I raised Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy - Abeiku Santana

It is not surprising if dancehall artistes Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy mention Abeiku Santana in their songs since he brought them up, the ace radio presenter has said.

Speaking on Ayekoo Ayekoo on Accra100.5FM on Thursday 13 April, Santana said he loved the two because they are his younger brothers.

Narrating how he discovered the two dancehall artistes, Santana said: “Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy are my little brothers, so it’s no surprise they mention my name in their songs. In 2004, Shatta Wale, known back then as Bandana, came to me without a producer.

“A man from Japan had come to set up a studio at Spintex road although he was not a music producer. So he met me and told me about Bandana who had baggy jeans shorts on and called me ‘daddy’ back then.

He [Bandana] pleaded with me to help him become a hit because other artistes like Tinny were a hit.

So Bandana became my boy who accompanied me everywhere I went. He use to come all the way from Korle Gonno to the Spintex road and Tema… He’s been with me for 13 years, so if he is Shatta Wale today and is mentioning my name today in his songs, it shouldn’t be a surprise.”

Touching on Stonebwoy, Santana said: “10 years ago Stonebwoy also visited my office through a sound engineer known as Quick Action.

I recorded Stonebwoy, whose first track was a gospel song. He had no dreadlocks, he kept his hair short. He would come all the way from Ashaiman to wait for me in my office at 7am and leave at 5pm.

I wanted him to become the Beenie Man for gospel music who used his baritone voice to sing over gospel songs.

“So they are both my brothers because I brought all of them up. When you have kids you can’t choose a favourite.”

Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale, both awarding-winning artistes, are arguably the biggest dancehall artistes currently in the country. Their songs continue to enjoy massive airplay across the country.