Shatta Wale, one of Africa’s biggest Dancehall stars, has thrown down the gauntlet to his long-time rival, Stonebwoy. He has publicly challenged Stonebwoy to a Dancehall battle at the Accra Sports Stadium. Both Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy are huge names in the African music scene, especially in Dancehall. They have each earned numerous awards and gained massive recognition for their contributions to the genre, not just in Africa but worldwide.
These two powerhouses have been dominating the dancehall circle for over a decade. They are not just artists but also an inspiration to many up-and-coming musicians in Ghana and beyond. However, there has been an ongoing debate in Ghana about who truly deserves the title of “Dancehall King.” Fans of Stonebwoy, who leads the Bhim Nation, believe he is the rightful king of Dancehall. Meanwhile, followers of Shatta Wale, known as the Shatta Movement, argue that their leader is the true Dancehall king.
This debate has sometimes led to conflicts between the two fanbases. One memorable incident occurred during the 2019 Ghana Music Awards. Stonebwoy won the Dancehall Artiste of the Year award for the fourth consecutive time. As he went on stage to accept his award, Shatta Wale and his team also took to the stage, leading to a clash that resulted in both artists being banned from the award show for two years.
To help settle the tension, Asaase Radio organized a peace concert called the Asaase Sound Clash, where only Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy performed their hits. This event was held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel and helped calm the rivalry—at least for a while.
Now, Shatta Wale has reignited the debate with his recent Facebook post. He challenged Stonebwoy to meet him at the Accra Sports Stadium to finally settle the question of who is the true Dancehall King. Shatta Wale even stated that if Stonebwoy doesn’t accept the challenge, he should stop calling himself a Dancehall artist, as Shatta Wale considers him more of a Reggae artist.
Shatta Wale wrote, “I am issuing a formal challenge to @stonebwoy and his fans to meet me at the Accra Sports Stadium to resolve the ‘Dancehall King’ title dispute. If he and his fans decline this invitation, he should refrain from identifying as a Dancehall artiste, as I consider him a Reggae artiste. I assure the nation’s leaders that this will be a structured and healthy competition. Interested sponsors can contact our management teams.”
This challenge from Shatta Wale has reignited the long-standing rivalry between the two Dancehall giants, and fans are eagerly waiting to see how Stonebwoy will respond. Whether the battle takes place or not, it is clear that the debate over who truly deserves the title of “Dancehall King” remains as fierce as ever. One thing is certain: both Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy have left an indelible mark on the Dancehall scene, and their contributions will continue to inspire and shape the genre for years to come.
