Dancehall star Shatta Wale publicly acknowledged Samini as a trailblazer who paved the way for Ghana’s current generation of music artists during his 40th birthday celebration at Independence Square on October 18, 2025.
While introducing Samini to thousands of fans at Shatta Fest 2025, also branded as Shattabration, the self-proclaimed Dancehall King described his colleague as one of Ghana’s greatest musical legends. The remarks signal a significant moment in the sometimes contentious relationship between two of Ghana’s biggest dancehall exports.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the person I’m coming to introduce today is one of Ghana’s greatest legends,” Shatta Wale told the massive crowd. “He is somebody who paved the way for us all.”
The tribute highlighted Samini’s international performances across America, Canada and Europe, which Shatta Wale credited with inspiring younger artists to pursue global ambitions. For many observers, hearing these words from Shatta Wale carried special weight given past tensions between the two musicians.
The acknowledgment came during a free concert powered by Mobile Money Ghana Limited in partnership with MTN MoMo. The two day event, which began October 17 at Black Star Square, drew such massive crowds that security personnel struggled to control attendees pushing through barriers to reach the stage.
Samini and Shatta Wale performed their 2019 collaboration titled “Celebration” on the night, providing fans with a rare joint performance that many thought they might never witness. The song, released by Samini’s High Grade Family label, represented one of the few instances where the two artists worked together despite dominating Ghanaian dancehall for nearly two decades.
The tribute reflects growing recognition of Samini’s pioneering role in establishing Ghanaian dancehall on the international stage. He became the first Ghanaian winner of a MOBO Award, setting standards that subsequent artists have worked to match or exceed. His performances across Western markets in the early 2000s opened doors that artists like Shatta Wale later walked through.
Recently, fellow dancehall artist Stonebwoy also paid tribute to Samini as the undisputed king of African dancehall, citing his MOBO Award and international accomplishments as evidence. This growing chorus of recognition suggests the Ghanaian music industry is entering a phase of acknowledging foundational contributions rather than engaging in constant rivalry.
The birthday concert featured performances from Wendy Shay, Medikal, Tinny, JZyNo, Jupitar, Empress Gifty and several other artists. Adom TV presenter Sister Sandy hosted the event, while Nigerian influencers Pellet and Big Jiggy flew in to join the celebration. Fans attended dressed in white, symbolizing unity, victory and purity as requested by Shatta Wale.
However, the night wasn’t without challenges. Viral video footage showed uniformed security staff in orange vests struggling to hold back eager fans pushing against metal barriers. The overwhelming turnout far exceeded expectations, causing confusion at entrance points and raising questions about crowd control planning for large public gatherings.
Entertainment analyst Bullgod has consistently defended Shatta Wale as the Dancehall King of Africa while acknowledging Stonebwoy’s talents in Afro-dancehall. But Shatta Wale’s public tribute to Samini demonstrates an ability to recognize those who came before regardless of competitive dynamics.
For Samini, the acknowledgment from a younger peer who has achieved massive success validates years of groundbreaking work. His early international tours happened when Ghanaian artists rarely performed outside West Africa. He proved that homegrown talent could compete on global stages, inspiring an entire generation.
The performance of “Celebration” carried symbolic weight beyond entertainment value. It represented reconciliation between two artists whose relationship has fluctuated between collaboration and competition. Fans who remember past disagreements welcomed the display of mutual respect.
Shatta Wale recently submitted his song “Street Crown” to the Recording Academy for Grammy consideration, following in footsteps that Samini helped establish. Whether the song receives a nomination remains uncertain, but the ambition to compete at that level traces back to pioneers who proved Ghanaian artists belonged on international platforms.
The Shatta Fest 2025 birthday concert ultimately became more than personal celebration. It evolved into a moment of generational acknowledgment, with one of Ghana’s biggest current stars publicly crediting the veteran who helped make such careers possible. In an industry often marked by ego and rivalry, such displays of gratitude resonate powerfully.
Source: newsghana.com.gh
