In a touching display of cross-generational appreciation that has reverberated throughout Ghana’s music industry, hiplife and hip-hop pioneer Okyeame Kwame has openly shared how Black Sherif’s track “So It Goes” (featuring Nigerian star Fireboy DML) moved him to tears.

The veteran artist, celebrated for his lyrical prowess and socially conscious music, described the song as profoundly impactful, praising the young artist’s exceptional songwriting and emotional depth.

Speaking during a recent interview, Okyeame Kwame recounted the moment while in the studio working on his own anti-galamsey campaign song, “Stop Galamsey.” His producer, Abochi, introduced tracks from Black Sherif’s sophomore album IRON BOY, which had dropped just days earlier. The emotional weight of “So It Goes” caught him off guard.

“The first time I heard the song, I cried. I was in the studio recording my song, Stop Galamsey. Before we started, Abochi played the song, and it touched me deeply. I think the album had been out for only about two days.”
Okyeame Kwame, Veteran Rapper

The veteran continued to elaborate on what specifically resonated with him, highlighting both the lyrics and delivery that set Black Sherif apart. “If you see the light, remember I was with you.’ Black Sherif’s stuff touches me in a different way. His songwriting style and his voice are very special,” the Veteran Rapper indicated.

Okyeame Kwame 1 — **Okyeame Kwame, Veteran Rapper**

Okyeame Kwame did not stop at personal emotion. He went further to crown Black Sherif as the standout talent exciting him most in the current Ghanaian music landscape.

“The artist exciting me the most right now is Black Sherif. I genuinely love what he is doing,” Okyeame Kwame confessed. “So It Goes” appears as track 3 on IRON BOY, Black Sherif’s highly anticipated second studio album, released on April 3, 2025 (with the single dropping earlier in February).

Produced with contributions from talents like Samsney and Louddaaa, the collaboration between Black Sherif (born Mohammed Ismail Sherif) and Fireboy DML blends introspective hip-hop storytelling with melodic Afrobeats sensibilities.

The track explores universal themes: the relentless hustle for success, loneliness that often accompanies rising stardom, loyalty to those who supported the journey, family gratitude, and acceptance of life’s unpredictable flow – encapsulated in the refrain “And so it goes.”

Lines about grinding through summers to “get my bread up,” making mama proud, and remembering those present before the spotlight hit home for many listeners, including seasoned veterans like Okyeame Kwame.

IRON BOY as a whole builds on Black Sherif’s 2022 debut The Villain I Never Was, showcasing a more refined yet raw vulnerability. The 15-track project mixes hip-hop, highlife, drill, and Afrobeats, positioning Black Sherif as a bridge between Ghana’s golden era of conscious rap and the current global Afrobeats wave.

A Full-Circle Moment in Ghanaian Music

Okyeame Kwame, a multiple award-winning artist and one of the architects of Ghana’s hiplife movement, has built his career on thoughtful lyricism and addressing societal issues.

His emotional reaction to Black Sherif’s work signals more than personal taste- it represents a powerful endorsement from the old guard to the new. In an industry often critiqued for generational divides, such public admiration fosters unity and elevates standards.

Black Sherif burst onto the scene with hits like “First Sermon” and “Kwaku the Traveller,” quickly earning a reputation for authentic storytelling drawn from personal struggles, street life, ambition, and resilience.

His ability to articulate the pains and triumphs of Ghanaian youth has earned him a massive following across Africa and the diaspora. Collaborations with international acts like Fireboy DML further amplify his reach while keeping his Ghanaian roots intact.

Social media has lit up with reactions to Okyeame Kwame’s comments. Fans describe the moment as “generational respect at its finest,” with many sharing how “So It Goes” has similarly provided comfort or motivation during tough times.

For Okyeame Kwame, a figure who has mentored and inspired countless artists, being moved by Black Sherif reaffirms that genuine talent and vulnerability remain the core of impactful music. For Black Sherif, it adds another layer of validation as he continues to carve a global path while staying true to his storytelling roots.

As Ghana’s music industry gains more international spotlight with artists touring worldwide and streaming numbers soaring moments like this help solidify a cohesive narrative: one where pioneers pass the torch not through obligation, but through sincere admiration.

Industry watchers suggest this could inspire more collaborations and conversations between veteran and emerging acts. Black Sherif’s IRON BOY era, already marked by strong streams and critical acclaim, now carries an extra emotional weight thanks to Okyeame Kwame’s tears and words.

In the words of the veteran himself, Black Sherif’s music simply “touches (him)in a different way.” In a fast-paced industry driven by trends, such authentic connections remind everyone why music matters.