Ghanaian rap icon Michael Owusu Addo, widely known as Sarkodie, has stirred emotions among fans after making a heartfelt revelation about his deep admiration for reggae-dancehall star Shatta Wale.
During a live session on X (formerly Twitter), Sarkodie reflected on his early years as a devoted fan of Shatta Wale, who was then known as Bandana, long before dancehall became a dominant force in Ghana’s music industry.
His admission has since sparked widespread conversation online, particularly because of the often complex and competitive dynamic between the two artists.
The rapper’s post was captioned: “I was the biggest Bandana fan before he became Shatta Wale. I used to talk about him even when dancehall was not popular in Ghana.”
In the video, Sarkodie spoke candidly about how Shatta Wale’s music inspired him at a time when dancehall was still a niche genre in Ghana.
“I was the biggest Bandana fan before he became Shatta Wale. I used to talk about him even when dancehall was not popular in Ghana. I was one of those who really loved what he was doing. I was a huge fan of his style, his energy, and how he carried himself. That’s something people might not know, but I’ve always respected his grind.”
Sarkodie
He went on to explain that his admiration for Bandana’s artistry played a significant role in shaping his own freestyle skills.
The rapper admitted that what fascinated him most about Bandana was his raw ability to freestyle effortlessly. “Bandana was the type that, when you told him to rhyme with anything, he would just go off instantly. As a rapper, that’s exactly the kind of energy I admired from day one,” he said.
Beyond his admiration for Shatta Wale’s artistry, Sarkodie reflected more broadly on how music connects people through shared preferences rather than competition.
Looking ahead, Sarkodie hinted at exciting collaborations and upcoming projects between the two camps. He also gave Shatta Wale’s ride-hailing business a shoutout, saying: “One thing that’s for sure is that Shaxi is supporting Rapaholic in Kumasi. Big shouts to Shaxi and Shatta.”
Sarkodie Explains Album Disappearance From Streaming Platforms
The rapper cleared the air on why his ‘Jamz’ and ‘No Pressure’ albums suddenly vanished from digital streaming platforms, after fans raised concerns and rumours swirled online.
Speaking on Instagram Live, the rapper explained that the disappearance was due to a transition in distribution.
“We are doing a re-upload with a new distribution channel. We have a new partnership… it was supposed to be very smooth, but that couldn’t happen.”
Sarkodie
He assured fans the situation was temporary and that the albums would be restored soon. “It was supposed to go back today, but if not, maybe midnight. I’m really pushing the team to get it back on. So don’t worry, guys,” the rapper shared.
Sarkodie Recounts News of Daddy Lumba’s Death
A month after the entire country was shaken by the sudden demise of Daddy Lumba, the rapper recounted how he received the news.
In a live Instagram session shared on X, Sarkodie disclosed that he was driving when he heard the news and was immediately compelled to pull over.
He explained that the death of the highlife legend, whom he regarded as an idol, came as a complete shock to him.
“If I heard it from anywhere else, I wouldn’t have taken it seriously, but the person who called me, I actually parked because I was driving. I don’t know what came over me, but I started calling his phone. It was going through, bot no one picked. The next morning, I saw his number calling me. It was a bit scary, but it was his wife, Odo Broni, who actually confirmed it.”
Sarkodie
Recounting his profound memories of the late ‘Makra Mo’ singer, he added that he used to visit the late musician at home.
According to him, Daddy Lumba was like a father figure who offered him valuable advice on music-related matters.
“It was a privilege to be on a song with him, and I also had the opportunity to visit him at home. Sometimes he makes me come and speak to me about how the industry is and what I can learn from it. This is someone I look up to, so when I heard the news, I couldn’t doubt because of who called me.”
Sarkodie
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