Black Sherif Explained
Black Sherif |
Alias: | Blacko, Kwaku Frimpong, Kwaku Killa, Iron Boy |
Alt: | Black Sherif |
Birth Name: | Mohammed Ismail Sherif Kwaku Frimpong |
Native Name Lang: | twi |
Birth Place: | Konongo, Ghana |
Birth Date: | 2002 1, df=y |
Years Active: | 2019–present |
Mohammed Ismail Sherif (born 9 January 2002),[1] professionally known as Black Sherif, formerly Blacko,[2] is a Ghanaian singer, rapper and fashion model. He initially gained popularity in 2021 with his song "First Sermon," which he released in May 2021. This was followed up with the "Second Sermon" in July 2021.[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 27 million times on youtube). 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, he was a member of the Literary group(LG) under the Students representative council where he picked up an interest in music and dancing.[7] Black Sherif has also partnered with Italian sports wear brand ellesse.[8]
A former student of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA), he was studying at the University of Ghana as of October 2022.[9]
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".
Black Sherif has worked on songs by Sarkodie,[10] Smallgod,[11] Tory Lanez, Ardee,[12] Bas,[13] Stormzy, Amerado, DJ Breezy, Larry Gaaga and others.
In August 2022, Black Sherif was named "Up Now" by music streaming service Audiomack.[14] “I've had Audiomack since high school,” Black Sherif told Audiomack. “It was the first platform that I used and convinced my friends to listen to my music. It was easier, and it looked professional. It's been the primary thing for me to connect with my fans and share music.”
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.[15] In December 2022, he hosted his debut concert, the "Mozama Disco Concert," in Accra. [16]
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.[17] He played the Palladium Times Square in New York City on May 20.[18]
Since March 2023, Black Sherif has performed at the Wireless Festival in Abu Dhabi,[19] Something In The Water Festival in Virginia Beach[20] and Afronation Miami.[21] He is the first Ghanaian to perform at the Wireless Festival in the UK.[22] [23]
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.[24]
Lawsuit
On 11 April 2022, Shadrach Agyei Owusua, the CEO of Waynes Chavis Consult, filed a lawsuit against Black Sherif for breach of contract. Owusua alleged that he had invested in Black Sherif's career and that Black Sherif had signed a distribution agreement with a company named Empire. Owusua sought injunctive relief prohibiting Black Sherif from performing without her authorization.[25] [26] The Accra High Court dismissed the suit on 26 July, 2022.[27]
Discography
Singles
- First Sermon (2021)
- Second Sermon (featuring Burna Boy) (2022)
- Kwaku the Traveller (2022)
- Money (2022)
- January 9 (2024)
- Zero (2024)
- Shut up (2024)
Albums
Awards and nominations
Year | Event | Prize | Work | Result | Ref |
---|
2023 | BET Hip Hop Awards | Best International Flow | Himself | | [28] |
Soundcity MVP Awards | Best Hip Hop | Himself | | [29] |
Ghana Music Awards USA | Hip Hop/Hiplife Artist of the Year | Himself | | |
The Headies | West African Artiste of The Year | Himself | | [30] |
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Artist of The Year | Himself | | [31] |
Best Hiphop Song of the Year | Himself | |
Best Music Video | Konongo Zongo | |
Most Popular Song of the Year | Kweku The Traveller | |
Best Collaboration of the Year | Country Side (with Sarkodie) | |
2022 | Entertainment Achievement Awards | Entertainment Personality of the Year | Himself | | [32] |
3Music Awards | Hip hop song of The Year | Second Sermon | | [33] [34] |
Breakthrough Act of The Year | Himself | |
Hip life/Hip hop Artiste of The Year | Himself | |
Song of the Year | Second Sermon | |
Artiste of the Year | Himself | |
Ghana Music Awards | Artiste of the Year | Himself | | [35] |
Vodafone Most Popular Song | Second Sermon | |
Best New Artiste | Himself | |
Best Hip life/Hip pop Artiste | Himself | |
Best Hip pop Song | Second Sermon | |
International Collaboration of the Year | Second Sermon Remix (ft. Burna Boy) | |
Male Vocal Performance of the Year | Gold Digga | |
2022 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Artiste of the Year | Himself | | [36] | |
Personal life
Black Sherif is a Muslim.[24] There is little information known about his personal life.
