Sarkodie was announced winner of the category at the ceremony which took place at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos on 12th January, 2018.

He won with ‘Pain Killer’ which features Nigerian singer Runtown. Other contenders in that category were Becca, AKA, Ycee, Timaya, Tiwa Savage and Wande Coal.

Hosted by the 2018 Big Brother Nigeria Host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the ceremony saw the likes of Olamide, Davido, Tiwa Savage and Wizkid also win some major awards.

Nigeria had four artistes out of six in the Best New Act category: Maleek Berry, Mayorkun, Small Doctor and Dice Ailes.

Davido, who enjoyed a spectacular year in 2017, continued this into 2018, by picking up the awards for Song of the Year, Video of the Year, and African Artist of the year.

About Sound City MVP Awards

The Soundcity MVP Awards Festival is an event presented by Soundcity TV which awards musicians and performers across Africa.

Since 2007, the winners are chosen by the viewers and fans by visiting #TheMVPs’ website and a select committee of the industry stakeholder.

The first MVPs ceremony was held on the 29th of December, 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on Soundcity TV on DStv, GOtv, TalkTalk UK, Soundcity Radio Network and Soundcity Android and iOS app as well as online on the SoundcityTV website, YouTube and other social media accounts.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He made this statement at the unveiling of former President John Agyekum Kuffuor as patron of the Ghana Job Bank Initiative, an programme aimed at spurring young people on to create businesses.

“I think it is about that time I gave back to who made me Sarkodie – and that is music. So I know on my side I think you have enough information about that and we’re about t close it. Hopefully I can help the new generation coming who don’t have to go through the same hustle that I went through coming up so they can be even better than Sarkodie or Shatta Wale,” he said.

According to Sarkodie, he has already put in place plans in this regard and will be kicking off in earnest soon. Already Sarkodie has on his SarkCess record label crooner Akwaboah and rapper Strongman.

Actress Joselyn Dumas who was also present at the programme held at the residence of the former President, said the success of the Koko King beverage is an encouragement for all young entrepreneurs.

On his part, former President Kuffour admonished the youth to take advantage of the favourable atmosphere created by the government to create more wealth.

He bemoaned the increasing rate of unemployment but acknowledged the fact that if the youth got proactive, things will change for the better.

The Ghana Job Bank Initiative is a programme that seeks to imbibe into the youth, the spirit if setting up their own businesses.
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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Shatta Wale who has recently taken up a campaign against Nigeria’s music invasion into Ghana, tweeted that Sarkodie allowed himself to be despised at the concert.

“Sarkodie doesn’t listen, it’s high time u respect your brand bro… they using you too much…don’t vex for the truth ..Respek.,” he tweeted.

His statement was a reply to Sarkodie’s tweet explaining to Shatta Wale why he did not mount the stage after the seeming sabotage by the Nigerian artiste.

“Nii wo kasa dodo lol agoro wo wani so … nobody plays with my brand and that be why we no step on that stage … I just feel for the fans that b why I tweet … you know me gyae ruff lol,” Sarkodie had earlier tweeted.

Sarkodie declined to perform at the One Africa Music Festival which was held in Dubai yesterday 16^th November, 2017 because he felt disrespected by some Nigerian artistes.

Reports have it that Sarkodie was told that he would perform after Tiwa Savage, only to see Wizkid join Tiwa on stage when it has not been announced he was the next act. Then the organisers informed Sarkodie he would perform after Tekno. But again, Davido also joined Tekno on stage unannounced.

The host, Banky W, mentioned that Sarkodie was coming up next, just to have been told again that Davido was coming on stage.

George Mensah Britton, a Ghanaian blogger who also went to the festival gave his account on Facebook.

“When Sark was just about hitting the stage, Davido’s guy attacked Black Nana by pushing him to the floor to allow Davido perform. Ugly scenes. Slaps, blows, police arrest etc,” he wrote.

Recently ‘Dance hall King’ Shatta Wale has been waging a war against Nigerian artistes for invading the Ghanaian music industry and disrespecting the Ghanaian artiste.

Shatta Wale who had said on Accra-based Kasapa FM that he did not regard Nigerian artiste Wizkid as a superstar, was attacked by fans of Wizkid on social media – and that birthed his recent attack on the Nigerians.

Even though it is not clear why the Nigerian artistes obstructed Sarkodie from performing at the One Africa Music Festival, some have said they may have done that in solidarity of a revenge to Shatta Wale’s recent attack on Nigerian artistes.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Sarkodie who flew to Dubai with his team for the concert, attended pre-event party and did sound check but did not perform on the night.

In a tweet he wrote: “Sorry to fans in Dubai but I’m not performing… hopefully I make it next time.”

Information has it that Sarkodie decided not to perform because he felt disrespected by an act by Davido and some other Nigerian artistes who performed at the Festival.

