Read: How Shatta Wale’s Boys Beat Uniland Festival Organizer
The 2023 Uniland Festival fell short of expectations, leaving a disappointing aftermath. From poor ticket sales resulting in low attendance to renowned artist Shatta Wale’s absence, Ghanaians were left unsatisfied with the festival.
Adding to the drama, event organizer Rich Focus revealed an incident involving Shatta Wale and his management, led by Sammy Flex. This new development has reinforced discussions about entertainment in Ghana.
The altercation reportedly arose from a payment dispute and escalated into a physical assault. Shatta Wale had previously stated that he couldn’t perform due to non-payment of fees by the organizers, prompting them to issue an apology while speaking to YouTuber Kwadwo Sheldon.
However, Rich Focus claimed that the apology was coerced, as he alleged being kidnapped, assaulted, and forced to apologize by unidentified individuals.
This incident was not the first difficulty encountered with Shatta Wale, as he had previously made excessive demands for a booking in Koforidua and failed to show up despite receiving a performance fee.
In preparation for the December event, Rich Focus had negotiated with Sammy Flex, who demanded a cash payment of 100,000 Ghana Cedis, with 50,000 Ghana Cedis paid upfront.
“The first time, we made a booking for him in Koforidua. After paying the performance fee and getting his money, he came back with so many demands that we couldn’t, which wasn’t part of the agreement, to be honest. And the university doesn’t have huge budgets like that.
“So, for the December event, we had a conversation with the manager, Samiba Flex. Okay. Yes. So, Samiba Flex said that he was going to charge us 100,000 Ghana cedis with 50,000 in cash. He took the 50,000 cedis, signed the contract, and then witnessed it with one of his guys,” he said.
Despite signing a contract that the remainder of the fee would be paid 15 days after the event, Sammy Flex allegedly pressured Rich Focus for the remaining 50,000 Ghana cedis just hours before the event was set to begin.
“On the day of the show, I had a call about the show from Sammy. He asked about sound checks and all that and after the conversation, he added that when is he getting the remaining 50,000.
“I told him that the contract stipulated that we would give him the rest after 15 days. It’s not like we don’t have the money to give him. Because we had initially paid him for a performance and he didn’t show up. So, just come and perform. You didn’t show up last time. We are scared,” he said.
Rich Focus revealed that he succumbed to the pressures and threats and consented to settle the remaining balance, emphasizing that Sammy Flex insisted on receiving cash in hand. Additionally, he mentioned that Shatta Wale purportedly issued a warning, threatening to dispatch his associates to confront Rich Focus if the payment was not promptly made.
“They initiated that they wanted physical cash and we had about a few hours to start the event. So, giving us that pressure at that time, it was very frustrating. Shatta himself had even called and said if I didn’t pay the money, he would make his boys come to pick me up and deal with me.
“To be honest, I went with him (Sammy Flex) together to the ATM to take the 15k. And then later came back to the event ground because I had my chequebook at the event ground. Like my chequebook, I signed the check for him, the 35,000 cedis at the event ground for him to make sure that the performance happened,” he explained.
Rich Focus revealed that despite paying the amount demanded, individuals allegedly from the camp of Shatta Wale dragged, beat, and coerced him into making a video statement denying any wrongdoing.
“But when I was backstage, I realized about ten people had surrounded me. The Ghana police personnel who were even following me, couldn’t do anything. They dragged me and put me in a car. They dealt with me in the car, hit me, and did a video of me to say that I wasn’t assaulted,” he revealed.
He further added that he was forced to issue a public apology to Shatta Wale and the Shatta Movement Empire.
Rich Focus ended by saying that legal action would be taken against Shatta Wale due to the controversy.
“We haven’t breached any contract. And for him to come online to tarnish our image and also for them to make it look like we are a poor organization or whatever message it was, all of that is false. So, we are going to address that and also do the writing by making him pay for all the damages also caused us. I know it’s very big for us to do that, but we will do it,” he said.
