Bob Marley will be rolling in his grave over Sarkodie’s one-way rap that was placed along the lyrics of ‘Stir It up’, a song he personally wrote for his wife, this is according to Blakk Rasta.
The famous radio presenter who doubles as a reggae musician is of the strong view that Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie failed to honour Bob’s legacy but rather desecrated it.
“You urinate right into the grave and walk away, laughing like a madman on heat. It hurt me so much that I decided never to talk about this issue,” he said.
Speaking on his show on 3 FM, Blakk Rasta sided with talent manager, Mr Logic, who claim there was nothing special about Sarkodie’s re-make of ‘Stir It Up’.
Blakk Rasta rated the new project as a disaster. He said: “The thing Mr Logic said is going to bruise some ego but I’m going to bruise more ego with what am going to say.
“What Sarkodie did was nothing but a desecration of the legacy of Bob Marley. It is so shameful, what Sarkodie did is nothing but a desecration of the holy music…should I go deeper? It is like a king has been buried and you go and dig him up, and steal the gold and diamonds that he’s been buried with.”
A section of music lovers, and industry players, including radio presenter, Sammy Flex, have argued that Sarkodie was ambushed on live radio during his interview with Andy Dosty to promote his latest project, ‘Stir It Up’ with legendary reggae singer Bob Marley.
Andy Dosty, the host of Daybreak Hitz, surprisingly put Samini, the man who has tagged Sarkodie as “fake and disrespectful,” on the line to address the allegations he had earlier levelled against the rapper on Twitter.
According to Samini, his colleague has refused to respond to his WhatsApp messages, adding that he failed to get back to him after requesting a verse from Sarkodie.
Samini, who faced off with Sarkodie on Hitz FM, lost his cool and referred to the rapper as “his small boy”.
“Sarkodie did not try for me. He did not try for me and he knows it. Sark, you are my small boy. Sark was one of the boys who said in his raps that he wants to blow up and become like Samini. Ask him. My guy, don’t play,” he fumed.
The rapper, in an attempt to handle the situation, said “I’m saying sorry, not because everything you are saying is true. I treat things differently from how people will treat things. I wouldn’t call it pain because I don’t care. Everybody has something happening to them so. There are thousands of people out there who will also say I don’t hesitate to work with them.”
Reacting to the unfortunate encounter that witnessed two of Ghana’s prominent musicians clash on radio, Sammy Flex, in a tweet dated January 29, declared that Sark might never grant a radio interview due to the awful experience that left him disappointed.
“The @sarkodie vrs @Hitz1039FM experience… the next time I will see King Sark going for another radio interview, I will respect him even more cos some of us saw the disappointment in his demeanor on the day after the @samini_dagaati call. But he played Emotional Intelligence,” Sammy tweeted.
The interview ended with social media users shifting their attention from Sarkodie’s feature with Bob Marley to the banter with Samini.
The former CEO of 3 Music Awards, Baba Sadiq, also shared the same view with Sammy Flex.
According to him, Andy Dosty “and his producers let him (Sarkodie) down”.
“He was clearly disappointed. Andy and his producers let him down. This is a clear example of how the media drop the ball and disappoint top talents with our quest for ratings and clout at the expense of the talent’s intended PR impact. Really someway,” he tweeted.
Dancehall musician, Shatta Wale, has once again poked Ghanaians over what he termed as their ‘hypocritical’ mindset.
According to the dancehall musician, people doubted his Beyonce feature, but were quick to embrace what he described as ‘Sarkodie’s video shoot with a ‘ghost.’
This is the second time Shatta Wale has openly reacted to Sarkodie’s feature on Bob Marley and the Wailers’ ‘Stir It up’ remix.
Commenting on the release of the song, which was accompanied by a music video, Shatta Wale questioned why Ghanaians are excited about the video although the ‘main author’ is absent.
“When I met Beyonce and we did the video shoot together, people doubted me. Even when we were seen together in the video, they said I wasn’t the one.
“They said I wasn’t there, and I never met her. But with Sarkodie’s Bob Marley feature, did he meet the ghost during the video shoot? Sarkodie shot a video with a ghost, but that’s what you people like,” he stated in a viral video.
Earlier in an interview with Luv FM, Shatta shared a different opinion on the ‘legendary feature’ which many have tagged as a great feat in the entertainment industry.
“We’ve heard Sarkodie has featured Bob Marley. It’s so beautiful. At least we’ve had someone who can feature a ghost, we should praise him.”
Shatta Wale has shared his two cents on Samini and Sarkodie’s feud that resulted in the former tagging the rapper as ‘fake and disrespectful’.
Ghana’s award-winning rapper, Sarkodie has been admonished never to forget the impact ‘his father’, Samini had on his career now that he is famous.
Shatta Wale in a Facebook Live session on January 28 took on Sarkodie for disrespecting the same artiste who offered a helping hand and also blessed him with a verse on his 2014 hit single ‘Love Rock’ without hesitation.
According to Shatta, Samini will forever remainSarkodie‘s icon and legend no matter the rapper’s achievements in the music space.
“How can Samini and Sarkodie be fighting? Samini and Sarkodie shouldn’t be fighting but ask yourself why? Right now Sarkodie feels like he has the people so he has forgotten about Samini.
“Hey Sarkodie, Samini be your father, forever and ever. Hey Sarkodie, Samini be your legend, icon, superstar forever and ever. Forget everything, I have a beef with him but even with that, I give him respect. Forget yourself, nonsense!” he charged.
Shatta added that he was displeased with the turn of events at Hitz FM when Samini was called on the phone during Sarkodie’s interview with Andy Dosty.
He noted that Sarkodie should have accorded Samini respect by shutting up to hear him speak instead of defending his action.
As earlier reported by GhanaWeb, Samini in a series of tweets accused Sarkodie of ignoring his WhatsApp messages.
Shatta added: “He (Samini) is talking to you on the radio as your father…you see what fame can cause? You guys play with everything…Samini is the guy that when he is speaking on radio, you have to shut up and listen because he has been on that forkin journey. The road he (Samini) has cleared for some of us to enjoy mustn’t be taken for granted. It is very nonsense and stupid something. It is not your fault but those 12 people in the music industry.”
Mr Logic has posited that Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie would have gone harder in delivery when he was given the lifetime opportunity to put his verse on ‘Stir It Up’, a classic love song by Bob Marley and The Wailers.
The rapper was honoured to have been selected to re-make ‘Stir It Up, a song legendary reggae singer, Bob Marley wrote for his wife, Rita in 1967.
But according to talent manager, Mr Logic who doubles as a musician, “there is nothing special” about the song, adding that it lacks the African touch which would have made it much more enjoyable.
In his submission on United Showbiz hosted by Abeiku Santana on January 28, 2023, he explained: “You don’t feel Sark’s presence so much because you cannot feel the African vibe but the normal Ghanaian will say it doesn’t matter.
The re-make of ‘Stir It Up’ was released on Friday, January 20, 2023.
According to Sarkodie, this is “definitely one of the highest moments in my career/life…such a blessing to lay my vocals right next to the original vocals of the Gong,” parts of a post made by Bob Marley’s Instagram page read.
But Mr Logic is of the view that “If Sark was able to command the production and had said that he is a Ghanaian known for his Twi rap and this is how our progressions go. I want the song to be made to feel more African and Ghanaian for me, then you would have said that it sounds different.”
He added: “You would have had a rendition. Now, what you have is a refix aside the buzz of it being Bob Marley, there is nothing extra about it.”
Wendy Shayhas applauded rapper Sarkodie for believing in her talent and demonstrating mad love for her at the onset of her career.
According to Wendy, Sarkodie blessed her with a verse on her song, Psalm 35 when she was new in the industry.
She described the rapper as one of the kindest persons to have worked with despite the claim that Sarkodie ignores his colleagues who reach out to him for business.
“I released my first ever song on 1st June 2018… just 3 months in the industry I sent psalm 35 to @sarkodie. 2 hours later he sent his verse, I still have 2 songs with a top GH Artist since 2020 and the person never do am. I wanna say thank u @sarkodie you are too kind,” she tweeted on January 28.
Rapper Sarkodie has had a number of his colleagues put dirt on him when it comes to his nonchalant attitude in responding to their messages and calls.
Samini, Edem, DeeMoney, Yemi Alade, Meiway are among those who have openly rebuked Sarkodie for failing to respond to them at the time they requested a collaboration.
Samini has openly declared that he will not work with the rapper due to his failure to respond to his messages.
Describing him as fake and disrespectful in a viral tweet, he wrote: “Not sure I’ll need a verse from sark but if he ever does need one I’m not interested and that’s facts. He knows this himself. )y3 Alo sometimes and I don’t play that. Yes or no be problem for am so e go slow you and your project go dull …, he did it to me on burning EP”.
I released my first ever song on 1st June 2018… just 3 months in the industry I sent psalm 35 to @sarkodie 2 hours later he sent his verse,I still have 2 songs with a top GH Artist since 2020 and the person never do am. I wanna say thank u @sarkodie you are too kind
Samini and Sarkodie dominated social media conversations when the former publicly rebuked his junior colleague for disrespecting him through the act of not responding to his WhatsApp messages.
Samini who tagged Sarkodie as “fake” also reminded the award-winning rapper that he remains his “small boy” in the industry.
“Not sure I’ll need a verse from sark but if he ever does need one I’m not interested and that’s facts. He knows this himself. )y3 Alo sometimes and I don’t play that. Yes or no be problem for am so e go slow you and your project go dull …, he did it to me on burning EP,” he tweeted on January 23.
But reacting to the banter, Ghanaian talent manager and socialite, Ayisha Modi has claimed that Samini has equally turned his back on some persons including herself.
In an Instagram post, he named the Dancehall musician as another big culprit when it comes to ignoring messages and calls from friends and colleagues when needed most.
“My Iskoki samini don’t mind Sarkodie the time you were making it big in the industry he was using his jaw to open coke bottles shouting foriwaaa foriwaa. But you samini too why are you crying over this issue?? have you forgotten it’s the same bluetick food you eat. You are also doing same thing to people including me after we also supported you to reach somewhere In this industry.
Despite the mockery, Ayisha admonished Samini to move on following claims that he does not wish to work with Sark.
“If you cry or laugh Sarkodie was featured by Bob Marley the greatest of all, nobody care about your iskoki feelings at this moment anyway I wish you guys all the best in your bluetick record labels. This is Showbiz nothing personal.”
She added: “Nana hemaa starts today exactly 8pm. I am done with the industry beef for now. I want to eat turkey. All are invited to my coronation on Sunday. Nana hemaa greet you all.”
Amakye Dede one of Ghana’s premier Highlife musicians popularly referred to as ‘Iron Boy’ has shared a conversation he had with Sarkodie.
According to the veteran singer, Sarkodie met him at an event and got closer to finding out what the current crop of musicians can do to sustain the Ghanaian music industry.
