Self-acclaimed dancehall king, Shatta Wale, has apologised for the scuffle that broke out between him and his rival, Stonebwoy, at the 20th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards event Sunday, describing the incident as unfortunate.
In a statement to clarify events leading to the nasty incident which temporary disrupted the awards ceremony, the controversial artiste argued it will be “illogical” for anyone to think that he acted the way he did on the night to ruin the event.
The claim by Shatta and Stonebwoy for dancehall supremacy in the country has festered on for years creating enmity between the two artistes and their followers.
The rivalry between the two hit the roof in the wee hours of Sunday causing Stonebwoy to pull out a handgun on stage.
Stonebwoy who had just been declared winner of the 2019 Reggae and Dancehall Artiste of the Year, was on stage to receive his award when Shatta Wale and his multitude of fans decided to mount the stage with him in what some perceived to be in a confrontational manner leading to the scuffle.
But for the intervention of the security at the auditorium who managed to quell the tension and bring the situation under control, the scuffle could have turned bloody.
The two artistes who were invited by the police for questioning have since been charged and being processed for court.
Many critics have condemned the loudmouth artiste for his decision to mount the stage uninvited and accused him for starting the scuffle which marred the beauty of the prestigious awards ceremony.
But Shatta Wale has rejected the criticisms of his action on the night and justified same, stating he only mounted the stage to congratulate Stonebwoy for winning the Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the year.
According to Shatta Wale, the idea to “congratulate him [Stonebwoy] on his win in the spirit of unity,” was suggested to him by a member of his entourage for the night only to be “met with confrontation instigated by Blakk Cedi, Manager of Stonebwoy”
Shatta insisted he “meant no harm” when he mounted the stage accompanied by his security detail.
Nonetheless, he said he is sorry and has apologised to the organisers, sponsors and patrons as well as his fans and viewers across the globe for the incident.
Read the full statement below
CLARIFICATION – EVENTS AT 20TH VODAFONE GHANA MUSIC AWARDS
Management of Shatta Wale wishes to render a sincere apology to all patrons of the 20th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), viewers of the event around the world, organizers of the awards, Charterhouse Productions, title sponsors, Vodafone Ghana and all Shatta Movement fans worldwide for the unfortunate incident that happened during the recently held VGMA. We further apologize for all the inconveniences caused on the night and afterwards.
As planned and communicated to the organizers on the morning of the event, Shatta Wale was going to sit amongst his fans in the standard ticket section of the auditorium. Due to circumstances beyond the control of the team, Shatta Wale arrived at the venue after the event had started and had been announced as winner of two categories (Reggae Dancehall Song of the year and Highlife Song of the year). This accounted for Shatta Wale’s inability to receive the awards he won himself.
After the announcement of the winner of the Reggae Dancehall Musician of the year category, Shatta Wale decided to reposition to the VIP section to meet his father and a dignitary who had asked to see him. A member of his entourage then suggested to him to join Stonebwoy on stage to congratulate him on his win in the spirit of unity, as he had done at the 2015 4Syte Music Video awards. He agreed and asked his security team to lead him onto the stage only to be met with confrontation instigated by Blakk Cedi, Manager of Stonebwoy.
We wish to state that Shatta Wale accepted a call from Charterhouse to join forces to make the 20th anniversary of the VGMA memorable and has over the period demonstrated his commitment to this course by performing at the VGMA Nominees Jam in Kumasi and VGMA Experience Concert at the Independence Square. Shatta Wale extensively campaigned for votes and promoted the anniversary celebration using his various social media platforms.
It will be very illogical for him to deliberately act in a manner to ruin and mar the same event he has spent a lot of resources to promote and urged his fans to attend. Shatta Wale meant no harm and considers this incident as unfortunate.
SIGNED
MANAGEMENT
SHATTA MOVEMENT MUSIC PRODUCTION
By 3news.com|Ghana