Black Sherif

Mohammed Ismail Sharrif popularly known as Black Sherif, is renowned for his deep, relatable lyrics and soothing vocal performance is a Ghanaian Highlife and HipHop artiste. Black Sherif's music contains elements of the original Ghanaian HighlIfe, AfroFusion, HipHop, Dancehall and Trap. His incredible vocal prowess and evergreen lyrics have given him a solid footing in the music scene and he's become influential predominantly among the youth, people from all walks of life as well as his peers in the music industry. Poised as the new breakout star from the thriving Ghanaian underground scene, the 21-year-olds' energy bursts through the speakers commanding the attention of anyone listening.

Early life

Mohammed Sharrif Ismail, (born 9th January, 2002) p.k.a Black Sherif is regarded as one of the most influential artists from Ghana. Black Sherif was raised in Konongo-Zongo, his Islamic hometown in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. As both his parents stayed overseas, Black Sherif lived with his aunt 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.

He had his basic education at an Islamic school in Konongo-Zongo, and furthered to Pinamang Educational Complex before completing his secondary education at Kumasi Academy. Black Sherif is currently studying at the University of Ghana after deferring his course at University of Profession Studies, Accra, due to conflicting schedules between school and his career.

It was in Kumasi Academy where his interest in music piqued, leading to him collaborating with a lot of creatives based in the region.

Black Sherif's music contains elements of the original Ghanaian Highlife, Afrobeat, Hiphop, Dancehall and Trap. His strong vocal abilities and lyrical dexterity announced his grand entry onto the music scene in Ghana.

Music Career

With a host of ground-breaking records to his credit, within three years; Black Sherif has grown from an emerging artist to a globally recognized artist. Quietly getting on the music scene in 2019, the young promising artist gained notability off his digitally successful single ''Money'' which was released in 2020, shortly before COVID-19 restricted all human movement. His other singles such as, "Ankonam" and "Destiny," added to his growing profile as one of the new musical sensations to pay attention to.

Black Sherif's career ascent began following the release of his ground-breaking single; "First Sermon," in 2021. The drill sounding record captured the soul and hustle of every street in his home country, Ghana.

An experimental freestyle which was assisted by a Highlife/Drill fusion inspired beat from Ghanaian producer, Stallion will end up becoming a viral sensation on twitter.

The attention garnered from ''First Sermon'' inspired the young, charismatic artist to release the follow-up; "Second Sermon."

This song propelled Black Sherif to national prominence, due largely to the relatable message of the song, which led to a remix with the 'Africa Giant'; Burna Boy, whose influence shone a light to his global status.

Black Sherif's eponymous hit single, 'Kwaku The Traveller'' released in March 2022 catapulted his young career mostly, due to its crossover successes including becoming; 1. The number one Shazam song in the world, 2. Covering the prestigious Rap Radar playlist on apple music 3. Charting number 1 on Apple, Spotify, Deezer, Audiomack in several countries in the world with over 75 million streams in a month. The song became an instant hit on Tiktok amassing a total of 95.1 million views in its first month.

With numerous features to his credit, such as This is What I mean with UK's sensational rapper, Stormzy, Creed II movie soundtrack feature with Bas and Kel-P, Always with UK female, Darkoo, Come and Go remix with Arrdee, Gidigidi with Tory Lanez and Smallgod. Black Sherif has received validation as an artist from industry titans and colleagues in Ghana and Nigeria as well as from internationally renowned artists like DJ Khaled, Timberland, Popcaan, Busta Rhymes, Jae5 among others. Following, the success of his hit single, 'Kwaku The Traveller,' Black Sherif released his highly anticipated debut studio album in 2022 titled, 'The Villain I Never Was' under his own imprint Road Boys Association and Empire.

The album enjoyed several laurels, including placing 49 on Fader's top 50 global albums for 2022 with a cumulative streams of over 1 billion across the digital streaming platforms.

Singles
– Cry For Me (2019)
– Mariana (2019)
– Money (2020)
– Money Remix ft AMG Armani & Tulenkey (2020)
– Destiny (2020)
– Ade Akye (2021)
– Ankonam (2021)
– First Sermon (2021)
– Second Sermon (2021)
– Second Sermon Remix ft Burna Boy (2021)
– Kwaku the Traveller (2022)
– Soja (2022)
– 45 (2022)
– Simmer Down (2023)
– Yaya (2023)
– Oh No (2023)

Album
The Villain I Never Was (2022)

Features
Anadwo — Kwame Yesu ft. Kimilist & Black Sherif (2021)
Abotr3 (Patience) — Amerado ft. Black Sherif (2021)
Goldigga — Samsney ft. Black Sherif (2021)
Holy F4k — Smallgod ft. Black Sherif, IVD, Kwaku DMC & Vic Mensa (2021)
Long Time — Yaw Dyro ft. Black Sherif (2022)
Yard — Poco Lee ft. Bella Shmurda, Black Sherif & Alpha P (2022)
Always — Darkoo ft. Black Sherif (2022)
Come & Go — ArrDee ft. Black Sherif (2022)
Kuacha — Samsney ft. Kelvyn Boy, Darkovibes & Black Sherif (2022)
Abonten (Outside) — DJ Breezy ft. Stonebwoy, Mugeez, Kwesi Arthur &
Black Sherif (2022)
Gidigidi — Smallgod ft. Tory Lanez and Black Sherif (2022)
This is what I mean- Stormzy ft Ms. Banks, Amarae and Black Sherif (2023)
Blood, Sweat and Tears- Bas ft Kel-P and Black Sherif (2023)
Road Runners- Blaqbones ft Black Sherif (2023)
Wotowoto Seasoning- Odumodu Blvck ft Black Sherif (2023)

Awards and Recognition

BET Hip hop Awards 2023
Best International Flow Act- Won

Soundcity MVP Awards 2023
Best Hip Hop — Won

The Headies 2023
West African Artiste of the Year– Won

Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2023
Artiste of the Year– Won
Best Hip Hop Song of the Year– Won
Best Music Video- Won
Most Popular Song of the Year– Won

Ghana Music Awards USA 2023
Hip Hop/Hiplife Artist of the Year– Won

Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2022
Best New Artiste of Year — Won
Best HipLife/HipHop Artiste — Nominated
Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year — Won
Male Vocal Performance — Nominated
International Collaboration of the year — Nominated
Vodafone Most Popular Song Of The Year — Nominated
Artiste Of The Year — Nominated

3Music Awards 2022
Best Hip Hop song of the Year- Second Sermon (Won)
Breakthrough Act of the Year (Won)
Best Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of the year (Won)
Song of the Year — Second Sermon (Won)

Citi Entertainment Achievers Awards 2022
Entertainment Personality of the Year (Won)

BET HIPHOP AWARDS 2022
Best International Flow (Nominated)

AFRIMMA AWARDS 2022
Best Male Artiste in Western Africa (Nominated)
Song of The Year (Nominated)
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Hip-Hop (Nominated)
Best Female Artiste in Western Africa (Nominated)