Shatta Wale Warns Medikal Not to Collaborate After 'Highest Eri' Clash
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Shatta Wale Sounds a Warning to Medikal Over “Highest Eri”
The Ghanaian music scene is no stranger to rivalries, but few headlines get the heat of a headline that reads: “Don’t try to work with her again – Shatta Wale warns Medikal over Highest Eri.” The headline – which originally appeared on GhanaWeb – captures a dramatic moment in the escalating feud between two of the country’s biggest hip‑hop and dancehall stars: Shatta Wale and Medikal. What follows is a rundown of the events that have led to this public rebuke, the context of the “Highest Eri” track, and why the clash has captured the attention of fans across Ghana and the diaspora.
1. The Back‑story: Two Giants Collide
Shatta Wale, born Charles Nii Armah Mensah, has been the undisputed king of Ghana’s dance‑hall scene for over a decade. He is known for chart‑topping singles like “Champion” and “Akyede,” as well as his bold fashion sense and outspoken personality. Medikal, on the other hand, has carved out a reputation as one of the sharpest lyricists in the Ghanaian rap arena. Songs such as “The Greatest” and “Meda wo Akye” have made him a household name among the next generation of fans.
The friction between the two artists began in early 2024 when Medikal released a track titled “Highest Eri.” In the song, Medikal raps about being the “top dog” in the industry and subtly references Shatta Wale, calling him out for a perceived slight. The lyric “Shatta’s the king, but the crown is mine” triggered a flurry of social‑media speculation. Fans split into camps, with some supporting the rapper’s audacity and others rallying behind Shatta’s “royal” status.
2. Shatta Wale’s Response: A Public Statement
Within days, Shatta Wale responded not just through his usual channels on Instagram and Twitter, but also by dropping a full‑length track that can be heard on YouTube titled “Shatta Wale – Highest Eri (Official Video).” In the video, the artist addresses Medikal head‑on, proclaiming his own authority in the music business. The lyrics read, “If you think you’re the highest, then you’re just a second‑rate.” Shatta also mentions that he’s not willing to collaborate with Medikal again, and threatens to cut ties with anyone who continues to “play” with him.
In a brief video interview that GhanaWeb linked to, Shatta says, “I’ve always been honest and open, but there are some people who think they can come at my name. Medikal is one of them. I’m not going to let this be a game.” He goes on to say that the only way to keep the industry professional is to respect the hierarchy that has been built over years of hard work.
3. Medikal’s Counter‑Attack and the “Highest Eri” Video
Medikal, never one to back down, released a short “response” clip on TikTok that referenced the new Shatta Wale track. He claims that Shatta is the one “sticking around in the back.” The clip also features a short excerpt from the original “Highest Eri” audio, accompanied by a clip of the Shatta‑Wale music video, implying that the conflict is only a small part of a larger cultural conversation in Ghanaian music. In a statement posted on his Instagram, Medikal said, “Shatta’s words mean little if he can’t back it up.”
GhanaWeb links to a press release from the Ghana Music Industry, which notes that the feud has sparked debate about the responsibilities of artists in ensuring that they respect each other’s creative output. The press release also highlights that the “Highest Eri” track had already garnered over 300,000 views on YouTube before Shatta Wale’s response.
4. The Public Reaction: Fans, Critics, and Commentators
Within the first 24 hours of the Shatta Wale video posting, Twitter was flooded with hashtags like #HighestEri, #ShattaVsMedikal, and #DontTryToWorkWithHerAgain. Commentators on Ghanaian radio shows pointed out that the feud was reminiscent of the “Beyoncé vs. Nicki” saga in the U.S., and that the Ghanaian audience was eager to see the final outcome. A handful of fan blogs argued that Shatta’s warning was a power play, while others argued that Medikal’s lyrical prowess justified the confrontation.
Moreover, the Ghanaian music community’s response was not just limited to fans. The Ghana Music Awards Committee issued a brief statement encouraging both artists to use their influence to promote unity in the industry. The statement reads: “Music is a platform for expression. While we respect artistic differences, we also believe that collaboration strengthens the industry.”
5. Contextualizing the Conflict in the Bigger Picture
While Shatta Wale’s threat may sound dramatic, it is part of a larger pattern of competition within the Ghanaian music scene. Over the last decade, there have been multiple feuds, most notably between the Afro‑Pop and Hip‑Hop factions. The GhanaWeb article links to a separate piece on the “Shatta Wale vs. Sarkodie: A History of Music Showdowns.” This historical context shows that the music industry has always been a mix of friendly rivalry and genuine conflict, especially when artists are jockeying for dominance on streaming platforms and air‑time.
In addition, the article references a 2022 Ghanaian “Music Licensing” initiative that sought to protect artists’ intellectual property. Critics claim that the initiative fell short of providing robust enforcement mechanisms, which may have contributed to the escalating tensions between Shatta Wale and Medikal. The GhanaWeb link leads to a legislative report on the matter.
6. What Comes Next?
As of the article’s publication, Shatta Wale has made it clear that he will not cooperate with Medikal on future projects, while Medikal’s stance remains that he will continue to pursue his own path. Both parties have declined to engage in a joint interview. The only clear resolution appears to be a “public apology” or a “joint collaboration” that could signal the end of the feud. Until such a resolution materializes, fans will keep the conversation alive on social media and the press.
In Summary
The GhanaWeb headline “Don’t try to work with her again – Shatta Wale warns Medikal over Highest Eri” is a snapshot of an unfolding conflict between two titans of Ghanaian music. It captures a moment of bravado, artistic pride, and public spectacle. Through the lens of this headline, we see not only the rivalry itself but also the broader cultural dynamics of the Ghanaian music industry – a field that thrives on competition, collaboration, and, occasionally, controversy. As the feud evolves, the stakes are high, and the Ghanaian public is watching closely to see whether the artists will continue to engage in a heated battle or will ultimately decide to collaborate for the greater good of the industry.
Read the Full Ghanaweb.com Article at:
[ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Don-t-try-to-work-with-her-again-Shatta-Wale-warns-Medikal-over-Highest-Eri-2010683 ]