Michael Owusu Addo, professionally known as Sarkodie, was born on July 10, 1987. Sarkodie is a Ghanaian rapper and an entrepreneur who hails...
Michael Owusu Addo, professionally known as Sarkodie, was born on July 10, 1987. Sarkodie is a Ghanaian rapper and an entrepreneur who hails from Tema, a harbor city east of the capital city; Accra. The Rap King, known for his versatile rap style has built a strong fan base in Ghana and overseas. His contribution to the Ghanaian music industry has earned him numerous honors including the Vodafone Ghana Music Award as "Artist of the decade".
Also considered as one of the major advocates of the "Azonto" genre and dance, Sarkodie was announced as the first winner of Best International Flow Act for 2019 the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Hip Hop Awards.
Michael, the fourth born of five children attended Achimota Preparatory School then to the Tema Methodist Day Senior High for his secondary education. He then proceeded to IPMC where he earned a degree in graphic design.
Career Beginnings
As an underground rapper, Sarkodie started his music career participating in "Kasahara Level", Adom Fm's popular Rap competition where he met his first manager Duncan Williams of Duncwills Entertainment. He also met other rappers like Edem and Castro who introduced him to Hammer, an established record producer of "The Last Two" record Label. Sarkodie impressed Hammer with his flow and gained the opportunity to record two tracks on his "Volta Regime" album.
Albums
Makye
Following his collaboration with Hammer, Sarkodie recorded his maiden album "Makye" which was primarily produced by Jayso and Killbeatz. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans and was supported by a concert held at Holy City Garden in Accra. Having to Perform alongside Busta Rhymes at the Busta Rhymes Live in Ghana concert on September 26, 2006, his "push" and "baby" songs on the album were ranked ninth and thirteenth on the JoyFm's Top 50 songs of 2009. His lead song "Baby" of the album gave him an instant hit and exposure.
Rappaholic
Sarkodie's second studio album "Rapperholic" was released in 2012. It features appearances from Efya, Chidynma, Mugeez of R2Bees, Obrafour, Jayso, and EL. The album was supported by five singles: "Good Bye", "One Time For Your Mind", "You Go Kill Me", "Living Legend", and "Onyame Nhyira". Sarkodie went on a nationwide tour to support the album. "Rapperholic" earned Sarkodie his first BET nomination and subsequent win. Sarkodie was also featured on the BET Hip Hop Award cypher alongside Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, and Ab-Soul. He was the only African act featured on the cypher.
Sarkology, SarkCess music & Africa Rising Campaign (2013- 2014)
Sarkodie released an official remix of "You go kill me" on 30th October 2013, which peaked at number 1 on various music charts in Ghana. The song featured vocals from wizkid, Ice Prince, Navio, and EL in January 2014. He released "Sarkology" as his third studio album which was primarily recorded in "Twi", featured guest appearances from Fuse ODG, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Banky W, Timaya, 2 Face Idibia, Sk Blinks, Stonebwoy, and Raquel among others. The album's production was handled by Magnom, Masterkraft, Killbeatz, Hammer, and Silverstone among others. In December at the Accra Sports Stadium, the album's launch concert was held.
In 2014, Sarkodie launched his record label, SarkCess Music and as part of the launch he premiered the video of the official "Adonai" remix and "Special someone". "Adonai" appeared on Capital Xta's list of top 35 afrobeat songs. He also released the songs "Megye wo girl", "Love Rocks", "Chingum" and "Whine Fi Me" under the label.
Sarkodie performed at the 15th edition of the Ghana Music Awards held on the 3rd of May 2014. At the MTV Africa Music Awards on 7th June 2014, he joined Miguel on stage to perform the latter's single "How many drinks" and in the same month, he collaborated with Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Davido, Diamond Platinumz, and Tiwa Savage to record "Africa Rising", a song for DSTV's campaign of the same name to inspire Africans to partake in community-based social investment projects. The video released on June 24, 2014, and was shot and directed by 'South African Production house Callback Dream'.
Mary and Highest (2015-2018)
On 10 June 2015, Sarkodie's "New Guy" assisted by Ace Hood was released for digital consumption through SarkCess Music and Ivy League Records Written by the two artists and produced by CedSolo. "New Guy" began in early 2015 with $25,000 paid by Sarkodie to cover the production fees as well as the recording. "Mary" was released on 12 September 2015, a live album named after his grandmother who died in 2012. "mewu" as the lead single of the album was released two months prior. Sarkodie sold nearly 4,000 copies of the album on the first day of the album launch. His fifth studio album "Highest" was released on 8 September 2017 through SarkCess Music and Dice recordings comprising 19 songs including 3 interludes and a bonus track.