He said “Sarkodie is the only young musician who got close to me at an event to ask questions about the way forward for the Ghana music industry.
“I also had the time to explain things for him to understand, in fact, I was really eager to let him get deeper insight,” he added on Kessben TV monitored by MyNewsGh.com.
“Because if we the veterans in the music scene who are still alive don’t nurture the next generation of musicians it will be difficult for them” he explained.
Meanwhile, the multiple award-winning rapper, Sarkodie, has been accused by Samini of being disrespectful and fake due to his failure to feature in Samini’s song.
Social media, particularly Twitter, has been buzzing with Ghanaian musicians Samini and Sarkodietopping trends successively after the former leveled some accusations against the latter.
Comments from a displeased Samini whiles detailing some ‘unfair’ encounters with Sarkodie have since stirred massive reactions from scores of netizens including some celebrities.
The likes of Shatta Wale, Eno Barony, Archipalago, Kwadwo Sheldon, Sarkodie’s wife Tracy Sarkcess, and others have responded to viral tweets and videos of Samini’s outbursts and Sarkodie’s apology which erupted online.
Earlier in a couple of rants on Twitter and an extended version in a radio interview, the Reggae/Dancehall legend called out Sarkodie over what he described as the incessant habit of deliberately ignoring business deals and phone calls from him.
Samini on Twitter on January 23, 2023, expressed concern over Sarkodie’s snub over a feature.
“Not sure I’ll need a verse from sark but if he ever does need one, I’m not interested and that’s facts. He knows this himself…)y3 Alo sometimes and I don’t play that. Yes or no be problem for am so e go slow you and your project go dull …, he did it to me on burning EP,” He wrote in response to a fan during a ‘Question and Answer’ session on Twitter.
He hit harder at Sarkodie during a phone-in interview with Andy Dosty where the former was also present.
“This whole thing started on Twitter last night when I asked fans to ask me questions, they would want me to answer. One of them came with the question about whether or not I will work again with Sark. So I said point blank that I don’t think I’ll need a verse from Sark and if he ever does need one, I’m not going to ever do it. I know the person is a Sark and a Samini fan and want to see us collaborate. I have a few instances where Sark has disrespected me but I didn’t bring it in public. But how Sark fans have risen on Twitter and disrespecting me is crazy. At 41, I don’t have to let anyone feel special in their corner. When Sark sent love rocks, I did it under 24 hours and sent it to him.
“Another time, he sent another when I was in South Africa, I did it and sent him the verse. When he sends me a WhatsApp message, it doesn’t takes me more than five minutes to respond. Because I did more than one features for him and he decided to put one out, I felt he could also return a favour so I hit him up over a song. I sent him three songs and he chose one. I told him it’s the last single on the EP. We spoke in April and I was supposed to release the song in May. that was the last time I heard from him and anytime I send him a message, there’s a blue tick. Sarkodie did not try for me. He did not try for me and he knows it. Sark you are my small boy. Sark was one one the boys that said in his raps that he wants to blow up and become like Samini. Ask him. My guy, don’t play,” he fumed.
Samini’s comments stirred controversy on social media with a section of fans describing him as feeling entitled.
Sarkodie’s response, however, shot the reactions up further.
“I’m saying sorry not because everything you are saying is true. I treat things differently from how people will treat things. I wouldn’t call it pain because I don’t care. Everybody has something happening to them so. There are thousands of people out there who will also say I don’t hesitate to work with them. I told Bullgod. Sometimes you listen to a song and you don’t hear yourself in it so you’re trying so hard to find time to do it. I’m saying sorry for how he feels. If he says he feel like that then sorry,” Sarkodie said.
Due to this, Samini said he does not need a verse from Sarkodie and he is also not interested in accepting a collaboration request from him.
The Sarkcess Music boss however reacted to his colleague’s ranting during an interview with Andy Dosty on Hitz FM on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
Sharing a video of his response, DKB revealed that, Sarkodie has been treating him the same way.
He claimed to have minded his business when it happened to him a couple of times.
DKB wrote: “When he take do me a couple of times, I told myself WKHKYD ???? ???? and I decided to mind my business and avoid dealing with him at all costs. ???? ????
But whenever a business opportunity comes needing him, I will gladly inform him and go back to minding my business ???? ???? ????.”
Sarkodie issued an apology to Samini after the latter revealed that the rapper ignored his requests to collaborate during a Twitter space discussion.
In his apology, the award-winning rapper stated that the dancehall artiste’s claims may not have been entirely accurate.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, Sarkodie explained that since Samini called him out, he will likely face criticism from other individuals for refusing to work with them.
“I’m saying sorry, not because everything you are saying is true. I treat things differently from how people will treat things.
“I wouldn’t call it pain because I don’t care. Everybody has something happening to them so. There are thousands of people out there who will also say I don’t hesitate to work with them,” he said.
He added that he was sorry for how the ‘Love Rocks’ artiste felt and that he sometimes listens to songs but finds it hard to make a connection.
“I told Bullgod, sometimes you listen to a song and, you don’t hear yourself in it so you’re trying so hard to find time to do it. I’m saying sorry for how he feels. If he says he feels like that, then sorry,” he added.
Samini and Sarkodie clashed when a Twitter user asked Samini if he had any plans to collaborate on a song with the rapper who is currently making headlines for remaking Bob Marley’s classic love song “Stir It Up.”
The Twitter user @ahenkrah wrote: ” @samini_dagaati please when was the last time you entered the studio with Landlord @sarkodie, and when are u people joining again?”
In response, the Ghanaian music legend, who appeared on Sarkodie’s 2014 hit song “Love Rock,” stated, “I’m not sure I’ll need a verse from Sark but if he ever does, I’m not interested, and that’s facts. He knows this himself… )y3 Alo sometimes, and I don’t play that. Yes or no be a problem for am so e go slow you and your project go dull …, he did it to me on burning EP.”
Samini has reiterated his displeasure over Sarkodie’s ‘sluggishness’ towards business deals and phone calls from his colleagues including him.
Earlier, the reggae dancehall musician took to Twitter to vent out about the development, after a fan asked when they should expect another collaboration from the duo.
“Not sure I’ll need a verse from sark but if he ever does need one I’m not interested and that’s facts. He knows this himself. )y3 Alo sometimes and I don’t play that. Yes or no be problem for am so e go slow you and your project go dull …, he did it to me on burning EP. He’s just Allo [sic] when it comes to returning favors, unlike him I do my own hooks and verses and I don’t need features to blow. Like I die lol,” he earlier said.
These comments have since stirred controversy on social media, particularly on Twitter where countless Sarknatives have descended on Samini for what they have described as feeling entitled.
In a phone-in session with Andy Dosty on the HitzFM Daybreak show where Sarkodie was also present, Samini said,
“If you message him, it will take him forever to respond and Kwaw Kese even said it earlier. So, I concluded that that is how he is. He is not my friend like that and he can attest to it. I did everything he asked me to do on time and I expect that my principles towards work is that you should let me know whether you can or cannot.
Sarkodie did not try for me. He did not try for me and he knows it. Sark you are my small boy. Sark was one one the boys that said in his raps that he wants to blow up and become like Samini. Ask him. My guy, don’t play,” he fumed
Narrating how his feud with Sarkodie began, Samini added,
“This whole thing started on Twitter last night when I asked fans to ask me questions, they would want me to answer. One of them came with the question about whether or not I will work again with Sark. So I said point blank that I don’t think I’ll need a verse from Sark and if he ever does need one, I’m not going to ever do it. I know the person is a Sark and a Samini fan and want to see us collaborate. I have a few instances where Sark has disrespected me but I didn’t bring it in public. But how Sark fans have risen on Twitter and disrespecting me is crazy. At 41, I don’t have to let anyone feel special in their corner. When Sark sent love rocks, I did it under 24 hours and sent it to him.
“Another time, he sent another when I was in South Africa, I did it and sent him the verse. When he sends me a WhatsApp message, it doesn’t takes me more than five minutes to respond. Because I did more than one features for him and he decided to put one out, I felt he could also return a favour so I hit him up over a song. I sent him three songs and he chose one. I told him it’s the last single on the EP. We spoke in April and I was supposed to release the song in May. that was the last time I heard from him and anytime I send him a message, there’s a blue tick,” he added.
Samini has reiterated his displeasure over Sarkodie’s ‘sluggishness’ towards business deals and phone calls from his colleagues including him.
Earlier, the reggae dancehall musician took to Twitter to vent out about the development, after a fan asked when they should expect another collaboration from the duo.
“Not sure I’ll need a verse from sark but if he ever does need one I’m not interested and that’s facts. He knows this himself. )y3 Alo sometimes and I don’t play that. Yes or no be problem for am so e go slow you and your project go dull …, he did it to me on burning EP. He’s just Allo [sic] when it comes to returning favors, unlike him I do my own hooks and verses and I don’t need features to blow. Like I die lol,” he earlier said.
These comments have since stirred controversy on social media, particularly on Twitter where countless Sarknatives have descended on Samini for what they have described as feeling entitled.
In a phone-in session with Andy Dosty on the HitzFM Daybreak show where Sarkodie was also present, Samini said,
“If you message him, it will take him forever to respond and Kwaw Kese even said it earlier. So, I concluded that that is how he is. He is not my friend like that and he can attest to it. I did everything he asked me to do on time and I expect that my principles towards work is that you should let me know whether you can or cannot.
Sarkodie did not try for me. He did not try for me and he knows it. Sark you are my small boy. Sark was one one the boys that said in his raps that he wants to blow up and become like Samini. Ask him. My guy, don’t play,” he fumed
Narrating how his feud with Sarkodie began, Samini added,
“This whole thing started on Twitter last night when I asked fans to ask me questions, they would want me to answer. One of them came with the question about whether or not I will work again with Sark. So I said point blank that I don’t think I’ll need a verse from Sark and if he ever does need one, I’m not going to ever do it. I know the person is a Sark and a Samini fan and want to see us collaborate. I have a few instances where Sark has disrespected me but I didn’t bring it in public. But how Sark fans have risen on Twitter and disrespecting me is crazy. At 41, I don’t have to let anyone feel special in their corner. When Sark sent love rocks, I did it under 24 hours and sent it to him.
“Another time, he sent another when I was in South Africa, I did it and sent him the verse. When he sends me a WhatsApp message, it doesn’t takes me more than five minutes to respond. Because I did more than one features for him and he decided to put one out, I felt he could also return a favour so I hit him up over a song. I sent him three songs and he chose one. I told him it’s the last single on the EP. We spoke in April and I was supposed to release the song in May. that was the last time I heard from him and anytime I send him a message, there’s a blue tick,” he added.
Although they have worked in pairs on separate projects, fans are yet to see these three acts work together or share a stage together.
For fans who want to see them perform together, there may be hope after all.
