Sarkology is the third studio album by Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie. It was released by Duncwills Entertainment on January 2, 2014.[1] Primarily recorded in Twi, the album features guest appearances from Fuse ODG, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Banky W., Timaya, 2 Face Idibia, Efya, Mugeez, Obrafour, Burna Boy, Vivian Chidid, Vector, Silvastone, Sk Blinks, Stonebwoy, Joey B, J Town, Lil Shaker, Raquel, Sian, Kofi B and AKA. Its production was handled by Magnom, Hammer, KillBeatz, Masterkraft and Silvastone, among others.
| Sarkology | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 2, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2012–13 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 114:00 | |||
| Label | Duncwills Entertainment | |||
| Producer |
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| Sarkodie chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Sarkology | ||||
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Background and promotion
editThere were reports that Sarkodie planned to release Sarkology by the end of 2013 and that it would include sixteen tracks.[2] According to The Ghanaian Chronicle, Sarkodie told the press that Sarkology would contain 30 songs and would feature production from 13 producers, including KillBeatz, Magnom and Nshorna.[3][4]
On August 28, 2013, Sarkodie released the album's cover art to the general public while he was in the U.K for a video shoot.[5][6] The cover features a young boy surrounded by school textbooks and other educational materials.[7] Sarkodie utilized the cover art to promote his clothing brand, Sark.[8]
Sarkology was promoted by the launch of an eponymous concert, which was held at the Accra Sports Stadium on December 21, 2013.[9] The concert featured performances from Sarkodie, Stay Jay, Kwaw Kese, Efya, Fuse ODG, Joey B, Raquel, Ephraim, Donzy, Dee Moneey, Buda, Mr. Silver, Phoot Printz and Scizo.[10][11][12]
Singles
edit
The album's lead single, "Gunshot", was released on November 12, 2012. It features guest vocals by Nigerian singer Davido and was produced by KillBeatz.[13] The Sesan-directed video for "Gunshot" was released on December 11, 2012.[14]
The album's second single, "Illuminati", was released on November 27, 2012. The song was produced by Magnom and recorded in Twi. Its music video was shot in Dubai at various locations by Gyogyimah of Phamous Philms, and was uploaded to YouTube on August 19, 2013.[15] After releasing "Illuminati", Sarkodie was jokingly rumored to have joined the "secret clan".[16]
The Lil Shaker-assisted track "Lies" was released on May 8, 2013, as the album's third single. Its music video was directed by Nana-Asi Hene. According to OkayAfrica, the video "juggles images of a broken mannequin/past lover to the backdrop of Sarkodie's flashy whips, mansions, pools and penthouses."[17] The album's fourth single, "Bounce", was released on September 19, 2013; its accompanying music video was directed by Sesan.[18] "Down on One" was released as the album's fifth single on October 10, 2013; the song features vocals by Fuse ODG and was produced by Killbeatz. The music video for "Down on One" was shot and directed in the U.K by Moe Musa.[19]
The album's sixth single, "Pon D Ting", was released on December 23, 2013.[20] It features guest vocals by Banky W. and was produced by Masterkraft. The music video for the song was shot during Sarkodie's trip to South Africa for the 2013 Channel O Music Video Awards.[21]
On December 31, 2013, Sarkodie released "Ordinary Love" as the album's seventh single. The song was produced by Beat Merchant and features vocals by Tiwa Savage.[22][23] Efya was initially intended to be on the track, but Sarkodie ended up contacting Savage because he wanted something different.[24]
The album's eighth single, "Preach", was released on January 9, 2014. The song features a rap verse from UK-based recording artist and record producer Silvastone. An accompanying music video for "Preach" was released on February 3, 2014 and uploaded to YouTube.[25]
Critical reception
editSarkology received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jacob Roberts-Mensah and Ameyaw Debrah awarded the album 9 stars out of 10, commending Sarkodie for "blurring the lines between hiplife and hip-hop without necessarily being boxed in or defined by either genre".[26][27]
Accolades
editSarkology won Album of the Year at the 2014 Ghana Music Awards.[28] It was also nominated for World’s Best Album at the 2014 World Music Awards.[29]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dear Rap" | Michael Owusu Addo | 2:22 | |
| 2. | "Elijah" (featuring Obrafour) |
| Hammer | 5:16 |
| 3. | "Halleluyah" (featuring Vivian Chidid) |
| 4:00 | |
| 4. | "Illuminati" | Michael Owusu Addo | Magnom | 2:46 |
| 5. | "Rap Attack" (featuring Vector) |
| 3:59 | |
| 6. | "Sizeless (Skit)" | — | 1:26 | |
| 7. | "Original" | Addo | 4:07 | |
| 8. | "Xxl" (featuring Mugeez) |
| 3:49 | |
| 9. | "Preach" (featuring Silvastone) |
| Silvastone | 4:11 |
| 10. | "Y'all Already Know" | Michael Owusu Addo | Nii - King of Accra | 3:05 |
| 11. | "Pon D Ting" (featuring Banky W.) |
| Masterkraft | 4:11 |
| 12. | "Special Someone" (featuring Burna Boy and AKA) |
| 4:18 | |
| 13. | "Down on One" (featuring Fuse ODG) |
| KillBeatz | 3:47 |
| 14. | "One Chance" (featuring Timaya) |
| KillBeatz | 4:04 |
| 15. | "Gunshot" (featuring Davido) |
| KillBeatz | 3:51 |
| 16. | "Wobaadanaa" (Lil Shaker) | Michael Owusu Addo | 4:13 | |
| 17. | "Adonai" (featuring Sk Blinks) |
| Nshona Muzick | 4:02 |
| 18. | "Bounce" | Michael Owusu Addo | Magnom | 3:45 |
| 19. | "Currency" (featuring Stonebwoy) |
| Magnom | 4:46 |
| 20. | "2 Paddies" (featuring Joey B) |
