Apple Music Officially Launches African Dancehall Category – Thanks to Shatta Wale's Global Influence


In a historic move for African music, Apple Music has added "African Dancehall" as an official genre category—a decision many attribute to Ghana's Dancehall Icon, Shatta Wale, and his over Decade-Long dominance in the industry

This groundbreaking recognition comes after years of African artists pushing the sound globally, with Shatta Wale leading the charge through Record-Breaking achievements, viral hits, and unapologetic cultural advocacy.

Shatta Wale's Viral Reaction to the News

Never once too shy away from speaking his mind, the Africa Dancehall King responded to Apple Music's addition with his signature boldness:

"You people do Saa Apple Music add African dancehall as a genre and you won’t say thank you Shatta Wale 😂😂💪💪 #Africanking"

The comment instantly went viral, sparking debates across social media about who truly paved the way for African Dancehall's global recognition.

Why This Apple Music Update Matters

1. Shatta Wale’s Unmatched Impact on the Genre

  • Most Awarded African Artist at IRAWMA (9 Wins)
  • First African Dancehall Artist to Chart on Billboard
  • Global Collaborations (Beyoncé’s "Already", etc.)
  • Over 1 Billion Streams across platforms

His relentless hustle forced major streaming services to stop lumping African Dancehall under "World Music" or "Reggae" and finally give it its own spotlight.

2. A Win for All African Artists

Before this update, African Dancehall artists struggled with:

❌ Mis-Categorization (hurting discoverability)

❌ Lower royalty payouts due to incorrect genre tags

❌ Limited playlisting opportunities

3. The Data Doesn’t Lie: African Dancehall Is Global

Apple Music’s decision follows:

📊 500M+ African Dancehall streams in 2023 alone

📈 Shatta Wale’s "Killa Ji Mi" as one of the most Shazam’d songs in 2024

🌍 Jamaican artists increasingly collaborating with African acts

What This Means for the Future of African Music

1. More Mainstream Recognition

Expect:

✅ Dedicated African Dancehall awards at major shows (Grammys, BET, etc.)

✅ Increased collaborations between African & Jamaican artists

✅ Higher streaming revenue for African acts

2. Shatta Wale’s Legacy Is Secure

From local Ghanaian struggles to forcing Apple Music’s hand, his journey proves:

🔥 African artists don’t need validation—but they’ll take over anyway.

3. The Next Generation Wins

Emerging artists no longer have to explain their sound—they now have a global platform built for them.

Final Thought: This Is Bigger Than One Artist

While Shatta Wale’s tweet was playful, his impact is undeniable. African Dancehall’s rise mirrors Afrobeats’ journey—from local sound to global movement.

One thing’s clear: The world is finally catching up to what Africa already knew.

Engage With Us

🗨️ Do you think Shatta Wale deserves credit for this?

🔥 Who’s the next African Dancehall star to blow up? Comment below!

#ShattaWale #AfricanDancehall #AppleMusic #GhanaToTheWorld #MusicBusiness