Nigeria: ‘I’m still his dad’: Shatta Wale

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Ghanaian dancehall king Shatta Wale has opened up about his 8-year-old son and the reality of raising a child across borders, sharing candid details about fatherhood and his relationship with the boy who currently lives in London.

The musician’s remarks, made during a recent interview and on social media, have sparked wide discussion among fans. Known for being outspoken about his music, business, and controversies, Shatta Wale is now drawing attention for a more personal reason: his role as a father.

Shatta Wale’s latest comments came as part of a broader discussion about family, legacy, and responsibility. While he didn’t go into every detail of his son’s private life, he confirmed that the boy is 8 years old and based in London.

The dancehall star spoke about the challenges of staying connected with a child who lives in a different country, the effort it takes to maintain a relationship, and the love he has for all of his children despite the distance.

Fans quickly picked up on the honesty in his tone. For an artist who often projects confidence and bravado on stage, hearing him talk about parenting struck a different chord.

Living in Ghana while his son is in London means Shatta Wale has to navigate time zones, school schedules, and limited in-person time. 

In his comments, he acknowledged that it isn’t easy. “Being a father is not just about money,” he implied in the interview. “It’s about presence, calls, checking on school, making sure he’s okay.”

He also spoke about the importance of giving his son a stable environment. London offers different opportunities — schooling, healthcare, and exposure — and Shatta Wale said he respects the co-parenting arrangement that allows his son to have that.

At the same time, he made it clear he wants his son to know his Ghanaian roots. For Shatta Wale, culture and identity matter. He wants the boy to understand where he comes from, even while growing up abroad.

This isn’t the first time Shatta Wale has talked about his family publicly this year. In recent months he has been more open about his personal life — discussing his career journey, his relationship with his other children, and the lessons he’s learning as he gets older.

That shift hasn’t gone unnoticed. For years, public discussion around Shatta Wale focused on music releases, feuds, and showmanship. Now, fans are seeing a side of him that is reflective and, at times, vulnerable.

The comments about his 8-year-old son fit into that pattern. They show an artist thinking about what he’ll leave behind, not just in terms of hits and awards, but in terms of the people he’s raising.

Because Shatta Wale is one of Ghana’s biggest entertainers, anything he says about family travels fast. 

On X, TikTok, and Facebook, fans reacted in two main ways. Some expressed curiosity, asking questions about the child’s mother and how often Shatta gets to visit London. Others focused on the message about fatherhood.

Many praised him for being honest. “It takes guts to talk about this publicly,” one fan wrote. “A lot of fathers go through the same thing with kids abroad.” 

Others related to the difficulty of co-parenting across countries, a reality for many Ghanaian families in the diaspora.

There was also discussion about privacy. Some followers urged people not to pry too much into the child’s life, noting that the boy is still a minor and deserves to grow up away from internet commentary.

Shatta Wale’s career has always been loud, fast, and very public. He built the Shatta Movement brand on energy, independence, and speaking his mind. But fatherhood, especially long-distance fatherhood, requires a different kind of energy — consistency.

He touched on that balance in his recent remarks. Touring, recording, and running a brand take time. But he said he tries to make space for calls, video chats, and visits when possible.

He also hinted that he wants his children to understand his work ethic. “I want them to see that whatever I’m doing is so they can have a better future,” he suggested.

That message resonates with many working parents in Ghana and abroad who juggle career demands with family responsibilities.

Celebrities in Ghana often keep family matters private. When an A-list star like Shatta Wale speaks openly, it shifts the conversation.

His comments add to a growing trend of male artists talking more about parenting. For years, the industry narrative focused on music and lifestyle. Now, discussions about responsibility, child support, and emotional presence are becoming more common.

Shatta Wale’s platform means his words reach young men who look up to him. By saying fatherhood is hard but important, he’s modeling a different kind of masculinity — one that includes accountability

Shatta Wale didn’t share specific plans about moving his son to Ghana or relocating himself. What he did emphasize was commitment

As his son grows older, the relationship will likely evolve. School, interests, and eventually decisions about where to live will all come into play. For now, Shatta Wale seems focused on staying involved however he can.

The dancehall star’s remarks are a reminder that behind the stage name, the concerts, and the headlines is a person navigating the same challenges many parents face.

Raising a child across borders is complicated. It involves money, logistics, communication, and a lot of emotional work. Shatta Wale’s decision to talk about it publicly has given fans a glimpse into that side of his life.

His comments have also added to a larger conversation in Ghana about fatherhood, diaspora families, and what it means to be present for your children.

Whether you’re a fan of his music or not, the message was simple: he cares, he’s trying, and he wants his son to know that.