Dancehall artiste likens rivalry to boxing, urges fans to separate emotions from music business
Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale has described his ongoing lyrical rivalry with fellow artiste Stonebwoy as a purely business-driven engagement, insisting that there is no personal animosity between them.
Speaking during an online discussion with fans, Shatta Wale explained that musical rivalries are part of the entertainment industry and should be viewed as strategic competition rather than emotional conflict.
“This is business. It’s like boxing,” he said, comparing the situation to high-profile sporting rivalries such as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. “You don’t ask if Mayweather should fight Pacquiao again it’s all business.”
Shatta Wale dismissed claims that his recent comments and musical jabs were driven by a need for attention, stressing that he has already achieved most of his career goals and is now focused on both music and other business ventures.
“It’s not about attention. Whatever I wanted in my career, I’ve gotten it. Right now, I’m just having fun with the music,” he noted, adding that he continues to engage fans and create content whenever time allows.
The self-acclaimed Dancehall King criticised what he described as excessive emotional attachment by fans, particularly those who insist Stonebwoy should not respond to lyrical provocations.
“If you’re a business person, you’ll ask your artiste to reply so money can be made,” Shatta Wale argued. “Battles in music, just like in hip-hop, are part of the culture. It’s all business.”
He further accused some fans of misunderstanding the dynamics of the music industry and projecting personal feelings onto artistes.
“You people are carrying too much emotion into music, like God gave it to only one person,” he said. “There are many talented artistes in Ghana Black Sherif, Sarkodie, Medikal we are all here.”
Shatta Wale suggested that rather than fuelling divisions, fans should see rivalries as opportunities to grow the industry, even proposing joint ventures that could benefit artistes and supporters alike.
“This is the time people are beginning to understand the history and documentaries behind the culture,” he said. “Instead of seeing it as personal beef, you should be thinking about how it creates value.”
He concluded by urging fans to stop what he called “shallow-minded” interpretations of industry competition, insisting that healthy rivalry is essential to the growth and global appeal of Ghanaian music.
