#Clash2CrushCOVID … It’s 3 to 12 in our countdown to the Shatta Wale versus Stonebwoy face-off

It’s just three days to go to 12 September, date of the maiden edition of the Asaase Sound Clash, featuring the eagerly awaited face-off between Ghana’s biggest two dancehall artistes ever: Shatta Wale (1DON) and Stonebwoy (1GAD).

Anticipation is mounting among fans of both masters of the mike. The Asaase Sound Clash event is the first of its kind.

Never before had fans from either camp – Bhim Nation or Shatta Movement – imagined that a day would come when they would witness these two titans battle it out on one stage.

The feverish, last-minute preparations are in hand and everyone is geared up, sitting on the edge of our seat, holding our breath …waiting in suspense for a night of fantastic performance and entertainment.

Dateline: diaspora

This event’s importance stretches well beyond Ghana. In the Asaase Sound Clash corner are two of the hottest DJs in the Ghanaian diaspora – DJ Ace and Seani B, both of BBC Radio 1Xtra and Asaase Radio (99.5 Mhz in Accra).

DJ Ace, who presents Asaase Jams on Saturday nights on Asaase Radio (from 8pm) and Everything R&B on 1Xtra, will be collaborating with DJ Edu, the “African Music Ambassador”, to bring the Sound Clash to the airwaves in Britain.

And with Kotoka International Airport reopening just last Monday, Seani B touched down in Accra yesterday to assist Asaase Radio’s Elvis Crystal to bring the word about the show to all lovers of modern African music. Seani B’s Dancehall and Reggae is a must-listen for roots music fans on Asaase Radio on Friday nights (8pm-11pm).

Why “Clash2CrushCOVID”?

The debut Asaase Sound Clash, dubbed the “Clash2CrushCOVID”, is an Asaase Radio initiative to use entertainment as a channel for creating awareness about COVID-19. It will spread information to young people about modes of spreading the novel coronavirus disease, the symptoms and the preventive measures.

The whole world is being challenged in all sectors by the coronavirus infection. The pandemic has brought nations to their knees, economies have come to a standstill, businesses are folding and, most tragically, hundreds of lives are being lost every day.

Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy, as influencers, will raise awareness of this deadly virus through their music and targeted messaging to fans and followers.

Community cares! Off to hospital

In the company of Stonebwoy, the Asaase Sound Clash is visiting the Ashaiman Community Hospital today (9 September) to make a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as create awareness of the COVID-19 event.

The live broadcast from his home last Thursday was a hit, attracting up to 30,000 viewers on Facebook alone.

And tomorrow afternoon (Thursday 10 September), starting at 3pm, Asaase Radio will be broadcasting from outside the studios again. The location could not be swisher: 1DON’s plush residence in the heart of Accra. From 3pm to 5pm, Asaase Radio’s drive-time show – Rush Hour with Elvis Crystal – will be streaming live on our social media platforms.

Asaase Sound Clash will also make donations at the Korle-Gonno Polyclinic tomorrow morning, together with Shatta Wale.

Shatta and Stonebwoy have chosen these two health centres for special attention because of the close links the artistes have with the communities where they sit.

1DON to “return fire”?

Shatta will have an opportunity to respond to some of the jabs Stonebwoy has directed at him.

1GAD has been throwing shade repeatedly at Shatta Wale. Towards the end of Asaase Radio’s exclusive audience with the Rush Hour crew at his house on 3 September, he threw a dare to Shatta Wale, challenging him to “a pool dance”.

The Shatta camp has been silent since then. The word from inside the Stonebwoy camp (say sources who asked to remain anonymous) is that Shatta is scared that he will lose the sound clash.

Stonebwoy’s sheer popularity seems to point only one way – and the Anloga Junction man’s message to Shatta Wale about the event oozed confidence.

It also gave him a chance to use a word he said he had just learned: “Debunk it.”

King for ever

The face-off between the two icons will settle the debate among dancehall fans, once and for all, about who – Shatta Wale, the self-described “Wonder Boy” and “African Dancehall King”, or Stonebwoy, creator of some of the smoothest tunes on rotation – can “really talk trash and back it up”.

It all goes down on 12 September. Listen and watch it live on Asaase Radio social media platforms. Or download the Asaase Radio app, which will be streaming the clash live, too.

Fans and followers of the two artistes – Shatta Movement and Bhim Nation – will not be left out. Vote for your favourite dancehall king to win and you might just win a car, too.

You can decide who wins the Sound Clash by voting for either one of the big boys of dancehall by calling the short codes *800*995*1# for Shatta Wale and *800*995*2# for Stonebwoy.

If you’re in it just for fun, you can call in to the Asaase Radio studios to take part in the 10-Second Clash2CrushCOVID Challenge on 020 000 9951 or 020 000 9952.

Say “Clash to crush COVID” clearly as many times as you can within the time limit. There are special prizes to be won.

Keep respecting the COVID-19 protocols to stay healthy. Together we will forge on, believing that “one day, this too shall pass”.

Nana Abena Boakye-Boateng

Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online.
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
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