Speaking on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, Tuesday, Sarkodie said that it is his dream to share a stage with his colleagues.
He told Andy Dosty he would like to be on an international tour with Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy.
“That is my prayer, it has to happen,” Sarkodie said.
A show hosted by Shatta Wale, Sarkodie and Stonebwoy would undoubtedly, be a hit especially since they have hosted sold out shows.
In December 2022, Shatta Wale filled the Accra Sports Stadium for his Freedom Concert, Sarkodie sold out the Grand Arena for Rapperholic and so did Stonebwoy for BHIM Concert.
Dancehall musician, Samini has declared that he no longer has intentions of working with rapper Sarkodie on a song following the disrespect from his colleague.
It all started when a Twitter user asked Samini if he had any plans to collaborate on a song with the rapper who is currently making headlines for remaking Bob Marley’s classic love song “Stir It Up.”
The Twitter user @ahenkrah wrote: ” @samini_dagaati please when was the last time you entered the studio with Landlord @sarkodie, and when are u people joining again?”
In response, the Ghanaian music legend who was featured on Sarkodie’s 2014 hit song titled ‘Love Rock’ had this to say: “Not sure I’ll need a verse from sark but if he ever does need one, I’m not interested and that’s facts. He knows this himself… )y3 Alo sometimes and I don’t play that. Yes or no be problem for am so e go slow you and your project go dull …, he did it to me on burning EP.”
According to Samini, the famous rapper is fake when it comes to reciprocating favours.
He again lamented how Sarkodie read his messages and ignored his request when he wanted to feature him on his 2021 Burning-EP.
Samini put the likes of Efya, Medikal, and Kofi Kinaata on that project.
He further disclosed that his feature on “Love Rock” was done for free, but when he needed the rapper, he wasn’t there for him.
“I did love rocks for free under 24 hours. What you talking about lol. He’s just Allo when it comes to returning favors. That’s all. Unlike him I do my own hooks and verses and I don’t need features to blow. Like I die lol. @sarkodie you know what time it is we shoot direct.”
Samini, however, noted that as a senior colleague, he holds nothing against the rapper, despite the disrespect shown to him.
The tweet sighted by GhanaWeb read: “I got nothing against @sarkodie and he knows it. He also knows that he Dey owe me personal apology for the blue ticks after having me send 3 tracks and he choosing 1. After asking me if it was a single or an album, to which I answered, it’s an EP. He’s like coo he’s yet to respond.”
Back in 2021, rapper Edem levelled a similar allegation against Sarkodie when he took to Twitter to express his disappointment in him.
On the account of Edem, Sark failed to show up for the video shoot of ‘Favour’ which he featured the rapper and Efya.
He disclosed that a lot of money was lost in the video shoot.
“Yo @sarkodie I know you feel bad for not showing up for #Favour video..Team even loose money for that…But I forgive you my g..No hard feelings ..Call me when you need me,I go dey for you,” Edem tweeted.
Check out the tweets below:
Not sure I’ll need a verse from sark but if he ever does need one I’m not interested and that’s facts. He knows this himself. 😂😂😂. )y3 Alo sometimes and I don’t play that. Yes or no be problem for am so e go slow you and your project go dull …, he did it to me on burning EP https://t.co/x0pAKrvc7h
I did love rocks for free under 24 hours. What you talking about lol. He’s just Allo when it comes to returning favors. That’s all. Unlike him I do my own hooks and verses and I don’t need features to blow. Like I die lol. @sarkodie you know what time it is 😂😂😂 we shoot direct https://t.co/ndbBUZuyOe
Ahh like you ahh eno go go you ? Me I no need am oo. Cus I’ve never depended on another act to complete my track. F3f3 na 3y3f3 s3 me y3 ma wu na wunso so wu y3 ma me …. Simple. Else there’s 3sisie https://t.co/xAZs6SSPyX
There’s a morale to the story. Do unto others as you expect them to do unto you …. Your man no know that. You clearly don’t understand my tweet. We move. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/x3rGfPimoZ
Sarkodie has been featured on a new rendition of legendary late reggae artiste, Bob Marley and the Wailers band’s classic, “Stir it Up”, originally released in 1973.
‘Stir It Up’, is a love song the late Jamaican musician wrote for his beloved wife Rita Marley, a year after their marriage.
Prior to the release of its latest rendition, Sarkodie who gave a hint about being a part of it disclosed that the project is the biggest highlight in his music journey.
The last time a Ghanaian artiste chalked such an enviable feat in the music industry was when “Ayoo” hitmaker Charles Nii Armah Mensah better known as Shatta Wale got featured on ‘Already’, a song on Beyoncé’s ‘Lion King: The Gift’ album, released in 2019 and produced by Guilty Beatz.
The “Stir it Up” song which was released on Friday, January 20, and was re-produced by popular producer, John Kwesi Dosunmu-Mensah better known as M.O.G Beatz has muddled a lot of controversy within the showbiz fraternity.
The question that many are asking is: Which of these collaborations is the biggest achievement in the Ghanaian music industry?
One can recall that the CEO of the most prestigious music awards scheme in the World, ‘The Grammys’; Harvey Mason Jr. in an exclusive dinner meeting with Ghanaian artists during his visit to the country gave the artists the inside scope of how one can win an award.
According to him, to win a Grammy, one needs to live in the United States of America and be a part of the GRAMMY Academy.
Another significant point he raised was that winning the most prestigious music award is not about the number of streams, getting a record label, or sales but the quality of the song – the song must be well-produced.
From a Grammy’s perspective, Shatta Wale’s feature with Beyonce is the biggest achievement. Beyonce is more decorated than Bob Marley.
Though Robert Nesta Marley a.k.a Bob Marley was considered one of the pioneers of reggae, and his musical career was marked by fusing elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, as well as his distinctive vocal and songwriting style, he never received a nomination during his life.
The Recording Academy failed to recognize his talents. He did, however, receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 after his demise in 1981.
The late Jamaican singer was also nominated in 2001 and 2002 for Best Music Film and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals posthumously, but he did not win in those categories.
With a total of 28 awards and 79 nominations from the Grammy Awards for her music (including her work in Destiny’s Child and The Carters), Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter better known as Beyonce’ is the most nominated woman and the most awarded singer in Grammy history.
She is known for her boundary-pushing artistry and her vocal prowess. Her success has made her a cultural icon and earned her the nickname “Queen Bey”.
Until a Ghanaian artiste features a musician who is more decorated than the American songstress, her collaboration with Shatta Wale would continue to be the biggest achievement in the Ghanaian music industry.
For now, Sarkodie can only be congratulated for being the Ghanaian artiste who was chosen to feature on the remixed version of the late Bob Marley & The Wailers’ iconic “Stir it up’ song.
According to rapper Sarkodie, he is amazed at how rap icon Obrafour never used foul language in his music but had the respect and allegience of the youth of his time.
Nicknamed the Landlord, Sarkodie was telling Sideman on the +44 Podcast (Season 2, Episode 8) about how he recorded his verse for Bob Marley & The Wailer’s ‘Stir It Up’ which came out today, Friday, January 20, 2023.
Revealing that he considered himself unworthy and “just felt I’m not the right person,” to have his vocals next to Bob’s on a song, he added he worked on the 60s classic having in mind that: “I’m saying something next to Bob Marley. It [felt] like me and him in the booth. You can’t [drop the ball].”
The Landlord also indicated that “there are a few people I feel like that when I work with. The man that inspired me to rap, Obrafour. He’s never cussed, he’s never used profanity, and he was catering to the youth.”
“I didn’t know how he was able to do that,” he expressed his astonishment and admiration for the ‘Pae Mu Ka’ legend.
Confessing that he “tried it,” he admitted he gave up on it, arguing that: “[In] this new generation, [it’s] hard to keep it too censored. You want to say stuff that you feel. But that’s what I respect about him. So anytime I’m about to work with him, I sit down to sieve every line [to be sure] if [any] line is out of what his brand stands for.”
“That’s the same feeling I had with Bob Marley the legend,” he noted about working on his verse for Marley’s ‘Stir It Up’ which the late Jamaican’s official Instagram (IG) account called a “special version.”
Born Michael Owusu Addo, the multiple award-winning rap performer also disclosed that he recorded “like four verses and I had to choose the right one.”
Counting it a great honour to posthumously collaborate with the humanitarian and Reggae legend Bob Nesta Marley, Sarkodie is quoted, by Bob’s IG account, to have said the new ‘Stir It Up’ is “definitely one of the highest moments in my career/life…”
Shatta Wale has reacted to Sarkodie’s latest project with the legendary reggae artiste, Bob Marley.
Although the Jamaican musician is late, his team made a decision to release a posthumous version of his smash hit ‘Stir It Up’ with The Wailers.
Featured in the remix, released today, Friday, January 20, 2023, is Sarkodie, whose verse has since stirred massive reactions from individuals on social media.
Shatta Wale has also shared his opinion about the project but in a sarcastic manner.
In what looked like mockery, the dancehall musician during a discussion on LuvFM’s Drive Time said;
“We’ve heard Sarkodie has featured Bob Marley. It’s so beautiful. At least we’ve had someone who can feature a ghost, we should praise him.”
Shatta Wale said Ghanaians are still concerned about the ‘Meek Mill – Jubilee House’ saga instead of focusing on ‘Sarkodie’s ghost feature.’
“We are not even talking about that, its Meek Mill we are concerned about.”
Reacting to the information, Sarkodie described the feature as the biggest moment in his life and career.
The popular Ghanaian rapper said: “What a way to kick start this year!!! Definitely one of the highest moments in my career/Life… Big shouts to the team at island records @akosuas_ @Jaykjs and the Marley family for getting me on this amazing project by the legend #bobmarley… such a blessing to lay my vocals right next to the original vocals of the Gong…”
Fans can pre-save the track on digital platforms before it is released.
Black Sherif’s hook, which he delivered excellently on the track, has become the favorite part for many, and these students displayed their love for it.
The video was shared by Sarkodie to appreciate the love these students have for the song and how they strived to sing it excellently despite their disabilities.
NDC’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, has wondered why the likes of Daddy Lumba, Sarkodie, and Samini, who have been tagged as NPP sympathizers, have never been invited to shoot their music videos at the Jubilee House.
His comments are on the heels of the massive outbursts on social media after Meek Mill’s music video recorded at the Jubilee House went viral.
Some individuals who have been appalled by the development have described it as a complete desecration of the seat of the president, while others have questioned why such an act was tolerated.
Amid the rants, the one thing that angered netizens was that some Ghanaian musicians would not have gained access to the Jubilee House as Meek Mill did.
But reacting to the development, Sammy Gyamfi said during an interview with Asempa FM, that it would have been more understandable to allow Ghanaian artistes, particularly the ones who campaigned for the government to shoot music videos inside the Jubilee House.
