Ghanaian dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has urged young people to be deliberate about the friendships they maintain, warning that associating with the wrong people could expose them to drugs and eventually lead to addiction.
The musician believes some people develop drug habits not necessarily out of personal interest but through the influence of friends who introduce them to substances and gradually encourage them to experiment with stronger drugs.
Speaking during a TikTok Live session, Shatta Wale reflected on how his upbringing shaped his attitude towards friendships. He recalled that his father was particularly strict about allowing him to go out, a restriction he now believes may have helped him avoid certain negative influences.
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“Growing up, my father never allowed me to go out. In the system we are in now, we can’t really control the people we keep around as friends. Drug addiction starts with friends,” he said.
Explaining how peer influence can develop into substance abuse, the musician described situations where friends use social outings as opportunities to introduce others to drugs. He noted that what may initially appear to be harmless experimentation can gradually become a pathway to more dangerous substances.
“You have a friend who has some money, and when you go out to eat with him, he will tell you that you have to smoke before you eat. As you keep smoking, he will say that since you are getting used to it and it is no longer making you high like before, you should add cocaine to it,” he stated.
Shatta Wale, who has previously spoken about the importance of family relationships, urged young people to distance themselves from friends who encourage destructive habits, regardless of the financial benefits or enjoyment they may appear to offer.
“When you have that kind of friend, desist from them. That is what I have been able to control myself with. I know a lot of my friends who have gone astray just because of drugs,” he said.
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He further stressed that young people must take responsibility for their choices and avoid allowing their social circles to determine the direction of their lives.
According to him, the consequences of following the wrong crowd could extend beyond drug addiction, potentially pushing individuals into decisions that conflict with their personal values and aspirations.
“I want people to pay attention to what I am saying. It is friends who can lead you into drugs, and if you don’t take care and position yourself well in this economy, you will end up doing things your spirit wouldn’t like,” he averred.
The popular dancehall artiste also revealed that he has become selective about the people he allows into his personal space, explaining that maintaining a small circle has helped him exercise control over the influences around him.
He argued that having clearly defined ambitions makes it easier for individuals to resist pressure from friends, particularly when those friends have no meaningful direction of their own.
“I have been able to control certain things around me because I don’t allow just anybody to come close to me. I have dreams, so unless you don’t have a dream of your own, you will start following friends and feel that is your dream,” Shatta Wale said.
Shatta Wale maintained that people who remain committed to their personal goals are less likely to be persuaded into activities they have no interest in pursuing.
“If you have a dream for yourself, you will be focused to the extent that nobody will get you to try anything you don’t want to try.”
My respect for Shatta Wale has increased 1,000 times
Yesterday, he joined Antwiwaa’s livestream while we were having an important conversation about drug abuse and its devastating effects on the youth
What touched me most was that he didn’t just join for entertainment; he took time to personally advise and educate us on the dangers of drug abuse, sharing real-life examples of friends whose lives went astray because of substance abuse
This is the new era of Shatta Movement! We want more than music, entertainment and fan wars. We want to educate ourselves, build businesses, make better life choices and create a generation that will live long, prosper and achieve greatness
The movement must be about life, growth and positive impact. Help me say; GOD BLESS SHATTAWALE
— Maqcoy Reports (@maqcoyreports) November 11, 2026
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