Willie Roi
Musician and record producer, Willi Roi has said that Shatta Wale’s decision to jab old musicians was part of the promotional strategies for the dancehall artiste’s Nima concert.
Shatta Wale in a recent interview with Delay remarked that some veteran musicians were not smart because they did not take advantage of their crafts during their prime.
“They weren’t business minded. I’m taking advantage of the fame I have now. If I’m no more famous, I want to be seen working for a big company somewhere. We are in an industry where people enjoy going abroad. Four years down the lane you see them and wonder what happened. I feel most of the things the critics say is just out of envy. I have seen the downfall of many artistes because they weren’t smart,” he noted.
The issue has attracted comments from some pundits as well as artistes who were named by the dancehall artiste.
But Willi Roi has asserted that Shatta Wale intended to promote his show with the comment and also make known some issues affecting the music industry.
“I actually realised that all that happened last week about his interview were part of the promo. It was a promo and a wake up call,” he said on Pluzz FM’s AM Pluzz, Monday.
Willi Roi further mentioned that Shatta Wale is heaven-sent for Ghana’s music industry. His remark is on the basis that though the artiste has made enough money, he still speaks about the ills in the music industry. He believes the difference between Shatta wale and other artistes is his decision not to be diplomatic about issues.
“The way he is making money, he doesn’t need to worry about the mess in the industry. But he is worried about the industry. It’s something I commend him for. I feel that something is wrong. If we don’t do something about this industry, people will come and tell us we’re stupid just as Shatta is seeing them as brainless,” he said.
“Shatta is saying it in a nastier way so people will sit up. If he had said it nicely, it wouldn’t be news,” Willi Roi added.
Shatta Wale’s Sallah concert in Nima over the weekend saw thousands present to cheer and dance with the self-acclaimed ‘Dancehall King’.
