International recording artist Barbee, known for her hit collaborations with Beenie Man and Junior Kelly, has come forward with shocking allegations that she was allegedly assaulted and sexually abused while attending a concert celebrating Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale’s birthday in Ghana.
In a tearful video posted to social media, the singer, who is of Jamaican and Nigerian descent, described the traumatic incident, saying she was beaten, groped, and robbed while attending what she thought would be a night of “good vibes and unity.”
“I left this event with a black eye, lump on my face,” Barbee said in the video. “People were trying to grab my hair off, touching my boobs, touching my booty, touching my private area. I was being molested. I have never been so humiliated in my life.”
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The singer, who is in Ghana promoting her new single Start Over, said she attended the event with friends, including a friend from Ghana, when chaos erupted inside the crowd. According to her account, the group was reportedly surrounded by attackers who assaulted her.
“They took away the man’s two phones and $800. They took away (my friend’s) two phones. They took away my passport,” she explained. “I held on to my bag and they gave me a black eye. They were beating me.”
Barbee said the experience left her traumatized and questioning her safety.
“I went to the Shatta Wale Festival to have a good time,” she continued. “Dancehall is supposed to be about good vibes. Indian, Chinese, any type of people can come and enjoy themselves.”
The artist, who was born in the USA, said the incident felt like a betrayal of the cultural and musical unity she has promoted.
“I’ve been having such a great time in Ghana,” she shared. “But we have to protect our women. Dancehall is supposed to be about unity. What happened was not that.”
Barbee also expressed disappointment that no one from the event or its organizers came forward to help or address the situation after the assault.
“It could have been a teachable moment,” she said. “But instead, we were just pushed aside — like we were a sideshow. We have to do better.”
Donnaray Roc, CEO & Diaspora Engagement Consultant, told Caribbean National Weekly that she spoke with Barbie after the incident.
“I am deeply concerned,” Donnaray shared. “She’s been experiencing severe trauma and anxiety attacks, and while we were speaking on the phone, she began losing consciousness repeatedly,” she added.
“She’s now in the hospital, and the doctors have confirmed that she has suffered a minor brain injury. It’s heartbreaking to witness her in this condition. We’re all hoping and praying for her fast recovery and that something can be done speedily. Please keep her lifted in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” Donnaray said.
A global star with Caribbean roots
Barbee rose to prominence in the 2000s with a string of reggae and dancehall hits, including “Missing You” with Junior Kelly and “Give It Up” with Beenie Man, which won “Best Reggae Music Video” in Jamaica. That same video was later featured in the Hollywood film House Arrest, boosting her international profile.
After a break from the music industry, Barbee returned to the music space in 2022, teaming with American rapper Trina on ‘Come See Bout Me.’
Authorities in Ghana have not yet issued an official response about the incident.
