My parents split up affected me – Shatta Wale recounts childhood trauma

Ghanaian dancehall sensation, Shatta Wale, has recently shared a poignant chapter of his life, reflecting on the emotional toll of his parents’ separation.

In a candid online post, Shatta Wale revealed how his parents’ split impacted him emotionally and mentally. He expressed that witnessing the dissolution of his parents’ marriage at a young age left a lasting mark on him, causing significant trauma that he carried into his adult life.

Reflecting on his upbringing in a broken home, Shatta Wale delved into the challenges he encountered, shedding light on the emotional turbulence and lack of stability that characterized his early years. He underscored how the absence of a nurturing family environment profoundly affected his sense of security and self-identity during his developmental stages.

Opening up about his struggles to cope with the aftermath of his parents’ separation, Shatta Wale revealed the profound impact it had on his emotional well-being. He candidly shared his experiences of feeling adrift and vulnerable in the wake of the family breakdown, acknowledging the enduring emotional scars it left behind, which continued to influence his relationships and personal equilibrium.

Recalling poignant moments from his past, Shatta Wale recounted the persistent criticism he faced for daring to express his concerns about his parents’ actions. This criticism, he elaborated, prompted him to seek refuge elsewhere, leading to a period of homelessness as he sought solace and stability away from the tumult of his familial discord.

“Growing up, I lived with my parents for a while but they did not help me. They made a mistake and broke up. They created a broken home; our home was broken and it affected me so much. Our broken home affected me. Anytime I talked or complained about this, they labeled me disrespectful. So, I left them. I left the house. I run from my parents.

“You know what my parents put me through? Because of them, I slept on the streets, I slept in front of stores. Those days, it was the prostitutes at Nkrumah Circle who were watching over me. I slept at filling stations at Circle including the one that got burnt. I slept on the streets of Adabraka and so on,” 

Shatta Wale revealed that as a result, he developed a coping mechanism of isolating himself from others. He explained that, much like his previous experience with his parents, he still doesn’t hesitate to distance himself from anyone who brings him trouble.

“As a result, I started running from stress, running from people who would stress me. That’s where I learned how to cut people off because I don’t want stress. I cut people off without thinking twice. I am the chief cutter. I have learned that in life, it is important to cut off anyone who wants to bring negativity into your life,”