Adding his voice to the large section of Ghanaians who have criticized the presidency for tolerating Meek Mill’s conduct, he said;
“A friend of mine said, why not then allow Sarkodie shoot a video at the Jubilee house? Looking at how he has thoroughly campaigned for the NPP. Or Samini, or even Daddy Lumba. Since NPP came to power, the only musician who has been able to produce a beautiful record for them is Daddy Lumba. I’m referring to that ‘Na na na’ song. I’m sure these people will suffer to even gain access to the president.”
Among other things, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi also identified what he described as the ‘height of disrespect, lack of decorum and disregard for protocol, displayed by Meek Mill during his visit to the Jubilee House.
“As for Meek Mill, because he is taller than our president, he even clutched his arm around his shoulders. Look at the way he even dressed. Wearing sneakers, shorts and T-shirt. After that he still had the nerve to fly cameras around the Jubilee House,” he added
Award-winning rapper Sarkodie is challenging organisers of December in 0 to extend the euphoria of activities during the festive season to other parts of the country.
According to the Adonai hit-maker who was speaking in a video cited by Graphic Showbiz, it was very important to spread the love of the festive season to other regions.
“We should spread the love across Ghana. The celebration is for Ghana and not Accra so we need to be thinking Kumasi, Tamale, and all these places. We need to drag the diasporas to go and see what Ghana is really about,” he said.
The renowned rapper also encouraged stakeholders of December in GH to find innovative ways to keep the momentum of the celebration for a long time.
“In Ghana, we always find things organically but we need to strategically work around it to keep it because we can’t just leave it like that. It’s a beautiful time and it’s a magic moment and everybody is coming to my country and I’m super proud.
“However, I think we need to find innovative ways to keep the momentum going and have lot more of activities happening. Even though we are already doing that, it could be more.
“It is a great time and I think government should really hold this and find ways to maintain this for a very long time,” he noted.
‘December In GH’ is a unique package of events and programmes to make Ghana the preferred tourism destination for Christmas and New Year and has been one of most successful initiatives to date in terms of international arrivals, tourist expenditures, stimulating the economy and welcoming the diaspora to visit Ghana.
Last December, patrons were treated to variety of entertainment packages from events such as Afrochella, Afro Nation, Samini Experience, Bhim Concert, Ada Calypso Riverfest, Taste of Ghana, Cituation, among many other interesting events.
It appears that Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie, has responded to Nasty C in the midst of their alleged feud.
Earlier, in a freestyle session on South Africa-based Metro FM, Nasty C disclosed an instance where Sarkodie rejected his handshake, a development which resulted in his decision to not collaborate with the Ghanaian rapper till further notice.
Nasty C who was at that time a budding rapper, swore to never agree to collaborate with Sarkodie if he ever grew bigger in stardom.
Essentially, the two rappers do not have a song together to date, which he said is in fulfillment of that pledge.
This is despite two different occasions where according to him, Sarkodie reached out.
“See, when I first met Sarkodie, he wouldn’t shake my hand… Cool, I’m not too proud to say I’m still a fan but I held a grudge and told myself to wait till I’m the man…” Nasty rapped in a clip which went viral on social media.
But after being silent for over a month, Sarkodie has seemingly responded to Nasty C’s claims.
In his latest single titled ‘Landlord’, the Ghanaian rapper said;
“I heard the young champ is hurt I’m sorry. But anytime you meet the highest, all you need is just a marker to grab an autograph and get the f*ck out. I aint got to shake your hand so you can walk out. And so you know, it’s not me you fighting. It’s your own ego and a couple of things you’ve got to sort out. See I aint got pride to reach out to nobody. I love that Nigga, your ego is so baggy. I never reached out hommie but I know what you doing. Such smart ass touching the god is part of the plan. That shit is still old but still work. This is like Jay Z responding to Lil Durk.”
Sarkodie’s alleged reply has since stirred massive reactions on social media, thereby, skyrocketing him to top Twitter trends.
Ghanaian music stars Sarkodie and Stonebwoy have moved the former French ambassador to Ghana, Anne Sophie Avé, to uncontrollable tears.
In a video circulating on social media, the former French diplomat is seen among the massive crowd at the 2022 Rapperholic X Concert.
The organising artiste Sarkodie came on stage performing his record ‘Strength of a Woman’ from his 2019 ‘Black Love’ album. When the chorus started, Stonebwoy’s voice was heard live. He soon joined Sarkodie on stage. The audience went ecstatic as they sang along in shouts.
A camera focusing on Ms Avé captured her visibly overcome with emotion. Several times, she desperately covered her mouth trying to hold back an audible cry, it appeared, as she wet her cheeks with tears.
With her was media executive Bola Ray who looking on and singing the chorus of the song, hugged her to perhaps comfort her.
Behind the diplomat was entertainment entrepreneur and politician Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu.
Nicknamed Akosua, and the founder of the Akosua Fund, she has posted the Kobby Kyei-tagged video on her Twitter with a caption which reads: “This is it @sarkodie x @stonebwoy.”
On Saturday, December 24, 2022, she tweeted a photo of Sarkodie and Stonebwoy hugging each other at the Bhim Concert.
She captioned it with the words: “This is a moment I dreamed of ever since #AccraInParis. My most emotional Christmas present [gift emoji]. I love you guys so much. Simply thank you [blue heart emoji].”
From her tweet, the reason for her emotional reaction to Rapperholic X, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), Sunday, December 25, is obvious. She had been wanting to see the two BET award-winners publicly reconcile and perform together since April when she had them on the bill for her ‘Accra in Paris Concert’ in Paris, France.
Though they were on the same stage, they did not perform together.
Sarkodie, alias Landlord, and Stonebwoy, alias 1Gad, formerly frequent collaborators, had become alienated since 2020 when Stonebwoy allegedly assaulted Sarkodie’s manager Angel Town at a rehearsal for the ‘Black Love’ virtual concert.
At the 2022 Bhim Concert, the organising artiste 1Gad was surprised by the Landlord, while he was on stage performing their 2014 megahit collaboration ‘Baafira’.
Ms Avé arrived in Ghana, per a tweet by Ghanaian blogger Kobby Kyei who received her at the Kotoka International Airport Terminal 3, that night, Friday, December 23.
She would later witness the two display their renewed solidarity two days later at Sarkodie’s 10th anniversary of the annual Rapperholic concert. She was moved to tears. It was a dream come true.
In this piece, GHPage looks at the top 5 music giants who have defied all the odds to become Ghana’s biggest music exports and how much they are worth.
Michael Owusu Addo, commonly known by his stage name, Sarkodie, is a multiple award-winning Ghanaian musician who is considered the most successful rapper in Africa.
Sarkodie’s rapping prowess and lyrical dexterity have earned him a massive fanbase in not Ghana alone but the globe at large.
He started rapping at the tender age of 12 and hasn’t stopped till now as he’s currently 34 years old.
King Sark, preferably called by his fans, is wealthy and besides his remarkably successful music career, he has other businesses that generate huge monthly income.
Sarkodie launched his professional music career in 2008 by rapping and freestyling on a rap show titled Kasahare Level aired on Adom FM.
He went ahead to release hit singles such as Gogowoho, Baby Ft Mugeez, Borga, Lay away, etc.
Sarkodie is one of the most reliable Ghanaian musicians when it comes to album releases. He has released a number of albums. Here are all of his albums;
Makye (2009) Rapperholic (2012) Sarkology (2014) Highest (2017) Black Love Album (2019) Mary (2015) Alpha (2019) No Pressure (2021) Jamz (2022).
With a career spanning close to 15 years, it’s not surprising that Sarkodie has amassed a great fortune for himself.
State-of-the-art houses and an impressive collection of automobiles are among the many things that Sarkodie owns.
The rapper lives in two enormous mansions: one in Ghana’s Ashally Botwe and one in the UK, which he uses as a second home.
As for cars just like money isn’t a problem for the most decorated Ghanaian musicain.
1965 Mercedes Benz, W110 2011 Dodge Nitro, 2016 Mercedes-Benz E Class Coupe, 2016 Porsche Carrera.
2016 Range Rover Sport, 2016 Range Rover Vogue, 2016 Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2017 Mercedes-Benz G63, Lamborghini Aventador Toyota Land Cruiser are some of the cars that can be found inside his expensive garage.
The globally acclaimed rapper currently has a net worth of around $18 million. His music profession has provided the majority of his wealth, including live concerts, album sales, and royalties.
Additionally, he has various advertising and brand endorsement contracts with companies such as Samsung, Fan milk, Tigo, Standard Chartered Bank, Ayoba, Vume etc
Charles Nii Armah Mensah aka Shatta Wale is a versatile Ghanaian musician who is regarded as the king of African Dancehall due to his impeccable command over the borrowed Caribbean music genre.
Shatta Wale was born on October 17th, 1984 in Accra. His parents are Mr Charles Nii Armah Mensah Snr who is a Ghanaian businessman and politician and Madam Elsie Evelyn Avemegah.
As a child, Shatta made his interest in music known by singing and writing at a very tender age and was supported by both parents.
His professional music career in the early 2000s and he performed under the stage name Bandana until 2013 when he rebranded himself as Shatta Wale.
Rebranding himself is what have his music career a big push because he hit the spotlight immediately after that.
Shatta Wale has made an enviable fortune for himself after spending close to two decades in the music industry.
Apart from music, he has also made a chunk of money from ambassadorial deals, personal businesses and real estate.
He has worked with globally recognised brands such as Guinness Ghana, Kasapreko Company LTD, Tecno, Infinix, Rush Beverages, Boss Baker Beef, and many more.
And if I’m not exaggerating, the money he has generated from ambassadorial deals alone will be more than $2 million.
READ ALSO: Stonebwoy to perform at 2022 FIFA fan festival in Qatar
Shatta Wale claims to have over 7 houses and 8 cars. His current net worth is estimated to be around $15 million making him part of the top 10 richest Ghanaians celebrities.
Stonebwoy born Livingstone Etse Satekle is a BET award-winning Afro-Dancehall musician who was formerly a protege of dancehall maestro Samini.
The dancehall virtuoso is no stranger to success because he cemented a place for himself as part of Ghana’s top musicians of all time by being one of the country’s most awarded and lauded artists to date.
He has featured top-rated music stars such as Sean Paul, Keri Hilson and Trey Songs on some of his music projects.
Born and bred in Asahiamn, a large town in Accra, Stonebwoy has passed through all the painful stages of life to get to where he is at the moment.
He has performed for people from all walks of life with his electrifying performances in countries such as the USA, UK, Netherlands, Australia, etc.
The BHIM Nation boss dropped his first commercial single in 2012 and has since released 4 top charting albums and over 100 singles.
Just at the age of 34, Stonebwoy can boast of owning several houses, cars and businesses.
Aside from music, Stenbwoy is also an entrepreneur who has created employment for hundreds of youths.
