Mohammed Ismail Sherif Kwaku Frimpong (born 9, January 2002) known professionally as Black Sherif is a Ghanaian musician and performer from Konongo. He gained mainstream acclaim with his street anthem "Second Sermon" released in July 2021. His catchy hooks and choruses have garnered him over 100 million streams on Audiomack, while his music tops charts and is played everywhere from influencer videos on social media to NBA All-Star games.[1]
His March 2022 single "Kwaku the Traveller" reached number 1 on the Ghanaian and Nigerian Apple Music charts,[2][3][4][5][6] and by August that year was the most Shazamed song in the world across genres.[7]
Early life and education
Black Sherif was born and raised in Konongo-Zongo, his Islamic hometown in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. As both his parents stayed overseas, Black Sherif lived with his auntie 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.[8]
He attended his basic education at an Islamic school in Konongo-Zongo, and completed his secondary education at Kumasi Academy, where he picked up an interest in Music and dancing.[9]
He is a former student of University of Professional Studies (UPSA) and is currently studying at the University of Ghana.[10]
Career
Black Sherif’s massive breakthrough had been heralded since the release of his “First Sermon” freestyle in May 2021. As a voice of the Youth, this viral hit followed up with "Second Sermon" two months later, introducing him as a force to be reckoned with in 2021.[11]
During the maiden edition of the Ghana Music 2021 Awards, Black Sherif, who had been making waves in the local and international music space, bagged three awards on the night, including Hiphop Artiste of the Year, Hiplife Song of the Year and New Artiste of the Year.[12]
He also took home four coveted awards at the 5th edition of the 3Music Awards which took place at the Grand arena of the Ghana international conference.
He performed at the final of the 2021 MTN FA Cup final match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Ashanti Gold SC.[13]
In May 2022, Black Sherif together with Stonebwoy, Amaarae and Smallgod met Kendrick Lamar when he visited Ghana and held a private album listening party in Accra for his new album, Mr. Morales & The Big Steppers.[14]In June 2022, Boomplay announced Black Sherif as the first Ghanaian artist to surpass 100 Million streams on their platform.[15]
Controversies
On 11 April 2022, a lawsuit was filed against Black sheriff for alleged breach of contract. The lawsuit stems from allegations that Black Sherif ignored his investor after he invested in his career. Again, Black Sherif is said to have signed a distribution agreement with Empire Music without his investor's permission, despite the fact that he allegedly had a business
management contract with him. His investor, Shadrach Agyei Owusu, the CEO of Waynes Chavis Consult, was seeking the court to restrict Black Sherif from performing at events without his authorization.[16][17] Fortunately for Black Sherif, 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.[18]
Discography
Selected singles
- Cry For Me
- Samir kinidi
- Money
- Money Remix ft AMG Armani & Tulenkey
- Destiny
- Ade Akye
- Ankonam
- First Sermon
- Second Sermon
- Amerado - Abotr3(Patience) as a featured artiste[19]
- Second Sermon Remix ft Burna Boy[20]
- Gold Digga ft Samsney
- Kwaku the Traveller[21][22]
- Always - Darkoo ft Black Sherif
- Holy F4k - Smallgod, Vic Mensa & Ivorian Doll Feat. Black Sherif & Kwaku DMC[23]
- Smallgod ft. Black Sherif & Tory Lanez – Gidi Gidi [24]
Awards and nominations
References
- ^ "Audiomack | Free Music Sharing and Discovery". audiomack.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Mensah, Jeffrey (23 July 2021). "Real name, age, school, and 4 other interesting facts about Black Sherif". YEN Ghana. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ Adu, Dennis (4 April 2022). "Black Sherif's 'Kwaku The Traveller' is number one on Apple Music chart in Nigeria, Ghana". Adomonline.com. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ "Black Sherif Hits #1 on Apple Music Chart Nigeria". Cool FM - Your Number One Hit Music Station !. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ "'Topping Nigeria's Apple Music chart is an achievement for me' – Black Sherif - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ Classic, Mr (16 August 2022). "Black Sherif's 'Kwaku The Traveller' Becomes Most Shazamed Song In The World « NaijaHits". Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Audiomack | Free Music Sharing and Discovery". audiomack.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Falola, Ifeoluwa (15 August 2022). "Black Sherif The Hypnotic Voice Of Freedom". GRM Daily. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Black Sherif, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Falola, Ifeoluwa (15 August 2022). "Black Sherif The Hypnotic Voice Of Freedom". GRM Daily. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ emmakd (3 August 2022). "KiDi, Black Sherif win big at Ghana Music Awards France". Ghana Business News. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Hearts of Oak v Ashgold: Black Sheriff to perform at MTN FA Cup final on Sunday". Football Ghana. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ "Stonebwoy displeased with reactions to meeting with Kendrick Lamar - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "Black Sherif reaches 100 million streams on Boomplay". Music In Africa. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "Black Sherif sued over alleged breach of contract". Ghana News Online. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ Inusah, Murtala (11 April 2022). "Black Sherif sued over contract termination". Starrfm Online. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Somuah-Annan, Grace (3 November 2021). "Amerado drops 'Abotr3' video ft Black Sherif". 3NEWS. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Black Sherif drops 'Second Sermon' remix with Burna Boy". GhanaWeb. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Black Sherif - Kwaku The Traveller". Ghanandwom.
