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Black Sherif

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Black Sherif
Black Sherif
Background information
Birth nameMohammed Ismail Sherif Kwaku Frimpong
Also known asBlacko, Kwaku Frimpong, Kwaku Killa
Born (2002-01-09) 9 January 2002 (age 22)
Konongo, Ghana
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • rapper
Years active2019–present
Labels

Mohammed Ismail Sherif Kwaku Frimpong[1] (born 9 January 2002), professionally known as Black Sherif, formerly Blacko,[2] is a Ghanaian singer and rapper. He initially gained popularity in 2021 with his song "First Sermon," which he released that May. This was followed up with the "Second Sermon" in July.[3]

His breakthrough came in March 2022 with his hit single "Kwaku the Traveller," which reached Number 1 on the Ghanaian and Nigerian Apple Music charts.[4] (Its music video has been viewed 17 million times.) He then released his debut album, The Villain I Never Was, on October 5, 2022.[5]

Early life and education

Mohammed Ismail Sherif was born and raised in Konongo-Zongo, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. As both his parents worked mostly overseas,[5] he started living with his aunt and other extended family members at the age of 10. His nomadic lifestyle exposed him to multiple influences and different cultures at a very early age.[6]

Sherif attended his basic education at Konongo Zongo Islamic Basic School and later at Pinamang Educational Complex, where he graduated junior high school. He then later completed his secondary education at Kumasi Academy, where he picked up an interest in music and dancing.[7]

A former student of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA), he was studying at the University of Ghana as of October 2022.[8]

Career

Black Sherif began his career in 2019 with the release of his song "Cry for Me" on YouTube. His debut single "Money" was released on May 25, 2020, along with a music video. In May 2021, his single "First Sermon" was released, further increasing his audience. The song's sequel, "Second Sermon," was released in July and received a remix with fellow African artist Burna Boy.

Black Sherif breakthrough came in March 2022 with his single "Kwaku the Traveller," which reached Number 1 on the Ghanaian and Nigerian Apple Music charts and became his most popular song. He released his debut album, The Villain I Never Was, in October, supported by the singles "45" and "Soja".[5]

Black Sherif performed at the 25th anniversary of the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, which took place at the OVO Arena in Wembley, London.[9] In December 2022, he hosted his debut concert, the "Mozama Disco Concert," in Accra. [10]

On 20 February 2023, Black Sherif won the Best Hip Hop award at the Soundcity MVP Awards, which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.[11] He played the Palladium Times Square in New York City on May 20.[12]

Since March 2023 Black Sherif has performed at the Wireless Festival in Abu Dhabi,[13] Something In The Water Festival in Virginia Beach[14] and Afronation Miami.[15] He is the first Ghanaian to perform at the Wireless Festival in the UK.[16][17]

Artistry

Black Sherif's music is a blend of highlife, reggae, and hip-hop, specifically UK drill, a subgenre of drill music and road rap, borrowing from the U.S. Chicago styles that originated in Brixton, London from 2012 onwards that are often about violent and hedonistic criminal lifestyles. Many of his lyrics are in an Akan dialect, Twi, his native tongue. He has stated his musical influences are rappers Kanye West, Travis Scott, Saint Jhn, Dave, Stormzy, J Hus, and Ghanaian artists Mugeez and Sarkodie.[1]

Controversies

On 11 April 2022, a lawsuit was filed against Black Sherif for alleged breach of contract after he signed a deal with Empire Shadrach Agyei Owusu; the CEO of Waynes Chavis Consult, was seeking the court to restrict Black Sherif from performing at events without his authorization.[18][19] The Accra High Court (Commercial Division) dismissed the injunction filed against him which sought to prevent the singer from performing music he released under his old management.[20]

Notable Performances

  • Wireless Festival 2023[21]
  • Something In The Water Festival 2023[22]
  • Afronation Miami 2023[15]

