Shatta Wale

Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., (born 17 October 1984) is a Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist. He is known by his stage name Shatta Wale, formerly Bandana. His best-known singles are "Dancehall King", "My Level" and "We Taking Over". He is also known for "Already" from Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift, which also featured Major Lazer. His song "Dancehall King" earned him the Artiste of the Year at the 2014 edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Wale is also an actor who appeared in the films Never Say Never, The trial of Shatta Wale and Shattered Lives. Wale's 2004 recording "Moko Hoo" was nominated for a Ghana Music Award.

In 2014, he peaked to number 38 on E.tv's "Top 100 Most Influential Ghanaian" Awards chart. He has since then appeared on the chart every year. He was ranked "Most Influential Musician" on social media in 2017. He made a record-setting as a dancehall artist to have won 11 awards at the 2019 3 Music Awards ceremony.

Early life
Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. was born in Accra, Ghana at the Police Hospital on 17 October 1984 to Charles Nii Armah Mensah Snr and Elsie Evelyn Avemegah. His father is a politician, businessman and legal practitioner.

Shatta Wale attended Seven Great Princes Academy at Dansoman, a suburb in Accra, where he demonstrated an affinity for arts and acted in a popular drama series, By the Fireside, at the National Theatre of Ghana. He then continued to the Winneba Secondary School where he obtained his second cycle education. He started his young music career known as Doggy.

2019–2020
In 2019 he had a collaboration with Beyoncé titled "Already" on her album The Lion King: The Gift which was nominated at the Grammy Awards.

2021–present
In 2021, he was nominated for two awards and won the 'Best Virtual Entertainer of the Year' Award at the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

Wale released a song in January 2024 titled "Balloon", with an accompanying video.

Concerts
He was the first Ghanaian to organize a digital concert on YouTube which was dubbed the Faith Concert. The concert was organized to bring hope to Ghanaians and his global audience at large during the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. He was selected by The Ministry of Communications, Ghana, alongside Highlife musician Kuami Eugene as the headline artistes for the COVID-19 app virtual launch concert held on Monday April 13, 2020. On Saturday 17 October 2020, he threw a massive birthday party, which saw attendance by family and friends at his East Legon residence to mark his 36th birthday. .He is on record to be the first artist to host a stadium show all by himself and filled to capacity

Accolades
Mayor of Worcester, Joseph Petty, presented Shatta Wale with the Key to the City on 8 July 2017.

On 18 March 2018, Wale was presented an honoree award for his contribution to reggae in Ghana at the 37th Annual Chicago Music Awards (CMA), in conjunction with the 36th International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

Endorsements
In 2014, Wale became a brand ambassador for Guinness Ghana Breweries. and as the brand ambassador for Rush Energy Drink.

In September 2017, Kasapreko Company, producers of several alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Ghana, unveiled Wale as their newest brand ambassador for Storm Energy Drink.

On 17 November 2017, Shatta Wale signed a deal with Boss Baker Beef Roll as the brand ambassador. Infinix Ghana, a smartphone company, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, announced Shatta Wale as its Brand Ambassador

Charity works and Donations
On June 12 2024, Shatta Wale supported the "Buzstop Boys" in a community clean up exercise at Alajo in Accra and donated some amount through his foundation to the organization to keep up with their environmental initiatives.

Controversy
In October 2021, Shatta Wale allegedly created a hoax that he was shot and was receiving treatment. He later turned himself in due to the police declaring him wanted. He was arrested by the Ghana Police Service for allegedly involved in the creation and circulation of information to create fear and panic. He was remanded into prison custody for a week. On Tuesday, 26 October 2021, Shatta Wale was granted a GH¢100,000 self-recognizance bail at today's hearing. The case has been adjourned to November 9, 2021. A fortnight after the artist was released on bail, he got caught in another confrontation with the Police as he stormed out of meeting with celebrities called at the behest of Ghana's Police Chief. Shatta Wale complained of unfair treatment at the meeting after all his colleagues were allegedly allowed to use their phones and he was not. He later reported to the meeting and knelt before the IGP George Akuffo Dampare to ask for forgiveness.

Beef with Sheldon

In 2023, Charles and Kwadwo Sheldon of Kwadwo Sheldon Studios (KSS) went into entertainment beefing. The source of this beef was a comment made by Sheldon; "In his songs, Shatta Wale portrays himself as a gangster, yet he contacted the police following an online dispute". Sheldon said in an interview that he was reported to the IGP of Ghana, George Akuffo Dampare by Shatta Wale on charges of belittling his work. On May 3, 2024, upon Shatta arriving at the London airport before his performance at Indigo at The O2, Shatta Wale visibly snubbed YouTuber Kwadwo Sheldon, who had extended his hand in greeting.

#OccupyJulorbiHouse
Dancehall artist Shatta Wale joined the discussion surrounding the OccupyJulorbiHouse protest, expressing his disapproval of the arrest of demonstrators who were marching towards Jubilee House on September 21. His criticism of the arrests garnered support from many of his fans, some of whom suggested that he should create a song dedicated to President Akufo-Addo.

The Lawyer Dream
During an October 2023 interview with BBC's Stefania Okereke, Shatta Wale expressed regret for not pursuing a career in law. He said, "I'm considering becoming a lawyer in the future when he feels financially ready", despite his music career, as law was his initial aspiration.

Personal Life
Shatta Wale was in a relationship with Michelle Diamond also known as Shatta Michy and they have a child together called Majesty. Shatta proposed to her at a concert midway into his performance

Albums

 * After the Storm (2016)
 * Cloud 9 (2017, hip hop mixtape)
 * Reign (2018)
 * Wonder Boy (2019)
 * Manacles Of A Shatta (2020)
 * Maali (2023)
 * Konet (2024)

Awards and nominations
In 2014, Shatta Wale was nominated for the Maiden GN Bank Awards as the People's Choice Male Musician of the year.