SARKODIE

Early Life and Education

Born on July 10, 1985, Sarkodie was the fourth of five children. He was raised in Koforidua before his family relocated to Tema. For his secondary education, he attended Tema Methodist Day Senior High School. He later earned a degree in graphic design from the IPMC College of Technology. In his track "Mile 7 Saga," he revealed that he was mistreated by a guardian he lived with during his childhood.

Music Career

Sarkodie's journey in music began as an underground rapper. He gained prominence by participating in Adom FM's popular rap competition, "Kasahare Level". It was during this competition that he met his former manager, Duncan Williams of Duncwills Entertainment. He was also introduced to the acclaimed record producer Hammer of The Last Two by fellow musicians Edem and Castro. Impressed by his rap skills, Hammer featured Sarkodie on two tracks for Edem's debut album, "Volta Regime".

His debut album, Makye, was released in 2009. The album, primarily produced by Killbeatz and Jayso, received positive reviews and featured collaborations with artists like Kwaw Kese, J-Town, Sway, and Paedae of R2Bees. His hit songs "Push" and "Baby" were ranked among the top songs of 2009 by Joy FM.

Over the years, Sarkodie has released several successful albums, including Rapperholic (2012), Sarkology (2014), Mary (2015), Highest (2017), Black Love (2019), No Pressure (2021), and Jamz (2022). He is also a major proponent of the Azonto genre and dance.

International Success and Record Deals

Sarkodie has achieved significant international recognition. He was the first artist to win the BET Best International Flow award at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards. He has collaborated with a wide range of international artists, including E-40, Ace Hood, and Jidenna, where he was featured alongside Quavo.

Sarkcess Music

In 2014, Sarkodie launched his own record label, Sarkcess Music. Under this label, he has released several of his own songs and has also signed other artists, such as Akwaboah.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Sarkodie is married to Tracy Owusu Addo, and they have two children. He has spoken about being separated from his parents during his childhood, which he says contributed to his introverted and observant nature.

Beyond his music career, Sarkodie is known for his philanthropic efforts. He launched The Sarkodie Foundation in 2013 to support underprivileged children. The foundation has been involved in various charitable activities, including the "Feed the Kids" campaign and donating to orphanages. In 2022, it was reported that he paid the medical bills of an 18-month-old baby who had been accidentally burned.

Awards and Recognition

Sarkodie is one of Africa's most decorated musicians, having received numerous awards throughout his career. His accolades include multiple wins at the Ghana Music Awards, where he was named "Artiste of the Decade," and a BET Award for Best International Act: Africa in 2012. He is often ranked as one of the best hip-hop artists in Africa.