Michael Owusu Addo, known in showbiz as Sarkodie is by far one of Africa’s biggest names in hip-hop. After releasing his maiden album, ‘Makye’, Sarkodie became the first Ghanaian to win the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards’ Best International African Act.

His works have led to many industry players including Reggie Rockstone, Obrafour and Nigeria’s M.I label him as a legend.

Hammer of The Last Two Music Group once remarked that Sarkodie is the new Obrafour and the best rapper.

“I have never seen any rapper as intelligent as Sarkodie for now because of the speed he uses to compose verses. He can just sit down within 10 minutes and create something good. You can’t believe it. Unlike Obrafuor, Sarkodie is about comedy and he is not a teacher or someone who really wants to bring up serious message like Obrafour did. The times have changed and Sarkodie is a new Obrafour. He is the best,” he told Flex Newspaper.

Sarkodie is the only Ghanaian act to have been nominated for the BET Awards thrice [2012, 2014, 2015].

It is obvious that the rapper has not relented on his efforts to stand out from his days on Kasahare Levels to the present. His hit songs include Baby, Borga, You Go Kill Me, Saa Okodie, Illuminati, Adonai, Onyame Nhyira, Original, Inflation, The Masses, Mewu and Mary.

Abrantepa.com shares with you some of his achievements as he celebrates his birthday.

Reggie Rockstone [left] says if Ghana knew how passionate Sarkodie is about about moving Ghana music to another level, it would build a statue for him [Photo: Kwabena Awuku]

Albums

Sarkodie has four studio albums to his credit.

1. Makye (2009)

2. Rapperholic (2011)

3. Sarkology (2013)

4. Mary (2015)

Collaborations

Sarkodie has collaborated with both local and international acts on many occasions. In June 2014, the multifaceted rapper collaborated with Diamond Platnumz, Mi Casa, Davido, Tiwa Savage and Lola Rae on a song for DSTV’s Africa Rising campaign, aimed at inspiring Africans to take part in community-based social investment projects.

He worked with Obrafour [Hiplife, Saa Okodie], AKA [Special Someone], Castro [Onyame Nhyira, Adonai], Ice Prince [Shots on Shots], EL [Ayayaa, You Go Kill Me], Efya [Where Did I Go Wrong, I’m in Love with You Now, Joley], Shatta Wale [Megye Wo Girl, Dancehall Commando], Samini [Love Rocks], Pat Thomas [Bra], among others.

Awards

The rap artiste has won several awards across the globe. Aside winning 14 awards at the 4syte Music Video Awards, Sarkodie can boast of:

1. Artiste of the Year, Discovery of the Year, Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year, Best Collaboration of the Year, Best Rapper of the Year – Ghana Music Awards 2010

2. Best International Act: Africa – BET Awards 2012

3. Non-Nigerian artist of the Year – Ovation Red Carol & Awards 2012

4. Award for achievement in music – National Youth Achievement Award 2012

5. Most Popular Song of the Year – Ghana Music Awards 2012

6. Best West African Act – Caribbean American and African Nations Music Awards 2013

7. Western African Artist or Group of the Year – Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2013

8. Hip Hop Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Rapper of the Year, Hiplife/ Hip Hop Artiste of the Year – Ghana Music Awards 2014

9. Best Hiphop – MTV Africa Music Awards 2014

10. Artiste of the Year – Ben TV Awards 2014

11. African Artiste of the Year – The Headies 2012, 2014, 2015

12. Best Reggae Collaboration – Bass Awards 2015

13. Hiplife/Hip pop Artiste of the Year, Best Collaboration of the Year, Song of the Year – Ghana Music Awards 2015

14. Best Entertainer – EMY Awards 2016

15. Record of the Year, Rapper of the Year, Hip Hop song of the Year – Ghana Music Awards 2016

16. Best Album – MOGO Awards 2016

Shows

Sarkodie who was ranked 8th on Forbes and Channel O’s 2013 and 2015 list of the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artistes has performed at many events, all of which sold out. In March 2016, Sarkodie made history as the first African rapper to hold his own concert at the O2 Arena in the UK.

Other performances include:

1. Live in Ghana Concert – September 2009

2. Africa Unplugged Music Festival, Wembley Arena, London – August 2012

3. Vodafone 020 Live Concert, Ghana – 2012

4. Ghana Music Awards – May 2014; 2016

5. Sarkodie History In The Making Concert, Apollo Theatre, New York – August 2015

6. Return of the Africa Rap God’ Concert, Canada [SarkodieLiveCanada] – July 2016

Business

Sarkodie owns a record label, SarkCess Music, which has been in existence since 2014. He also has a clothing line called, ‘Sark by Yas Clothing Line’ and has hinted to venture into mineral water business.

Endorsement deals

Sarkodie is a brand ambassador for Samsung Mobile. In 2013, he signed an endorsement deal with FanMilk Ghana. He is currently in partnership with Tigo Telecommunications Ghana, a brand that sponsored the 2013 Rapperholic tour.

Other engagements

Off the stage and studio, Sarkodie shared his experience with some students of Harvard Business School in the US State of Massachusetts on February 27, 2016. The theme for the conference was ‘The Art Of The Hustle’. On April 30, 2016, the rapper together with business mogul, Kofi Amoabeng shared their success stories with students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Sarkodie has a girlfriend and daughter.