Shatta Wale | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. |
Also known as | Bandana |
Born | Accra, Ghana | 17 October 1984
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Years active | 2004–present |
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Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., (born 17 October 1984)[1] is a Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist. He is known by his stage name Shatta Wale, formerly Bandana.[2][3] His best-known singles are "Dancehall King", "My Level" and "Taking Over". He is also known for "Already" from Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift, which also featured Major Lazer.[4] His song "Dancehall King" earned him the Artiste of the Year at the 2014 edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Wale is also an actor who appeared in the films Never Say Never,[5] The trial of Shatta Wale[6] and Shattered Lives.[7] Wale's 2004 recording "Moko Hoo" was nominated for a Ghana Music Award.[8]
In 2014, he peaked to number 38 on E.tv's "Top 100 Most Influential Ghanaian" Awards chart.[9][10] He has since then appeared on the chart every year. He was ranked "Most Influential Musician" on social media in 2017.[11] He made a record-setting as a dancehall artist to have won 11 awards at the 2019 3 Music Awards ceremony.[12]