He has worked with brands such as Samsung, Tecno, Tommy Hilfiger and Big Boss Energy Drink.
His current net worth is estimated to be around $13 millionmaking him part of the top 10 richest Ghanaians celebrities.
Daddy Lumba
Daddy Lumba is an award-winning Ghanaian music virtuoso who is regarded as the finest local talent of all time.
The music god was born on 29 September 1964 in Nsuta, Ashanti Region of Ghana. His parents, Owoahene Kwadwo Fosu and Comfort Gyamfi, popularly known as Ama Saah were both teachers.
His professional music career started in 1987 and in 1989 he dropped his first official music album titled “Yeeye Aka Akwantuo Mu.”
Playing shows across the globe, Daddy Lumba’s esitamted net worth is belived to be around $5 million. However, it is unverfiabale and untrustworthy.
Aside from music, he also has other bussinesses which employes lpots of people both klocally and internationally.
Kojo Antwi
Kojo Antwi nicknamed the music man is a consummate vocalist; a prolific songwriter, producer, and arranger; and an enigmatic performer, making him arguably the best Ghanaian musso alive.
He has earned a spot in the list of all time greats who have graced the Ghanaian music scene.
He released his first stuido album titiled “All I Need Is You” in 1986 – And after that, he proceeded to 12 other classic music projcets which have all made into various music charts both locally and globally.
He has received numerous Ghana Music Awards as well as national and international honors, including the 2003 All Africa Music Award for Best Male Artist from West Africa, the Our Music Award, the Kora Award, and the West Africa Tourism Award, among many others.
Kojo Antwi is also an satutde busssiness man who has for the past years, set up bioth small scale amd large bussinesses to give back to soceity.
His current networth stands at a whopping $3 million.
Sensational Ghanaian art BlackSheriff, has admitted that he approached Sarkodiefor a collaboration on his Jamz album.
A month ago in an interview on 3Music Daily, Sarkodie said that contrary to popular opinion, he hardly asks music acts, especially new ones, for collaborations. They rather request to have him on their songs, he clarified.
“Most of these records you hear me on that you think I’m jumping on somebody’s record, I never reach out to these people,” he stunned the 3Music Daily TV crew.
Nicknamed ‘Landlord’, stressed that: “If I want to do a song, it’s rare I’ll think, ‘Oh, this boy is the new hottest artiste I want to put him on’.”
To illustrate his point, he zoomed in on what would become his biggest song in 2022, a collaboration with Ghana’s new sensation Black Sherif.
“Big shouts to my superstar Blacko,” he said. “Blacko hit me up, last minute of this project: ‘Landlord, I have to be on ‘Jamz”. I said, ‘Pull up’.” He shrugged finishing his narration.
Social media reacted with mixed feelings, but mostly in disbelief.
Three days ago, in an episode of Afrobeats Podcast, Black Sherif, speaking to London-based Nigerian media personality Adesope Olajide, corroborated Sarkodie’s story.
“Sark had posted the flyer of the album. So I hit him up like: ‘Landlord, no, this album I have to be on it before it comes out’,” he said matter-of-factly.
He added that they had already planned to work on a song before Sarkodie went off to London and he to “some place” but that had not happened so when he called up Sarkodie, he jokingly said: “Landlord, you seem to be forgetting something.”
Without hesitation, he continued, Sarkodie asked him to come over to his residence to record and “so that weekend,” they got together to work.
“We made songs, like three songs,” he gestured the figure with his fingers. “‘Countryside’ was one of them.”
The 10-track ‘Jamz’ album was released on November 11, 2022. ‘Countryside’, an instant hit, is track 9 on the project.
At the time of this publication, it is the third most popular song in Ghana according to the Apple Music Ghana Top 100. The highest position for the song has been number one. It’s also been in the top 5 position since release.
A social media user who is a die-hard fan of Sarkodiehas slammed Shatta Wale 6 feet into the ground after heavily trolling him.
The fan said Shatta Wale’s careeer has come to a sad end as he’s now become a taxi driver!
Known as Sarkodie’s lawyer on Twitter, the said fan shared a photo of Shatta Wale taken during his recent Shaxi float.
Aside Wale, the fan shared photos of Wizkid and Burna Boy as well, both holding onto their Grammy awards with the caption: “This is what happened to the carer of these African artists after Beyonce featured them. Last frame is now a taxi driver. ,”
Check out the post below…
This is what happened to the carer of these African artists after Beyonce featured them. Last frame is now a taxi driver. 😭😭😭😩😂😂 pic.twitter.com/aYy4HCYqlX
Ghanaian music act DJ Azonto guesting on CTV’s Class Showbiz, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, has revealed two ways in which Shatta Wale is an inspiration.
He had been asked about what led to the transition from disk jockeying to being a recording artiste.
“I’m even surprised God gave me the voice to do music, because I don’t really have a good voice for singing,” he confessed.
“But [observing] Shatta Wale and a host of others, I’ve noticed music is not necessarily about a [good singing] voice,”
Clarifying that he seeks not to disrespect the ShattaMovement (SM) leader, he saluted: “He’s my senior man.”
Following Sammy Flex’s lead, he mimicked Ghanaian star King Ayisoba performing, to underscore his point of one not needing a conventionally good voice to be a successful music act.
“The truth is difficult to say,” he calmed down after laughing.
“People like Shatta Wale inspired me to know that you can also make it. You know Shatta Wale is full of inspiration. I always say if following Shatta Wale, the only disadvantage is you may become [puffed up and] disrespectful, in the sense that he gives you so much motivation it becomes clear that it’s simply God at work and no one else,” he returned to the place of the Reggae/Dancehall superstar in his professional life.
“It’s true. You know why?” the ‘Fa No Fom’ hitmaker endeavoured to explain what he meant by following Shatta Wale may lead one to become arrogant and disrespectful.
“I’ve stopped befriending some bloggers and some presenters because they frustrate and make the work too difficult at times,” he said. “Excuse me to say, they always want you to give them money.”
“It’s as if you are indebted to them forever and ever,” he rubbed his beard. “Sammy, can we do this work successfully with this attitude?”
He admitted that media personalities “are promoting us, and every worker deserves to earn their fair due. If I go for an engagement and see the producer of show and give them money, it’s fine, and in this world, if you want to be given you give, but don’t make giving [a matter of force and extortion] and threaten to stop playing our music if we don’t comply.”
At this point, he asked rhetorically if media personalities and radio DJs are paid for playing foreign songs “like ‘Buga’.”
“The media should simply support [local musicians],” he stressed.
“This is why I say if you follow Shatta Wale too much, he’ll inspire you to the extend that you’d not respect some people because [you’d notice even when they sideline or blacklist you], by God’s working, you still succeed,” DJ Azonto asserted.
He also revealed his first song ‘Choices’ though a flop, “because no one knew me then,” was better than Sarkodie and Criss Waddle’s.
His comment comes at the back of an earlier interview with 10magazine where he dismissed the relevance of rap music in contemporary times.
According to the “Essence” hitmaker, rap music is dead. However, he noted that Afrobeat is the new gold that is making a more significant impact on the world market.
In a Snapchat post, the singer, who appeared to be taking a swipe at Nigerian rappers, wrote, “Y’all not even rappers! O Nasty C/Sarkodie/ Black Sherif the only rappers in Africa. Y’all dumb f*cks”, he said
Wizkid’s post seems to have caused a stir in the Nigerian rap community, with several artists expressing dissent.
In a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb, Nigerian rapper Ycee said Wizkid’s comments about rap make “no sense”.
According to Ycee, rappers are doing well with very little support. Thus, it’s illogical for Wizkid to run down the rap genre.
Another Nigerian act who joined the conversation is Nigerian music producer Neptune. He opined that there are good rappers in Nigeria.
African music heavyweight Sarkodiehas disclosed that one of the reasons he is not complacent is because of the fast-rising talents on the African music scene.
He made the closure at British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Radio 1Xtra’s Afrobeats Concerto in collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
The historic event was organised to mark 20 years of Radio 1Xtra’s dedication to showcasing Black music and culture and was hosted by Eddie Kadi, Remi Burgz and DJ Edu.
Kadi engaged Ghanaian rapper and businessman Sarkodie on his impressions about the next generation of “young talented African artistes coming out of the continent, particularly Ghana, your homeland.”
The SarkCess Music Chief Executive Officer (CEO) answered: “It’s beautiful, I love it.
“It puts me on my toes,” he revealed, adding “and at the same time I have hope that what we built is going to be protected and it’s going to be there for a minute. So I am super proud to see all these superstars, I know that even when I retire, Afrobeats is going to be alive. So big shouts to [all], especially the superstars coming out from my hometown GH [alias] Ghana.” He drew robust applause from the cosmopolitan audience.
The 37-year-old father of two, for his set, performed his ‘Lucky’, ‘Rollies and Cigars’ and ‘Labadi’ hits.
Before the ‘Rollies and Cigars’ performance with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the two-time BET award-winner had declared: “I love Afrobeats. Afrobeats is the biggest genre out there right now.”
Legendary British DJ Tim Westwood has called him a pioneer of the Afrobeats fever sweeping across the world.
At the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs), he was honoured as the ‘Artiste of the Decade’.
That same year, he became the pioneer winner of the Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) brand new Best International Flow award.
Born Michael Owusu Addo, Sarkodie’s latest project is a 10-track album called ‘Jamz’. It features some of the hotshots on the Afrobeats seen: Black Sherif, Joeboy, Oxlade, King Promise, BNXN and Lojay.
‘Jamz’ is an immediate follow-up for his 2021 Hiphop project titled ‘No Pressure’. With this album, he noted the new music stars on the scene but asserted his dominance as the king he is touted to be.
Sarkodiehas been an active professional rapper for almost 20 years. He is Africa’s most decorated rapper that has ever lived.
In a multi-coloured jacket over black leather trousers, with white sneakers to finish off, Ghana’s Hiphop/Hiplife titanSarkodie has performed and displayed his culture, stunning rap gift, and advertised his country with musical support from the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) Philharmonic.
His first time with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Michael Owusu Addo, alias Sarkodie,was introduced as an “absolute legend,” by host Remi Burgz during the BBC Radio 1Xtra Afrobeats Concerto.
“What’s up beautiful people, I go by the name Sarkodie and I’m about to take you guys on a trip, all the way to Ghana,” were the rapper, hailed as Obidiponbidi’s first words on the stage.
He then performed his MOG Beatz-produced hit ‘Lucky’ featuring Rude Boy, half of Nigerian music duo P-Square.
“I love Afrobeats. Afrobeats is the biggest genre out there right now,” he noted again.
“I’m an Emcee, I rap and I love this next song,” he added and proceeded to perform his ‘Rollies and Cigars’ KaySo-produced hit from the 2021 ‘No Pressure’ album.
At the end of the performance, Mr Addo was asked how he feels about the passion with which his fanbase, Sark Nation, supports him.
