Sarkodie Biography: age, children, wife Tracy Sarkcess, parents, hometown
Who is Sarkodie in Ghana:
Born Michael Owusu Addo, Sarkodie is a multiple award-winning Ghanaian hip hop artiste, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Tema, Ghana.
Sarkodie — the most decorated African rapper — made history by becoming the first artiste in the world to win the first and newly created 2019 BET International Flow award.
The iconic rapper is also the first Ghanaian artiste to win a BET Award for the “Best International Act – Africa category in 2012. He was once again nominated in the same category at the 2014 BET Awards.
Sarkodie is regarded as the Greatest African Rapper Of All Time in some quarters based on the several awards he has amassed both locally and internationally in his career.
Considered as one of the major proponents of the Azonto dance genre, Sarkodie currently has over 90 international and local awards sitting in his closet.
In 2013, Lynx TV ranked him number 1 on their list of the “Top 10 Ghanaian Rappers Of All Time”.
In 2014, MTV ranked him number 6 on their list of the Hottest African MCs.
Read This: Tracy Sarkcess Owusu Addo Biography: age, children, education, hometown, occupation
Tracy Sarkcess Biography
In 2015, Sarkodie was named by The Guardian in the United Kingdom (UK) as one of the top five hip hop acts on the African continent.
In 2015, e-TV Ghana ranked Sarkodie the 19th Most Influential Ghanaian.
In 2015, AfricaRanking.com ranked him number 3 on their list of the “Top 10 African Rappers Of 2015”
In 2013 and 2015, Sarkodie was ranked 8th on Forbes and Channel O’s list of the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artistes.
Date Of Birth
Michael Owusu Addo aka Sarkodie was born on Sunday, July 10th, 1985.
Age
The fastest Ghanaian rapper is currently 37 years old and will be 38 come July this year, 2023.
Parents, Early Life, Hometown, Family
Michael Owusu Addo aka ‘Obidi Pon Bidi’ was born to Mr and Mrs Owusu Addo.
The multiple award-winning Ghanaian rapper is the fourth child of five of his parents.
His hometown is Juaso (Nkwanta) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
He was single-handedly raised by his mother, Emma Maame Aggrey, who celebrated her 63rd birthday on April 22nd, 2020.
Sarkodie recently gave a chilling account of the struggles he went through, growing up as a kid when his real father took him away from his biological mother (Emma Maame Aggrey) and kept him under the care of another woman at Mile 7 in Accra who maltreated him for years.
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According to the most decorated African rapper, who shared his story in an interview with DJ Andy Dosty on Hitz FM, his mother finally came for him when he was in Junior High School (JHS) at Achimota Preparatory School.
The rapper took to Twitter to celebrate his mum’s 63rd birthday:
“Happy bday sweet mother Emma Maame Aggrey … God’s blessings on your life mummy…mede momo no b3 hooki wo.”
Senior High School Education
Sarkodie aka ‘Obidi Pon Bidi’ started his early education at Achimota Preparatory School in Accra, Ghana.
The award-winning rapper attended Tema Methodist Day Senior High School in Tema for his senior high school education.
He graduated with a degree in Graphic Designing from Intercom Programming & Manufacturing Co. Ltd from IPMC — one of the leading computer schools in Ghana.
Wife Tracy Sarkcess and Children
Sarkodie finally married his long-time girlfriend, Tracy Sarkcess on July 17th, 2018 in one of the most expensive private weddings held in Tema, Ghana.
Tracy and Sarkodie started their relationship from Comm.9, Tema where they both grew up.
Read the link below for Tracy Sarkcess’ full biography: age, children, education, occupation…
Read This: Tracy Sarkcess Owusu Addo Biography: age, children, education, hometown, occupation
Tracy Sarkcess Biography
The two are currently blessed with two children: a daughter, Adlyn Owusu Addo aka Titi, and a son, Micheal Nana Yaw Owusu Addo Jnr. who’s named after his father, Sarkodie.
Music Career
Michael Owusu Addo aka Sarkodie started rapping sometime in 1992 at an early age of four (4).
