiet influential within the organisation responsible for putting together the award. why give an artiste who is competing with others such a grand assurance? Imagine someone at the electoral commission’s office sending a flagbearer such a message…

READ ALSO: Open Letter to Charter House: Learn to Take Honest Criticisms in Good Faith & End the Propaganda Hogwash

Aboagye’s message (that is if it is really his) does not state that the award will by all means be given to Shatta Wale, but it is grossly unfair to other candidates and unprofessional to give such assurance to one artiste in secret.

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New Music Video: ‘Inna Mi Party’ By Shatta Wale Feat. D-Black

The trending man-Shatta Wale has dropped a visual for his song-Inna Mi Party, featuring the most hard working Ghanaian musician-Black… In the video, Shatta Wale is surrounded by a bunch of girls while he sits comfortably in his ‘majestic’ chair, depicting the King that he claims to be—throwing his hands here and there. The quality … Read more

New Music: ‘Letter to Charter House-Part 2’ By Shatta Wale

After winning the 2014 VGMA Artiste of the Year, the self acclaimed dancehall King in Ghana-Shatta Wale has dropped a track to thank Charter House—and also tell them about themselves… On the track, Shatta Wale talks about the fact he wouldn’t allow Charter House to use him like they do to other artistes—saying, common 70,000GHS … Read more

Celebrity Mums Talking Too Much; Are They Helping or Damaging Their Children’s Career?

Shatta Wale

 

Publicity is very necessary in the music industry. It can either make or break a musician. It is of no surprise that almost all musicians around the globe have resorted to using publicity to their advantage.

It becomes a real challenge when people join the publicity train to dilute issues on board. These pose serious challenges for such musicians on how to deal with such bad publicity.

One popular trend that is emerging in Ghana’s music industry is musicians’ mothers adding their voices to their children’s music career issues. Not only do they talk about such issues once, but perform this act over and over again.

Such acts either create more public awareness for the said musician or damage the career of the fellow. Two musicians whose mothers have chastised them publicly are Okomfour Kwadee and Shatta Wale.

Kwadee’s Unofficial PRO – His Mother

From somewhere 2009, news circulated that one of Ghana’s best storytellers, Okomfour Kwadee, had gone mad. This came at a time when music lovers weren’t hearing new releases from him. It was speculated that he had gone mad because of his excessive use of weed. Others were also of the view that he had been suffering from High Fever. At a point in time, it was reported that he went “off-board” whilst performing at a show in Koforidua. Following all these reports, Kwadee was once in a while spotted on various media platforms clearing the air…

Nobody knows who appointed his mother as his Public Relations Officer. She went round addressing the issue of her son’s state of affair. It got to a point where Kwadee himself became angry and warned his mom never to go on media platforms to address issues concerning him.

Funny enough, Kwadee’s mum advised him to quit music since he wasn’t mentally well. This attracted lot of attention. As the mum was insisting her son was sick, Kwadee was also denying the allegation. This, in fact, did not help Kwadee who was trying to resuscitate his career in terms of publicity.

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Who Wears The Controversy Crown In Ghana? Is the Musician Who Said God is GAY?

Shatta Wale
Shatta Wale

Do you want to be in news? Create a very powerful controversy. Controversy has gradually become the successful mantra everyone in the entertainment industry is following these days.

Humans in general hardly notice people who seem to be cool. Everyone in the entertainment industry wishes not to fade out from the game or not be recognised. It is therefore necessary for the publicist of a celebrity to employ some tactics that will generate a whole lot of news for the said celebrity to get people talking.

Like Chris Brown, Kanye West, Eminem, Snoop Lion, etc tagged as controversial, we also have certain musicians out here whose career gyrate around controversies. Let’s take a look at three prominent Ghanaian celebrities whose names are just synonymous to controversy.

Wanlov Da Kubolor

How many times have you heard Wanlov’s songs being played on Ghanaian radio stations before? His songs are way too explicit for public consumption. A song like ‘Beatrice’ cannot be played on any station.

Wanlov has always and continue to be at the centre of controversy when it comes to FOKN Bois. In 2011, the song ‘Thank God We Are Not A Nigerians” was released. This sparked controversies both in Ghana and in Nigeria, to the extent of compelling the Nigerians to come out with their own version of the song – “Thank God We Are Not Ghanaians”.

How can anyone forget about what Kubolor did on the ‘Delay Show’ when he was been interviewed by the host of the program, Deloris Frimpong Manso. To prove to the host that he does not wear boxers, Wanlov lifted his wrapper up and showed his dingdong to the general public on TV.

His twitter and facebook accounts can never be exempted as other forms of media he uses to propagate his controversies. Countless of people have insulted him on his facebook page as a result of his social media posts.

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Shatta Wale Harassed in Canada and Samini Stands Accused Says RAZZ

Razz

 

Apart from the noise and unending antagonism between Shatta Wale and Samini, are these people making more money than they could have made if the situation was peaceful?

Beef between musicians exists all over the world, but mostly there is a substantive reason to the beef—-something I cannot point out when it comes to Shatta Wale and Samini….

Anyway, check out the below article in today’s edition of RAZZ Newspaper. RAZZ comes out every Wednesday so if you are looking for a Ghanaian Entertainment print with real inside stories, don’t forget to grab a copy…

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The never-ending feud between Shatta Wale and Samini making headlines every week becomes boring but when accusations of harassment, molestation and sabotage are raised – such situations must be reported.

Over the weekend, Shatta Wale and his SM4LF posse were in Canada for a series of performances in what was expected to be a good avenue for the artiste to extend his popularity and showmanship to others outside Ghana but such expectations went awry.