“It’s still overwhelming. I need to stab myself out of it because it’s been over 10 years and more, and I’m humbled by it,” a pensive Sarkodie reflected.
Eddie Kadi, co-hosting with Ms Burgz, wondered about the rapper and businessman’s thoughts on the next generation of “young talented African artistes coming out of the continent, particularly Ghana, your homeland.”
The SarkCess Music Chief Executive Officer (CEO) answered: “It’s beautiful, I love it, it puts me on my toes and at the same time I have hope that what we built is going to be protected and it’s going to be there for a minute. So I am super proud to see all these superstars, I know that even when I retire, Afrobeats is going to be alive. So big shouts to [all], especially the superstars coming out from my hometown GH [alias] Ghana.” He drew robust applause from the audience.
With large pieces of the legendary kente cloth hanging above him, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the Compozers behind him, and the Salford studio audience in front of him, Obidi asked all to visit Ghana.
“If you guys take a trip to Africa, make sure you check out Ghana, make sure you come to Ghana [where] there’s a beautiful place called Labadi,” he said as an introduction to the performance of his latest Afrobeats/Amapiano hit with 5Star signee King Promise.
The only time the African rap heavyweight took off his iconic shades was when he did the intimate second verse of ‘Labadi’.
Nigeria’s CKay, Maleek Berry and Pheelz also performed. So did Kenya’s Nikita Kering.
The first ever Afrobeats Concerto, with the full complement of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, marks 20 years of the BBC 1Xtra’s dedication to showcasing Black music and culture.
Last Saturday, November 26, the Kokroko park at Mallam-Gbawe was active with gobsmacking performances from many Ghanaian artistes who brought their good vibes as it hosted the second edition of Mr Drew’s annual Seleey concert.
The Seleey concert seeks to bring premium entertainment to the doorstep of the people of Mallam-Gbawe.
The ‘S3k3’, ‘Mood’ and ‘This year’ hitmaker decided on Mallam-Gbawe as the place to host the concert because he spent his childhood and adolescent development years there.
With an estimated 5000 patrons in attendance, artistes took turns to thrill the audience with electrifying performances in the form of music and dance.
Upcoming artistes were given the chance to open the show by taking turns to perform their songs.
Priority was given to the talents from the Mallam-Gbawe neighbourhood in a mini talent show dubbed “Mallam’s Got Talent.”
After that, Mr Drew mounted the stage to perform his hit songs laced with enthralling dance moves with his dancers.
Other artistes including KiDi, Kuami Eugene, Sista Afia, Kelvynboy, Fameye, Laruso, King Maaga, Legendary FBS, Keche, Scott Evans and many others joined him on stage to make the night more memorable for patrons.
These top acts joined Mr Drew to perform songs they collaborated on and some of their own hit songs.
The event was produced by Deeplive Africa (Management of Mr Drew) and powered by Twitch house marketing and was telecast live on HD Plus Channel.
As a brand influencer for Malta Guinness Ghana, Mr Drew partnered with them as part of their national plastic cleanup and awareness campaign to rid Mallam-Gbawe of plastic waste.
Speaking to the press after the clean-up exercise, Mr Drew said he had been working with Malta Guinness for a while and he wanted to do something different with the Seleey Concert this year hence the partnership.
He further reiterated the plastics that were collected will be recycled as a way of keeping the environment clean.
Residents who participated in the clean-up exercise were put in groups to embark on the plastic collection in the neighbourhood.
The group that returned with the most plastics which was adjudged by weighing were declared the winner and were rewarded accordingly.
Volunteers were treated to refreshments with Malta Guinness while they engaged, danced and took pictures with Mr Drew. They were hosted at the palace of the Chief of Gbawe.
According to South African rapper Nasty C, he has denied Ghanaian rap superstar Sarkodiea verse on two occasions.
He made the claim in a freestyle take which is making rounds on social media.
Appearing to read lyrics from his phone, he noted on South African Metro FM the reason for saying no to Sarkodie.
“When I first met Sarkodie, he wouldn’t shake my hands,” he narrated.
Feeling bruised, Nasty said he hatched a plan to retaliate once he became notable.
“I held a grudge and told myself to wait till I’m the man, I’d never give that man a verse, and I stick to my plan,” he spat on (Hiphop term for rapping).
“Two requests over the years, and I declined them both,” he proudly continued and underlined that on both occasions, he gave the two-time BET award-winner: “a dumb excuse.”
The said excuse was, “I’m in album mode;” he was too busy working on his album and could not be distracted.
In all honesty, “I was in coward mode,” he quickly confessed.
Earlier, he categorically stated in the tongue-in-cheek rap take that: “I am not too proud to say I am still a fan [of Sarkodie].”
Looking back, he expressed belief that the two songs Sarkodieasked assistance for are probably “out or old” to revisit.
Before the Def Jam Recordings artiste moved on to a different subject, he stated that the disclosure was sheer catharisis with no malice meant. He also attempted reconciliation.
“You see, this is the best way I know how to get stuff out of my chest. I am just a disappointed kid. It’s nothing more or less. But now I am over that, and he got all my respect,” he said and signalled he is ready to work with Sarkodie now: “If he asks me to do a verse again, it will be my hardest one yet.”
Nicknamed the Landlord, Sarkodie during recent media engagements has said his collaborations are usually initiated by the guests contrary to public opinion. He cited his ‘Countryside’ instant hit with music sensation Black Sherif as an example.
At the moment, the African rap heavyweight is in London, UK, promoting his November 11 long play (LP) titled ‘Jamz’. The 10-track tape has only on solo piece titled ‘Confam’.
Rapper Edemon Thursday tagged his colleague Sarkodie in a tweet asking why he refused to shake hands with Nasty C as claimed by the South African rapper.
Nasty C in a rap verse explained why he turned down a feature with award-winning Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie on two separate occasions, a video that went viral and subsequently caused a debate on social media.
“See, when I first met Sarkodie, he wouldn’t shake my hand… Cool, I’m not too proud to say I’m still a fan but I held a grudge and told myself to wait till I’m the man…” Nasty rapped in a clip that some have termed as a ‘diss’ to Sarkodie, the man regarded as Ghana’s best rapper.
“Yo @sarkodie why u no shake Nasty C,” Edem quizzed in a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb on November 24.
Meanwhile, Sark, is yet to respond to Nasty C’s latest revelation although the latter has announced his preparedness to work with him now.
So this what Sarkodie did that made Nasty c reject doing a feature with him. I mean if I was Nasty c I would have done the same thing. guys humanity is everything there’s no need to see other people’s differently just because you think you are big at that time. pic.twitter.com/Y5klPfuP7n
This Nasty C thing we always dey go in circles. So naa them say Madina J Cole go Mia my man wey dem lash am for Brown Paper bag top everybody gyie eye. Edo a make you killas relax.
Nasty C still has some regrets after rejecting Sark’s request. He regrets this till date. read the lyrics carefully. Man is indirectly wishing for another verse pic.twitter.com/LezbcU71yG
NASTY C be emotional pass chale, you vex because Sarkodie refuse to shake you hand so you gotta pen down a whole song abt this smh wei pic.twitter.com/cY2m1ehkAr
Speaking on the South African radio station Metro FM, Nasty C said he turned down two feature offers from Sarkodie because he resented how the Ghanaian rapper treated him when they first met.
Nasty C indicated that the ‘Non-Living Things’ artiste refused to shake his hands, and he vowed never to give him a verse.
“See, when I first met Sarkodie, he wouldn’t shake my hand… Cool, I’m not too proud to say I’m still a fan but I held a grudge and told myself to wait till I’m the man…” he rapped.
The artiste added that for years, whenever Sarkodie reached out to ask for a collaboration, he would tell him he was working on an album when he knew deep down that wasn’t true.
After making this revelation, he disclosed that should Sarkodie ask for another feature request, he was going to put his best into making the song “hardest one yet.”
“…But now I’m over that sh*t and he got all my respect. If he asked me to do a verse again, it’d be my hardest one yet” he said.
During an interview with the music streaming site, Boomplay, Sarkodie revealed that he does only organic music and does not jump of trendy stuff unless he likes it.
“I do music as organic as it can be, I hate doing music because of the trends” he said.
Speaking on his collaboration with Cina Soul, Sarkodie revealed he is a fan of Cina Soul and the song called for her when he first heard it.
“I like her music, I listen to her, I think she has a good brand and she looks good” he stated.
Speaking on his collaboration with Blacko, Sarkodie narrated how he has loved ans supported Blacko since the beginning and also appreciated the fact that Black Sherif wanted to be part of his album.
Sarkodie and Black Sherif worked together for the first time on Countryside. Sarkodie revealed Black Sherif had approached him and asked to be on the project although he had wrapped up production for the album when he got the request from the young star. Sarkodie disclosed he has three songs with Black Sherif and would release the other two later.
Sarkodie on November 11, 2022, set social media on fire when he released his much-anticipated ‘Jamz’ album.
The excitement of many of the fans of Sarkodie and music lovers was out of the fact that the album had some great features and top-notch producers on it particularly with the feature with break out artiste Black Sherif, on track number 9 “Countryside,”.
The features on the 10-track album include King Promise, Oxlade, Ink Boy, Lojay, Kranium, Cina Soul, Joeyboy, Black Sherif, and BNXN.
Of all the songs on the album, it is only ‘Confam’ that Sarkodie decided to go solo.
Sarkodie is being accused of endorsing rape after he commented on a new freestyle by Tulenkey.
The Ghanaian rapper was reacting to Tulenkey’s cover to his ‘Confam’ song. In the freestyle about how some girls play men and deny them sex, Tulenkey dropped a line that says ‘wode saa na mato wo monaa‘.
According to some tweeps, the line also means rape. Tulenkey first shared the freestyle and wrote “@sarkodie dey lie you niggas, more girls no be comfam 😆. A short story“.
Reacting the rap freestyle, King Sark quoted Tulenkey’s tweet saying “That one too dey lol” and added fire emojis. The response from Sarkodie has since been courting backlash on the bluebird app.
Popular Ghanaian cartoonist, Bright Ackwerh wrote “this is our change leader and global citizen and activist fire emojiing rapey lyrics…in 2022. Last time someone made such suggestive comments about his daughter… He didn’t respond, respondn’t he?”
This is our change leader and global citizen and activist fire emojiing rapey lyrics…in 2022. 🫣 Last time someone made such suggestive comments about his daughter… He didn’t respond, respondn’t he? https://t.co/cEJZTGKC7S
“Sark, you shouldn’t have retweeted this. A line in it says ‘wode saa na mato wo monaa’, which I believe is promoting ‘rape’ or unconsented sex. You shouldn’t promote such,” a Twitter user said.