According to reports, Sarkodie was told that he would perform after Tiwa Savage, only to see Wizkid join Tiwa on stage when it had not been announced he was the next act to mount the stage. The organisers then informed Sarkodie he would perform after Tekno. But again, Davido also joined Tekno on stage unannounced.

The host, Banky W, mentioned that Sarkodie was coming up next, just to have been told again that Davido was coming on stage.

Ghanaian blogger, George Mensah Britton, who was present at the festival posted on Facebook that Davido’s guy shoved Sarkodie’s DJ off to mount the stage to perform.

“When Sark was just about hitting the stage, Davido’s guy attacked Black Nana by pushing him to the floor to allow Davido perform. Ugly scenes. Slaps, blows, police arrest etc,” he wrote.

Sarkodie, befuddled by the turn of events felt disrespected and decided not to perform again.

This comes on the heels of the recent fight by Dance hall King Shatta Wale against Nigerian artistes for looking down on Ghanaian artistes.

Shatta Wale who said on Accra-based Kasapa FM that Wizkid was not and extra ordinary artiste, incurred the wrath of Wizkid’s fans who took to social media to insult Shatta Wale.

To Shatta Wale,  his ‘beef’ with Wizkid’s fans and the Nigerian artistes is a ‘war’ against the disrespect shown Ghanaian artiste by their fellow Nigerian acts.

One Africa Music Fest is an Afrobeats concert that aims to showcase the biggest and brightest African musical artists. It is organised by Upfront and Personal Global Management.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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At the launch of the 2017 Rapperholic Concert at the Multichoice office in Accra on Friday, the ‘Hightest’ rapper in a reply to a question by Frank Williams of Angel TV, dispelled claims that there was a beef between him and the Rap Executioner.

According to him, he has not even heard the song and doesn’t know what it talks about.

“I’ve not heard it and I don’t know what it talks about but think there can be any beef between us. Just before I came here, Hammer of the Last 2 even suggested to me that he wanted me to do a full album with Obrafuor. So there’s nothing,” he said.

According to Sarkodie, Obrafuor is a legend whom he would not dare have a beef with. He said if there was a problem, Obrafuor would call him personally.

This comes few days after Obrafuor had released two songs, ‘Kasahari’ and ‘No Vote’ to “whip some rappers in line.”

Most people have interpreted the ‘Kasahari’ track to be a ‘diss’ track to Sarkodie because Obrafour a few years ago featured Sarkodie on a song called ‘Hiplife’ where he asked Sarkodie to touch his crown and promised to give to him if he worked hard.

Coming back with a song to claim his place in the industry, alluding to a dip in the performance of the one that touched his crown and his ilk, is the reason many have described it as a jab at Sarkodie, his heir apparent.

A few days ago, Obrafuor said on ‘Celebrity Radar’ on Citi 97.3 FM that the song was not directed at Sarkodie.

“If people want to misrepresent you, it doesn’t matter how much explanation you give. I did not mention Sarkodie’s name. If in the song I said an imaginary being who touched my crown is the one ‘Kasahari’ has revealed, then it is up to you to interpret,” he told Citi FM in Ghana.

What may have deepened the speculations of a row between them was the release of Sarkodie’s ‘Almighty’ which was actually produced more than a year ago.  In ‘Almighty,’ Sarkodie talks about how people want to bring him down but keeps rising due to the Grace of God Almighty.

Sarkodie, who released his 19-track ‘Highest’ album will be holding the 5^th edition his annual Rapperholic Concert on 25^th December, 2017 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Sarkodie on Sunday morning described how saddened he was by the defeat of his favourite Ghanaian boxer Bukom Banku.

According to him, he believed that Banku wasn’t fit for the bout.

The former WBO Africa Cruiserweight champion, Brimah Kamoko, popularly known as Bukom Banku was defeated by former Ghana Amateur boxing team captain, Bastie Samir at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Saturday night.

Prior to the bout, Bukom Banku had promised to knock out the Bastie in the 6th Round but ironically he started losing it in 3rd Round after receiving hard punches from Bastie. He was defeated in the 7th round.

Sarkodie whose ‘Highest’ album was recently released has been nominated in the African Act category of the 2017 Music of Black Origin (MOGO).

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The producer on Sunday, took to twitter to register his displeasure at the rapper for not giving him credit for the ‘All I Want Is You’ song on the ‘Highest’ album.

“Track 15 on the ‘Highest’ album was originally composed with my production. But Sarkodie pull a fast one. Eh boys!” he tweeted.

Gafacci has worked with artistes such as D-Black, Sarkodie, Dee Moneey, J Town, Chase, among others.

He produced the 2010 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Freestyle Cypher featuring Sarkodie, Tinny, Ayigbe Edem, Reggie Rockstone, Baby G and Kwaku T.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, he is not a lyricist like Sarkodie so he entreats people not to lump him up in the same league with them.

“I’m not a lyricist. I’m not an MC. Don’t compare me to Sarkodie. I don’t do what they do.  Sarkodie is an amazing lyricist. Me, I’m a business man. I’m an entertainer. I make music, you dance to it and I get paid for it and I am happy for that,” he said.