He competed in many rap battles in Tema and its environs including the popular “Kasahare Level” on Adom FM, whipping every rapper in his way to become the champion in Tema.
Sarkodie met his manager, ‘Dr’ Duncan Williams (of Duncwills Entertainment) who was the host of “Kasahare Level”.
He later met Ghanaian artistes, Edem and Castro who introduced him to renowned Ghanaian hip hop music producer, Edward Nana Poku Osei aka Hammer (of the Last Two fame).
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Sarkodie also recorded two tracks for Hammers’s studio album, ‘Volta Regime‘.
After being impressed by his rap delivery, Hammer gave Sarkodie the opportunity to feature on Edem’s “You Dey Craze” hip hop song, which also announced his (Sarkodie) presence to the world of hip hop lovers here in Ghana.
2009—2012: “Maakye” & “Rapperholic” Albums; performance with Busta Rhymes
In 2009, Sarkodie released his first album “Maakye” which was primarily produced by Killbeatz and Jayso.
Guest artistes who appeared on the “Maakye” album were Kwaw Kese, J-Town, Sway and Paedae of R2Bees.
After receiving positive reviews from fans and critics for his “Maakye” album, Sarkodie held a concert at the Holy City Gardens in Accra.
Then came the opportunity on September 16, 2009, for Sarkodie to perform alongside the legendary American rapper, Busta Rhymes at the ‘Busta Rhymes Live in Ghana’ concert
In 2010, two songs off his “Maakye” album, “Push” and “Baby” were ranked ninth and thirteenth respectively on Joy FM‘s Top 50 songs for the year, 2009.
In 2012, Sarkodie released his second album “Rapperholic” which had guest appearances from Efya, Chidynma, Mugeez of R2Bees, Obrafour, Jayso, and rapper, EL.
The ‘Rapperholic‘ album had hit songs like “Good Bye”, “One Time For Your Mind”, “You Go Kill Me”, “Living Legend”, and “Onyame Nhyira”.
Sarkodie got his first BET nomination with his ‘Rapperholic’ which he eventually won in 2012.
At the same 2012 BET awards, Sarkodie was the only African rap artiste who was featured on the BET Hip Hop Awards cypher alongside Talib Kweli, Jean Grae and Ab-Soul.
2013—2014: “Sarkology” album, Sarkcess Music Label & Africa Rising Campaign
On October 30, 2013, Sarkodie released the official remix of “You Go Kill Me” which peaked at number one on most charts in Ghana, and it featured the likes of Wizkid, Ice Prince, Navio, and EL.
In 2013, Sarkodie released his third studio album ‘Sarkology‘ with guest appearances from Fuse ODG, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Banky W., Timaya, 2 Face Idibia, Efya, Mugeez, Obrafour, Burna Boy, Vivian Chidid, Vector, Silvastone, Sk Blinks, Stonebwoy, Joey B, J Town, Lil Shaker, Raquel, Sian, Kofi B and AKA.
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He later released the official remix of “Adonai” featuring Castro and it appeared on Capital Xtra‘s list of the Top 35 Afrobeats Songs.
In 2014, Sarkodie launched his ‘baby’, Sarkcess Music record label and premiered the video for “Adonai” (Remix) and “Special Someone” as part of the launch.
Other hit songs he released under Sarkcess Music included “Megye Wo Girl”, “Love Rocks”, “Chingum”, and “Whine Fi Me”.
Previously managed by Duncwills Entertainment, Sarkodie now with his own record label (Sarckess Music) also signed rap artiste, Strongman, and highlife act, Akwaboah whose individual contracts with the label have ended.
In June, 2014, Sarkodie collaborated with Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Davido, Diamond Platnumz and Tiwa Savage to record “Africa Rising” — a song for DSTV’s campaign of the same name.
The campaign was designed to inspire Africans to partake in community-based social investment projects.
Video for “Africa Rising” which was released on June 24, 2014, was shot and directed by South African production house, Callback Dream.
2015—2018: “Mary” & “Highest” Albums
On June 10, 2015, Sarkodie released the long-awaited “New Guy” song collaboration with America rapper, Ace Hood. The ‘New Guy’ song which was written by the two artists and produced by CedSolo, was released for digital consumption through Sarkcess Music and Ivy League Records.
