One of the most decorated rappers in Africa and the supposed King of rap in Ghana, Michael Owusu Addo, professionally known as Sarkodie has earned his title as the best rapper for over a decade now. Despite the emergence of other “dope” rappers, Sarkodie manages to stay on top of the game and has no plans of handing over his crown to anyone unless his successor proves him or herself worthy of the throne.
As a reminder, Sarkodie has received 107 awards from 191 nominations, including 25 Ghana Awards. His debut album ‘Makye’ won him three awards at both the 4syte TV Video Awards and Ghana Awards. The album also earned him a nomination at the 2010 MTV Africa Awards.
With regards to his extraordinary rap skills and music brand, Sarkodie was able to win the Best International Act from Africa at the BET awards in 2012. In 2014, he was also nominated for the same category but lost to another artist. In 2019, he also won the Best International flow at the BET.
These are just a few achievements Sarkodie has been able to make ever since he emerged into the music scene. With this, it seems impossible for any rapper in Ghana to even think of overthrowing him from his seat as the King of rap.
However, the emergence of some “sick” rappers has posed threats to Sarkodie’s reign as the King of rap. These stars are achieving the impossible and almost being great at what they are doing and gradually getting closer to the throne to overthrow the King although he has served as an inspiration for them in rap music.
Below are a few rappers we believe have what it takes to overthrow Sarkodie from his seat;
1. AMG Medikal
Born Samuel Adu Frimpong has proven himself a worthy opponent and successor of Sarkodie. In the 2020 Vodafone Ghana Awards(VGMAs), Medikal won the Best Hiplife song of the year. During the 20th edition, Medikal also won the Best Rapper of the year. He also won the Most Influential artist of the year at the 4Syte TV Video Awards in 2021. Well, some have claimed that the rapper has lost his skills and currently doing just commercial songs but the truth is that he still got it and is worthy to succeed Sarkodie as the King of rap music in Ghana.
2. Strongman Burner
The former SarkCess signee has been recognized as one of the best MCs in Ghana. Born Osei Kweku Vincent was recognized for winning the maiden edition of the Next Big Thing in GH Rap music which was a rap competition in Ghana. Although his exit from the record label had effects on his music career, Strongman will always be recognized as one of the stars posing threats to King Sark’s reign. On many occasions, Speaking on comparison between him and his former boss, Strongman recently revealed that he used to be proud of himself when he was being compared to King Sark but not anymore because it is a sign of disrespect to Sarkodie and his brand.
3. Kwesi Arthur
Ground Up’s Emmanuel Kwesi Danso Arthur Junior made an unannounced emergence into the music scene with his popular song “Grind Day”. The remix of the tune which features Medikal and Sarkodie broke international boundaries after securing a nomination at the BET awards, becoming the second Ghanaian rapper to be nominated for the BET Hip-hop Awards Cypher after Sarkodie’s nomination in 2019. With a few wins in Ghana and hits, Kwesi Arthur is in no doubt on his way to become the next rap King in Ghana.
4. Amerado
Although his stay hasn’t been that long, Amerado with his amazing rap skills has earned the admiration of Ghanaians and rap fans in Africa. He was recently nominated for the Best Rapper at the Vodafone Ghana Awards. Amid his trip to Miami to perform at the Ghana Party in the Park, Amerado impressed Ghanaians with an amazing freestyle he gave on Tim Westwood TV. He has stated in some interviews and some of his songs that no one should make that mistake to compare him to Sarkodie because he has reigned for so many years in the game and still the King, but no one should also make that mistake not to compare him to Sark because when it comes to verses, Sarkodie won’t have it easy with him in a rap battle.
5. Eno Barony
The most popular female rapper in the scene who has warned Ghanaians not to address him as such but can only call him a rapper has also posed threats to Sarkodie’s reign. As a reminder, Eno Barony is currently the reigning Best Rapper at the just ended Vodafone Ghana Awards. Sarkodie himself has commended her on many occasions, saying that Eno’s skills have earned her the right to be addressed as a full rapper and not a female rapper. Her lines and style make her even better than some of her male counterparts. Well, sooner or later, Ghana might have a female as the King of rap music in Ghana.