VGMA And Shatta Wale

shatta Wale

I find it repugnant Chaterhouse dealings with Shatta Wale prior to the 2016 VGMA and the former decision to ban the later from partaking in the 2016 awards. This matter has refused to go away from my mind since the feud between the artist and the organization broke.

It has been difficult for me because I had thought that CHARTERHOUSE is a brand of repute and that this organization among other things would want to pride itself in keeping to world's standards and importantantly would want to be seen as fair and professional in its work as it seeks to award deserving winners in our music industry each year. Personally, I still cannot accept the bases on which CHARTERHOUSE prevented the said artist from contesting the VGMA awards.

That Shatta Wale had disced and satirized the organization on some matters the later could not accept from the former should not be enough bases to refuse to accept the artist work to be considered for an award. What does CHARTERHOUSE expect? That in this era of freedom of speech as enshrined in our constitution, they should be shielded from criticism? How come they decide to become a judge in their own court?

By CHARTERHOUSE's action, it has taken away any credibility attached to its work as it seeks to organize awards for the music body both in the present and in the future.

I think bodies such as CHARTERHOUSE would do themselves good if they prevent themselves from being influenced by their individual sentiments in the work they do.I cannot imagine how a lecturer would convince himself that the best script he marked from a class quiz does not deserve an 'A' because he the lecturer has a problem with the student.No one in our times today can dispute the fact that Shatta Wale is one musician that has excited all of us with his brand of music. His music comes with great lyrics unmatched by any of those who won awards in this years VGMA.

My greatest surprise in this matter was the attitude of members of the music body in this matter. I had expected some loud solidarity with Shatta Wale in this matter. The musicians may not share in the supposed deviant ways of Shatta Wale but they could have stood by him as a matter of principle. I had expected a boycott of the VGMA by some musicians in solidarity with him but this did not happen. I guess self-interest overruled principle in this matter. Maybe, some who knew that their chances to win an award would dim if Shatta Wale was in the contest ,silently took solace in this great wrong done to the artist.

Even so, those who took all the awards in this year VGMA would know in their hearts that they did not win fairly. I have never won an award before ; but I know that I wouldn't want to keep an award that would remind me of how nepotism has robbed us off such ideals as excellence ;and how pettiness and short-sightedness prevent us from identifying with great talents of our time. RULE! KING SHATTA WALE.

PAUL- ZOWONU KANESHIE - ACCRA.