According to reports, on Saturday 2nd March, 2014, some unexpected troupe of guys entered the hotel room and manhandled Shatta Wale and others. It was quite baffling to Shatta’s team as to how the guys got access to the hotel premises and to the room of Shatta Wale.

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Hammer of the Last Two Says Shatta Wale Will Win 2014 VGMA Artistes of the Year + VGMA Board Needs to Sit Up & MORE…

Hammer of The Last Two
Hammer of The Last Two

Hammer of the Last Two Music Group (real name Edward Nana Poku Osei) is currently in the United Kingdom for business and GhanaCelebrities.Com caught up with him at his plush hotel for an in-depth industry chit chat.

Asked about his take on the progress and development of the Ghanaian music industry, Hammer said; the industry has grown substantially over the last few years and gave his reasons as to why he thinks so.

On Ghana Music Awards, Hammer mentioned that even though he appreciates the concept of the award scheme and recognizes the yearly improvements—he thinks the Board needs to sit up. According to Hammer, the instances of Producers and artistes Managers being on the board when their artistes are contesting for awards taint the credibility of the award scheme…

Also, Hammer opened up to us about why despite his immense contribution to Ghana Music, he is yet to win a VGMA.

When asked which artiste deserves to win the all-important Artiste of the Year Award, he shouted out; Shatta Wale and gave his reasons…

Have you wondered why Hammer makes great beats for only certain artistes? He explained the Hammer concept to us…

Watch the interview below…

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Artiste Manager-Bull Dog Runs For Cover, Says His Statement ‘I WIll Beat My Artiste Who Disrespects Me’ Was A JOKE

  I do not want to preach to Bull Dog (real name Lawrence Nana Asiama Hanson) about the many elements of  lack of professionalism that his recent statement that; “It is not a smooth journey and I’ve always been open with the artistes. I face my problems but I don’t have any artiste looking down … Read more

Peace-maker Kwasi Aboagye of Peace Fm Washes Hands Off From Samini-Shatta Wale Reconciliation Court

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Kwasi Aboagye

For some time now, host of Peace 104.3 fm’s ‘Entertainment Review,’ Kwasi Aboagye, has been doing series of reconciliations between beefing personalities in our entertainment industry and could have slapped a trademark I call the Entertainment-Arbiter, but…

Kwasi Aboagye has been able to make peace (is it because he works with Peace fm?) between personalities such as: Blakk Rasta and Wanluv Kubolor, Lord Kenya and Okraku Mantey, and Kontihene and Kwaw Kesse in recent times.

Stretching his reconciliation proclivity wider, Kwasi this time round wanted to tackle long standing foes Samini and Bandana aka Shatta Wale. On Saturday 1st Feb, 2014, Kwasi hosted Samini and asked the latter if he will be ready to smoke the peace pipe with Bandana to finally make good the long standing feud that has existed between them.

Samini admitted he does not mind and would even wish it’s done on live television. Kwasi Aboagye called Bandana and he also admitted longing to meet Samini so they settle whatever scores they have, once his managers agree so.

This week, Shatta Wale shared on social media that he is not interested in meeting Samini for any reconciliation. On ‘Entertainment Review’ yesterday, Thursday 6th Feb, 2014, Kwasi interviewed Bandana’s manager, Bull Dog. Bull made it clear that they (management of Bandana) are ever ready to make peace with Samini.

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When Quantity Is Chosen Over Quality, Shoddy Works Are Produced | The Industry As We See It

Shatta Wale
Shatta Wale

Without any definition of terms, I assume the words quantity and quality are understood by almost everybody who is reading this article.

In our various works, we all strive to achieve what is best but it becomes absurd when a person decides to choose quantity over quality (excellence).

Let’s delve into the movie industry a bit (focusing largely on Kumawood). Countless new movies are released each and every day. Enter a movie shop you see around and ask for the latest Ghanaian movie in town. Over hundred movie CDs would be handed to you.

There wouldn’t be any problem if these movies are of high quality and good storylines. I sometimes wonder the kind of cameras they use to shoot those movies. I guess my phone’s camera can do a better job than the cameras they use. The picture and sound qualities of most of the so – called Ghanaian movies are nothing to write home about.

Yet, when you complain, all that the industry players can afford to tell you is to support your own and stop backbiting. How do I support something in which those involved are doing nothing to advance it? What is backbiting about putting the bare facts on the ground?

As human as I am, I work hard to earn money. It would therefore be sensible to spend that hard – earned money on things that are of good qualities. So when I patronise foreign movies, it is not that I want their industry to grow and leave ours hanging. It’s a simple logic; I want value my money.

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Branding, Re-branding and Publicity-The 3 Key Words Holding Most Ghanaian Musicians In Poverty

Becca

 

I used to find it difficult to get my head around the fact that talented Ghanaian artistes put in so much effort into music and yet come out with very little returns. That was before I realized the importance of branding, noting that it is even more than one’s talent to survive in this ever saturated entertainment industry. It is not just in Ghana, its importance cuts across the globe. Branding and publicity as a matter of fact go hand in hand.

Somewhere in America, where there is no such thing as bad publicity, Miley Cyrus performed the worst twerk television has ever shown, just to stay relevant in the game. The end result was to earn the number one spot on the Billboard top 100, for a couple of weeks. Call it whatever, but the “tongue sticking hoodrat wannabe” attained her goal if you ask me.

Most people find it hard to understand why someone like our very talented Irene Logan has still been left in the backyard of music. She is a better performer than the highly rated Becca, but she is definitely not a household name like Becca. The difference is that Becca has successfully branded herself and this has earned her a deserving spotlight…

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