Another social media added that “sometimes I just don’t know what the fuck is wrong with u. u clearly heard that rape line and thought “oh shit, let me RT this for my 5 fucking + millions of followers to see” Disappointed but not surprised“.
sometimes i just don’t know what the fuck is wrong with u. u clearly heard that rape line and thought “oh shit, let me RT this for my 5 fucking + millions of followers to see” Disappointed but not surprised. https://t.co/h6IhrEvIWE
“You dey endorse the rapey thing? you too sometimes you make it so hard to even defend you,” @1SELECTAJAY added with @cheys_media saying that “Sark, you shouldn’t have retweeted this. A line in it says ‘wode saa na mato wo monaa’, which I believe is promoting ‘rape’ or unconsented sex. You shouldn’t promote such“.
I can’t believe you heard the r*pe line,wrote this looked at it ,and proceeded to tweet it thinking it made any sense at all.cement brains get off twitter challenge https://t.co/fUuIntexjC
Meanwhile, others have been defending the rapper as they see no harm in his comment. See the tweets below for more of what others have been saying and share your thoughts with us.
Sarkodie has opened up about how fuel price hikes is impacting his movement and his finances.
The rapper in an interview on Joy FM’s Showbiz A to Z programme over the weekend told an audience that times are hard for him too despite his status.
Asked about economic issues as pertains to recent times, he told host George Quaye: “I wouldn’t be able to have my hands on everything because at least thank God, we have moved from a certain stage where our problems may not necessarily be like the regular person on the street.”
Specifically, on the fuel price hikes, he stated: “if myself I can have a level of hardship in certain things, it’s not hardship (per se) but it was a big shock, fuel prices is crazy. To fill my car now, I am hitting towards 2,000 cedis, which is serious.
“You need about 2,000 cedis to be able to run around three days,” he lamented.
Sarkodie, who is promoting his Jamz Album, recently told the media that he stood by his support for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his re-election bid in 2020 stressing that he had benefitted from the flagship Free SHS policy of the government.
An economy in distress
The economy is facing major headwinds that have been characterized by galloping inflation, consistent depreciation of the cedi and general high cost of living and of doing business.
The government is hoping to reach a deal with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, for an economic support programme aimed at shoring up the economy and easing the burden on ordinary Ghanaians.
President Akufo-Addo and his government have come under heavy scrutiny for failing to address the current economic challenges in the country.
The prices of goods and services have been continuously rising all year round, with inflation currently at over 40 per cent.
The Ghana cedi has been ranked the worst currency in the world among 148 currencies tracked by Bloomberg, overtaking Sri Lanka’s rupee, having depreciated by nearly 50 per cent so far in 2022.
The KING is back at it! Just hours after the release of his seventh album, “JAMZ”, celebrated Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie, has joined the Golden Club on Africa’s largest streaming and download platform, Boomplay.
This was made possible by Sarkodie amassing a total of 100M streams from his catalogue on the popular streaming platform. By achieving this feat, Sarkodie becomes the second Ghanaian artist to join Boomplay’s Golden Club after Black Sherif.
Earlier on Thursday, Sarkodie visited the Boomplay office as part of his pre-release activations for the “Jamz” album. He shared a tweet with fans on social media when told about the impending achievement, “Inside @BoomplayMusicGH offices and I’ve been told we hitting 100 mill streams SARKNATION thank you… Let’s hit it with #Jamzalbum.”
Sarkodie was the most streamed artiste on Boomplay in 2021, based on Boomplay’s 2021 Recap, an annual campaign that highlights stats and insights of artist performances based on music consumption by users across Boomplay’s operational regions under a specified year in review.
The streamer’s 2022 Recap is set be announced in a few weeks and SarkNation fans are eager to know the accolades awaiting the Landlord, King Sark.
Award-winning artiste, Sarkodie, has disclosed that sensational Ghanaian artiste, Black Sherif, reached out to him when he was almost done with his Jamz album.
Speaking on 3Music TV, he praised the artiste while tackling assumptions some Ghanaians have that he chases after new acts in order to stay relevant.
“Big shoutouts to my superstar Blacko. Blacko hit me up at the last minute of this project and said Landlord, I have to be on you Jamz, and I said great,” Sarkodie said.
According to Sarkodie, people who don’t get why he is ahead of his game tend to make up stories that make sense to them.
He also added that many of these artistes people claim he chases come to him for a feature.
“I should feel bad because people actually don’t make sense of why you are still here. Because that’s the only reason, there is no other reason. They want to find the logic behind why you can still be relevant after a long time.
“And the funny thing is most of these records that you hear me on, and you think I am jumping on somebody’s record? I never reach out to these people,” he added.
Sarkodie added that going after up-and-coming artistes is something he doesn’t do but wouldn’t mind working with them when he is called on.
The rapper released the Jamz album on November 11, 2022.
Nicknamed the landlord, Ghanaian rapper Michael Owusu ‘Sarkodie’ Addo has revealed he has no desire for a property in the capital Accra but rather has his mind, unwaveringly, set on remote areas of flora and fair weather.
He was speaking on the 3Music Culture Daily radio/TV programme.
The conversation came up because lead host, Jay Foley, wondered why Track 9 on his upcoming album is called ‘Countryside’.
“You need to ask Blacko,” Sarkodieresponded. “I don’t know [how] he came up with that.”
The Culture Daily team: Lerny, Mz Gee, C-Real and Jay Foley laughed in unison.
“He said [on the hook]: ‘Dem go see me for the countryside’,” the superstar rapper reflected on the unreleased song’s lyrics and attempted the melody a cappella.
Black Sherif’s point was, “People will doubt him but they’ll eventually see him [living] on the countryside,” Sarkodie further revealed.
The team reflected on possible reasons for the song title and hook.
C-Real offered: “Countryside be big money. You know it’s flipped in the Western world. When people have money,” he chorused with Mz Gee: “They are on the countryside.”
They get an “estate [with] horses,” he continued and cited US rapper Rick Ross’ countryside property with a stable.
“I don’t have money like that,” Sarkodie in his trademark shades disclaimed and agreeing to the explanation, opened up about his plans: “Mentally, my mind is on the countryside. You know why? For some reason, I don’t want a property in Accra. I don’t know why I keep thinking about Axim and I went to [a place] further [inside] Aburi.”
Mz Gee suggested: “Adukrom,” noticing the ‘Labadi’ hitmaker was struggling to recollect the name. Pointing in her direction in excited affirmation, he said: “Yes.”
King Sark, as he is sometimes hailed, recalled going to the area and observing the beautiful “weather” and scenic “mountains.”
“I told them I don’t want land that has been cleared [of vegetation]. I want the trees and everything on there,” he revealed his instructions on the said trip.
When the team remarked: “Rich man mentality,” the artiste and businessman’s only response was, “It’s like here [Accra city] is too polluted.”
Currently, Sarkodie is on a promotion campaign leading up to the release of his eighth studio album titled ‘Jamz’. The long play (LP) is out tomorrow 11 November 2022. Track 9 ‘Countryside’ features Ghana’s current international sensation Black Sherif.
Meanwhile, the rapper has shared with fans his visit to the Boomplay Ghana office where he was informed he has almost hit the 100 million streams mark to join the Boomplay Golden Club. In a tweet he rallied his fans to make that happen when the ‘Jamz’ album comes out tomorrow.
In September 2022, Black Sherif, alias Blacko, received a golden plaque from the African audio streaming giant having achieved the feat.
Speaking on 3Music TV, the ‘Non-Living Thing’ artiste mentioned that the message he preached in his ‘Dumsor’, ‘Inflation’, and ‘Masses’ songs during John Mahama’s tenure are issues that persist to date and that he is not moved to compose another song.
“What I said he [Nana Addo] should ‘toaso’, I stand by it because I think I benefitted from Free Education directly and I have the right to say I endorse that because this is directly.
“My mom has these girls we’ve been supporting. At first, she would call, asking me to help. I am not saying it is much but just the fact that I am not even hearing that, it came from that place and I was specific about what I was endorsing,” he disclosed.
His statement rides on the back of Ghanaian comedian DKB, who shades him for the song ‘Happy Day’, which he composed in 2020 for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, endorsing him for president.
DKB’s video captured Sarkodie’s lyrics, “If today I am sleeping with lights in my house and my children can go to school for free, forgive me, but Nana, continue (Toaso).”
The aforementioned lines formed part of Sarkodie’s lyrics for the ‘Happy Day’ song, which featured Kuami Eugene.
Some persons described the song as an endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addo because of the ‘Nana Toaso’ phrase that the ruling party and Nana Addo used for their campaign.
Blacko is featured on a song titled ‘Country Side’, the 9th track on the album set for release on Friday.
The album, which Sarkodiedescribes as every DJ’s best playlist, will be his eighth studio album.
🇬🇭Sarkodie explains how the collaboration with Black Sherif (@blacksherif_) on ‘Country Side’ off of his upcoming #Jamzalbum came about.
Basically, Blacko hit up the landlord.📞
Ahead of the release, the ‘Non-Living Thing’ crooner has explained that he is only moved to collaborate based on conviction and barely reaches out to other artistes to get on his projects.
“If I want to do a song, it is rare that I would think that oh, this boy is the new hottest artiste I want to put him on,” he said.
Black Sherif was an example he cited on Accra-based 3 Music Network on Thursday.
“Big shoutouts to my superstar Blacko. Blacko hit me up last minute of this project, ‘Landlord I have to be on Jamz’. I said, pull up,” he added.
He also admitted that Black Sherif was a heavy influence on that particular song ‘Country Side’ and inspired its direction.
‘Jamz’ is a 10-track album and has nine artistes featured on it. Track two named ‘Confam’ is the only song that has no feature.
The lead song ‘Labadi’ which has already been released features artiste King Promise.
Other notable features include Oxlade, Cina Soul, Joeboy, BXBN, Kranium, Lojay and Ink Boy
In September, Sarkodieput together a video giving fans a look at what’s to come.
Music, entertainment lifestyle and eco-tourism festival, Wildaland Festival aims to raise climate change awareness among young people and event attendants.
This year’s event will feature climate talks, a series of talk sessions featuring climate thought leaders on varied climate change issues on the sidelines of the festival as well as at its Eco Fan Action Village at the festival grounds.
Talents performing at the festival will also be making pledges in between performances to highlight specific climate issues as well as calling on our young audience to commit to a clean future.
Already and since last year, the Wildaland Festival has been committed to reducing carbon emissions by running the daily Shuttle service as well as running water refill stations to encourage the use of reusable/re-fill bottles at the festival location.
The festival also created the Wild Waste team, which ensured all day waste management system to collect for recycling and disposal.
From year three, the Wildaland Festival will commit a part of the festival’s revenue towards the creation of a Wildaland Green fund to aid eco-farming activities in surrounding villages and communities.
Founder of the Wildaland Festival, Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu stated that “Wildaland Festival provides a vital platform to harness the power of music, culture and star power to engaging young audiences.
