Sarkodie is a Ghanaian rapper and entrepreneur who has made a name for himself in the African music industry. Born Michael Owusu Addo on July 10, 1985, in Tema, Ghana, Sarkodie started his music career as an underground rapper. He participated in Adom FM’s popular rap competition Kasahare Level, where he met his former manager Duncan Williams of Duncwills Entertainment.
Sarkodie’s contributions to the Ghanaian music industry have earned him numerous accolades, including the Vodafone Ghana Music Award for “Artiste of the Decade.” He is also the most decorated African rapper and made history by becoming the first artiste in the world to win the first and newly created 2019 BET International Flow award. Sarkodie’s music career has been marked by a series of successful albums, including “Makye,” “Rapperholic,” “Sarkology,” and “Highest.” He has collaborated with several international artists, including Ace Hood, Fuse ODG, and Wale.
Sarkodie’s music is known for its unique blend of Ghanaian highlife, hip hop, and rap. His lyrics often touch on social issues, including corruption and poverty. Sarkodie’s music has been described as a reflection of the Ghanaian culture and has helped to put Ghanaian music on the global map.
Early Life
Sarkodie was born on July 10, 1988, in Tema, Ghana. He was named Michael Owusu Addo by his parents. Sarkodie is the fourth of five children, and he grew up in Tema with his family.
He attended Tema Methodist Day Senior High School for his secondary education. After completing his secondary education, Sarkodie enrolled at IPMC, where he earned a degree in graphic design.
Sarkodie started his music career as an underground rapper, participating in Adom FM’s popular rap competition Kasahare Level. He gained popularity in the Ghanaian music industry after winning the competition.
Sarkodie’s early music career was heavily influenced by his love for rap music and his desire to make a name for himself in the music industry. He drew inspiration from popular rappers such as Jay-Z, Eminem, and Tupac Shakur.
Overall, Sarkodie’s early life was marked by his love for music and his desire to succeed in the music industry. His passion for music led him to participate in rap competitions, which ultimately helped him gain recognition in the Ghanaian music industry.
Musical Journey
Sarkodie’s musical journey started in his early life when he developed a passion for music. He was inspired by rap music and started writing his own lyrics at a young age. His talent was recognized by his friends and family, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music.
In 2009, Sarkodie released his debut album, “Makye,” which was well received by music lovers in Ghana. The album featured hit singles like “Push,” “Baby,” and “Ododome.” The success of his debut album helped him secure a recording contract with Duncwills Entertainment.
Over the years, Sarkodie has released several albums, including “Rapperholic,” “Sarkology,” “Mary,” and “Highest.” He has collaborated with many artists from Ghana and other African countries, as well as international artists like Ace Hood, Wale, and Rudeboy.
Sarkodie’s music has won him numerous awards, including the Vodafone Ghana Music Award for “Artiste of the Decade” in 2019. He is known for his unique style of rap, which blends traditional African rhythms with modern hip-hop beats.
Apart from his music career, Sarkodie is also a successful entrepreneur. He is the founder of Sarkcess Music, a record label that has signed several artists in Ghana. He has also endorsed several brands, including Samsung and Fan Milk Ghana.
Overall, Sarkodie’s musical journey has been a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication. He has become one of the most successful and influential musicians in Africa, and his music continues to inspire and entertain people around the world.
Major Albums
Sarkodie has released several albums throughout his music career. Here are some of his major albums:
Makye (2009)
Makye is Sarkodie’s debut studio album. It was released in 2009 and features hit songs such as “Push”, “Baby”, and “Chat With You”. The album won several awards including the Best Hip Hop Album at the 2010 Ghana Music Awards.
Rapperholic (2012)
Rapperholic is Sarkodie’s second studio album. It was released in 2012 and features collaborations with several artists such as Sway, Mugeez, and EL. The album includes hit songs such as “Bounce”, “Onyame Nhyira”, and “Pizza and Burger”. Rapperholic won the Best Album of the Year and Best Rapper of the Year awards at the 2013 Ghana Music Awards.
