Shatta Wale Turns 37: His 7 Best Jamaican Collaborations

Ghanian Dancehall artist Shatta Wale was trending on Twitter, beginning in the wee hours of the night, as fans celebrated his birthday today in West African time with the #Shattabration hashtag. Born Charles Nii Armah in Accra, Ghana (by way of GAZA, of course), the award-winning star turned 37, with 17 years of hard-earned experience in the music game.

Last year, West Africa’s top Shatta celebrated his birthday with a star-studded extravaganza that included fellow African artists such as Medikal, Joey B and King Promise, to name a few, along with Shatta’s own father, Charles Nii Armah, Sr. This year, he celebrated by teasing the tracklist for his highly anticipated Gift of God (GOG) album.

In honor of the controversial king of Ghana’s Dancehall scene, we take a look at seven of his finest Dancehall collaborations and Jamaican link ups. Forward.

Blow Up with Skillibeng

From the start to finish, “Blow Up” is a raw, satisfying collision of the international Dancehall titans. Skillibeng and Shatta Wale’s voices complement each other well, with the two trading bars that are just as savage as they are saucy. “Track dem up like Pablo / The money affi make like Narcos / Blow UP, I’m about to Blow up, yeah.” – S.W.

The Way I Move with Shenseea

Hearing ShenYeng drawl out Shatta Wale’s name in the intro is a present within itself.  Shenseea’s singing and deejaying wrap nicely around a passionate Shatta verse, before going bar for bar which makes for a memorable heartfelt collab for the Growth EP presented by Young Generation Fraternity.

ATM (Remix) with Alkaline

The ATM (remix) is so pleasing to the ears that it may find you open to a joint mixtape from the two. There is something about their energy that just bounces off one another well.

Party with the Stars with Munga Honorable & Tifa

Tifa’s voice just makes everything sweeter, but hearing her alongside Shatta Wale and Munga Honorable is a real treat. This is a feel-good dancehall chune which stays true to its name, making you feel like you’re in a Ghana nightclub or Jamaican dance with the finest gal dem and biggest bosses in the room. The three stars in their own right fit comfortably pon the track: a testimony to Shatta’s versatility.

My Queen with Aidonia

My Queen is a feel-good love song for the big ‘ooman in a man’s life, and honestly deserved more fanfare than it received. With solid production and smooth vocals from both Shatta and Aidonia, the song is just as Dancehall as it is romance.  “If you are the spliff, mi a di lighter / If you are the deejay, mi a di hype man.” Kingman ting.

Inna Di Night with Lisa Hyper

When the award-winning Lisa Hyper and the award-winning Shatta Wale get together, you know it’s a vibe, especially if a g-string is involved. The two hold their own nice and steady on the Tropical Swing riddim with a sexy song which is also straight to the point. Not for the faint of heart, but perfect for the dance floor.

Dem A Pree with Mavado

Cyan complete this list without mentioning the Shatta and Mavado collab off the Foundation project. The song comes in like a movie, with the two exchanging up stand-up bars with trademark power vocals. It feels like a call-to-action or something out of a film. You can’t help but to salute both the generals on this one.