Getting “New Guy” to be produced began in early 2015 when Sarkodie paid a total of $25,000 to cover the production fees associated with the recording.
On September 12, 2015, Sarkodie released “Mary” — a live album named after his grandmother who died in 2012.
In February 2016, Sarkodie spoke to a group of Harvard Business School students under the theme: “The Art of the Hustle” which was primarily about the challenges associated with being an African musician.
On September 8, 2017, Sarkodie released his fifth studio album “Highest” which comprised of 19 songs, 3 interludes and a bonus track with guest appearances from Jesse Jagz, Moelogo, Flavour, Korede Bello, Victoria Kimani and Big Narstie.
The “Highest” was primarily produced by Jayso, with additional production from Masterkraft, TSpize, Ced Solo, Nova, and Guilty Beatz.
2019: “Alpha” & “Black Love” Albums
In June 2019, Sarkodie released his debut 6-track extended play (EP) dubbed “Alpha” which featured Joey B and the late Ebony Reigns.
On December 20, 2019, Sarkodie released his sixth studio album “Black Love” which featured guest artists like Mr Eazi, Efya, Donae’o, Idris Elba, Stonebwoy, Tekno, Maleek Berry, Herman Suede, King Promise and Kizz Daniel. The album was supported by the previously released singles “Party & Bullshit”, “Saara”, “Do You” and “Can’t Let Go”.
His debut studio album, “Makye” won him three awards at the 4syte TV Music Video Awards and Ghana Music Awards.
Charity, Philanthropy, Foundation
On July 13th, 2013, the Tema-based rapper started the Sarkodie Foundation to help and support the needy and underprivileged children in society.
He donated a lot of items worth thousands of Ghana Cedis to the Royal Seed Home Orphanage based in Kasoa.
On December 25th, 2014, the Sarkodie Foundation embarked on a new project dubbed “Feeddakids” which provided hundreds of kids in Tema with sacks of rice, drinks, yogurt, hats, and educational packages such as school bags, books, pencils, pens, etc.
Business and Endorsements Deals
On April 27, 2013, Sarkodie launched his own clothing line, “Sark” — providing accessories for men, women, and children.
In 2012, “Obidi Pon Bidi” was officially unveiled as the Brand Ambassador for Samsung Electronics at the University of Ghana, Legon. On the day of his unveiling, Samsung Electronics also showcased the Samsung Galaxy Pocket and Chief Hero Phones that had customized wallpapers of Sarkodie and his signature. Users were also given the opportunity to download exclusive tracks of Sarkodie.
In 2013, Sarkodie launched the Obidi Chief headphones and also signed an endorsement deal with FanMilk Ghana.
Sarkodie signed a partnership deal with Tigo Telecommunications Ghana — the telecom giant that sponsored his 2013 Rapperholic tour.
On October 30th, 2019, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts of Ghana appointed Sarkodie as an ambassador for the Year of Return campaign. The honour was conferred on him at the Creative Arts Industry Forum in Accra.
In September, 2020, Sarkodie signed a new deal with Malta Guiness (Ghana’s leading non-alcoholic malt beverage brand) as an influencer in the campaign christened: “Enjoy a World of Goodness”.
The deal was sealed with other ‘celebrities’ like Sister Deborah, Naa Ashorkor Doku Mensah, YOLO star Aaron Adtsi, TV presenter Regina Van- Helvert, and medical practitioner & TV show host Dr. Vanessa Mensah- Karbo.
Awards and Nominations
Sarkodie has a tall list of over 92 awards from over 165 nominations in his entire music career.
The list of Sarkodie awards & nominations is so long we have created a different page for it here.
See This: Sarkodie Awards: see all the Awards & Nominations received by Sarkodie in his music career
Sarkodie Awards
Sarkodie Twitter
#sarkodie or https://twitter.com/sarkodie
Sarkodie Instagram
#sarkodie or https://www.instagram.com/sarkodie/
Source: George Awiadem Maclean | BieGyaNation.Com
