Ghanaian dancehall sensation Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., popularly known as Shatta Wale, has expressed his concern over the deteriorating state of Ghana’s music industry.
The self-proclaimed ‘King of African dancehall’ candidly compared the music scenes of Ghana and Nigeria, highlighting the undeniable dominance of Nigerian music on the African continent.
Shatta Wale took to his social media platform with a tone of lamentation, acknowledging the undeniable ascent of Nigerian music while expressing his distress about the apparent decline of the Ghanaian music industry.
On his X handle, he articulated his sentiments with a rhythmic sorrow, “Naija music going up, going up, going up. You can’t fight them. Ghana music is falling down, falling down, falling down. Ghana music falling down.”
The artist’s commentary sheds light on a growing sentiment among Ghanaian musicians who find themselves grappling with the challenges of keeping pace with their Nigerian counterparts.
Shatta Wale’s observations echo the concerns of many industry insiders who have witnessed a significant gap emerge between the trajectories of the two nations’ music scenes.
Nigeria’s music industry, often referred to as the powerhouse of African music, has experienced exponential growth in recent years.
With their unique blend of Afrobeat, Afropop, and other genres, Nigerian artists have successfully captured the global stage.
Names like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido have become international household names, earning accolades and collaborations with renowned artists from around the world.
In contrast, the once-vibrant Ghanaian music industry is grappling with challenges that have hindered its growth and global recognition.
While Ghana boasts a rich musical heritage and has produced influential artists in the past, the current landscape is witnessing a decline in competitiveness.
The factors contributing to Ghana’s music industry struggles are multi-faceted.
Issues such as limited investment in music infrastructure, insufficient support from government agencies, and a relatively smaller market size compared to Nigeria have all impeded the industry’s growth.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members