Ghanaian reggae artist and radio personality Blakk Rasta has stirred conversation with claims that prominent musicians, including Nigeria’s Davido, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, and Ghana’s Stonebwoy, performed at the extravagant 40th birthday celebration of business mogul Richard Nii-Armah Quaye without demanding payment. The star-studded event, held on March 22, 2025, at Black Star Square in Accra, drew top entertainers and dignitaries from across Africa.
In a video circulating on social media, Blakk Rasta revealed that Quaye, the CEO of Bills Microcredit and a major stakeholder in several Ghanaian companies, personally told him that the artists performed out of goodwill due to longstanding personal relationships. “Richard Nii-Armah Quaye told me he has been friends with Diamond Platnumz for over five years,” Blakk Rasta said. “When he invited him for the birthday, Diamond only asked to be picked up by private jet—no payment was discussed.” He added that similar arrangements were made with Davido and Stonebwoy, emphasizing that “they did not talk about money.”
The claim contrasts with earlier unverified reports suggesting hefty payments for the performers, with figures like $600,000 for Diamond Platnumz and $500,000 for Davido circulating online. Blakk Rasta’s statement challenges these narratives, portraying the performances as gestures of friendship rather than paid gigs.
However, the absence of Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale at the event has sparked speculation. Addressing this, Blakk Rasta suggested that Shatta Wale may have been excluded because he inquired about payment. “My sources say Shatta Wale asked how much he would be paid to perform,” he remarked, implying that this could explain his absence. Shatta Wale’s manager, Sammy Flex, previously clarified that the artist was invited but did not attend due to other commitments, dismissing rumors of being snubbed.
The birthday bash, described as one of the grandest in recent Ghanaian history, also featured performances by Sarkodie, KiDi, King Promise, and Efya, alongside appearances by business tycoons and celebrities like Ibrahim Mahama and Rita Dominic. Quaye’s display of wealth, including a newly acquired Bugatti Chiron and private jet, has since drawn scrutiny, with ongoing investigations into his financial dealings by Ghana’s Financial Intelligence Centre.