A PEEP INTO RAPPER SARKODIE BIOGRAPHY, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERSONAL LIFE

A PEEP INTO RAPPER SARKODIE BIOGRAPHY, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERSONAL LIFE

October 8, 2019 | By Yaw Amoako Updates24gh

Sarkodie has been one of the best rappers in Africa no doubt, and here are of things you need to know about the rap god...

Born Michael Owusu Addo musically known as Sarkodie is a Ghanaian hip hop recording artist from Tema. His contributions to the Ghanaian Music Industry have earned him numerous accolades.

In 2015, Sarkodie was ranked the 19th most Influential Ghanaian by E.tv Ghana. He is considered one of the major proponents of the Azonto genre and dance. Sarkodie is often named as one of Africa’s greatest hip hop artists.

MTV Base ranked Sarkodie as sixth on its list of the Hottest African MC’s in 2014. In 2013, Lynx TV ranked him first on its list of the “Top 10 Ghanaian Rappers of All Time”. In 2015, AfricaRanking.com ranked him third on its list of the “Top 10 African Rappers of 2015”. In 2015, The Guardian listed him as one of its top five hip hop acts on the African continent.

HOW SARK CAREER STARTED

Sarkodie is the fourth born of five children. He was born and raised in Tema (Ghana). Sarkodie started rapping at a young age and continued throughout his educational career. He attended Tema Methodist Senior High School and proceeded to IPMC where he earned a degree in graphic design.

Sarkodie began his music career as an underground rapper. He first appeared on Adom FM’s popular rap competition dupped, “Kasahare Level” and started gaining attention from there. It was through these rap battles that he met Duncan Williams of Duncwills Entertainment.

He later met musicians, Edem and Castro, who introduced him to Hammer of The Last Two, established record producer. Hammer decided to feature Sarkodie on two songs off the Volta Regime album after being impressed with his rap flows. After this exposure, Sarkodie recorded his debut album 'Makye'. His first single “Baby”, featuring Mugeez of R2Bees, became an instant hit and made Sarkodie a household name within the Ghanaian music industry.

SARKODIE ALBUMS FROM 2009-12 MAKYE, RAPPERHOLIC AND MORE

After battling rappers from the popular rap competition, Kasahare Level, Sarkodie released his 2009 debut album 'Makye', with production from Killbeatz and Jayso as well as guest appearances from Kwaw Kese, J-Town, Sway and Paedae of R2Bees.

The album received positive reviews all over Ghana. It was launched at the Accra Mall; in addition, a follow-up concert was held at Holy City Gardens in Accra. In 2010, Sarkodie’s “Push” and “Baby” songs were ranked ninth and thirteenth on Joy Fm’s Top 50 songs of 2009, respectively.

On 16 September 2009, Sarkodie performed alongside Busta Rhymes at the Busta Rhymes Live in Ghana concert.

In 2011, Sarkodie released “Good Bye”, “One Time For Your Mind”, “You Go Kill Me”, “Living Legend”, and “Onyame Nhyira” as lead singles off the Rapperholic album. “You Go kill Me”, which features EL, was well-received throughout Ghana. Sulley Muntari, Castro, Deborah Owusu-Bonsu, X.O Senovoe, DJ Mensah and Funny Face made cameo appearances in the video.

In 2012, Sarkodie launched the Rapperholic album, which received positive reviews from music lovers. The album features guest appearances from Efya, Chidynma, Mugeez of R2Bees, Obrafour, Jayso, EL and others. Sarkodie went on a nationwide tour to support the album. The Rapperholic album earned Sarkodie his first BET nomination and subsequent win.

Sarkodie was also featured on the BET Hip Hop Awards cypher alongside Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, and Ab-Soul. He was the only African act featured on the cypher.

