The Ghanaian music scene has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. The country’s iconic highlife genre serves as its foundation and paves the way for the fusion of various genres to create globally acclaimed masterpieces.
From Mercury Dance Band, known for their hit ‘Kai Wawa,’ to the likes of Honny and Bees Band and Osibibisa, who blended Caribbean influences with Ghanaian roots, to the emergence of Burger Highlife and Hiplife in the 1980s, Ghanaian music has enjoyed a remarkable journey.
In 2019, a young talent from Konongo, a small mining city in the Ashanti Region, emerged with a unique sound that set him apart. Black Sherif’s music is rooted in highlife, but his ability to convey real-life experiences through his sentimental ballads captivates listeners from the first note. Songs like “Destiny,” “Ankonam,” “Money,” “Ade Akye,” and “Mariana” became his early anthems as he gained traction on digital streaming platforms, earning him recognition as one of the young artists to watch.
Last year, Black Sherif dropped his debut album, “The Villain I Never Was,” which is his self-styled autobiography, marking a defining moment in his career and solidifying his name among Africa’s greats.
With the release of his 1st and 2nd Sermon projects, followed by “Kwaku The Traveller,” Black Sherif’s global appeal skyrocketed, attracting fans from the UK, US, and Caribbean markets. He collaborated with renowned artists like Stormzy, Arrdee, Tory Lanez, Popcaan, and Bas.
“The Villain I Never Was” soared to No.12 on Billboard World Albums chart, No.9 on the UK Apple Music chart, and spent five months on the Nigerian Apple Music chart. It also ranked No.27 on the US Apple Music album chart and was listed at No.49 on Fader’s top 50 albums in 2022.
Black Sherif has graced prestigious stages like the MOBO Awards 2022, Soundcity MVPs, and Afrimma Awards 2022, and earned a nomination at the BET Awards 2022 for “Best International Act.” The album has garnered millions of streams on digital platforms.
Black Sherif recently performed at the maiden edition of Wireless Middle East in Abu Dhabi, sharing the stage with A-list artists like Travis Scott, Roddy Rich, and Central Cee. He is also scheduled to perform at Pharrell Williams “Something in the Water” festival in Virginia Beach on April 28, 2023, and his US debut at the Palladium in Times Square, New York City, on May 20, 2023.
With a record-breaking 11 nominations at the 23rd Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, including the prestigious Artiste of the Year category, Black Sherif is aiming high. He is also on his way to winning Most Popular Song of the Year, Best Hip Hop Song, Songwriter of the Year, Best Reggae/Dancehall Song, Best Afro-Pop Song, Album/EP of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Collaboration, Best Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste categories.
The anticipation among music lovers is palpable, and it remains to be seen if the VGMA night on May 6, 2023, will be when the once struggling youngster rises to the pinnacle of success; as they say, “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
