Sarkodie Career So Far- All You Need To Know

Sarkodie has risen to become the most successful rapper in Ghana and probably Africa. He describes the journey as tough just as every other successful person says. In this post we tried to summarize the career path of Sarkodie to you.

Sarkodie began his music career as an underground rapper.

His first single “Baby”, featuring Mugeez of the duo R2Bees, became an instant hit and made Sarkodie a household name within the Ghanaian music industry. Sarkodie released his 2009 debut album Makye, with production from Killbeatz and Jayso as well as guest appearances from Kwaw Kese, J-Town, Sway and Paedae of R2Bees.

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

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

In 2012, Sarkodie launched the Rapperholic album, which received positive reviews from music critics. The album features guest appearances from Efya, Chidynma, Mugeez of R2Bees, Obrafour, Jayso, EL and others. Sarkodie went on a nationwide tour to support the album. The Rapperholic album earned Sarkodie his first BET nomination and subsequent win. Sarkodie was also featured on the BET Hip Hop Awards cypher alongside Talib Kweli, Jean Grae and Ab-Soul. He was the only African act featured on the cypher.

READ Sarkodie Photos that Proves He is a King

In August 2012, Sarkodie toured the United States. He performed in several different cities and states, including New York City, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, Atlanta, Chicago, Texas and Massachusetts .After releasing his Rapperholic album, Sarkodie performed in five different regions in Ghana as part of his Rapperholic nationwide tour.  On 27 August 2012, Sarkodie performed at the Africa Unplugged Music Festival, which was held at the Wembley Arena in London. He performed alongside R2Bees, Fally Ipupa and Iyanya.

On December 21, 2013, a concert was put together to launch the Sarkology album, which was released on January 2, 2014. The launch was held at the Accra Sports Stadium. The album features guest appearances from Fuse ODG, AKA, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Banky W, 2 Face Idibia, Joey B and Efya, among others.

After releasing the Sarkology album, Sarkodie released the official remix for “Adonai”. The remix became an instant hit across Africa, and was featured in BBC‘s Capital Xtra Top 35 Afrobeats Songs Sarkodie launched his own record label, Sarkcess Music, in 2014. As part of the launch, he premiered the video for “Adonai” remix and “Special Someone”, both of which features Castro and AKA, respectively. Sarkodie also released the songs “Megye Wo Girl”, “Love Rocks”, “Chingum”, and “Whine Fi Me” under the label.

On 3 May 2014, Sarkodie performed at the 15th Edition of the Ghana Music Awards.^[23] On 7 June 2014, Sarkodie joined Miguel on stage to perform the latter’s single “How Many Drinks?“, at the MTV Africa Music Awards. In June 2014, Sarkodie collaborated with Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Davido, Diamond Platnumz and Tiwa Savage on a song for DSTV‘s Africa Rising campaign, which was designed to inspire Africans to partake in community-based social investment projects. The music video for the song, released on June 24, 2014, was shot and directed by South African production house Callback Dream.

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

READ Sarkodie Net worth 2019

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

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

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

READ WHO IS THE RICHEST MUSICIAN IN GHANA

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

SARKODIE AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

Sarkodie has received 81 awards from 148 nominations, including 22 Ghana Music Awards. Makye, his debut studio album, won him three awards at both the 4syte TV Music Video Awards and Ghana Music Awards. The album also earned him a nomination at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards. Rapperholic, his second studio album, earned him accolades at the 2012 editions of the BET Awards, The Headies, Ghana Music Awards, National Youth Achievement Awards, MOBO Awards, and Channel O Music Video Awards.

 

READ Richest Musicians in Ghana 2019

Sarkodie  career and endorsements

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

SARKODIE PERSONAL LIFE

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

SARKODIE RECORDS

Sarkodie holds the following records in Ghana’s music industry

1. First Ghanaian to win BET award
2. Artiste to win artiste of the year twice (tie)
3. Most number of nominations (148) and awards (81