On 7 July 2012, Sarkodie kicked off his tour of Canada. In August 2012, Sarkodie toured the United States. He performed in several different cities and states, including New York City, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, Atlanta, Chicago, Texas, and Massachusetts. After releasing his Rapperholic album, Sarkodie performed in five different regions in Ghana as part of his Rapperholic nationwide tour. On 27 August 2012, Sarkodie performed at the Africa Unplugged Music Festival, which was held at the Wembley Arena in London.

He performed alongside R2Bees, Fally Ipupa, and Iyanya. In 2012, Sarkodie joined Ludacris on stage at the 020 live concerts to perform the remix of the latter’s 2009 single “How Low”.

2013–14 – SARKOLOGY, SARKCESS MUSIC AND AFRICA RISING CAMPAIGN

On October 30, 2013, Sarkodie released the official remix for his 2011 hit track “You Go Kill Me”, which peaked at number 1 on various charts in Ghana. The remix features Wizkid, Ice Prince, Navio and EL. On December 21, 2013, a concert was put together to launch the Sarkology album, which was released on January 2, 2014.

The launch was held at the Accra Sports Stadium. The album features guest appearances from Fuse ODG, AKA, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Banky W, 2 Face Idibia, Joey B, Efya, among others.

After releasing the Sarkology album, Sarkodie released the official remix for “Adonai”. The remix became an instant hit across Africa and was featured in BBC’s Capital Xtra Top 35 Afrobeats Songs. Sarkodie launched his own record label, Sarkcess Music, in 2014.

As part of the launch, he premiered the video for “Adonai” remix and “Special Someone”, both of which features Castro and AKA, respectively. Sarkodie also released the songs “Megye Wo Girl”, “Love Rocks”, “Chingum”, and “Whine Fi Me”.

On 3 May 2014, Sarkodie performed at the 15th Edition of the Ghana Music Awards. On 7 June 2014, Sarkodie joined Miguel on stage to perform the latter’s single “How Many Drinks?”, at the MTV Africa Music Awards. In June 2014, Sarkodie collaborated with Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Davido, Diamond Platnumz and Tiwa Savage on a song for DSTV’s Africa Rising campaign, which was designed to inspire Africans to partake in community-based social investment projects. The music video for the song, released on June 24, 2014, was shot and directed by South African production house Callback Dream.

2015–18 MARY AND HIGHEST

On 8 August 2015, Sarkodie performed at the Sarkodie History In The Making concert, which was held at New York City’s iconic Apollo Theatre. The sold-out concert was supported by EL, Kwaw Kese, Banky W., The Composers, Bisa Kdei and John Dumelo, among others. Sarkodie has also performed in several African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Gabon, Kenya, Benin, and Liberia. On 10 October 2015, Sarkodie started his European tour in Modena, Italy. As part of the tour, Sarkodie performed four times in Paris. He also performed in Bordeaux, France, as well as in Frankfurt and Dortmund.

On December 30, 2015, Sarkodie announced the release of his fourth album titled 'Mary'. The album is named after his late grandmother who died in 2012. The live recorded album was released on September 12, 2015. On July 10, 2015, Sarkodie released “Mewu” as the lead single off the album. On September 12, 2015, an autograph session was held at the West Hills Mall, which is the biggest mall in West Africa. Sarkodie sold nearly 4,000 copies of the album on the first day of its release.

On February 27, 2016, Sarkodie spoke to a group of Harvard Business School students. Themed “The Art of the Hustle”, his speech was primarily about the challenges associated with being an African musician. Sarkodie also performed at the event following his speech.

Sarkodie held the fourth edition of his Rapperholic concert on Christmas Day; tickets for the event were sold out within 72 hours of its release. He was joined on stage by Fuse ODG, R2Bees, Wizkid, Samini, VVIP, Efya, and Shatta Wale. On 11 March 2016, Sarkodie performed with The Composers music band at the Indigo 02 arena. The event was hosted by DJ Abrantee. Sarkodie was also supported by rapper Fuse ODG.

