Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, probably has the biggest fan base in Ghana.
Many people have, by various means from statue to haircuts, shown their loyalty to the Shatta Movement.
By the day, individuals are finding ways to be associated with everything Shatta Wale.
One of them is Sepe Buokrom-based rickshaw operator in Kumasi.
Twenty-one-year-old Philip Zong’s love for the ‘I know my level’ hit maker has earned him the nickname, Shatta Boy.
His yellow rickshaw is a museum of all Shatta Wale stickers, including, of course, the Reign symbol and SM for life.
The headlights are assented with Reign symbols. The roof tent has the largest sticker, the windscreen is bedecked with four stickers, the front wheel guard has one, driver’s seat one and back seat, two.
The dashboard has three. Indeed, every space is covered.
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“I bought the bigger ones for GH¢10 and smaller for GH¢2,” he revealed.
Phillip says Shatta Wale’s songs and his down-to-earth posture are the pull factors.
“Apart from love for his songs, he’s friendly to both the young and old and that’s great. I buy the sticker even if I have little cash on me,” he said.
Philip himself wears Shatta Wale’s undercut and multiple golden necklaces.
“I’ve never gotten the chance to meet him because every time, there is a crowd around him,” he laments.
During Shatta Wale concerts in Kumasi, Philip rides patrons to the venue for free, a claim corroborated by a neighbour and beneficiary.
“When Shatta is having a show here, he takes us to the venue free of charge,” confirmed Alfred.
Though he is yet to meet the dancehall king, he believes his action is borne out of pure love for Shatta Wale.
It is his little contribution to bringing more ‘souls’ to the Shatta Movement.