Shatta Wale celebrates IRAWMA wins for African dancehall and Shattafest Ghana

Shatta Wale added two major honours to his career on Sunday at the 43rd International Reggae & World Music Awards, where the African dancehall artiste was recognised for both his stage work and his impact on the genre.

The Ghanaian entertainer won Best African Dancehall Entertainer, while his large-scale stadium production, Shattafest Ghana, was named Concert of the Year.

“Taking home these two plaques just proves that nobody can stop the work we are doing,” an excited and grateful Shatta Wale told The Gleaner in a brief interview.

He continued, “It's a standard we are setting globally. Big up IRAWMA and the whole Shatta Movement family for the loyalty. We are now just getting ready for the new music about to drop … pah pah pah pah! I love you Jamaica!”

In a statement, his management team said the double success reflects Shatta Wale’s discipline and his ongoing effort to strengthen musical links between Africa and the Caribbean. The release said winning in both an artiste category and a live-event category showed the Shatta Movement’s growing reach and the strength of the plan behind it.

IRAWMA founder Ephraim Martin told The Gleaner he was pleased for all those who received awards.

“It is a well deserved win … and for him to show appreciation to us and to the fans is a great thing,” Martin said.

“Shatta Wale’s supporters vote heavily every year … as a matter of fact, that is the trend set by the supporters for the African artistes in general. When you are nominated, regardless of how big you are, it is important to show appreciation to your fans and ask them to vote for you.”

The Concert of the Year award for Shattafest Ghana underlines Shatta Wale’s capacity to attract major audiences and mount high-level live productions. The Best African Dancehall Entertainer title also places him firmly among the leading figures carrying dancehall across international markets.

His team said the awards are not the end of the current push. According to management, Shatta Wale is preparing to release new music, including upcoming tracks produced by Damage Musiq and by the veteran dancehall production outfit So Unique Records.

The release also thanked Martin’s International, the IRAWMA committee, and the millions of Shatta Movement supporters around the world. It said that for the remainder of 2026, the team’s priority is to keep expanding internationally and maintain the present pace.