I have recorded over 11,000 songs

Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale has stated that he has recorded more than 11,000 songs throughout his music career.

Speaking during a discussion on a podcast with Ghanaian rapper YPee, Shatta Wale explained that many of his songs are not available on major streaming platforms.

According to him, he previously had a website where he uploaded several of his songs during his time in Nima, adding that some of his older records can still be found through internet searches even though they are unavailable on platforms such as Apple Music.

“Recently, when we did the calculation of the estimated number of songs I have, it’s like 11,000-plus songs. They’re not all on one platform. Those days when I was at Nima, I had a website where I packed a lot of songs there.

“Some of the songs, when you search on Apple Music, you won’t see them, but when you Google them, you will find them,” he said.

Shatta Wale attributed his extensive catalogue to the freedom he had to release music without being controlled by others.

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“With me, because I wasn’t controlled by anybody, when I make a song and I feel it’s nice, then I release it. Most of the songs have given me good feedback,” he stated.

The musician further revealed that he records frequently and can sometimes record as many as five songs in a single session when he is in the mood.

“I’ve recorded a lot, and I record almost every day. It’s not like I just record for people to see that I’m recording; I record when I feel like it. I can record like five songs when I’m in the mood for it,” he shared.

However, Shatta Wale noted that there are periods when he does not record for months, choosing instead to focus on other activities, including meetings and driving around town.

“Sometimes too, for like three months, I wouldn’t even go close to my computer. Those are the times you will see me driving in town, going for meetings and doing other things,” he said.

He also admitted that due to the large number of songs he has recorded over the years, he sometimes forgets some of his own tracks and may even ask his disc jockey, Vyrusky, to identify a song being played during a performance.

“I can perform most of the songs from years ago. Sometimes, when it’s played for once and I listen, then I remember it. When it's been a long time and it’s played, I may forget the lyrics. Sometimes, when I’m performing on stage, Vyrusky can play a song, and I will go and ask him, ‘Whose song is that?’" he added.