Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy banned indefinitely from VGMAs following disagreement at awards show

The ban was announced at a press conference the organisers of the awards held on Thursday in Accra to brief the press about the decision organisers have taken.

Announcing the sanctions for the two dancehall artistes, chairman of the VGMA board 2019, Nat Brew Amandzeba said the two artistes are also to return the award plaques they won on the night of the event.

He said that Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale have lost their legibility for VGMAs nominations, selections and performances. He noted that the decision was taken after “careful deliberations” and “extensive consultation” with stakeholders in the music industry.

Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale clashed on stage when Stonebwoy was announced the winner of Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year. In the ensuing confusion, Stonebwoy pulled a gun; an action he explained later in a press statement as self-defence. The two were subsequently arrested and detained.

Shatta Wale was banned in 2013 from the VGMA because he maligned the board of the awards scheme. The ban was only lifted last year, 2018.