Famous Ghanaian rapper, Michael Owusu Addo, well-known as Sarkodie, has revealed that some of the strongest encouragement to expand his sound has come from an unexpected place, with dancehall artiste Shatta Wale persistently urging him to lean more into singing, even as he remains hesitant about fully committing to it.
The rapper made the disclosure during a discussion with Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio on Hitz FM, where he indicated that a number of his unreleased recordings depart completely from rap and focus solely on melody.
According to Sarkodie, Shatta Wale has been unwavering in his belief that this musical direction represents a natural progression he should not shy away from.
“One person who pushes me to do more [singing] is Shatta Wale. When I did this one I sent it to him. Not only that there are about three of such songs I have recorded; one I sang throughout. But I was very uncomfortable with it because I will write it but putting it out is difficult for me to do. And that he said no, this is the next phase you should do,” Sarkodie stated.
Known primarily for his sharp lyricism and commanding presence as a rapper, Sarkodie has occasionally woven melodic elements into his work over the years. His international profile, bolstered by recognition at events such as the BET Awards and BET Hip Hop Awards, has already underscored his ability to move comfortably across different musical spaces.
Despite these moments of experimentation, fans are yet to hear a full-length project driven entirely by his singing. Releasing such a body of work could signal a new artistic chapter and potentially introduce his music to listeners who gravitate more toward melody-focused records.
The conversation also highlights the evolving relationship between Sarkodie and Shatta Wale. After resolving past tensions, the two have increasingly shown public respect for each other’s craft, with their current interactions reflecting collaboration and mutual appreciation rather than competition.
Watch a video of his remarks below.
