Shatta Wale Says Vybz Kartel Played A Key Role In Shaping His Dancehall Sound

Ghanaian dancehall artist Shatta Wale has publicly acknowledged that veteran Jamaican musician Vybz Kartel significantly influenced the way he developed his own sound in dancehall music. In recent remarks shared during a radio interview, Shatta Wale said Kartel’s music and lyrical style helped inspire him as he carved out his place in Ghana’s music scene and beyond.

Shatta Wale explained that he grew up listening to a wide range of dancehall artists, but over time he found himself particularly drawn to the work of Vybz Kartel, whose rhythms and delivery resonated with him creatively. The Ghanaian star stressed that while he has blended local influences and his personal flair into his music, he gives credit to the Jamaican artist for helping open his mind to new rhythms, flows and storytelling approaches that he later adapted into his own songs.

“I listened to a lot of Caribbean sounds,” Shatta Wale said, “but Vybz Kartel was one of those artistes whose style really pushed me to think differently about how I express myself in dancehall.” He added that part of becoming a strong performer was studying the techniques of international dancehall stars and then blending those techniques with Ghanaian energy and culture.

Fans of Shatta Wale reacted positively to his comments, with many thanking him for being honest about his artistic journey and respectful of the influences that shaped his craft. Listeners also took the opportunity to revisit Kartel’s music and discuss how cross-cultural influences play a role in the evolution of dancehall sounds across the world.

Music commentators have noted that artists acknowledging their influences helps listeners understand the origins of their style and the broader cultural exchanges that happen in genres like dancehall. Shatta Wale’s tribute to Kartel underscores how African and Caribbean music cultures often intersect, inspiring new creative expression and collaboration.

The connection also highlights a larger trend in global music circles, where contemporary artists increasingly celebrate the work of predecessors who laid the groundwork for the sounds and styles dominating today’s charts.