Sarkology (2014)
Sarkology is Sarkodie’s third studio album. It was released in 2014 and features collaborations with several artists such as Fuse ODG, Banky W, and Vector. The album includes hit songs such as “Adonai”, “Love Rocks”, and “Whine Fi Me”. Sarkology won the Best Album of the Year award at the 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
Mary (2015)
Mary is Sarkodie’s fourth studio album. It was released in 2015 and is named after his late grandmother. The album features collaborations with several artists such as Akwaboah, Mugeez, and Obrafour. The album includes hit songs such as “End Up Falling”, “Bra”, and “Mewu”. Mary won the Best Album of the Year award at the 2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
Highest (2017)
Highest is Sarkodie’s fifth studio album. It was released in 2017 and features collaborations with several artists such as Jesse Jagz, Flavour N’abania, and Bobii Lewis. The album includes hit songs such as “Glory”, “We No Dey Fear”, and “All I Want Is You”. Highest won the Best Album of the Year award at the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
Sarkodie has also released several other albums, mixtapes, and EPs throughout his music career. He has established himself as one of the most successful and influential musicians in Ghana and Africa as a whole.
Hit Songs
Sarkodie has released numerous hit songs throughout his music career. Here are some of his most popular songs:
- Adonai: This song was released in 2014 and features Castro. It has over 100 million views on YouTube and is one of Sarkodie’s most successful songs to date.
- Pain Killer: Released in 2017, this song features Runtown and has over 50 million views on YouTube. It was a massive hit in Ghana and Nigeria.
- Lucky: This song was released in 2019 and features Nigerian artist Rudeboy. It has over 20 million views on YouTube and was a major hit in both Ghana and Nigeria.
- Can’t Let You Go: Released in 2018, this song features King Promise and has over 10 million views on YouTube. It was a popular song in Ghana and other parts of Africa.
- Oofeetso: Released in 2019, this song features Prince Bright and has over 15 million views on YouTube. It was a major hit in Ghana and is still played frequently on the radio.
Sarkodie’s music is loved by many because of his unique style and ability to blend different genres of music. His songs have a mix of rap, afrobeats, and highlife, making them appealing to a wide range of audiences.
Awards and Recognition
Sarkodie’s contributions to the Ghanaian music industry have earned him numerous accolades, including the Vodafone Ghana Music Award (VGMA) for “Artiste of the Decade”. He has received a total of 110 awards from 206 nominations, including 28 Ghana Music Awards.
His debut studio album, Makye, won him three awards at both the 4syte TV Music Video Awards and Ghana Music Awards. The album also earned him a nomination at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards.
In 2012, Sarkodie won the Best International Act: Africa category at the BET Awards, becoming the first Ghanaian artist to win the award. He has also won the Best Rapper of the Year award at the Ghana Music Awards five times.
In addition to his music awards, Sarkodie has also received recognition for his philanthropic work. In 2019, he was honored with the Global Citizen Award for his contributions to education in Africa.
Sarkodie’s success in the music industry has also led to numerous endorsement deals with companies such as Samsung, Fan Milk Ghana, and Tigo Ghana. In 2018, he was named the brand ambassador for Standard Chartered Bank Ghana.
Overall, Sarkodie’s talent and hard work have earned him a place as one of the most successful and respected musicians in Ghana and Africa as a whole.
Philanthropy
Sarkodie is known for his philanthropic activities in Ghana. In 2013, he launched The Sarkodie Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children. The foundation provides financial support for education, healthcare, and the overall well-being of children in Ghana.
Aside from the foundation, Sarkodie has made generous donations to the Royal Seed Home Orphanage in Kasoa, Ghana. He has also been involved in several charitable events, including the annual “Ghana Meets Naija” concert, where he performs alongside other popular artists to raise funds for various charitable causes.
In addition to his work with underprivileged children, Sarkodie has also been vocal about social issues affecting Ghana. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues such as sanitation, education, and healthcare. In 2019, he was appointed as an ambassador for the “Year of Return” campaign, which aimed to promote tourism and investment in Ghana.
Sarkodie’s philanthropic efforts have earned him recognition both locally and internationally. In 2018, he was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement in Music” award at the Ghana UK-Based Achievement (GUBA) Awards for his contributions to the Ghanaian music industry and his philanthropic work.