The two dancehall giants have stoked heated conversation on social media platform Twitter, leading the trends, after launching attacks on Charterhouse for urging the media to rise above them and celebrate other artistes.
In the midst of suggestions that the indefinite ban placed on them for disrupting last year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) should be lifted, Theresah Ayoada, Chief Executive Officer of Charterhouse - organisers of the event - said the fate of Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy will be determined by the newly constituted board.
She made the comments at a press engagement in Accra and underscored the need to rather focus on other artistes.
“Can you as the media help the industry rise above these two? Let’s rise above these two and let the industry breathe and move on,” she appealed. “Sarkodie won artiste of the decade and nobody even talked about it. The industry is bigger than these two artistes and that what I what I want you to go back with. There are a lots of young people who need the opportunity so let’s move on.”
On Wednesday, Shatta Wale took a swipe at Charterhouse and the VGMAs board over the entrenched position.
“You guys don’t think, you are fools,” he said to Charterhouse in a Facebook live feed.
“The Board members, all of you are poor people. What I possess, none of you has, I can pay all of you every month,” he fired. “You don’t have anything. Most of them are disappointed musicians. You don’t know God… Don’t try me. This should be your first and last. Don’t try me. You can try this on Stonebwoy but not me.”
Stonebwoy who had earlier said he wished his ban would be extended so it serves as a deterrent to other artistes, armed himself for battle, Thursday. He described as disappointing the call on journalists to rise above him and Shatta Wale.
“May I conclude that Charterhouse does not have the interest of Ghanaian musicians and Ghana music at heart. With all due respect #MrsTeresa I’m disappointed!! Calling on Ghana media to help you quench our careers is a very low blow,” his tweet read.
Their reactions have courted controversy with tweeps sharing dissenting views. Here are a few:
Yea, but stonebwoy should forget about this and focus on his upcoming album, tours and others bro. It pains me that he's trending but it's not about the album, tours etc. Please, please people closer to him should alert him. Thanks https://t.co/DMngy3oWAf
— Sedem-ham (@SedemaH) February 13, 2020
The hard truth is that last year's VGMA buzz was built around shatta and stonebwoy. Matter come,wey them jie thema for inside. You ban the people finish,you dey tell media say make them move beyond them ei????
— Child Of The Sun???????? (@kingmorej) February 13, 2020
You didn't get the angle I'm coming from. Stonebwoy has already reacted to Mrs. Ayoade's comments after his press conference last week. So it's OK, move on. Now he tweets again abt it days after. Like how? Is VGMA dah important more than his plans for the year? That's my worry.
— ????????OpuroSinApr? 7th Feb? (@eagleyez_) February 13, 2020
Lowkey some people wish sarkodie will join stonebwoy and shatta wale's train in fighting charter house
— Nsawam Michael Scofield (@OkwasiaBiNti) February 13, 2020
But I personally dont think it will happen
So that you’re suggesting will not in any way have any effect on the VGMA award.
— Kwadwo Anane ???????? (@Osagyefo77) February 13, 2020
Whether Stonebwoy or Shatta wale. The award will still go on. So try to come out with something different menua.
How I wish Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy will organise a show on the day they will do the VGMA just to show charter house something small.
— Jacob Baah (@jbaah_) February 13, 2020
I never said he should keep quiet but there is time for everything that's what the person wrote before you even comment. When is time to deal with vgma then he will voice things out. Stop making it look like I'm against stonebwoy. He should concentrate more on his craft
— NimaBwoy (@MamasPride3) February 13, 2020
Stonebwoy always wanna look clean in the hearts of Ghanaians but this time round u are wrong. I love your music and all that but what you have to do is to apologize to the people that were present at the show and those that was watching on TV that yall caused a mess!@stonebwoyb
— Eden Nana Godfred???????? (@EdenGodfrey_) February 13, 2020
I think Shata and Stonebwoy are being treated unfairly, they are been made the protagonist of the Music Industry and I really understand why they reacted this way. I think they've taken Ghana music to another level and for that they deserve respect. @zylofon1021fm #Showbizagenda
— Francis Diatta (@FrancisDiatta) February 13, 2020
You can't spit on the ground and take it back.
— Sey? (@sey_amen) February 13, 2020
Shatta Wale sometime ago said he doesn't need any VGMA but later on joined it.
Came back and misbehaved at the same award.
Today he's telling us that he's not interested in the same award????
The irony
#TheBan
Shatta wale did a song and video because of this VGMA ban. This alone shows he needs the awards more than he is pretending not to.
— Sark OR Die ???? (@KelvinMate_) February 13, 2020
Shatta wale is the type that will spill your secret when he gets a grudge with you
— Nsawam Michael Scofield (@OkwasiaBiNti) February 13, 2020
Charter house begged dude behind close doors, telling him they now know how he works and blah blah
Small ban norr, dude dey release all the 32gb info????
Paah paah paah
You see how stonebowy and Shatta Wale dey speak their mind,but then we have taken it lightly but the question is, if it were to be upcoming artists aaa, would we have taken it the same way. We would've tagged them as disrespectful, ungrateful, etc.
— SARKBA ???????????? ????? (@Nanaansah21) February 13, 2020
SMH for Ghana music industry
Oh okay they wanna Ban Them that’s okay we will also Go and listen to Nigeria songs instead who does great here in Ghana if Not 1Gad,Shatta Wale and Sark who else again....Ghana Music Industry Should Be Careful
— Ricky Wellington (@RickyWellingto1) February 13, 2020
Since when did you notice this, when you were winning awards and bragging that you have won it 4,5 in a roll did it seem they didn't have the interest of musicians at heart. People are asking her a whole a lot of questions and she simply says let all rise over the what has happen
— Amoako (@amoakobam) February 13, 2020
Return all your awards given to you over the years to them since now you know how they've tried in many years to destroy careers of some musicians including @shattawalegh which benefited you to the extent that you even pulled out a gun at a live event. Thank you
— Sk_Kuranchie (@RasKofiRas1) February 13, 2020
You no what, I think our so called industry players and gate keepers are sleeping on our big arts especially stone, shatta and sark
— SonOfaMafia???? (@Sonofamafia) February 13, 2020
Just listen to the tone of #MrsTeresa and you could notice she feels in charge of the industry and why should it be so??#BHIMGovernment
Fada all I can say is focus on your work,Charterhouse cannot influence us in anyway..God isnt done with u yet,is gud they are showing their real colors to u,now move out of your comfort zone n conquer de world. Fight to be on top n they will bow their heads in shame.#InnaWeLane
— Kuukua Burniton ???? (@KkKuukua) February 13, 2020
I've said this and I'm saying it again @CharterhouseGh just wants to destroy our big arts in the game we shouldn't forget it's a Nigerian owned company and their no.1 motive will be to destroy our industry for theirs to strive
— SonOfaMafia???? (@Sonofamafia) February 13, 2020
That woman is not serious, how can you say the media should help bring up new artist and forget about stone & shatta, do she think the two artist just sat down without working hard and the media help them to bossUp #SMH
— Don_B Entertainment Africa (@DonBhimbosky) February 13, 2020
When you were pulling the gun ,you didn’t know you would be banned huh ? With all due respect ,you should keep quiet and serve the ban .its only remorse that can make them overturn their decision .you pulled a gun on stage and you want them to be cool ? No nyebro.come again
— GbaweZlatan???? (@innit_tooswit) February 13, 2020
The hypocrisy in this industry, I have monitored most of your interviews and you have made it clear that the ban hasn't affected you in anyway, why are you all of a sudden letting it look so....that institution has helped you greatly, admit and move on
— Amoako (@amoakobam) February 13, 2020
