Sarkology

Sarkology
Studio album by Sarkodie
Released January 2, 2014 (2014-01-02)
Recorded 2012–13
Genre Hip hop, hiplife
Label Duncwills Entertainment
Producer Duncan Williams (exec.), Beat Merchant, Hammer, Killbeatz, King of Accra, Lil Shaker, Magnom, Masterkraft, Nshona, Silvastone
Sarkodie chronology
T.M.G
(2013)		 Sarkology
(2014)		 Mary
(2015)
Singles from Sarkology
  1. "Gunshot"
    Released: November 12, 2012[1]
  2. "Illuminati"
    Released: November 27, 2012[2]
  3. "Lies"
    Released: May 8, 2013[3]
  4. "Bounce"
    Released: September 19, 2013[4]
  5. "Down on One"
    Released: October 10, 2013[5]
  6. "Pon D Ting"
    Released: December 23, 2013[6]
  7. "Ordinary Love"
    Released: December 31, 2013[7]
  8. "Preach"
    Released: January 9, 2014[8]

Sarkology is the third studio album by Ghanaian hip hop recording artist Sarkodie, released by Duncwills Entertainment on January 2, 2014.[9] 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. The album's production was handled by Magnom, Hammer, Killbeatz, Masterkraft and Silvastone, among others.

Buildup and release

"There’s a lot to expect on the new album, I can easily call it a Nigerian album because I have all my Nigerian friends supporting me on this album."

— Sarkodie on Sarkology[10]

There were rumours that Sarkodie was gearing up to release the album at the end of 2013. Sarkology was also rumored to contain 16 tracks.[11] According to a September 2013 report by The Ghanaian Chronicle, Sarkodie told the press that the album will contain 30 songs.[12] Sarkodie also told the press that the album will feature production from 13 producers, including Kilbeatz, Magnom and Nshorna.[13]

Album cover

On August 28, 2013, Sarkodie released the album's cover to the general public via the social networking site Twitter.[14] The cover shows a young boy surrounded by school textbooks and other educational materials. The young boy is seated in a chair reading a Magazine about Sarkodie.[15] Sarkodie also used the album's cover to promote Sark, his clothing brand.[16] Sarkodie was in the United Kingdom for a video shoot when he released the album's cover.[17]

Launch concert

"The Sarkology Release Concert" (a concert put together to launch the Ghanaian rapper's third studio album) was held on December 21, 2013, at the Accra Sports Stadium.[18] Numerous Ghanaian musicians (some of whom were featured on the album) performed at the concert, including Stay Jay, Kwaw Kese, Efya, Fuse ODG, Joey B, Raquel, Ephraim, Donzy, Dee Moneey, Buda, Mr. Silver, Phoot Printz and Scizo.[19][20] At the concert, Sarkodie and Joey B performed the latter's single "Tonga".[21]

Singles

A woman performing
A women performing in a white top
A man wearing a shirt
Efya (top) was featured on two of the album's 30 songs. Tiwa Savage (middle) and Davido (bottom) were two of the seven Nigerian musicians featured on the album.

On November 12, 2012, Duncwills Entertainment released "Gunshot", the album's lead single, featuring Davido. The song was produced by Killbeatz.[22] The music video for "Gunshot" was released on December 11, 2012, and uploaded onto YouTube at a total length of 3 minutes and 32 seconds. It was shot and directed in Ghana by Sesan.[23]

On November 27, 2012, Sarkodie released the album's second single titled "Illuminati". The song was produced by Magnom and recorded in Sarkodie's naitve language Twi. The music video for the single was shot in Dubai at various locations by Gyogyimah of Phamous Philms.[24] It was uploaded onto YouTube on August 19, 2013, at a total length of 2 minutes and 58 seconds. After releasing "Illuminati", Sarkodie was jokingly rumored to have join the "secret clan".[25]

Sarkodie released the album's third single "Lies" featuring Lil Shaker. The music video for the single was directed by Nana-Asi Hene. According to OkayAfrica, the music video "juggles images of a broken mannequin/past lover to the backdrop of Sarkodie‘s flashy whips, mansions, pools and penthouses."[26]

The album's fourth single, titled "Bounce", was released on September 19, 2013. It was produced by Magnom. The music video, recorded at a total length of 3 minutes and 59 seconds, was directed by Sesan.[27]

"Down on One", the album's fifth single, was released on October 10, 2013. It features vocals from 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. It was uploaded onto YouTube at a total length of 3 minutes and 47 seconds.[28]

"Pon D Ting", the album's six single, was released on December 23, 2013. The song was produced by Masterkraft and the music video was directed in South Africa by Sesan.[6] The music video was shot when Sarkodie flew to South Africa for the 2013 edition of the Channel O Music Video Awards.[29] Sarkodie commented on the music video, saying: "I’m very excited about this video shoot and song. It’s a long overdue collaboration between my good friend, Banky W and I."[30]

On December 31, 2013, Sarkodie released the album's seventh single "Ordinary Love" featuring Tiwa Savage. The song was produced by Beat Merchant.[31][32] Efya was initially intended to be on the track but due to strategic reasons, Sarkodie decided to work with Tiwa Savage. Sarkodie said: "I had this song, and the hook was ready waiting for Efya. You know we've had lots of collaboration back-to-back and I wanted someone different. I'm on Tiwa's album, so it was just right for us to do another song on my album. Tiwa was there, I sent her the song, and she laid good vocals on it which was also perfect."[33]

