Shatta Wale Apologizes to Kojo Manuel Over Stage Incident at Tidal Rave

Dancehall artist Shatta Wale has issued a public apology to veteran master of ceremonies (MC), Kojo Manuel, following an incident at the Tidal Rave Beach Festival in Accra last Saturday, where his assistant, Abonko, manhandled the MC during Wale’s performance.

The incident occurred when Abonko physically removed Kojo Manuel from the stage in an effort to ensure Shatta Wale’s performance went uninterrupted. The altercation was captured on video, which quickly went viral and sparked significant backlash from fans and industry watchers, many of whom called for Shatta Wale to apologize to Manuel, given his longstanding contributions to the entertainment industry.

In a social media post on X, Shatta Wale expressed regret for the incident while defending his team's intentions. He explained that the action was driven by his assistant’s desire to maintain focus during the performance, but he acknowledged that it went too far. Shatta Wale’s message also emphasized the importance of timing and discipline when performing on stage.

"I’m so sorry, Kojo Manuel," Shatta Wale wrote. "Abonko is the nicest person ever, but when it comes to my work, all my team members bow to me because he’s my second in command. None of my team members come close. Sorry for the way he pushed you, but next time, just understand that when an artist and team step on stage, there’s a certain way we do things. It’s all about timing and discipline. I want to thank DJ Vyrusky for his input on the entry. All love, bro."

He continued, "We can all learn from this and not let it escalate into something negative. I don’t support what he did, but I hope this peaceful letter can show the world that we can resolve things amicably."

In response, Kojo Manuel graciously accepted Shatta Wale’s apology, expressing mutual respect and goodwill. "Thank you, One Don. All love here. 4lyf is 4lyf," Manuel wrote, reaffirming their continued camaraderie in the industry.

The exchange marks the end of the public fallout, with both parties showing a commitment to resolving the matter with respect and understanding.