Sarkodie opens up on being a “biggest fan” of Shatta Wale in his Bandana days

Ghanaian rap icon Michael Owusu Addo, popularly known as Sarkodie, has stirred emotions among fans after making a heartfelt revelation about his long-standing admiration for reggae-dancehall star Shatta Wale.

During a live session on X (formerly Twitter) on September 1, 2025, Sarkodie reflected on his early years as a devoted follower of Shatta Wale, who was then known in the music scene as Bandana.

His candid admission has since sparked widespread online conversation, given the often complex and competitive relationship between the two artistes.

In a video shared during the session, Sarkodie disclosed:

“I was the biggest Bandana fan before he became Shatta Wale. I used to talk about him even when dancehall was not popular in Ghana. I was one of those who really loved what he was doing.

I was a huge fan of his style, his energy, and how he carried himself. That’s something people might not know, but I’ve always respected his grind.”

What fascinated him most, he said, was Bandana’s raw ability to freestyle on the spot.

“Bandana was the type that, when you told him to rhyme with anything, he would just go off instantly. As a rapper, that’s exactly the kind of energy I admired from day one,” Sarkodie recalled.

Sarkodie further reflected on how music serves as a unifier, connecting people through shared inspiration rather than rivalry. He suggested that while fans often pit artistes against each other, mutual respect has always underpinned his relationship with Shatta Wale.

Looking ahead, the rapper hinted at possible collaborations between the two camps, sparking anticipation among fans.

He also gave a special mention to Shatta Wale’s ride-hailing business, Shaxi, for supporting his Rapaholic concert in Kumasi.

“One thing that’s for sure is that Shaxi is supporting Rapaholic in Kumasi. Big shouts to Shaxi and Shatta,” Sarkodie added.

“I Was The Biggest Bandana Fan Before He Became Shatta Wale, I used to talk about him even When Dancehall was not Popular In Ghana”

- Sarkodie Reveals #shadrackamonoocrabeupdates pic.twitter.com/oRXkXpykEZ
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September 1, 2025