Former MUSIGA presidents condemn Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale

FORMER Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) Presidents, Diana Hopeson and Alhaji Sidiku Buari, have condemned the unfortunate incident between Dancehall artistes Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale that nearly marred the beauty of the 20th edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards(VGMA).

While Stonebwoy was on stage receiving his award for Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year, Shatta Wale and his SM crew tried going on the stage and that led to a brawl between the two camps.

According to Alhaji Sidiku Buari, such incidents should not be encouraged in our music industry.

“In the history of Ghana music, I have never seen such a thing before. This confusion was not necessary. For a fight to happen on a stage to result in Stonebwoy pulling a gun is too much for this industry.

"We have not gotten there yet, if it's in the Western world I would understand but in Ghana when the whole world is watching, it is bad,” he told Graphic Showbiz.

Alhaji Sidiku Buari said such acts must be condemned outright and the two artistes should be spoken to.

“These things must stop immediately before things gets out of hands. It started like a joke but see where we are now. This is not good for our country and the music industry.

"Whatever problem these two artistes have I believe the two can smoke the peace pipe and more especially talk to their fans because they are the ones at the centre of all these things,” he said.

He explained that every nominee at the VGMA should be educated about the fact that it is not a do or die affair if you lose and they are all winners.

“It is very important that education is given to every nominee before the main event. This is the only way to save lives. It is either you win or lose in this music game and I believe if artistes get that in their head, we can move on,” he added.

Madam Diana Hopeson, who was shocked at the incident told Showbiz that she is disappointed in the two artistes.

“Is this where we have taken things to? I will personally campaign that these two artiste have a long talk and thrash whatever they have between them.

"Such acts cannot happen in Ghana. This is not us. We better take a look at this situation before things get out of hand,” she said.

According to Diana Hopeson  every year, there is controversy with the VGMA but this incident has proven that things have gone out of hand and the time to act is now.

“I enjoyed the evening but Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale, I want to call on you to lay a track that the young can follow,” she said.

Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale were arrested on Sunday, May 19,2019 by the Accra Regional Police Command.