Sarkodie’s fifth studio album, 'Highest', was released on September 8, 2017. It comprises 19 songs, including 3 interludes and a bonus track. Released through Sarkcess Music and Dice Recordings, the album features guest appearances from Jesse Jagz, Moelogo, Flavour, Korede Bello, Victoria Kimani, and Big Narstie. Sarkodie 'Highest' album was primarily produced by Jayso, with additional production from Masterkraft, TSpize, Ced Solo, Nova and Guilty Beatz.

Sarkodie was ranked 8th on Forbes and Channel O’s 2013 and 2015 list of the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artistes. Sarkodie has performed with artists such as T-Pain, Miguel, Movado, Trey Songz, and Ludacris. He has a large fan base in Africa and he is considered one of the most celebrated musical icons from Ghana.

PHILANTHROPIC WORKS

On July 13, 2013, Sarkodie launched The Sarkodie Foundation, which is tasked with the mission of supporting underprivileged children. He made generous donations to the Royal Seed Home Orphanage in Kasoa.

Sarkodie presented to the orphanage items worth thousands of Ghanaian cedis. On December 25, 2014, The Sarkodie Foundation embarked on a feed kids campaign in Tema, where they provided thousands of kids with eight sacks of rice, yoghurt and beverage cans.

They also gave away school bags, water bottles, hats, and other items. The CEO of Tigo Telecommunications Ghana, Mrs Roshi Motman, was also in attendance to support the campaign.

BUSINESSES AND ENDORSEMENTS

Sarkodie owns the Sark by Yas clothing line, which was launched on April 27, 2013. The clothing line has accessories for men, women, and children. In 2012, he was officially unveiled as a Brand Ambassador for Samsung Electronics at the University of Ghana, Legon. As part of the event, Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Pocket and Chief Hero Phones that had customized wallpapers of Sarkodie and his signature, users had the opportunity to download exclusive tracks of Sarkodie. Sarkodie also launched the Obidi Chief headphones. In 2013, he signed an endorsement deal with FanMilk Ghana. Sarkodie is currently in partnership with Tigo Telecommunications Ghana, a brand that sponsored the 2013 Rapperholic tour.

PERSONAL LIFE

Sarkodie got married to Tracy on 17 July 2018 in a private ceremony held in Tema. They have a daughter, Adalyn Owusu Addo.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

Ghanaian rapper and hiplife artist Sarkodie has received 81 awards from 148 nominations, including 22 Ghana Music Awards. Makye, his debut studio album, won him three awards at both the 4syte TV Music Video Awards and Ghana Music Awards.

The album also earned him a nomination at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards. Rapperholic, his second studio album, earned him accolades at the 2012 editions of the BET Awards, The Headies, Ghana Music Awards, National Youth Achievement Awards, MOBO Awards, and Channel O Music Video Awards.

Sarkodie’s collaborative album recorded with Jayso, titled T.M.G, earned him an award at the 2013 4Syte TV Music Video Awards, as well as a nomination at the 2013 Ghana Music Awards. He won the Best African Act at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

The release of Sarkology in 2014 earned Sarkodie several awards, including four Ghana Music Awards, one MTV Africa Music Award, one Independent Music Award, four 4syte TV Music Video Awards, one Headies Award, and one Ghana Music Honor.

He also received a nomination at the 2014 BET Awards and was nominated four times at the 2014 World Music Awards. Sarkodie won Best West African Act at the 2013 Caribbean American and African Nations Music Awards. Moreover, he won Best Rap Act at the 2014 African Muzik Magazine Awards.

He was honored by the organizers of the Afrobeats Music Awards for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of African music globally.

Sarkodie also won two awards for the singles “Love Rocks” and “Enemies”. and base on his consistency in Ghana music Sarkodie won artiste of the decade award in the just ended Vodafone Ghana music awards 2019 and the first act to win the new 'Best International Flow' in the BET Awards 2019.

Sarkodie is indeed a legend in the African music, drop your opinion at the comment section