By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Accra stood still on Saturday, 18th October 2025, as Ghana’s Dancehall King, Shatta Wale, marked his birthday with a historic free concert.The event took place at the Independence Square (Black Star Square) and drew an overwhelming crowd of over 60,000 fans, filling the venue and its adjoining streets to capacity.
Although the free concert was scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m., fans began arriving as early as midday. By sunset, the entire Independence Square was jam-packed with supporters, many of them dressed in white to celebrate the self-acclaimed Dancehall King.
The night was pure energy, pure love, and pure Shatta Movement vibes. From his grand entrance to the final bow at 7:05 a.m. Sunday morning, Shatta Wale delivered an unforgettable show filled with powerful performances, emotional moments, and high-voltage entertainment.
Performing back-to-back hits such as Melissa, Ayoo, On God, My Level, and Freedom, Shatta Wale reaffirmed his unmatched showmanship and deep connection with his fans. He expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “This show is for you all my real fans. Thank you for believing in me and walking with me on this journey.”
The concert also featured a star-studded lineup of guest performances from some of Ghana’s top musicians, including Sarkodie, Samini, Medikal, Wendy Shay, Kelvynboy, Amerado, DarkoVibes, Tinny, JZyNo, Kwame Yogot, and DopeNation, among others. Each act kept the crowd charged with exciting performances that lit up the night.
In one of the night’s most touching moments, Shatta Wale honoured veteran rapper Tinny with a citation and tribute, thanking him for his support during his early music career. He also played peacemaker by calling Nigerian influencers Peller and Big Jiggy on stage to reconcile and shake hands a move that won the admiration of fans.
A lot of rave reviews from music fans, critics, and creative industry aficionados have since poured in, hailing Shatta Wale for his star power, influence, and ability to unite people through music.
Born Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., Shatta Wale is one of Ghana’s most influential reggae-dancehall artistes. He has produced several hit songs, including Dancehall King, My Level, and Taking Over. His collaboration with Beyoncé on Already helped cement his international reputation as one of Ghana’s biggest music exports.
Over the years, Shatta Wale has won numerous local and international awards and built one of the most passionate fan bases in African music. Meanwhile, the artist has submitted his latest single “Street Crown” to the Recording Academy for consideration in next year’s Grammy Awards, expressing optimism about earning a nomination.
The Freedom Wave Concert (Shatta Fest 2025) was more than just a birthday celebration it was a cultural phenomenon that showcased the strength of the Shatta Movement, the loyalty of his fans, and the enduring power of Ghanaian music.
The event was powered by MoMo Fest (Mobile Money Ghana Limited), with support from Shaxi and Charterhouse.
