Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale says he played a key role in changing how musicians in Ghana are paid by refusing to accept what he considered low performance fees.
Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, the multiple award-winning artiste said he insisted on charging GH¢70,000 for performances at a time when many musicians were reportedly earning about GH¢10,000.
According to Shatta Wale, his decision was driven by the belief that music should be treated as a profession deserving of fair financial reward.
“I refused to perform cheaply because music is my job,” he said.
The musician explained that his stance was shaped by experiences from the early stages of his career, when he performed under the name Bandana.
Despite his popularity at the time, he said he often travelled to shows in taxis because musicians were not being adequately compensated.
Shatta Wale noted that his demand for higher fees initially attracted criticism from some industry players, who questioned his pricing.
However, he said event promoters eventually accepted his rates, a development he believes contributed to changing perceptions about the value of Ghanaian artistes.
According to him, the industry’s willingness to negotiate better fees today is partly the result of the stand he took years ago.
“I believe people are benefiting from what I did,” he said.
Shatta Wale maintained that his approach encouraged musicians to place greater value on their craft and negotiate compensation that reflects their worth in the entertainment industry.
