There’s tension building in the camp of Shatta Wale and Wiyalaa shortly after they both performed at this year’s SummerStageNYC.
Wiyaala had reportedly refused to accept the Citation of Merit backstage after her colleague Shatta Wale had received his on stage.
Moreover, the Lioness of Africa according to the report took this defiant posture after the President of The Bronx Borough, Vanessa L Gibson, confessed that Shatta Wale’s team prevented her from awarding Wiyaala on stage.
In the ensuing chaos, singer Abiana has thrown her weight behind Wiyalaa for standing on her ground and refusing to be disrespected in that manner when his colleague Shatta Wale was given his citation on stage.
Abiana wrote, “Wiyaala, thank you for standing up for yourself, for women. I am so blessed to see this at this time. You are truly the lioness you are. I am so proud of you. No one will break you.”
For Abiana, Wiyaala’s decision to speak up on the issue is a brave move. She noted that she would have handled it differently to the detriment of her peace of mind.
“Imagine giving Beyoncé an award backstage. She would have done the same. Rejected it and stood up for herself. I feel empowered by her actions and reaction. My humble self would have collected the citation backstage, felt the wrong and come home and be crying. But today, she just taught me to stand up for myself cos she puts her soul into everything she does. Thank you soo much Wiyaala.”
