Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy banned from the VGMAs

The feuding pair will also return every award won at the 2019 VGMAs.

“After carefully deliberating on the recent feud between Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy at the 2019 VGMAs, the two artists have been banned from the award scheme,” the awarding body said at a press conference today. “The two artists will also be stripped off the awards won at the just ended VGMA award event held on Saturday, 18 May 2019.”

This ban is the first for Stonebwoy His counterpart, however, has been banned before, following an outburst against the organisers when he lost the reggae award to Kaakie some years ago. This year marked his return to the awards ceremony. Unfortunately, it also marks his second departure.

In what online commentators saw as a preemptive move, Shatta Wale declared he would not be taking part in the award scheme hours before today's press conference.

“Upon sober reflections of events in recent times and having made broader consultations, I wish to announce that I will not be part of the Ghana Music Awards scheme going forward,” he posted online, along with a photo of a bruised palm. 

The decision comes only a day after he apologised for the incident. According to a statement released by his team yesterday, Shatta Wale had done what was required of him in the days leading to the 2019 VGMAs, given that he "extensively campaigned for votes and promoted the anniversary celebration using his various social media platforms."

"It will be very illogical for him to deliberately act in a manner to ruin and mar the same event he has spent a lot of resources to promote and urged his fans to attend," the statement says. "Shatta Wale meant no harm and considers this incident as unfortunate." That apology was delivered after days of silence from the artist. He now appears to have changed his mind.

While the feud between two of the most beloved acts in Ghana has lasted several years, the present situation began after Stonebwoy was announced the winner of the reggae category. Shatta Wale and his crew then walked ontage as Stonebwoy accepted the award.

A scuffle broke out and Stonebwoy pulled out a gun. Both acts were taken into custody by the police after the altercation. Both have been granted bail but, according to the police, they will be “arraigned before court in due time”.