Positive Life In Dancehall Music-Shatta Wale

It is undoubtedly the most popular music genre in Jamaica that is now further spreading its wings on the African continent. Although Dancehall music is not new to many Ghanaians or other Africans, artists like Shatta Wale and Samini are now redefining the face of this music genre. And yet one is still left to wonder about the sudden rise of young Dancehall music fanatics in Ghana.

Shatta Wale, Winner of 2014 VGMA Artist of the Year, stated during an interview with TOF TV in Toronto, Canada that Dancehall music is becoming increasingly popular in Ghana as a result of the positivity and energy embedded in this music genre. According to him, people listening to Dancehall music are finding good advice and encouragement on how to achieve their dreams. The self-proclaimed “Dancehall King” visited Canada in March 2014 for his live concert and the music video shoot of his single “Maserati”.

Those unfamiliar or less fond of this musical style might find Shatta Wale’s comment rather peculiar given the dominant reputation it has as a music genre with crude and bawdy (“slack”) lyrics. Again, others would argue that since its emergence in the late 1970s, Dancehall music (also known as “Bashment” or “Ragga”) has evolved and carved its share in the world music scene evident by splendid musicians like Benie Man, Vybz Kartel and Sean Paul. But is this enough to say that Dancehall is transitioning to become more than just rhymes for dance moves at wild parties?

Clearly, in the view of “Mr. Bandana from Ghana”, dancehall has more to offer than the sexually explicit lyrics and dance routines most people associate it with. “My songs motive the youth and teach people about God “, he goes on to explain. Possibly the millions of committed Shatta Movement supporters can be seen as the most convincing validation of Shatta Wale’s statements about dancehall music.

Watch the full interview below and listen to Shatta Wale talk about his career, family, hobbies and more.

Source : Ama K. Mmirekuah
Freelance Writer