Shatta Wale has disclosed that he has made approximately $45,000, equivalent to more than GH¢700,000, from gifts received during his TikTok livestreams, despite initially believing the platform was meant for younger users.
The famous Ghanaian dancehall artiste made the revelation during an appearance on rapper YPee’s The Real Ones podcast, where he recounted how he moved from Facebook Live to TikTok after persistent encouragement from content creator Jackline Mensah.
According to the Taking Over hitmaker, he was initially reluctant to embrace TikTok because he did not consider himself part of the generation the platform primarily attracted. However, repeated calls from those around him eventually convinced him to give it a try.
“It used to be Facebook Live at first. Until this lady named Jackline Mensah kept pressuring me to go on TikTok Live. At first, I was sceptical, ‘What am I doing with TikTok? I’m not a Gen Z,’ but then other people kept pressuring me until I decided to check it out,” he divulged.
Shatta Wale explained that the gifts he receives from viewers during his livestreams have generated substantial earnings, adding to the money he makes from live performances and music streaming.
“When I opened my TikTok account, I had made about $45,000 on there because I get a lot of gifts during my livestreams,” he shared. “I make a lot of money from my social media and my performances.”
His disclosure highlights the growing opportunities for musicians and other entertainers to earn money directly from their online audiences, beyond traditional revenue streams such as concerts, recorded music sales and streaming royalties.
TikTok Live allows viewers to send virtual gifts to creators during broadcasts. Depending on the platform’s rules and payment arrangements, these gifts can contribute to creators’ earnings, making livestreaming a potential source of revenue for personalities who attract and retain large audiences.
Shatta Wale also used the conversation to encourage aspiring musicians and creative entrepreneurs to take the business side of their careers seriously. He stressed that building a successful career requires regular promotion and sustained engagement with audiences rather than relying solely on talent or waiting for opportunities to come.
“So anyone who wants to be in the music business has to be consistent in promoting their products,” the Shatta Movement leader advised.
Watch the podcast below.
