Eugene Nyavor
Sarkodie is a Ghanaian hip-hop and hiplife recording artist, the first Ghanaian to win the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa category; that was in 2012.
He is admired and celebrated in Ghana as one of the leading music artists in the country.
Sarkodie is also considered as one of the major artists who brought the Azonto genre and dance back to life in Ghana and the world at large. Beyond these already known facts about the rapper, there are a handful of lesser-known facts about the phenomenal musician.
In this article, ghlinks.com.gh brings you everything you need to know about Sarkodie.
1. His Personal Life
Raised by a Single Mum ,Sarkodie was born Michael Owusu Addo, in Tema, Ghana. It is quite a few Ghanaians who know his real name as Sarkodie seems to have swallowed it up to the extent that when you mention Michael Owusu Addo, virtually no fuss will be made like when Sarkodie is mentioned.
He is the fourth of five children of his single mum Emma Maame Aggrey. He started to rap in his childhood in the year 1992 at the age of four.
From Achimota Preparatory School to Tema Methodist Day Senior High School, Sarkodie was known for his outstanding talent in music. He later proceeded to IPMC where he earned
a degree in Graphic Designing.
The Age Puzzle
Sark is said to have been born on the 10th of July 1988. However, the artist has on several occasions stated that the public claim about his age is wrong.
Meanwhile,the rapper has always dismissed questions about his actual age, insisting it is the one thing he’s decided to keep to himself.
Relationship and Family
Sarkodie married his long time girlfriend, his baby mama – Tracy on 21st July 2018. They both have a cute daughter named Adalyn.
Public Life
He is a Brand Ambassador for Breastfeeding
Sarkodie was unveiled as the ambassador of breastfeeding in Ghana in 2014. Other brands the rapper has represented include Samsung Mobile, Fanmilk Ghana, and
Tigo TeleCommunications Ghana.
He Owns Sark Clothing Line
Sarkodie owns Sarks Collection, a clothing brand which was launched on April 27, 2013. The clothing line deals on wears and accessories for men, women, and
children. The brand was worn by former Chelsea star, Malouda. Ranked in Forbes’ Top 10 Richest African Musicians for 2017, Sarkodie remains one of the richest
musicians in the continent.
Social Media Fame and Followership
Sarkodie is one of the most famous and followed African musicians on social media.
In 2015, he topped the list of Most Influential Musicians on Social Media.
The following year 2016, he became the first Ghanaian musician to hit one million followers
on Instagram.
The rapper also won the Best Subscribed YouTube Channel Award in Ghana that same year.
Humanitarian Work
On July 13, 2013, Sarkodie launched Sarkodie Foundation which is tasked with the mission of supporting underprivileged children. He also made donations of items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to the Royal Seed Home Orphanage in Kasoa.
I’ve never smoked or drank alcohol before. Unfortunately, it is a general belief that anyone who is vibrant on stage or… in the entertainment industry is… doing drugs. But I
beg to differ and stand to be counted out as an exception.
Sarkodie’s Music Career
How It All Started
Sarkodie made his breakthrough in Ghana music through his clever, quick and freestyle rapping which he does in a native language (Twi).
He started pursuing his in music through off-hand rap show on Adom 106.3 FM named Kasahare Level hosted by Duncan Williams. Gradually, he took himself to the top emerging as
the best rapper in Tema.
It was through this show that he met his manager who was then the host of the rap show. It was also there that he was noticed by one of the finest individuals in Ghana music, Edward Nana Poku Osei, also known as Hammer, and other popular musicians like Edem and Castro.
Hammer then helped the trio to release You Dey Craze. Even though Sarkodie was already known then, this track kept his name on the lips of Ghanaian youths until
he released his first hit track Baby.
The track which featured Mugeez of the R2bees made Sarkodie a household name in Ghana before his debut album. Sarkodie is now making waves with both Twi and English raps and songs.
His family Influenced His Career and Stage Name
Sarkodie’s family has always been a musical family – his mother is a singer, along with his little brother. His dad too is a strong fan and admirer of Michael Jackson and
that was exactly what inspired his birth name, Michael.
The rapper strongly believes that there is a link between his real name, Michael; his stage name, Sarkodie and
his success in the entertainment industry. He also revealed that his father had two wealthy friends who go by the name ‘Sarkodie’. He, therefore, equaled the name to
wealth.
He’s Also known as Obidi Pon Bidi
Aside from Sarkodie, Michael also goes by the nickname, Obidi Pon Bidi.
He once had his stage name inscribed on floor tiles at the 2014 BET Awards gala venue.
Illuminati Rumors
Sarkodie has been severally accused of being a member of the secret society known as Illuminati. The rumors were inspired by some controversial display of the
Illuminati signs and symbols in his music.
Some of the typical examples include his performance at the Apollo Theatre in New York where he used slides reflecting the “all seeing eye” symbol of the popular occultic group. The rumors started in December 2011 when he released the video of his song Saa Okodie No which allegedly
had some satanic connotations.
In a bid to dismiss the already heated rumors in the media space, he recorded the song Illuminati and subsequently released its video in August 2013, with a part of
the lyrics reading – ‘you believe in juju, I believe in power.’
All the same, he has continued this trend of stirring up Illuminati rumors. In January 2015, he again used slides of the all-seeing eyes in the video of his hit song,
Revenge Of The Spartans.
Read More About Sarkodie Here :Sarkodie Full Biography [Celebrity Bio]
