Black Sherif believes music is not just a performance but a tool to speak to the realities of Ghanaian youth. The award-winning artiste says his songs are built on honesty and vulnerability, qualities he believes strike a deeper chord with listeners.
In an interview with Patta, a brand in the Netherlands, Mohammed Ismail Sherif, better known as Black Sherif, explained that he treats his craft as a form of resistance. “I have learned we all fight the system in different ways. For me, music is how I respond. I’m honest in how I reflect what’s around me. Where I’m from, Zongos, you don’t often see guys being this vulnerable,” he said.
He also addressed perceptions of masculinity, arguing that showing emotion makes him stronger. “They’ll say, being soft gets you nowhere. But I say it anyway. And that gives me power,” he added.
The rapper went on to discuss the inspiration behind his “Victory Song,” featured on his Iron Boy album. He said the track highlights a less visible side of success. “… no one talks about that part of success. People see you on stage or travelling, but they don’t see the moments when the noise fades, and you are alone with your thoughts,” he explained.
For Black Sherif, such quiet moments are grounding reminders of his roots. “That moment reminded me that I’m still that kid from back home, feeling things deeply. I want people to hear that. That’s the kind of artiste I want to be.”
