Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale has cautioned the youth against keeping friends who could influence them into drug use, warning that peer pressure can lead people into addiction.

Speaking during a TikTok Live session, the musician explained that drug addiction often begins through friendships, particularly when individuals associate with people who introduce them to substances under the guise of having fun.

He recalled how his father was strict about his movements while growing up, noting that he believes young people must be careful about the company they keep because not everyone around them has good intentions.

“Growing up, my father never allowed me to go out. In the system we are in now, we can't really control the people we keep around as friends. Drug addiction starts with friends,” he said.

According to Shatta Wale, some friends gradually introduce others to drugs, starting with substances they consider harmless before encouraging them to experiment with more dangerous ones.

“You have a friend who has some money, and when you go out to eat with him, he will tell you that you have to smoke before you eat. As you keep smoking, he will say that since you are getting used to it and it is no longer making you high like before, you should add cocaine to it,” he stated.

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He continued, “When you have that kind of friend, desist from them. That is what I have been able to control myself with. I know a lot of my friends who have gone astray just because of drugs.”

The musician further urged young people to be intentional about their associations and remain focused on their ambitions rather than allowing friends to influence their decisions.

“I want people to pay attention to what I am saying. It is friends who can lead you into drugs, and if you don't take care and position yourself well in this economy, you will end up doing things your spirit wouldn't like,” he shared.

Shatta Wale further disclosed that he has deliberately limited the number of people he allows into his inner circle as part of his efforts to protect himself from negative influences.

He cautioned that people who fail to establish clear goals for themselves could easily be drawn into activities they would otherwise not engage in.

“I have been able to control certain things around me because I don't allow just anybody to come close to me. I have dreams, so unless you don't have a dream of your own, you will start following friends and feel that is your dream,” he noted.

Shatta Wale added, “If you have a dream for yourself, you will be focused to the extent that nobody will get you to try anything you don't want to try.”

My respect for Shatta Wale has increased 1,000 times

Yesterday, he joined Antwiwaa’s livestream while we were having an important conversation about drug abuse and its devastating effects on the youth

What touched me most was that he didn’t just join for entertainment; he took time to personally advise and educate us on the dangers of drug abuse, sharing real-life examples of friends whose lives went astray because of substance abuse

This is the new era of Shatta Movement! We want more than music, entertainment and fan wars. We want to educate ourselves, build businesses, make better life choices and create a generation that will live long, prosper and achieve greatness

The movement must be about life, growth and positive impact. Help me say; GOD BLESS SHATTAWALE

— Maqcoy Reports (@maqcoyreports) November 11, 2026