'The place was too small for my brand' — Shatta Wale explains why KNUST show was cancelled

Dorcas Agambila 11:20 - 07 September 2026

Shatta Wale explains why KNUST show was cancelled

Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale has revealed that security concerns led to the cancellation of a planned performance at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

Shatta Wale says the Ashanti Regional Police Commander advised him to cancel his planned KNUST performance because the proposed venue was too small to safely accommodate his growing fanbase.
The dancehall star stressed that he loves his Kumasi fans and would have wanted to perform, but said security must come first at his shows.
He urged event organisers to take crowd control and security precautions more seriously, warning that the huge turnout at his performances can create safety risks.

The artiste explained that the Ashanti Regional Police Commander advised against holding the event at the proposed venue after determining that the space was inadequate to safely accommodate his large fanbase.

Shatta Wale made the revelation during a live TikTok session, where he stressed that his decision was not due to a lack of interest in performing for his Kumasi fans.

According to him, he was willing to perform at Lienda Ville Hostel because of his strong connection with fans in the Ashanti regional capital, but the security assessment had to take precedence.

He said;

I don't play with Kumasi. So when I come in, and the Regional Commander tells me that where they are doing the show is too small for my brand, I understand

The dancehall musician noted that the growth of his fanbase has also created new challenges for organisers, particularly when it comes to crowd control and security at events.

He argued that the enthusiasm surrounding his performances can sometimes become a safety concern when organisers fail to put adequate security measures in place.

Shatta Wale explained;

That's why sometimes I say, it's not that I don't want to perform or I don't play shows for some people, but let's take security precautions seriously in this country.

He added that the popularity of his shows means large numbers of people are likely to attend, making proper planning and crowd management essential.

He said;

Sometimes, the risk is that everybody wants to come to Shatta Wale's show, but we don't help by making the security firm, so everybody will feel comfortable. And that is the problem

Shatta Wale further highlighted the scale of his following, joking that his fans have grown so numerous that even he could struggle to move freely among them.

He added;

Right now, my fanbase has grown, and they pass me. I am even afraid that if I stand in their midst, I am sure they would cover me

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His comments come amid growing conversations about safety and crowd management at major entertainment events in Ghana.

For Shatta Wale, however, the cancellation of the KNUST performance was ultimately about prioritising the safety of fans, organisers and the artiste himself rather than avoiding his supporters.

The musician maintained that he remains willing to perform for his Kumasi audience when suitable arrangements and a venue capable of safely accommodating the expected crowd are in place.

“The Regional Commander told me the place where I was going to do the show was too small for my brand.”

— Shatta Wale explains why his show at Lienda Ville Hostel in KNUST was cancelled. pic.twitter.com/hjTEfRKYSG
— 𝐀𝐒𝐊 (@askghmedia) September 5, 2026

Ghana Music