Alpha and Black Love (2019)
Sarkodie released his debut extended play "Alpha" in June 2019, a 6-Track EP features guest appearances from Joey B and Ebony Reigns. He teased his collaboration with Reigns during the Ebony Reigns concert which commemorated the late singer. The "Black Love" album was released on December 20, 2019was supported by the previously released singles "Party & Bullshit", "Saara", "Do You" and "Can't Let You Go". In an interview with OkayAfrica in November, Sarkodie said the album explores themes of black love and relationships.
Recognitions & Networth
Sarkodie, due to the various musical style he possesses is considered a "multifaceted" rapper but often raps in his Native Language Twi. In 2013, Lynx TV ranked him first on its list of the "top 10 Ghanaian Rappers of all time". He is often named as one of Africa's Greatest Hip Hop artists ranking 6th on MTV Base list of the Hottest Africa MC's in 2014. AfricaRankings.com ranked him third in 2015 on its list of "Top 10 African Rappers of 2015" and in the same year, The Guardian listed him as one of its top 5 hip hop acts on the African continent. Sarkodie was ranked 8th on Forbes and Channel O's 2013 and 2015 list of the Top Richest/Bankable African Artistes. Sarkodie's net worth according to Forbes 2020 is $15million.
Philanthropy
On July 13, 2013, Sarkodie launched "The Sarkodie Foundation", a non-profit dedicated to supporting underprivileged children. He made generous donations to the Royal Seed Home Orphanage in Kasoa. On December 25, 2014, The Sarkodie Foundation embarked on a feed the kids' campaign in Tema, where they provided thousands of kids with eight sacks of rice, yogurt, and beverage cans. They also gave away school bags, water bottles, hats, and other items. Roshi Motman, the CEO of Tigo Telecommunications, was also in attendance to support the campaign. In October 2020, he voiced out his concerns over the police brutality in Nigeria during the #EndSARS protest.
Business Career and endorsements
Sarkodie owns the Sark by Yas clothing line, which was launched on April 27, 2013. The clothing line has accessories for men, women, and children. He was officially unveiled as the Brand Ambassador for Samsung Electronics at the University of Ghana, Legon in 2012. As part of the event, Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Pocket and Chief Hero Phones that had customized wallpapers of Sarkodie and his signature; with an opportunity to download exclusive tracks of Sarkodie granted to its users. He also launched the Obidi Chief headphones and signed an endorsement deal with FanMilk Ghana in 2013. Sarkodie is currently in partnership with Tigo Telecommunications Ghana, a brand that sponsored his 2013 Rapperholic tour. On 30 October 2019, he was appointed as an ambassador for the Year of Return campaign; the honor was conferred on him at the Creative Arts Industry Forum.
Personal Life
In a private wedding held in Tema, Sarkodie married his lifelong girlfriend Tracy on 17th July 2018. They have two kids; my daughter, Adalyn Owusu Addo, and a son, Michael Nana Yaw Owusu Addo Jnr. who is named after the famous rapper.
Awards and Honors
Sarkodie has received 100 awards from 176 nominations, including 24 Ghana Music Awards. Makye, his debut studio album, won him three awards at both the 4syte TV Music Video Awards and Ghana Music Awards. The album also earned him a nomination at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards. Rapperholic, his second studio album, earned him accolades at the 2012 editions of the BET Awards, The Headies, Ghana Music Awards, National Youth Achievement Awards, MOBO Awards, and Channel O Music Video Awards.
Sarkodie's collaborative album recorded with Jayso, titled T.M.G, earned him an award at the 2013 4Syte TV Music Video Awards, as well as a nomination at the 2013 Ghana Music Awards. He won the Best African Act at the 2013 Nigerian Entertainment Awards. The release of Sarkology in 2014 earned Sarkodie several awards, including four Ghana Music Awards, one MTV Africa Music Awards, one Independent Music Award, four 4syte TV Music Video Awards, one Headies Award, and one Ghana Music Honor. He also received a nomination at the 2014 BET Awards and was nominated four times at the 2014 World Music Awards. Sarkodie won Best West African Act at the 2013 Caribbean American and African Nations Music Awards.
Moreover, he won Best Rap Act at 2014 African Muzik Magazine Awards. He was honored by the organizers of the Afrobeats Music Awards for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of African music globally. Sarkodie also won two awards for the singles "Love Rocks" and "Enemies". and base on his consistency in Ghana music Sarkodie won the artiste of the decade award in the just ended Vodafone Ghana music awards 2019. In November 2020, Sarkodie won his first award at the Ghana DJ Awards for the DJs' Song of The Year category with his 2019 hit, Oofeetsor featuring Prince Bright
In October 2019, Sarkodie became the first artist to win the Best International Flow award at BET HipHop Awards.
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