Ghanaian rapper, singer and songwriter, Black Sherif, has revealed that music is his safe haven from the pains of the world.

As one of the fastest rising stars in African music, and at the age of just 20, he already has several awards under his belt coupled with the release of his debut album, ‘The Villain I Never Was’.

Commenting on his latest single, ‘Soja’, Black Sherif talks about his fears and insecurities in a very open way. To him, everyone is a “soldier” in the world as they are confronted with challenges and have “different battles we are fighting”. He noted that people at different stages of their lives makes sacrifices as he does.

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‘Blacko’, as he is affectionately called, expressed that his main source of inspiration is pain and emphasized that: “I am soldier, you are soldier”.

“It’s my pain. I have lots of pains in my heart, mostly from things I’ve seen. There’s pain on the streets. There’s pain in the air. I do have doubts in so many things about what I do. Life has happened to me. People have disappointed me. Music is my safe haven.”
Black Sherif

Black Sherif’s inspiration for album debut

The indomitable Ghanaian rapper emphasized on the need to exhibit his vulnerability, especially for those looking up to him and idolizing his creativity.

“When we hop on the streets you will see the kids that are running to me right now. There are kids listening to me, and I don’t want them to know I’m perfect. I’m not perfect. I have fears. I have anxiety. I want them to know that I’m a person.”
Black Sherif

Born Mohammed Ismail Sharrif in Konongo in the Ashanti region, he started making music in high school putting out freestyles recorded on his friend’s smartphone. He explained that the name means noble and that black is his identity – so together ‘Black Sherif’ means a noble African.

When he followed ‘First Sermon’ up with the street anthem, ‘Second Sermon’, he went mainstream and then remixed it featuring Nigerian star, Burna Boy.

“When I realised I wanted to go with music, I needed a stage name, and something heavy. But I didn’t want to switch my whole name, so I needed the Sherif, because Sharrif is my name.”
Black Sherif

Black Sherif disclosed that his main musical influences come from the Highlife music his mother used to play. Then, at the age of eight, his father turned him on to reggae.

“That was the first time living with my Dad. When I was growing up my Dad was living in Greece. I love reggae so much because you know what elements come with reggae; consciousness, it’s raw, it’s real. And Highlife is melodious, soulful. That’s my main sound inspiration.”
Black Sherif

‘Blacko’ stated that he loves all his songs on the album, but singles out ‘O Paradise’, a moving track inspired by his first girlfriend who sadly passed away. However, he indicated that the main message on the album is one of perseverance.