Ghanaian dancehall star Livingstone Etse Satekla, known professionally as Stonebwoy, has addressed the nature of his long-standing rivalry with fellow musician Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., popularly called Shatta Wale, describing it as a necessary and healthy competition.
The BHIM Nation President made the remarks during Ghana’s World Cup campaign fundraiser, where he drew a parallel to the country’s most iconic football rivalry to explain the dynamic between their respective fan bases.
According to Stonebwoy, the competitive tension between his camp and the Shatta Movement is akin to the relationship between Ghana Premier League giants Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak—two entities that thrive on their opposition.
“This is a very important call to all of us. You know that Kotoko and Phobia can never be one,” Stonebwoy stated, using the colloquial name for Hearts of Oak. “They are two different teams who have to keep their competitive energy to bring joy to the nation.”
The musician noted that while he was speaking in parables, his message was clear to those familiar with the industry’s landscape. He emphasized that although the two camps are rivals, it is crucial to maintain the integrity of their competition to ensure it contributes positively to national development.
“The Minister said healthy competition which I believe it is,” Stonebwoy said, referencing previous comments from government officials regarding the rivalry. “But we just need to watch it so that we don’t do anything that will affect the healthiness of that competition.”
The artist’s comments reaffirm that while the rivalry between the two dancehall giants remains firmly in place, it is rooted in a shared goal of pushing the Ghanaian entertainment industry forward.
