Shatta Wale Says Ghanaian Musicians Earn Far Less Than Nigerian Artists

Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale has raised concerns about the financial difficulties facing artists in Ghana, claiming that many local performers receive significantly lower earnings than their counterparts in Nigeria.

The musician, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah Mensah, made the comments during an appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast. He argued that success in Ghana’s entertainment industry is not always properly recognised or rewarded.

Shatta Wale said his own journey in the music industry included periods of serious financial hardship, despite already being known as a major artist.

According to him, there was a time when he did not have a comfortable place to stay and depended on his girlfriend, who was living with her parents, for accommodation.

“Nigerians appreciate success; Ghana doesn't appreciate success. As a star, I was sleeping on the street as big as I am. At one point, my girlfriend, who was living with her parents, was the one accommodating me,” he said on the podcast.

He also recalled using taxis to attend performances, adding that other Ghanaian musicians had faced similar challenges.

“Even as a big Ghanaian artist, back then, I took taxis to shows. Not just me, a lot of Ghanaian artists do that. Ghanaian artists earn pennies, while their Nigerian counterparts earn big,” he stated.

Beyond sharing his personal experience, Shatta Wale encouraged Ghanaian entertainers to improve their standards and push for greater value within the industry.

His remarks have renewed discussion about artist earnings, public support and the value placed on musicians in Ghana compared with Nigeria.