Founder of the Guinness Ghana DJ Awards, Merqury Quaye, has applauded dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, for what he describes as a “strategic masterstroke” in choosing to absorb the cost of his own performance at the 2025 President’s Cup, instead of charging a performance fee.

Speaking on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, Merqury dismissed critics questioning why a top-tier artiste like Shatta Wale would perform for free at a high-profile national event, arguing that such moves reflect a deep understanding of brand visibility and long-term relevance.

“I would love to touch on the performance for free. I have seen a lot of commentary on social media, mostly from laymen, people who don’t know this terrain,” he said.

“When you take great events—events with great visibility, strategic artistes know the value that these platforms hold to the development of their career and shaping of their relevance.”

Citing global examples, Merqury referenced the Super Bowl halftime show, arguably the most watched entertainment slot globally.

He revealed that none of the global superstars who have performed at the Super Bowl, including Dr. Dre and Beyoncé, have received performance fee.

“There is a show called the Super Bowl. This is more like the epitome of showcasing. It is every artiste’s dream to be on that halftime show. This year, the show commanded 127 million eyeballs—an increase from 2024’s 123 million. Now, no musician has received a performance fee for that event,” he explained.

Drawing a parallel, he said Shatta Wale’s decision to self-fund his performance at the President’s Cup demonstrates an understanding of what truly matters in brand growth, visibility and cultural impact.

“So if Shatta Wale does this, knowing very well the visibility the event comes with, he is being strategic. And look at the reviews he is receiving as a result of this appearance. That is the value, and it is bigger than any amount that he would even want to charge for it,” Merqury asserted.

Shatta Wale’s performance at the President’s Cup, which saw him electrify the stadium during the halftime break of the football match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, has been widely praised for its energy, showmanship, and symbolic alignment with national pride.