Ghanaian international singer, Wiyaala, has disclosed that Shatta Wale and she will be paid for their performance at the 2022 SummerStage NYC, contrary to claims that they have been booked to perform at the show for free.
According to the energetic singer, the fact that the show is completely free doesn’t connote that the artists billed for the day will not be paid what is due them for their performance.
“Just so you know, the artists are being paid and it is a free gate for the audience. That is because the sponsors have a lot of money to promote music from all around the world. That is how it has been every year,” Wiyalaa wrote in a tweet.
Shatta Wale and Wiyaala were recently confirmed for this year’s edition of SummerStage festival, which is one of New York City’s beloved outdoor performing arts festival, bringing nearly 90 free shows and benefit concerts to Central Park and 12 other neighborhood parks.
Following Shatta Wale and Wiyalaa’s confirmation, some netizens who realized that the show is free claimed that the artists will be performing for free, with many mocking Shatta Wale. According to them, he makes “so much noise about how much he charges for a show”, however, he is willing to perform for free because it is a Western country.
Meanwhile, unlike Wiyalaa who has come out to clarify things, it seems Shatta Wale has decided to hold his peace.
Details of SummerStage Concert
Shatta Wale, and Wiyaala, are slated to perform at the Crotona Park on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 7:00 PM. They are expected to bring their incredible catalog and take audiences on an artistic journey across the world with their highly-rated performances, organizers of the event noted.
According to the event organizers, the show which is returning with a full season of shows this year will celebrate New York’s revival and the festival’s return to 12 local community parks across the city.
“SummerStage will be celebrating culture at a time when neighborhood parks have never been more crucial to the city’s wellbeing”, organizers said in a statement.
The organizers further noted that the season will once again showcase established and emerging artists, presenting distinctly New York genres including salsa, jazz, hip-hop, indie rock, reggae, Afrobeat, soul, pop, global, contemporary dance, and many more.
According to the organizers, all performances will be free and open to the public, except for benefit concerts, and select shows will also be live-streamed on SummerStageAnywhere.org.
“We are so happy to be back in local neighborhood parks after a two-year hiatus and to be able to once again build our newly refurbished flagship concert venue in Central Park. Parks have always been neighborhood gathering spaces, but the pandemic brought to light just how absolutely critical parks are to our city’s health. We are thrilled to be able to bring neighbors together in their parks to enjoy a diverse, representative line-up that is reflective of our city’s rich cultural fabric”.
Heather Lubov
Since its inception, nearly 4 decades ago, SummerStage prides itself on creating a season that brings together compelling artists, diverse music styles, and cultural offerings to engage fans from all over the city, and the world.
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