What happened to Shatta Wale Fan Awards?

Shatta Wale and former manager Bulldog

Since the days of Bandana, the Shatta Movement Family has been a strong force behind the multiple award-winning reggae/dancehall musician. They have always been there for him. When Charterhouse Ghana, the organisers of the annual Ghana Music Awards rejected him, they were there for him. When Samini, Iwan, Kaakie, and other colleagues beefed with him, they were there for him. When Samini, Iwan , D-Sherif and other dancehall artistes’ fans trolled him on social media and even on stage, they were there for him. When some showbiz critics mutinied him, they were there for him.

His fan army, according to him, are his 'god'.

“My fans are my god. I listen to whatever they say and I act upon them,” Shatta Wale disclosed on ‘The Delay’ show a few weeks ago. Aside that, he has divulged on several platforms that he respect his fans and will do anything possible to keep and nourish them.

I believe he thought it was congruous to organise an award ceremony to reward his redoubtable fan army –the Shatta Movement Family.

On July 8, 2015, the 31-year-old singer and producer who is known in real life as Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jnr. in collaboration with his former manager Bulldog of Bullhaus Entertainment announced an award scheme to reward his loyal and faithful fans across the country.

In a Facebook post, the “Kakai” hitmaker made the official announcement saying "Shatta Movement and Bullhaus Entertainment is launching an awards scheme to reward its loyal and faithful fans across the country.

The initiative is inspired by the work and effort our fans are dedicating to push our brands. It seeks to award five top fans across the country every six months."

There are five categories which include ‘Best Fan’, ‘Best Fan PR’, ‘Best Fan Publicist’, ‘Best Fan Commentary’ and ‘Best Fan Promoter’”.

This was a good news to his loyal fans. At least, they would be rewarded for their loyalty behind the multiple hitmaker.

But a few months later, there was a change of event. There was a split. Shatta Wale and Bulldog went their separate ways after several scuffles and managerial issues on October 31, 2015.

The focus on the award scheme wholly switched when the two engaged in heated arguments on several media platforms for over six months. Both jumped from one platform to another, firing shots at each other.

Their arguments didn't bother me much but what is boggling my mind is the fact that Shatta Wale’s loyal fans have to suffer the consequence of the infamous split. Why is it that, the fans Shatta Wale claims are his god are not accorded the civility, respect and honour they deserve? Is his loyal fan army not worth the scratch back?

In showbiz, it is sometimes acceptable for managers come and go but unacceptable for fans to come and go. Why? Because, fans serve as a backup to every artiste. When managers go, fans will always be there. The moment an artiste parts ways with one manager, he can go for another (who might be better) but when the artiste loses his fans, he can’t go for another. The moment you lose them, your career automatically comes to an end.

Rewarding loyal fans is a way of keeping them and returning their loyalty in favour. In most well-structured organisations across the globe, they organise award ceremonies for its workers and loyal customers. It’s either mid-year or end of year awards night. This is nothing new but very effective.

It’s been a year and a month after the announcement and yet, Shatta Wale hasn’t been a man of his word but claims he respects his fans. How long will it take him to organise the award ceremony? What really happened to Shatta Wale Fan Awards?

I think it’s time Shatta Wale restructures his plans with his new management.



Source.pulse.com.gh