Veteran rapper and dancehall artiste Scooby Selah has claimed that some of Ghana’s biggest reggae and dancehall stars drew inspiration from his music, insisting that their foundations can be traced back to his early work.

Speaking in an interview with Roselyn Felli on Joy Prime, monitored by MyNewsGh, Scooby Selah was asked about comparisons with Samini and who influenced whom. His response was direct and unapologetic.
“Samini copied me,” he said. “He listened to my music to write his Linda song.”

Scooby Selah extended the assertion to Shatta Wale, referencing one of his own earlier tracks as a source of inspiration.

“Shatta Wale listened to my Sass Squad song — ‘He wants the whole wide world to know that Selassie aa yeah live it in time to become Shatta Wale,’” he stated.

Asked whether other artistes also drew inspiration from him, the veteran musician maintained that his influence cut across the reggae and dancehall scene.

“Yes, they all came from me,” he said. “You hear? They all came from TH4 Kwagees.”
Reflecting on his early years, Scooby Selah described himself as a formidable rapper whose lyrical style set him apart from his peers.

“Back in school, when it came to my rap style, they feared rap,” he explained. “Because my rap was hard to understand.”

Despite his bold claims, Scooby Selah emphasised that he harbours no ill feelings toward the artistes he believes followed his path. Instead, he expressed pride in their achievements.

“I’m very, very proud of them,” he said. “I’m proud of Kofi Kinaata. I’m proud of Ayesem.”
He also mentioned upcoming talents, noting that he embraces growth within the music industry.
“There’s a new guy coming up… Mrs Loso,” he added.

Scooby Selah further highlighted his broader contributions to reggae and dancehall in Ghana, recalling his time managing a radio station and using it to promote the genre.

“I wanted more people to enter the industry,” he said. “I owned a radio station and people used to ask why I didn’t play my own songs. I told them even talking on radio was enough promotion for me.”

According to him, that era played a key role in the rise of reggae and dancehall music in Ghana.
“Within my time, that was when reggae dancehall really became big,” Scooby Selah concluded.