Black Sherif Regains Spotlight with Latest EP ‘Take Care of Yourself Blacko’

In an ongoing demonstration of dominance, Black Sherif’s introspective pair of singles, “YAYA” and “Simmer Down,” have converged to form the EP ‘Take Care of Yourself Blacko’.

This project unveils a window into the 21-year-old artist’s journey through trials, as he navigates the harsh road of stardom while remaining unwaveringly true to his core.

While “YAYA” delves into the psyche of his alter ego—a renegade who embraced destiny and seeks solace— “Simmer Down” emerges as a fusion of highlife, soul, and drill, an anthem highlighting the importance of upholding a triumphant mindset and cultivating patience in the face of opposition.

Crafted skillfully by his in-house collaborators, Samsney and Joker Nharnah, these tracks were tantalizingly previewed to his fan base during his victory speech upon securing the “Artiste of the Year” accolade at the 24th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards in Accra.

Since the release of his debut album, “The Villain I Never Was,” last year, Black Sherif has unmistakably established himself as one of Africa’s foremost creative voices.

He has achieved staggering global streaming figures, propelling him to the title of the most streamed Ghanaian artist of 2022 on Spotify, and claiming the crown of the most streamed Ghanaian artist of all time on the illustrious African streaming platform, Boomplay.

Black Sherif’s ascent to these pinnacles has been refreshingly devoid of artifice; he has swiftly ascended the ranks, emerging as a harbinger of the novel sonic wave emanating from the African continent.

Dubbed the “street preacher,” Black Sherif, born Mohammed Ismail Sharif Kwaku Frimpong and affectionately referred to as “Blacko” by intimates, stands as a trailblazer among the vanguard of a fresh generation of African artists.

His odyssey from a childhood in the modest mining town of Konongo in Ghana’s Ashanti Region to becoming the nation’s preeminent luminary serves as a testament to his unyielding spirit against all odds.

Story by Adwoa S. Danso