Notes and References
- Web site: Black Sherif, Biography . 2023-08-17 . www.ghanaweb.com.
- News: Black Sherif is the message. Ochefu. Christine. Fader.
- Web site: Audiomack Free Music Sharing and Discovery . 2022-08-16 . audiomack.com . 4 August 2022 . en . 16 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816181635/https://audiomack.com/world/post/black-sherif-upnow-interview . live .
- Web site: I didn't know the Sermons will be hits – Black Sherif. live. 1 August 2021. My Joy Online. 23 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210801095626/https://www.myjoyonline.com/i-didnt-know-the-sermons-will-be-hits-black-sherif/ . 1 August 2021 .
- Web site: Black Sherif drops debut album The Villain I Never Was . 2022-11-30 . The FADER . en . 30 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130012842/https://www.thefader.com/2022/10/06/black-sherif-the-villain-i-never-was . live .
- Web site: Audiomack Free Music Sharing and Discovery . 2022-08-16 . audiomack.com . 4 August 2022 . en . 16 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816181635/https://audiomack.com/world/post/black-sherif-upnow-interview . live .
- Web site: Falola . Ifeoluwa . 2022-08-15 . Black Sherif The Hypnotic Voice Of Freedom . 2022-08-16 . GRM Daily . en-GB . 16 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816181637/https://grmdaily.com/black-sherif-interview/ . live .
- https://www.modernghana.com/entertainment/74827/black-sherif-secures-deal-with-italy-sportswear.html
- Web site: Black Sherif, Biography . 2022-08-16 . www.ghanaweb.com . 5 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221005220148/https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Black-Sherif-6340 . live .
- News: Mensah . Edith . 16 November 2022 . The Blacko-collabo hottest picks . Graphic Online . 17 May 2024.
- News: Kyekyeku . Kofi Oppong . 30 June 2022 . New Music: Smallgod Featuring Black Sherif And Tory Lanez – 'Gidi Gidi' . News Hunter Magazine . 17 May 2024.
- News: Adebiyi . Adeayo . 5 June 2022 . Arrdee: An instant cross-continental success . Pulse Nigeria . 17 May 2022.
- News: Darko . Kenneth Awotwe . 22 February 2023 . Black Sherif makes it onto Michael B Jordan's 'Creed III' soundtrack with Bas and Kel-P . MyJoyOnline . 17 May 2024.
- Web site: 2022-08-03 . Black Sherif Is #UpNow . 2024-06-10 . Audiomack World . en.
- Web site: Black Sherif performs at 25th MOBO Awards in the UK . December 2022 . 11 January 2023 . 11 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111105644/https://www.myjoyonline.com/black-sherif-performs-at-25th-mobo-awards-in-the-uk/ . live .
- Web site: Awotwe Darko . Kenneth . Black Sherif: A once homeless 'KK' finds a home in over thousands of hearts at Mozama Disco . 22 December 2022 . 11 January 2023 . 11 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111110716/https://www.myjoyonline.com/black-sherif-a-once-homeless-kk-finds-a-home-in-over-thousands-of-hearts-at-mozama-disco/ . live .
- Web site: Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST) . 2023-02-12 . African Folder . 12 February 2023 . en . 12 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230212154054/https://africanfolder.com/burnaboy-black-sherif-win-at-the-soundcity-mvp-awards-2023-full-winners-list/ . live .
- Web site: Palladium Times Square Events Calendar & Schedule 2024 - New York, NY . 2024-01-16 . JamBase . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-03-12 . Black Sherif pays tribute to Christian Atsu at Wireless Festival - MyJoyOnline.com . 2023-05-31 . www.myjoyonline.com . en-US.