Discography

Albums

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Work Result Ref
2023 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artist of The Year Himself Won
Best Hiphop Song of the Year Himself Won
Best Music Video Konongo Zongo Won
Most Popular Song of the Year Kweku The Traveller Won
Best Collaboraton of the Year Country Side (with Sarkodie) Won
2022 Entertainment Achievement Awards Entertainment Personality of the Year Himself Won [23]
3Music Awards Hip hop song of The Year Second Sermon Won [24][25]
Breakthrough Act of The Year Himself Won
Hip life/Hip hop Artiste of The Year Himself Won
Song of the Year Second Sermon Won
Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated
Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated [26]
Vodafone Most Popular Song Second Sermon Nominated
Best New Artiste Himself Won
Best Hip life/Hip pop Artiste Himself Nominated
Best Hip pop Song Second Sermon Won
International Collaboration of the Year Second Sermon Remix (ft. Burna Boy) Nominated
Male Vocal Performance of the Year Gold Digga Nominated
2022 Ghana Music Awards UK Artiste of the Year Himself Won [27]
2023 Soundcity MVP Awards Best Hip Hop Himself Won [28]

Personal life

Black Sherif is Muslim.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Getting To Know Black Sherif, Ghana's New Street Preacher". Complex. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  2. ^ Ochefu, Christine. "Black Sherif is the message". Fader.
  3. ^ "Audiomack | Free Music Sharing and Discovery". audiomack.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  4. ^ "I didn't know the Sermons will be hits – Black Sherif". My Joy Online. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Black Sherif drops debut album The Villain I Never Was". The FADER. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Audiomack | Free Music Sharing and Discovery". audiomack.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  7. ^ Falola, Ifeoluwa (15 August 2022). "Black Sherif The Hypnotic Voice Of Freedom". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Black Sherif, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Black Sherif performs at 25th MOBO Awards in the UK". Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  10. ^ Awotwe Darko, Kenneth. "Black Sherif: A once homeless 'KK' finds a home in over thousands of hearts at Mozama Disco". Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST)". African Folder. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  12. ^ https://www.jambase.com/venue/palladium-times-square
  13. ^ "Black Sherif pays tribute to Christian Atsu at Wireless Festival - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  14. ^ Tollo, Nathan (15 March 2023). "Black Sherif billed to perform at Pharrell Williams' 2023 Something in the Water music Festival". 3News.com. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Black Sherif overwhelmed by Miami; says the city feels like a video game". Pulse Ghana. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  16. ^ "Black Sherif becomes first Ghanaian to perform at Wireless Festival UK". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Black Sherif becomes first Ghanaian act to perform at the Wireless Festival in the UK". GhanaWeb. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  18. ^ "Black Sherif sued over alleged breach of contract". Ghana News Online. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  19. ^ Inusah, Murtala (11 April 2022). "Black Sherif sued over contract termination". Starrfm Online. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  20. ^ Music, Emmanuel Ghansah, Ghana (26 July 2022). "Black Sherif wins court case with former manager; makes it into YouTube Foundry class of 2022 as only Ghanaian artiste!". Ghana Music. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ GNA (16 January 2023). "Black Sherif to perform alongside Travis Scott, Lil Uzi vert at Wireless Festival 2023". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  22. ^ Tollo, Nathan (15 March 2023). "Black Sherif billed to perform at Pharrell Williams' 2023 Something in the Water music Festival". 3News.com. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  23. ^ Ntsie, Berlinda (27 February 2022). "Black Sherif Wins eaas entertainment personality of year". Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  24. ^ "Kidi wins big at 2022 3music awards,Black Sherif graps first major award". 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 4 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  25. ^ Kotey, Nii (27 March 2022). "3Music News: 3Music Awards '22: Here are all the winners". 3Music TV. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  26. ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (21 March 2022). "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Black Sherif wins Artiste of the Year Award at GMA UK 2022". Ghanabusinessnews.com. 30 October 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  28. ^ "Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST)". African Folder. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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