Entertainment critic Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo has expressed his opinion that the Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, is worth more than the £80,000 performance fee that has stirred up controversy in the media.

According to Asamoah-Baidoo, Shatta Wale commands a higher fee for his performances, and the £80,000 amount that some individuals in the creative arts industry have questioned is not an excessive sum considering the fees he typically receives for event appearances. He mentioned that his investigations have revealed that Shatta Wale was previously paid $120,000 for a performance at an event organized by Wilderland, which indicates that the £80,000 is well within the financial scope of Shatta Wale's brand as a musician in Ghana.

Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo, speaking as a panelist during the United Showbiz program on United Television (UTV), emphasized that Shatta Wale's prominent position in the music industry far surpasses any doubts about his ability to command a fee of £80,000.

“Shatta Wale is worth more than 80,000 pounds. We were in Ghana and Shatta Wale came to tell us that for Back-to-back-to-back shows; Afro Nation, and Cardi B concert, he charged $100,000 and charged $120,000 for Wilderland. In fact, initially, I was doubting just like anybody else would but after consulting some of the organizers, especially for Wilderland, it came out that he indeed took $120,000,” he said..

He further stated “So with Shatta Wale as a brand and with all the longevity, relevance, and dominance over the years, he is worth more than 80,000 pounds. Considering somebody who has charged more than $100,000 for three shows, he is worth more than the amount he quoted, so let's establish that fact.”

Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo's statement came in response to Kwasi Aboagye, who had expressed skepticism regarding Shatta Wale's claim that he was paid £80,000 for his performance at the Ghana Music Awards UK 2023. Shatta Wale had initially made this assertion in a Twitter post where he thanked the event organizers and fans for their support and boasted about being compensated with such a substantial amount for his performance.

The controversy surrounding the fee led to discussions on television, where Asamoah-Baidoo shared his perspective on Shatta Wale's worth as a performer.

In what seemed like a jab at event organizers in Ghana, Shatta said:“Thank you, London, #GMAUK You did what Ghana music in Ghana couldn’t do 80k pounds for performance Artiste of the year 2023 (Icing on the cake) Shatta Wale is a London boy now !!!”

But Kwasi Aboagye insisted that Shatta's statements were mere lies.

The popular broadcaster said on his Peace FM Entertainment Review that it is impossible for the organizers to pay him such an amount after incurring other huge costs for his trip.

He said the organizers would not be able to afford such an amount after incurring visa expenses, first flight tickets, accommodation, and others for him and his team.

“Shatta Wale said he was paid 80,000 pounds as a performance fee and the ultimate ‘Artiste of the Year’ award. He was never paid 80,000 pounds for his performance. It is a huge lie! Do the organizers even have that 80,000 pounds to give Shatta Wale? He is lying.

"It is never true. 80,000 pounds. You were given a heroic welcome at the airport, given a royalty treat. You, your girlfriend, and your entire team were given visas. You guys flew first class. I am not sure you were even given 10,000 pounds.

“The organizers cannot speak on it but listeners, I want you to know that it is not true. They cannot give him that kind of money. Which Ghanaian living in the UK, Which promoter can give that amount?” he retorted.

In response to Kwasi Aboagye's skepticism and comments, Shatta Wale launched a strong and critical attack on both Kwasi Aboagye and the owners of Despite Media, the company employing the radio presenter. Despite the attack, Kwasi Aboagye remained undeterred in his position, asserting that Shatta Wale's claim of being paid such a substantial amount for his performance was indeed false. This exchange of words and differing opinions added to the ongoing controversy surrounding Shatta Wale's performance fee.