Samini (L), according to Shatta Wale, ‘paved the way for all of us.’
Charles Nii Armah ‘Shatta Wale’ Mensah has publicly confessed the greatness and significance of Samini’s legacy in Ghana music.
He underlined the impact Samini had on his confidence and the careers of his contemporaries.
“The person I’m about to introduce today is one of Ghana’s greatest legends,” he said, eulogising Samini.
“He is someone who paved the way for all of us — somebody who started performing in America, Canada, and Europe, and he boosted our spirits [doing so],” he doubled down.
With that said, he declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, I want to welcome on stage, King Samini.”
As the crowd roared, Celebration by Samini featuring Shatta Wale started to play, ushering in the former.
Wale and Samini embraced.
The moment held tremendous meaning for the pair and Ghana music generally.
Shatta Wale and Samini are multi-genre musicians who have defied time and era. Prominent Hiplife acts, their legendary statuses coincided with their Reggae/Dancehall legacies. Though they have been notorious for their rivalry, sharing a stage at Shatta Fest, as Shatta Wale celebrated his birthday, symbolised reunion, mutual respect, and a chance for Ghana music to heal its rifts and forge forward.
Shatta Wale earlier signalled reconciliation with another rival, rap icon Sarkodie, during the latter’s Rapperholic Homecoming in Kumasi on September 27, 2025.
There remains one more rival Shatta Wale is yet to patch up with — Afro-Dancehall pioneer Stonebwoy.
Europe-based and fervent Shatta Wale critic, reggae singer and comic, David Oscar Dogbe, wrote on Facebook: “Even if you hate Charles Nii Armah Mensah, this is one of those moments where you just have to stop and doff your cap [cap emoji]. Let’s keep hoping that he will mature in his ways towards Stonebwoy. If he does, Ghana [flag emoji] wins bigger.”
Shatta Fest at the Independence (Black Star) Square on Saturday, October 18, drew unbelievable numbers, with entertainment entrepreneur and politician Baba Sadiq guesstimating 700,000 attendees.
