‘My Girlfriend Once Accommodated Me at Her Parents’ House Despite Fame’ – Shatta Wale
Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale has opened up about the financial struggles he faced early in his career, revealing that despite being a well-known artist, he once depended on his girlfriend for accommodation.
Speaking during a recent appearance on The Honest Bunch Podcast, the controversial singer argued that entertainers in Ghana do not receive the level of recognition and financial support enjoyed by their counterparts in Nigeria.
According to Shatta Wale, Ghanaian artists often struggle to earn substantial income despite achieving fame, a situation he believes reflects the country’s failure to adequately value its entertainment industry.
Reflecting on his personal experience, the musician recalled a period when he was unable to afford accommodation and had to stay with his girlfriend, who was living with her parents at the time.
“Nigerians appreciate success, Ghana doesn’t appreciate success. As a star, I was sleeping on the street as big as I am. At one point, my girlfriend who was living with her parents’ was the one accommodating me,” he said.
He also disclosed that he relied on taxis to travel to performances even after becoming a recognised artist.
“Even as a big Ghanaian artist, back then, I take taxis to shows. Not just me, a lot of Ghanaian artists do that. Ghanaian artists earn pennies, while their Nigerian counterparts earn big,” Shatta Wale added.
The singer urged fellow Ghanaian entertainers to adopt the mindset of Nigerian artists by setting higher standards and pushing for greater value within their industry.
