There are just a handful of Ghanaian artistes I hold in high esteem. Some for their lyrical dexterity, others for their humility, and some others for how they do what they do. One person who falls into the 3rd category is Shatta Wale.

I hadn't heard of him (as Shatta Wale) until I watched with amazement how people screamed his name when his award-winning track - Dancehall King - was being played at La Pleasure Beach the year it was released. I sought to inquire from a friend who he was and his response was:"which part of the bush have you been hiding? He’s Bandana now known as Shatta Waleeeeee..." That was the extent of the craze.

Media reports have it that during his 11-year hibernation, he spent 5 of those in Jamaica extensively studying the lyrical ways of their dancehall greats, as well as beat-making. And when he was sufficiently baked, he returned to the Ghanaian scene a completely different musician.

Think critically...how many musicians in Ghana (of any genre) have successfully launched a comeback? I can't mention any name off the top of my head. But Shatta's done it so well even Francophone citizens sing his songs like they were written in French. Just recently, state broadcaster described him as "Africa's Dancehall King". Now how cool is that?

You may dislike him for his vulgar utterances, but there's something to be learnt from him.

Dear reader, today I use Shatta Wale to drive home a point I repeatedly make. It is not uncommon for us to fail when we start something noteworthy. We are not immune to failure in any area of our lives. But what do we do when we stumble and fall? Do we come back doing the same thing? We will fall again if we did, rather mightily this time.

We need to re-strategize. We need to learn from others. We need to explore other avenues. We need to ask questions. We need not wallow is self-pity. We need to pick ourselves up. We need to dust ourselves. We need to look up. We need to keep going. We need to pray harder.

If we do, our comeback will not only be successful, it will inspire others who are contemplating quitting.

More Vim... Let's Go…

 

The writer works in the finance department of Multimedia Group Limited, and can be contacted at pkbwilliams@yahoo.co.uk . 

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