Ghanaian dancehall star Charles Nii Armah Mensah, widely known as Shatta Wale, has opened up about one of the toughest chapters of his career, revealing that he experienced homelessness and severe hardship even when he was already gaining recognition in the music industry.

Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast in Nigeria, the dancehall artiste, formerly known as Bandana, said his journey to success was filled with challenges after leaving home at the age of 17. He recalled a period when he moved from place to place with only a single bag containing a shirt and a pair of jeans.

Shatta Wale explained that life during those years was extremely difficult, with hunger becoming a regular experience. He said there were times when he had no food and had to sleep without eating.

The musician shared that on one occasion, hunger became so overwhelming that he chose to sleep rather than continue searching for food. After waking up, he resumed his search until a friend eventually came to his aid.

“I’ve lived with hunger,” he said, reflecting on the struggles he endured before achieving fame and financial success.

According to Shatta Wale, one of the most painful realities of that period was that he had already become known as Bandana and was considered a rising star, yet he had no permanent place to stay.

“I was a star, but I didn’t have anywhere to sleep,” he recalled.

He revealed that he sometimes relied on the kindness of his girlfriend’s family, arriving late at night and leaving before morning so he would not become a burden.

The musician also pointed out that the entertainment industry was very different at the time, with fewer opportunities for artists to make money from their music compared to today’s digital era.

Despite the hardships, Shatta Wale’s story highlights the struggles behind his journey and the determination that helped him overcome difficult beginnings to become one of Ghana’s most recognised musicians.