- Web site: Tollo . Nathan . 2023-03-15 . Black Sherif billed to perform at Pharrell Williams' 2023 Something in the Water music Festival . 2023-05-31 . 3News.com . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-05-30 . Black Sherif overwhelmed by Miami; says the city feels like a video game . 2023-05-31 . Pulse Ghana . en.
- Web site: Black Sherif becomes first Ghanaian to perform at Wireless Festival UK . 2023-07-11 . www.myjoyonline.com . 10 July 2023 . en.
- Web site: 2023-07-10 . Black Sherif becomes first Ghanaian act to perform at the Wireless Festival in the UK. . 2023-07-11 . GhanaWeb . en.
- Web site: Getting To Know Black Sherif, Ghana's New Street Preacher . 2022-11-30 . Complex . en . 30 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130012840/https://www.complex.com/music/black-sherif-interview/ . live .
- Web site: Black Sherif sued over alleged breach of contract . 2022-04-12 . Ghana News Online . en-gb . 12 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220412121630/http://ghananews.hrforum.uk/2022/04/black-sherif-sued-over-alleged-breach-of-contract-388.html . live .
- News: Inusah . Murtala . 11 April 2022 . Black Sherif sued over contract termination . 2022-04-12 . Starr Fm . en-gb . 12 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220412085106/https://starrfm.com.gh/2022/04/black-sherif-sued-over-contract-termination/ . live .
- Web site: Ghansah. Emmanuel . 2022-07-26 . Black Sherif wins court case with former manager; makes it into YouTube Foundry class of 2022 as only Ghanaian artiste! . 2022-08-16 . Ghana Music . en-GB . 16 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816181636/https://www.ghanamusic.com/news/top-stories/2022/07/26/black-sherif-wins-court-case-with-former-manager-makes-it-into-youtube-foundry-class-of-2022-as-only-ghanaian-artiste/ . live .
- Web site: 2023-10-04 . 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards: Black Sherif wins 'Best International Flow' . 2023-10-20 . Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana . en-US.
- Web site: Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST) . live . https://africanfolder.com/soundcity-mvp-awards-2023-full-winners-list/ . 12 February 2023 . 12 February 2023 . African Folder. 12 February 2023 .
- Web site: Agambila . Dorcas . 2023-09-04 . Black Sherif wins 'West African Artiste of The Year' at Headies Awards 2023 . 2023-09-07 . Pulse Ghana . en.
- Web site: Piesie Esther loses AOTY to Black Sherif. theaccratimes.com. 9 May 2023 . 2023-09-14.
- Web site: Berlinda. Ntsie. 2022-02-27. Black Sherif Wins eaas entertainment personality of year. 2022-02-27. en-US. 21 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220321032333/https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/celebrities/black-sherif-wins-eaas-entertainment-personality-of-the-year/q7qql9z. live.
- Web site: 2022-03-27 . Kidi wins big at 2022 3music awards,Black Sherif graps first major award . en-US . 6 April 2022 . 4 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220404005232/https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/showbiz/music/202203/463173.php . live .
- Web site: Kotey . Nii . 27 March 2022 . 3Music News: 3Music Awards '22: Here are all the winners . 27 March 2022 . 3Music TV . 1 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220401032059/https://3music.tv/section/news/article?nid=nwi7nMUc8EfDQv03wzwIVX6zdP2 . live .
- Web site: Hansen . Gabriel Myers . 21 March 2022 . Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2022: All the nominees . 12 April 2022 . Music In Africa . 2 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220602003303/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/vodafone-ghana-music-awards-2022-all-nominees . live .
- Web site: 30 October 2022 . Black Sherif wins Artiste of the Year Award at GMA UK 2022 . Ghanabusinessnews.com . 11 January 2023 . 11 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111104942/https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2022/10/30/black-sherif-wins-artiste-of-the-year-award-at-gma-uk-2022/ . live .