Ghanaian rap icon, Sarkodie, has in a new interview with DJ Semtex on ‘Hip hop Raised Me’ said that traditional radio in Ghana was not ready to air his songs when he started music.
“Mainstream radio in Ghana wasn’t ready to play any of my record because it didn’t make sense we were just rapping on some beat they didn’t term as commercial,” he said while sharing his experience with the British DJ.
They we’re having a chat on how Sarkodie penetrated the market with his kind of rap.
The ‘Fugazy’ rapper said the advent of social media and the internet, in general, gave his craft some validation and acceptance.
“And as you said, because it [the system] was controlled, the people were used to listening to what was presented to them and then the internet came in. And then people like myself and all these new artistes started putting out music and now people have alternatives,” he noted.
He said his style of rap was hardcore and quite different from what the masses were used to.
Sarkodie also added that he came at a time when people loved highlife to the hilt and found it difficult to accept his kind of rap music that was hard on the ear.
He made this statement when DJ Semtex mentioned how digital media has projected new rappers in the United Kingdom.
The Sarkodie journey
Sarkodie got a lot of exposure around 2007-2008 when he appeared on a show on Ghanaian mainstream radio station, Adom FM. On the ‘Kasahare’ show, Sarkodie defeated every rapper he battled.
After that, he released his first album ‘Maakye’ in 2009 and has since been a formidable force to reckon with in African rap music.
He recently released his 7th studio album titled ‘No Pressure.’
Listen to his interview with DJ Semtex below:
"Mainstream radio wasn't ready to play my records" Sarkodie
African Rap legend @Sarkodie breaks down how he cut through & built his own fanbase.
Exclusively on the #HipHopRaisedMe podcast ⬇️
Apple https://t.co/4sBqhriPUo
Spotify https://t.co/H3tMYDiuaQhttps://t.co/LcHAZdN37W pic.twitter.com/eOPOnNmVo4— DJSemtex (@DJSemtex) October 9, 2021
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By: Kwame Dadzie | Ghana Weekend