| 3:08 | |
| 21. | "Good Relationship" (featuring J Town) |
| 3:47 | |
| 22. | "Lies" (featuring Lil Shaker) |
| Lil Shaker | 3:58 |
| 23. | "Ordinary Love" (featuring Tiwa Savage) |
| Beat Merchant | 3:30 |
| 24. | "Hold on" (featuring Raquel) |
| 4:18 | |
| 25. | "Marry Me" (featuring Sian) |
| 3:53 | |
| 26. | "Odo Yede" (featuring Kofi B) |
| 3:34 | |
| 27. | "Whatever You Do" (featuring Efya) |
| ||
| 28. | "War" (featuring 2 Face Idibia) |
| Magnom | 3:28 |
| 29. | "Small Small" (featuring Lil Shaker) |
| 4:40 | |
| 30. | "Devil in Me" (featuring Efya) |
| 4:33 | |
| Total length: | 114:00 | |||
- Notes
- "—" denotes a skit
Personnel
edit- Michael Owusu Addo – primary artist
- Nana Richard Abiona – featured artist
- David Adeleke – featured artist
- Tiwatope Savage Balogun – featured artist
- Darryl Bannerman-Martin – featured artist
- Olubankole Wellington – featured artist
- Enetimi Alfred Odom – featured artist
- Innocent Ujah Idibia – featured artist
- Jane Fara Awindor – featured artist
- Rashid Mugeez – featured artist
- Michael Elliot – featured artist
- Damini Ogulu – featured artist
- Vivian Chidid – featured artiste
- Olanrewaju Ogunmefun – featured artist
- Silvastone – producer, featured artist
- Sk Blinks – featured artist
- Livingston E. Satekla – composer
- Stefen Menson – featured artist
- Stonebwoy – featured artist
- Raquel Ammah – composer
- Raquel – featured artist
- Sian – featured artist
- Kofi Boakye – featured artist
- Kiernan Forbes – featured artist
- Lil Shaker – producer, featured artist
- Hammer – producer
- Magnom – producer
- Hammer – producer
- Killbeatz – producer
- King of Accra – producer
- Masterkraft – producer
- RedEye – mixing, mastering
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana | January 2, 2014 | CD, Digital download | Duncwills Entertainment |
References
edit- ^ "Sarkology - Sarkodie". iTunes. 2 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "What is Sarkology?". GNM. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Twum, Chris (23 September 2013). "Ghana: Sarkodie Presents 30 Songs On 'Sarkology' Album". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ Donkoh, Ebenezer (14 October 2013). "Sarkodie's 30 track Sarkology album due soon". Ghanamusic.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Rapper Sarkodie Releases Artwork For His New Album – "Sarkology"". Information Nigeria. 29 August 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Sarkodie leaks his next album's (Sarkology) cover". The Ghana Post. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Sarkodie Releases Hot Album Cover For Sarkology Album!". Rite 90.1 FM. 29 August 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Oduok, Uduak (29 August 2013). "Sarkodie Releases New Album Cover for 'Sarkology'". Africa Music Law. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Over 15,000 join Sarkodie to release 'Sarkology'". Ghana Politics. 22 December 2013. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ^ Sam, Jojo (23 December 2013). "Sarkodie works 'Sarkology' on audience". Graphic Online. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
- ^ "Sarkodie Launches 'Sarkology Album'". Modern Ghana. 22 December 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Sarkodie & Joey B – Performs 'Tonga' at Sarkology release concert". African Muzik Magazine. 24 December 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Ahedor, Israel (13 November 2012). "New Hit Single: Sarkodie feat. Davido: 'Gun Shot'". Ghana Reporters. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ^ "Video: Sarkodie x Davido 'Gun Shot'". OkayAfrica. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ^ Effiong, Benjamin (20 August 2013). "Sarkodie – "Illuminati" - Music Video". Soul Culture. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ^ Alonge, Osagie (29 November 2012). "NETPod: Sarkodie speaks on the 'Illuminati'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ^ "Sarkodie 'Lies' ft. Lil Shaker". OkayAfrica. 8 May 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "Video: Sarkodie – BOUNCE". Vibe Ghana. 20 September 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "Sarkodie – Down On One ft. Fuse ODG [Video + Audio]". 360nobs. 12 October 2013. Archived from the original on 15 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "Pon Di Ting- Sarkodie ft Banky W". Expose Ghana. 23 December 2013. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "MUSIC VIDEO: Sarkodie – Pon Di Ting (Feat. Banky W)". OMG Ghana. 24 December 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "NEW CUT – Sarkodie Ft Tiwa Savage – ORDINARY LOVE". Ghana Vibes. 1 January 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ ""Ordinary Love"! African Music Stars Sarkodie & Tiwa Savage Dish to Ameyaw Debrah About Their Upcoming Projects". Bellanaija. 6 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ Twum, Chris (13 June 2013). "Ghana: Efya Angry With Sarkodie Over 'No Ordinary Love'". allAfrica. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "Sarkodie x Silvastone 'Preach'". Okay Africa. 5 February 2014. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "Sarkodie's Sarkology - An album review". Ghanaweb. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ Roberts-Mensah, Jacob & Debrah, Ameyaw (23 January 2014). "Sarkology for different moods - An album review". Daily Graphic. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ Victor, Adebayo Adeyemi (4 May 2014). "List of winners at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014". Ghana Web. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ "Sarkodie Grabs 4 Nominations In This Year's "World Music Awards"…". Ghana Fame. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.