- ^ LHX, TRANSSION. "Black Sherif-Boomplay Music". Boomplay Music - WebPlayer. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ "Shazam". Shazam. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ Emmanuel, Stanley (30 June 2022). "Smallgod ft. Black Sherif & Tory Lanez – Gidi Gidi". Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ Ntsie, Berlinda (27 February 2022). "Black Sherif Wins eaas entertainment personality of year". Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ "Kidi wins big at 2022 3music awards,Black Sherif graps first major award". 27 March 2022.
- ^ Kotey, Nii (27 March 2022). "3Music News: 3Music Awards '22: Here are all the winners". 3Music TV. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (21 March 2022). "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music In Africa. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ "Audiomack | Free Music Sharing and Discovery". audiomack.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Mensah, Jeffrey (23 July 2021). "Real name, age, school, and 4 other interesting facts about Black Sherif". YEN Ghana. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ Adu, Dennis (4 April 2022). "Black Sherif's 'Kwaku The Traveller' is number one on Apple Music chart in Nigeria, Ghana". Adomonline.com. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ "Black Sherif Hits #1 on Apple Music Chart Nigeria". Cool FM - Your Number One Hit Music Station !. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ "'Topping Nigeria's Apple Music chart is an achievement for me' – Black Sherif - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ Classic, Mr (16 August 2022). "Black Sherif's 'Kwaku The Traveller' Becomes Most Shazamed Song In The World « NaijaHits". Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Audiomack | Free Music Sharing and Discovery". audiomack.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Falola, Ifeoluwa (15 August 2022). "Black Sherif The Hypnotic Voice Of Freedom". GRM Daily. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Black Sherif, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Falola, Ifeoluwa (15 August 2022). "Black Sherif The Hypnotic Voice Of Freedom". GRM Daily. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ emmakd (3 August 2022). "KiDi, Black Sherif win big at Ghana Music Awards France". Ghana Business News. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Hearts of Oak v Ashgold: Black Sheriff to perform at MTN FA Cup final on Sunday". Football Ghana. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ "Stonebwoy displeased with reactions to meeting with Kendrick Lamar - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "Black Sherif reaches 100 million streams on Boomplay". Music In Africa. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "Black Sherif sued over alleged breach of contract". Ghana News Online. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ Inusah, Murtala (11 April 2022). "Black Sherif sued over contract termination". Starrfm Online. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Somuah-Annan, Grace (3 November 2021). "Amerado drops 'Abotr3' video ft Black Sherif". 3NEWS. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Black Sherif drops 'Second Sermon' remix with Burna Boy". GhanaWeb. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Black Sherif - Kwaku The Traveller". Ghanandwom.
- ^ LHX, TRANSSION. "Black Sherif-Boomplay Music". Boomplay Music - WebPlayer. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ "Shazam". Shazam. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ Emmanuel, Stanley (30 June 2022). "Smallgod ft. Black Sherif & Tory Lanez – Gidi Gidi". Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ Ntsie, Berlinda (27 February 2022). "Black Sherif Wins eaas entertainment personality of year". Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ "Kidi wins big at 2022 3music awards,Black Sherif graps first major award". 27 March 2022.
- ^ Kotey, Nii (27 March 2022). "3Music News: 3Music Awards '22: Here are all the winners". 3Music TV. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (21 March 2022). "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music In Africa. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
