Lyrical supremacy: Battle lines drawn for Shatta and Stonebwoy

The rivalry between dancehall artistes Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon, at least going by the recent development of distaste for each other.

Ordinarily, these recent events should not be news considering what has ensued between the two camps in the past.

Whatever their differences are, shouldn’t their belonging to one family,Zylofon Media, help patch same? After all, our elders say “a house divided against itself cannot stand”. Perhaps, our elders are oblivious of the fact that a mansion is a big house which is divided within, yet stands gracefully at East Legon for Shatta Wale to buy…lol. Well, that’s just by the way.

On the real though, one would have thought the signing of the two top dancehall artistes in the country by Zylofon Media would have injected some degree of level-headedness that will culminate in collaborations between the rivaling camps.

But no, that still remains a dream for many music enthusiasts who will have to make do with the everyday trade of ‘dis’ songs; most recently “Dirty Enemies” by Stonebwoy and “Shito” by Shatta Wale.

These were accompanied by social media drama, each taking swipe at the other. Sometimes, I’m tempted to agree with those who say controversy is an integral part of Showbiz. Yes, I can agree, but only to the extent that it is safe and sound (not the sound of guns at Paloma though…lol).

Supremacy

The rivalry seems to be getting murkier by the day and each day comes with something different: either a twist or turn. In all of it, one thing is obvious; the quest for supremacy; each claiming to be better than the other.

In a recent interview with MzGee, an Accra-base radio presenter, (Sergeant Lee) Stonebwoy took the lead to tout himself as being lyrically and musically better than Shatta Wale, claiming he “murdered” Shatta Wale in 2010 at Labadi and won a motorbike.

He was emphatic: “Lyrically, I’m the baddest in Africa”. Even though Shatta Wale has taken to Facebook to respond in an angry tone, I feel there should be more to these claims and counter-claims than the mere venting of spleen in the digital space.

Battle line is drawn

A quick look at the entertainment calendar for the year gives an exciting indication that there are at least two opportunities for the two artistes to prove their claims of supremacy in the music industry.

The two are billed to perform at the maiden edition of 3 Music Awards this Saturday, March 24 at the Fantasy Dome within the Accra International Trade Fair Centre, and again at the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

Enough of their self-aggrandizement, they have tickled themselves enough! As to who is lyrically and musically better, Ghanaians will have the opportunity to make that judgment first after Saturday and ultimately after April 14.

Already the 3Music Awards has gathered steam and generated a lot of excitement among Ghanaians as organizers have promised an exciting novelty.

Will Shatta Wale be able to prove Stonebwoy wrong on the assertion that the former cannot perform with a live band for more than 10 minutes? Many are those will definitely be looking forward to that moment.

In case none of them is able to grab the supremacy bragging right this Saturday, the VGMA will offer them that platform for a second chance.

What makes this year’s VGMA more euphoric is the fact Shatta Wale is back in the scheme after being missing for years. For many Shatta’s return to the awards will give Stonebwoy a ‘good run for his talent’.

Whether it is by an act of invincible forces or by dint of hard work, both Shatta Wale and Stonebowoy have bagged 6 nominations each, including the coveted award, the Artiste of the Year. Clearly, this makes each of them a potential winner of the ultimate award as well as winners of the genre they so much brag about; reggae/dancehall.

My only prayer and hope, just as many fans of the two artistes is for the organisers to bill them to performance on the awards night.

When all is said and done, Ghanaians should be able to separate the “hit makers” from the “noise makers”. Until then, M.anifest lemme use your dor-dor-ti-dor to end this verse (In Sarkodie’s voice).