Shatta Wale Wins 4 Awards at IRAWMA 2026 and Announces ‘Gift of God’ Tour – Ghana

Shatta Wale Wins 4 Awards at IRAWMA 2026 and Announces ‘Gift of God’ Tour – Ghana

Shatta Wale had one of his biggest nights on the international stage on May 31, 2026, taking home 4 awards at the 44th International Reggae and World Music Awards in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Ghanaian dancehall star won Best African Dancehall Artist, Best African Reggae Song for Pressure, Best African Music Video for On God, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Cultural Impact. It’s the most wins by a Ghanaian artist in a single IRAWMA ceremony since Stonebwoy’s 2018 sweep.

Shatta Wale attended with his SM4LYF team and used his acceptance speech to call for more unity in Ghana’s music industry. “This is for Ghana, for dancehall, for every artiste fighting to be heard,” he said. Clips of his speech went viral on X and TikTok, with fans praising the shoutout to younger acts like Black Sherif and Kweku Flick. Pressure, the song that won Best African Reggae Song, has been a staple on Ghanaian radio and TikTok since its January 2026 release, blending Shatta’s signature grit with a roots-reggae groove.

The awards capped a strong first half of 2026 for Shatta. He headlined the Ghana Music Festival in Accra in April, dropped 3 singles that all hit Apple Music Ghana Top 20, and announced a partnership with a UK label for international distribution. Immediately after the IRAWMA ceremony, he revealed the Gift of God World Tour, kicking off August 2, 2026, in London. The 15-date run includes stops in Amsterdam, Toronto, New York, and Accra, with the Accra finale set for December 26 at the Independence Square.

The tour name references his 2025 album Gift of God, which marked a shift toward more spiritual and motivational themes. Promoters say the live show will feature a full band, dancers, and a 30-minute acoustic segment — a first for Shatta’s international shows. Ticket pre-sales for London and Toronto sold out in 48 hours.

Beyond music, Shatta used the IRAWMA platform to announce the expansion of his Shatta Foundation, focusing on youth skills training in Ashaiman and Nima. He pledged to fund 100 vocational scholarships before the end of 2026.

For an artist who’s faced years of controversy and industry feuds, 2026 is shaping up as a reset year. The awards, the tour, and the philanthropy are pushing a narrative of maturity and legacy. And if the fan response is anything to go by, Ghana is here for it.