“These youths are tremendously important pressure groups whose voices will be most important in ensuring a clean future” Protecting the environment and supporting the green transition is a fundamental element of the Wildaland Festival’s sustainability plan. Baba Sadiq further commented.
About Wildaland Festival
Set in the blooming wilderness of the Shai Hill Resource Reserve (Shai Forest Reserve), Wildaland Festival is a multi-day music, eco-tourism and entertainment lifestyle festival featuring performances and appearances by Notable Ghanaian, African and global music headliners.
Davido, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Adekunle Gold, Focalistic, Joe boy, Kidi, Black Sherrif, Kuami Eugene and Gyakie headlined the 2021 edition.
The 2022 edition takes place from December 24 to 26.
Musicians Sarkodie, Black Sherif, GUBA Awards Founder, Dentaa Amoateng; Conference speaker, Dzigbordi K. Dosoo; Twinsdntbeg have been named in the 2022 list of Top 50 Ghanaian Event Influencers in Africa.
They join other A-list stakeholders in Ghana’s growing event industry who have played a key role in sustaining the growth of the industry while lacing it with innovation.
Rudy Kwakye of the Rave Media Group who has been a pivot to Afronation Ghana, the world’s biggest Afrobeats festival makes the list for the second year running. Some others that made the list for the second edition like the first include; Sarkodie, Theresa Ayoade (Charter House), Felix Adomako Mensah (Zion Felix), Jerry Adjorlolo (MC), Anita Erskine (MC), Kuami Eugeneand DJ Vyrusky.
DJ K Crakk, GHHyper, KobbyKyei and Mr Drew made their debut on the list. Empire Entertainment’s Nat Kwabena Adisi and Kojo Soboh (EMY Africa).
The awardees were selected by an astute board and select panel after months of monitoring and fulfilling all stipulated conditions. They have shown leadership, resilience, zeal and consistency despite the economic downturn.
They were spread across eight categories including Event Organizers, Event DJs, Conference Speakers, Master of Ceremonies, Event Bloggers, Event Entertainers, Event photographers, and Event Designers/Stylists.
This year’s batch of honours will highlight the influence of top game-changers in the events industry in Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Other countries will follow in the subsequent years.
The “Top 50 Event Influencers” is a list compiled by Africa’s fastest-growing Pan-African Business Solutions and Events company, Impact Concept and Solution Africa (ICS Africa).
In partnership with leading PR, Research and Rating Organizations, Avance Media, the list will recognize, acknowledge, and honour event influencers across Africa for their independent contributions towards the development of the event space on the continent.
Below are the names and recipients of the 2022 Top 50 Ghanaian Event Influencers in Africa.
DKB’s video captured Sarkodie’s lyrics, “If today I am sleeping with lights in my house and my children can go to school for free, forgive me, but Nana, continue (Toaso).”
The aforementioned lines formed part of Sarkodie’s lyrics for the ‘Happy Day’ song which featured Kuami Eugene. The song was described by some persons as an endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addobecause of the ‘Nana Toaso’ phrase which the ruling party and Nana Addo used for their campaign.
According to DKB, after composing this song, Sarkodie has been mute over Akufo-Addo’s poor governance. The comedian mentioned that the rapper would have composed over 200 songs for the former President, John Dramani Mahama he were still president of the country.
“If this be John Mahama time like he drops 200singles, 4 mixtapes, 7 EPs, 10 LPs and 56 remixes on the economic mess we Dey face. Na joke ooo,” he mocked.
During John Mahama’s time as president, Sarkodie released ‘Inflation’, ‘Masses’ and ‘Dumsor’ which touched on the economic situation and energy crisis. The musician is yet to release a song addressing same although the economic crisis continue to worsen.
In some social media reactions, netizens have indicated that DKB was being honest in his statement while noting that Sarkodie was a hypocrite.
“True talk Yaaro. Every passing day, I get convinced he probably was paid to be churning out those songs. He’s probably been paid to shush now; who knows?” a user said.
Another added, “He’s the greatest hypocrite of this generation” while a third said, “You are right.”
Meanwhile, calls for Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to be sacked or resign following the economic crisis continue unabated. Some have also suggested that President Akufo-Addo should resign for failing to deliver.
Fuel prices continue to increase astronomically. A litre which sold at GH¢6 in January now sells at GH¢17.99 while the cedi has returned to its depreciation trajectory. It now sells at GH¢14.20 instead of GH¢6 early this year.
While “Jamz” will be Sarkodie’s seventh studio album, it features some top Ghanaian and Nigerian artists, along with sensational Ghanaian musician, Black Sherif.
Since Blacko’s entry into the music scene, the ‘Kwaku the Traveler’ artiste sparked excitement among netizens who looked forward to a collaboration between Sarkodie and himself.
That wish wasn’t far-fetched when the father of two finally composed a song with the young artiste.
With ten songs on the Jamz album, the Sark Nation Boss, aside from Blacko had the likes of Cina Soul, Oxlade, Joe Boy, Lojay, Kranium, and King Promise, among others, featuring in some of his songs.
Ahead of his album release, the ‘Non-Living Things’ artistes released a new single titled ‘Labadi’ ahead of his upcoming Jamz album.
‘Labadi’ featured King Promise and Nigerian producer, DJ Coublon, who worked on the rapper’s ‘Non-Living Thing’.
The song has a blend of mid-tempo Afrobeats and Amapiano rhythms, which gives fans the notion that Sark’s other tracks will be equally good.
Sarkodie has released the tracklist for his much anticipated eighth studio album ‘Jamz’.
In a Twitter post on Monday, November 7, Sarkodie dubbed that album as a DJ’s best playlist.
“#CountDown is on! JAMZ Playlist|| Get ready to update your playlist this Friday … your long drive this weekend is sorted…This project is like enjoying the best playlist by your fav DJ…4 days to go #Jamzalbum,” he wrote.
‘Jamz’ is a 10-track album and has nine artiste featured on it. Track two named ‘Confam’ is the only song that has no feature.
The lead song ‘Labadi’ which has already been released features artiste King Promise.
#CountDown is on ! JAMZ Playlist|| Get ready to update your playlist this Friday … your long drive this weekend is sorted 🔥😊 … This project is like enjoying the best playlist by your fav DJ … 4 days to go #Jamzalbumpic.twitter.com/xg7urDCcy8
Othe notable features include Oxlade (whom Sarkodie worked with on Non Living Thing), Cina Soul, Joeboy, BXBN, Kranium, Lojay, Ink Boy and Black Sherif.
‘Jamz’ is expected to hit streaming platforms on November 11, 2022.
In September, Sarkodie put together a video giving fans a look at what’s to come.
The album he said is inspired by how he feels adding that “these collections of songs are like your favourite playlist now let’s have fun.”
Some fans of the rapper, alias Sark Natives, and critics argue that signing to an international label, like some popular Ghanaian music acts have done in recent times, would expand his international audience and enrich his marketability.
The Tema rap star thinks differently, however, and he gave a response in his new rap song called ‘Fraud [Man] In Suit’.
First, he gave the impression record label deals often cheat the artiste and take away from of their freedoms.
“There’s always going to be some fraud [man] in suit, trying to give you some money to stay mute. Always been part of the game, this is not new,” the Ghanaian music superstar spat [Hiphop term for rapping].
“How many be real owners? Just a few,” he highlighted the phenomenon of many artistes not owning their masters or having as much as they may portray to the public.
Michael Owusu Addo, alias Sarkodie, who has in the past featured on Forbes’ list of richest African musicians pointed to what is most important, in his view, for an artiste.
“Buy a beautiful house, trust the view,” he said and warned: “Don’t trust nobody, my [man], trust you. There’s nobody real in the game and that’s true.”
The label business is “a game, [man],” he stressed and noted making one’s own money gives them power to avoid the label scams he earlier mentioned: “We have the money now so [forget] you.”
A rapper who is proverbially the poster boy for the grass-to-grace saying, he, in the typical boastful stance of a rapper proclaimed: “I did it from scratch, I had patience.”
“I had a couple of meetings in Roc Nation,” he revealed.
He proceeded to send “big shouts” to rappers “B Rel and B High,” who gave him “the clues and the right vibration – the blueprint [Jay Z album pun].
“Aside that,” the businessman continued, “they showed me one or two things.”
Disclosing what this advice was, partially, he stated it is important for a rapper to invest in their looks.
“First cheque, you have to buy a few blings [jewelry]: you have to put some diamonds on your cube links. [Forget] what you think,” the two-time BET award-winner matter-of-factly informed.
At this juncture, he openly acknowledged the concerns of his fans regarding signing a record deal.
“You know the fans keep talking, they want me to go high. Come and see me if you want to know why,” he stated with his artistic flair and reminded his fans that even though he is currently an independent act, he has signed record deals before: “This [thing], I’ve been doing it my whole life, so my [man], I’ve been in it for long enough and have tasted both sides.”
Africa’s most decorated rap act, he decried record labels some more.
“All this hype, I’m grown, I’m not moved. Everything is a lie, I swear I have proof,” he said on the 3 minute 16 second freestyle.
“All these record labels are just sucking” up to artistes, Sarkodie further charged and warned label executives are opportunists: “They just want to ride a wave, and that is the sad truth.”
Nicknamed King Sark, he proclaimed: “[I’m the] real definition of a self-made man.”
“How the [heck] did I do it? I have game [highly skilled],” he said and revealed his priorities and inspirations: “I came for the money and not fame. Back to back since the day that I came; get the money like Jay [Z], be a boss like Dame [Dash].”
Much of the song was delivered in Ebonics and Pidgin.
Recently, on a Kalyjay Twitter Space, Senegalese-American record executive Akon revealed his label, Konvict Music, had signed Sarkodie but he “got away” and “we realised that we really couldn’t work with him yet because he just wasn’t mentally ready to go on that level. We just allowed him to continue moving the way he was moving.
“Unfortunately when you have an artiste and you can’t control the artistes or you can’t control the asset to them, it’s hard for you to do what you need to do with them if you don’t have control over him.”
He also said: “Sarkodie was the first artiste that we signed out of Ghana. We had plans to make him so much bigger but I think at the time his agenda was more focusing on Ghana, which worked for him. And I think that it was a plan that worked. I mean, arguably or arguably not – but I know for sure if had he followed our plan, he would have been a global artist without a doubt.
“It is understandable that he was a bit sceptical about going on the global. He had not even really conquered Ghana yet and must have thought he needed time to fully establish himself here. I think the response would have been different if the same opportunity had presented itself a few years or even now. And in any case, it is not as if Sarkodie’s career did not blossom. Without such support, he has still built a solid brand. We must commend him,” he ended.
In 2009, rumours had it that Sarkodie had been signed by Akon.
The 2019 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Best International Flow awardee’s latest album is ‘No Pressure’. He has announced a follow-up to be released on Friday, November 11, 2022.
