SARKODIE : A RAP ICON IN AFRICAN MUSIC INDUSTRY

Sarkodie, whose real name is Michael Owusu Addo, is a Ghanaian rapper, songwriter and entrepreneur. He was born on July 10, 1985, in Tema, Ghana. He attended Tema Methodist Day Senior High School and proceeded to IPMC (Intercom Programming & Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Ghana), where he earned a degree in graphic design.

Sarkodie began his music career as an underground rapper, participating in Adom FM’s popular rap competition “Kasahare Level”. He met his former manager Duncan Williams of Duncwills Entertainment while participating in the afro-mentioned competition. He also met musicians like Edem and Castro, who connected him to established record producer, Hammer of The Last Two. After the said record producer heard Sarkodie’s rap flows, he added him on two songs from the Volta Regime album. His first single, “Baby” starring Mugeez of the R2Bees, was as instant hit and established Sarkodie as a household figure in Ghanaian music.

He gained recognition in 2009 after releasing his debut album, “Makye”, which featured hit songs like “Baby” and “Push”. The album received critical acclaim and established Sarkodie as a talented rapper with a unique flow and lyrical prowess. Sarkodie rose to prominence in the early 2010s and has since become one of the most successful and influential musicians in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

Still in the year 2009, on September 16^th, he performed alongside Busta Rhymes at the Busta Rhymes Live in Ghana concert.

Since then, Sarkodie has released several successful albums, including “Rapperholic” (2012), “Sarkology” (2014), “Mary” (2015) “Highest” (2017), “Black Love Album” (2019), “No Pressure” (2021), and “Jamz” (2022). He has also released an EP entitled “Alpha” (2019).  Within September 2023, he was booked to performed in the Jams World Tour in Detroit but missed the event due to the emergency landing of Delta Air Line on an Island in Portugal.

His music is characterized by its witty wordplay, storytelling, and social commentary. Sarkodie often raps in both English and Twi, a popular Ghanaian language, making his music accessible to a wide audience.

Throughout his career, Sarkodie has collaborated with numerous artists from Ghana and beyond. He has worked with international acts such as Akon, Wizkid, and Runtown, among others, further expanding his reach and influence. His collaborations have resulted in several hit songs, including “Adonai”, “Pain Killer”, “Lucky” just to name a few.

In addition to his musical success, Sarkodie is also known for his entrepreneurial ventures. He is the founder of Sarkcess Music, an independent record label, and has launched several successful clothing lines like Sark by Yas clothing line which was launched in 2013. Sarkodie has also been involved in various philanthropic activities, supporting causes such as education and healthcare in Ghana. He has launched his own foundation called “The Sarkodie Foundation”. Which is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children. He has engaged in several activities that has helped under privileged children.

Sarkodie’s contributions to the music industry have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He has won multiple Ghana Music Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, and MTV Africa Music Awards. Sarkodie is often regarded as one of the greatest rappers in Africa and has played a significant role in putting Ghanaian music on the global map.

With his unique style, lyrical prowess, and entrepreneurial spirit, Sarkodie continues to be a dominant force in African music. He has toured extensively across Africa and has also performed in Europe, North America, and Australia. Sarkodie’s influence extends beyond music, as he is considered a role model for aspiring artists and entrepreneurs in Ghana and beyond.

Delia Nyadi