GhanaFest 2014: Shatta Wale, came saw and conquered!

The Pre-Ghanafest media hype lived up to expectations as Ghana's musician of the moment, Dancehall King, Shatta Wale , came ,saw, conquered and Rocked Obama's Home Town show, Chicago's Ghanafest.

Initially the crowd was thin when the annual festival, organized by the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago(GNC), started. One could easily palpate the nervousness of the new administration led by Mr. Ebenezer Antwi-Nsiah. As the dance by the various organizations that form the GNC got underway however, one could feel the excitement in the air!

The Ewe Association's march was however interspersed with weeping by members of the organization for their departed chief, Togbe Venya I. He passed away in May this year. It was the first time in over two decades their late Popular chief did not lead the group at Ghanafest! They drew a lot of emotions and sympathies from crowd. The group had the largest attendance as members of the community join to sympathize and dance with them.

Prelude to the much awaited "Shatta" time were two local heroes who performed surprisingly well but the crowd would not have the patience to wait any more for the man of the day, Shatta Wale when the clock ticked past 9.15 p.m! They started shouting, "we want Shatta , we want Shatta". When Shatta Wale finally mounted the stage, it was electrifying!

The crowd went agog as they started jumping and shouting to every movement and singing Shatta does on a pre-recorded music. D.J Bonsu was apt to the task as he kept pace with Shatta by playing and changing the lead tunes with expertise.

The Emcee was great except occasional unnecessary announcements that did not fit the occasion. Akua Agyeman passed her debut emcee with distinction. She was under the tutelage of seasoned emcee, Nana Yaw Marfo.