‘People could have died’ – Shatta Wale backs UK police over ShattaFest shutdown

Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale has defended the decision by UK authorities to halt ShattaFest UK, saying he was relieved police intervened before the situation at the event could have resulted in loss of lives.

The artiste, who was billed to headline the Ghana Party in the Park/ShattaFest UK at Copthall Playing Fields in North London on Saturday, August 1, 2026, has also raised concerns about what he described as failures on the part of the organisers. The event was cancelled after a crowd crush at the venue left several people injured.

Shatta Wale said he had warned that the situation could lead to police intervention, arguing that the event appeared to have been poorly managed.

According to him, while he took responsibility for travelling to the UK with his wife, the organisers had a separate responsibility to ensure that members of his team were transported to the country as agreed.

“It was my part to move myself here and I came with my wife. It was your part to also get my team here,” he said.

His comments come amid growing scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the cancellation, with reports indicating that a fire near the entrance preceded a surge in the crowd as attendees attempted to enter the venue. Several people sustained injuries, with some reportedly taken away on stretchers.

Rather than criticising the authorities for shutting down the event, Shatta Wale said he was grateful they stepped in before the programme could continue under what he considered unsafe conditions.

He stressed that the safety of patrons should take precedence over financial considerations.

The musician argued that event organisers should not put people’s lives at risk in pursuit of financial gain, describing public safety as a responsibility that must not be compromised.

His position is consistent with a statement from his management following the cancellation, which expressed sorrow over the incident and emphasised that “nothing is more important than safety.”

Meanwhile, organisers Akwaaba UK have dismissed social media reports claiming that people were stabbed or killed during the incident, saying such reports were false.

Source: Graphic Showbiz