Dear Shatta Wale,
Intellectual property infringement is too serious an allegation to joke about or dodge when asked to address it. You, as a renowned dancehall artiste, have a brand and reputation to protect. How you respond to issues of this magnitude matters greatly — and in this case, your response has been disappointing.
To give context: your Reign and Wonderboy albums have been pulled down from Apple Music following allegations of copyright infringement levelled against you by producer MOG Beatz. According to MOG, you denied him credit for about 25 beats , beats which, he claims, form part of a catalogue you later sold to a music company, Waka . After MOG took the matter public, some of those albums were flagged and removed from Apple Music. (Readers can find further details on www.GhanaWeekend.com ).
Shatta, this is not just another social media brawl. This is a matter of intellectual property, and under Ghana’s Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), copyright infringement can attract fines or even imprisonment if proven to be deliberate. For the record, distributing or selling music without the consent of the rightful copyright owner is a clear violation of the law.
Here are a few of your public statements:
“When I was paying for your mother’s eye problems, medical bills, giving you money to buy studio equipment as payment for the productions, that was scam right? … Ungrateful pig. Very foolish boy!!”
“Forget that man of a bitch … instead of calling me and saying I hear you got $20 million for your songs and some of mine are in there, make I get something small … you deh internet deh shout like teenager mosquito. Sika mp3 dede.”
“I collect the money already, $4 million dollars.”
Shatta Wale, these comments shift the focus from the real issue — intellectual property theft — to insults, side arguments, and boasts about money. Whether you meant it or not, these statements make it appear as though you have admitted to selling a catalogue of works without proper credit to the producer. This only deepens suspicion.
Bragging about a $4 million deal or dragging MOG’s family into the fray doesn’t clear your name—it muddies it.
MOG Beatz has played his part by backing his claims with action. The albums’ removal from Apple Music is proof he’s not just talking, he’s got leverage. Meanwhile, your responses dodge the core issue: Did you have the right to sell those beats? Instead of providing contracts or receipts, you’ve leaned on insults and fanbase sympathy, painting yourself as a generous benefactor wronged by an “ungrateful” producer. But here’s the truth: generosity doesn’t erase IP rights. If MOG created those beats, he deserves credit and a share of the profits, no matter what else you’ve done for him.
As an artiste of your stature, you should know better. Global platforms and industry players are watching. If your legal team is not prepared to respond, silence would have been wiser than public rants. When you allow your fan base to hype you into careless comments, you make yourself look guilty, not vindicated.
Here’s what you should have done :
Address the Allegations Directly: If you have proof of payment or agreements with MOG, share them with your legal team, not social media. Silence is better than deflection.
Let Your PR Team Work: Your responses feel like they’re fueled by impulse or fanbase hype. A polished statement from your team could calm the storm and show you’re serious about resolving this.
Negotiate, Don’t Escalate: MOG has suggested sitting down with Waka Music to sort this out. A settlement could save your catalogue and reputation.
Lead by Example: Ghana’s music industry is growing, but IP disputes like this highlight our need for better contracts and transparency. As a leader, you can set a standard for fairness.
We in Ghana may understand your fiery style, but international stakeholders will not excuse it and when the media comments on the matter, as they rightfully should, calling them “wreckers” only makes things worse. You are a public figure , everything around you is newsworthy, and everyone has a right to an opinion.
Shatta, I say this as a fan: you no try for this one. This was an opportunity to show maturity and respect for the craft that has given you fame. Your PR and legal team must step up immediately, or else you risk digging yourself into deeper trouble legally, professionally, and globally.
Protect your name, protect your brand, and above all, respect the intellectual property of others.
Read also:
‘You’re ungrateful’ – Shatta Wale slams MOG Beatz over copyright infringement claims
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