He also said in the interview with Delay on GH One TV that music has now gone beyond only talent.

“I’ve gone to the BETs, I’ve won Channel O’s, I’ve been nominated Best Rapper in Africa. The music industry is not about talent anymore. It’s also about the material you put out there. It’s also about your brand. It’s also about the music you put out and I am a combination of all these,” he D-Black added.

D-Black has been mocked by Wanluv, DJ Black and other entertainment critics as one of the worst rappers in Ghana.

Since he started doing music 7 years ago, he has released songs like ‘Move,’ ‘Breathe,’ ‘Somebody,’ ‘Vera,’ ‘Personal Person’ and ‘Kotomashi.’

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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‘Highest’ is a collection of 15 brand new songs, 3 interludes and a bonus track, making 19 tracks in total.

It is an incredible collection of solid Hip-Hop and Afro-Beats cuts that are set to push him even further into the international stratosphere.

Named as one of the biggest Hip-Hop acts on the African continent by The Guardian, the Ghanaian hip-hop artist and winner of the Best International Act: Africa at the 2012 BET Awards, Sarkodie waxes very deep and classier on the ‘Highest album.’

Highest features some major local and International acts such as his long-time friend and Producer Jayso, UK’s very own Big Narstie, Victoria Kimani (Kenya), Moelogo (UK), renowned Spoken Word artist Suli Breaks (UK), Korede Bello (Nigeria), Praiz (Nigeria), Yung L (Nigeria), Joey B (Ghana), Jesse Jagz (Nigeria), Flavour (Nigeria) and Bobii Lewis (UK).

Set to unleash his latest offering of stellar African influenced hip-hop sounds to the world, Sarkodie announced the album at an exclusive listening event at the plush ElectroLand Showroom in Accra, Ghana where he also treated his fans to screenings of cinematic visuals for 6 tracks from the project.

At the Listening/Screening event, Sarkodie described “Highest” as his most challenging project yet. He also stated that it is a celebration of his achievements.

King Sark is ready to take his brand of fearless and contagious hip-hop hits to even higher heights.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Speaking to KMJ on Hitz FM on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, Mark Okraku Mante said he was ready to meet the Krobo elders on behalf of Sarkodie for his lyrics on a Krobo woman in ‘Jennifer Lomotey,’ a song owned by Kurl Songx.

“Because of the office I occupy, I should have an interest in the issue because Sarkodie is a creative person and the issue came out of a creative piece. Even though we encourage creativity, psychologically this can affect other creative artistes because subsequently they may find it difficult to mention other tribes in their songs,” he said.

“It is good this is coming out. Society develops out of conflicts. So it is about finding solutions. Between now and Friday I am making an effort to meet the Krobos,” Mark noted.

He said listening to the song, he did not think Sarkodie had any intent to mock Krobo women but as society if you step on somebody’s toes and they say they don’t like it, it is prudent to apologise.

“I do not also think that if your neighbour wrongs you, you run to court. For me as a mediator, I am not going to take sides. What I am going to do is to make sure creativity and culture co-exist,” he intimated.

In the song ‘Jennifer Lomotey,’ Sarkodie raps: “Krɔbɔ nii baa papa a ahweneɛ da ne sisi. Ɔkɔmfo Anɔkye de adwaman no abɔ ne dua,” which literary means “a good Krobo woman with beads around her waist. She’s been cursed by Okomfor Anokye with promiscuity.”

This did not go down well with the Krobos because to them it is denigrating to their women. A myth has it that Okomfo Anokye was once bathing by a riverside when some Krobo girls peeped at his nakedness. He then cursed them and generations of the Krobo women that they would be promiscuous.

When the issue broke, the Paramount Chief of Manya Krobo, Nene Sakite II condemned it and requested that Sarkodie apologised and retracted the song. A Krobo Youth group, Kloma Hengme also issued a statement and later through their legal counsel, served the management of Kurl Songx and Sarkodie a letter of their intent to sue.

In the letter, they requested among other things, that the song be edited, Sarkodie apologises to the Krobos and pay an amount of GHc. 2,000,000 (Two million Ghana cedis). They gave the Kurl Songx and his team a week to satisfy the requests or face a law suit.

Mark Okraku Mante’s wish to apologise to the Krobos in Sarkodie’s stead comes few days after it was reported that ace musicians Nana Kwame Ampadu had also said on Kessben FM that he was also ready to apologise on their behalf.

He said the youth of today do not take cognizance of the impact of the words they choose for their songs and urged them to savour their lyrics.

However, the Public Relations Officer of Kurl Songx’s management (Blaq Standard Management), Arnold Asamoah Baidoo, has said his team sees nothing wrong with Sarkodie’s lyrics and that they are unperturbed by Kloma Hengme’s intent to sue them.

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By: Kwame Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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