We should also note that Hip-Hop/Rap and other underrated genres in Africa highlight a new generation of Africans like Black Sherif who are both active and creative actors in the worldwide music scene. This article describes fresh viewpoints on how Afrobeats, Rap, and other genres of music have developed in Africa and where they fit into the global music community, plus it highlights how Black Sherif has been breaking boundaries and stereotypes while empowering his African mates with his own moves.
Who is Black Sherif and What is His Music All About?
Mohammed Ismail Sherif, better known by his stage name – Black Sherif, nickname Blacko, is a singer and songwriter from Konongo in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. His music is a form of art that delves deeply into Trap music and combines it with rap and singing. The artist was born on January 9th, 2002. In the Ashanti Region’s Konongo, he was raised. Notably, Blacko is a talented dancer as well.
The Reality of the Music Industry in Africa
According to a survey, the global adoption of digital music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube appears to be increasing. Revenues in South Africa are anticipated to grow at a pace of 20.1% compound annual growth (CAGR) to R815 million ($49.9 million) in 2023. Additionally, revenue is expected to “increase” in Kenya by $5.2 million and in Nigeria by $17.5 million.
Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for sub-Saharan Africa mentioned in a statement with Forbes Africa, “No two African nations are alike, and what we have noticed, for instance, is that Nigeria is fiercely proud of the music that it exports.”
On Spotify, Afrobeats has seen substantial growth. Amapiano began in South Africa as a subculture where producers and performers would share music over messaging services like WhatsApp. Since then, it has elevated to one of the most well-liked subgenres on the continent and has had significant growth globally.
The promotion of these growths, which have been particularly evident on digital streams, has also been greatly assisted by social media. Master KG‘s international song “Jerusalema”, which has received more than 500 million views on YouTube, serves as proof of this influence.
The path “Jerusalema” took to success after its debut in December 2019 – using social media and other kinds of distribution platforms – is an example of the new pathways to success for African artists.
Black Sherif’s impact on the music industry
Black Sherif aka Kwaku Frimpong, nicknamed Blacko, has built a name for himself on the music scene with a distinctive voice and flair for hit records as the talented musician uses an innovative blend of trap, drill, and Ghanaian Highlife music. Notably, Black Sherif has been putting out singles since 2020 that veer in and out of many directions, such as Blacko‘s 2021 single “Ankonam,” which he defines as a “soul trap highlife blend“.
When hit tracks “First and Second Sermon” dropped in May 2021, they marked the beginning of Black Sherif’s rise to new heights of fame both locally and internationally. A pleasant surprise considering that, as Blacko describes, these tracks were a collection of freestyles that were created spontaneously. Then Black Sherif delivered a one-two blow.
“First Sermon”, which was released in May 2021, was a powerful start to his extremely dramatic approach. Two months later, the talented act dropped “The Second Sermon”, where Blacko paid tribute to a deceased cousin and considered his recent achievement, eclipsing the hoopla.
Burna Boy notices this lit tune and offers to remix Black Sherif‘s song, the African Giant even invites him to Lagos to film a music video. Burna Boy jumping on a remix of “Second Sermon”, can be said to be the moment that turned Black Sherif from a promising local performer to a burgeoning international star
Remember the iconic line? – “Of course, I fucked up. Who never fuck up hands in the air. No hands?” Yup, that’s one smash hit – “Kwaku the Traveller”. The Ghanaian artist later had another breakout track, “Kwaku the Traveller“, from March 2022, which reached Number 1 on numerous charts like the Apple Music charts in Ghana and Nigeria. Later that year, on October 5, 2022, Black Sherif released his debut album, “The Villain I Never Was”. The project has also been enjoyed by music lovers at home and abroad.
Black Sherif answered any doubts about the veracity of the hype when he went on his own tour. The superstar also worked with Darkoo on “Always“, Arrdee on “Come & Go“, and much later, Tory Lanez and Ghanaian socialite, Smallgod, on “GIDI GIDI“. Smallgod also invited Black Sherif to appear in his single “Holy F4k“.
Empowering African Music Artists with a New Wave of Music,
Numerous artists have gone from “0 to 100” by achieving enormous success through music and many of them used the opportunity to give back to their communities. In addition to music offering a way out of poverty for African creatives, music also has the power to inspire future generations, bring people together, and strengthen social movements.
Brilliantly, Black Sherif has done this while gaining love and popularity in the international music scene, this is worth noting and emulating. Moreover, across a wide range of genres, the African music business has a promising future. All that is required is additional backing from the international scene, the media, and the recording academy as a whole because we already know the continent is in capable hands musically.
People are increasingly seeking African music and its richness of genres and performers around the world. Africa is one of the music marketplaces with the fastest growth rates in the world. African music is clearly receiving the attention it merits, and the particular sounds of the continent – including Amapiano, Afropop, Afrobeat, Gengetone, and even that element of African Rap – are sweeping the globe.
Conclusion: The Repercussions of Breaking Stereotypes and Its Positive Influence on the Music Industry
Afrobeats may not be the all-encompassing term or lens we requested, but it is the one that is being used, as evidenced by the implications of Billboard‘s new “Afrobeats US” category and the Afrobeats crossover hits with Afro-descendant acts.
African talents are now boldly challenging the big stage with new music, introducing new sounds, genres, and energy, and enlightening the world on the actual essence of what it means to be an African, free from burden, free from ingrained beliefs, and free from outdated preconceptions.
