Dancehall star Shatta Wale has revealed that he often prays over money before gifting it to people on the streets, explaining that the gesture is rooted in gratitude, reflection and a desire to inspire others rather than an attempt to flaunt his wealth.

Speaking during an interview on the Ekosiisen programme on Asempa FM on Wednesday, March 11, the musician shared personal reflections about his journey from hardship to success and the emotional motivation behind some of his public acts of generosity.

According to the artiste, memories of his early life on the streets of Accra continue to influence his behaviour whenever he passes through neighbourhoods where he once struggled to survive.

Recalling his journey to the radio station for the interview, Shatta Wale said the route took him through familiar communities such as Nima and Newtown — areas that hold significant memories from his past.

“Sometimes when I think about some of these things, it worries me a lot,” he said. “There are places on the streets of Accra where I have slept before.”

The musician explained that seeing the same corners, washing bays and streets where he once spent time trying to figure out his future often triggers strong emotions.

He said the experience reminds him of the many young people still struggling in those communities.

“Any time I pass by some of these places, I still see people like me on the street, and I feel the pain because I know what they are discussing and what they are going through,” he said.

Shatta Wale noted that this sense of empathy sometimes compels him to express gratitude to God and acknowledge how far he has come since those difficult days.

He added that he occasionally feels like symbolically pouring libation or offering prayers to show appreciation for his progress.

A key part of that expression of gratitude, he explained, is praying over money before distributing it to people in need.

“I always pray on the money before I throw it, because this is not money that I conjured or manufactured,” he said during the interview.

According to the dancehall performer, the wealth he has accumulated over the years represents the result of long-term effort and discipline rather than overnight success. He stressed that his career has taken years of hard work to build.

“The work did not take two days,” he said. “It took years to build this.”

For that reason, he believes sharing part of his earnings with others can help motivate people who are currently in difficult circumstances.

He hopes such gestures might inspire them to believe that their situations can also change.

“If I have been able to save and build something like this, I want it to also touch somebody for that person to have that spirit,” he explained.

Shatta Wale also addressed criticism from some observers who interpret his public acts of giving as a form of self-promotion. He insisted that his intention is not to show off his wealth but rather to acknowledge the struggles that shaped him.

“Me doing that doesn’t mean I want to flaunt,” he said. “It is the pain I feel when I am driving on the streets of Accra.”

The musician further explained that many people assume his success happened by chance, but he believes careful planning and determination played a major role in his rise within Ghana’s music industry.

“When I tell people how I saved and got here, they don’t believe it,” he said. “They feel it came by chance, but I was calculating.”

Reflecting on his past experiences, the artiste said he constantly reminds himself of where he came from whenever he makes progress in life.

That reflection, he noted, serves as motivation to keep moving forward and avoid returning to the hardships he once faced.

“Any time I am going forward, I watch back and say no—I don’t want to go back there again,” he said.