On January 9, 2014, Sarkodie released the album's eighth single titled "Preach". The song features UK based recording artist and record producer Silvastone. An accompany music video for "Preach" was released on February 3, 2014. It was uploaded onto YouTube at a total length of 4 minutes and 13 seconds.[34]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Mensah and Debrah9/10[35]

Upon its release, Sarkology received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Jacob Roberts-Mensah and Ameyaw Debrah gave the album 9 out of 10 stars, extensively adding: "His delivery has gotten better with each album and with his multiple pop culture references it is evident that he is still a student of the game. He does very well on this album to further blur the lines between GH Rap/Hip-life and Hip-hop not necessarily being boxed in or defined by either genre and managing to dip in and out of each one whenever he wants to. Sarkodie also continues to show that his speed and ability to “twist” isn’t just a gimmick but just one of his many abilities as an MC."[35][36]

Accolades

Sarkology won the "Album of the Year" category at the 2014 Ghana Music Awards.[37] It was also nominated for "World’s Best Album" at the 2014 World Music Awards.[38]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2014 Ghana Music Awards Album of the Year Won
World Music Awards World’s Best Album Nominated

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Dear Rap"  Michael Owusu Addo  2:22
2. "Elijah" (featuring Obrafour)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Michael Elliot Darko
Hammer 5:16
3. "Halleluyah" (featuring Vivian Chidid)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Vivian Chidid
  4:00
4. "Illuminati"  Michael Owusu AddoMagnom 2:46
5. "Rap Attack" (featuring Vector)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Olanrewaju Ogunmefun
  3:59
6. "Sizeless (Skit)"  -  1:26
7. "Original"  Michael Owusu Addo  4:07
8. "Xxl" (featuring Mugeez)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Rashid Mugeez
  3:49
9. "Preach" (featuring Silvastone)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Silvastone
Silvastone 4:11
10. "Y'all Already Know"  Michael Owusu AddoNii - King Of Accra 3:05
11. "Pon D Ting" (featuring Banky W.)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Olubankole Wellington
Masterkraft 4:11
12. "Special Someone" (featuring Burna Boy and AKA)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Damini Ogulu
  • Kiernan Forbes
  4:18
13. "Down on One" (featuring Fuse ODG)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Nana Richard Abiona
KillBeatz 3:47
14. "One Chance" (featuring Timaya)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Enetimi Alfred Odom
KillBeatz 4:04
15. "Gunshot" (featuring Davido)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • David Adeleke
KillBeatz 3:51
16. "Wobaadanaa" (Lil Shaker)Michael Owusu Addo  4:13
17. "Adonai" (featuring Sk Blinks)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Sk Blinks
Nshona Muzick 4:02
18. "Bounce"  Michael Owusu AddoMagnom 3:45
19. "Currency" (featuring Stonebwoy)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Livingston E. Satekla
Magnom 4:46
20. "2 Paddies" (featuring Joey B)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Darryl Bannerman-Martin
  3:08
21. "Good Relationship" (featuring J Town)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Stefen Menson
Michael Owusu Addo		  3:47
22. "Lies" (featuring Lil Shaker)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Lil Shaker
Lil Shaker 3:58
23. "Ordinary Love" (featuring Tiwa Savage)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Tiwatope Savage
Beat Merchant 3:30
24. "Hold on" (featuring Raquel)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Raquel Ammah
  4:18
25. "Marry Me" (featuring Sian)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Sian
  3:53
26. "Odo Yede" (featuring Kofi B)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Kofi Boakye
  3:34
27. "Whatever You Do" (featuring Efya)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Jane Fara Awindor
   
28. "War" (featuring 2 Face Idibia)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Innocent Ujah Idibia
Magnom 3:28
29. "Small Small" (featuring Lil Shaker)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Lil Shaker
  4:40
30. "Devil in Me" (featuring Efya)
  • Michael Owusu Addo
  • Jane Fara Awindor
  4:33

Personnel

  • Nana Richard Abiona - Featured artist
  • Michael Owusu Addo - Composer
  • David Adeleke - Featured artist
  • Tiwatope Savage Balogun - Featured artist
  • Darryl Bannerman-Martin - Featured artist
  • Olubankole Wellington - Featured artist
  • Enetimi Alfred Odom - Featured artist
  • Hammer - Producer
  • Innocent Ujah Idibia - Featured artist
  • Jane Fara Awindor - Featured artist
  • Rashid Mugeez - Featured artist
  • Michael Elliot Kwabena Okyere Darko - Featured artist
  • Damini Ogulu - Featured artist
  • Vivian Chidid - Featured artiste
  • Olanrewaju Ogunmefun - Featured artist
  • Silvastone - Producer, featured artist
  • Sk Blinks - Featured artist
  • Sarkodie - Primary Artist
  • Livingston E. Satekla - Composer
  • Stefen Menson - Featured artist
  • Stonebwoy - Featured artist
  • Lil Shaker - Producer, Featured artist
  • Raquel Ammah - Composer
  • Raquel - Featured artist
  • Sian - Featured artist
  • Kofi Boakye - Featured artist
  • Kiernan Forbes - Featured artist
  • Magnom - Record producer
  • Hammer - Record producer
  • Killbeatz - Record producer
  • King of Accra - Producer
  • Masterkraft - Record producer
  • RedEye - Mixing, Mastering

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Ghana January 2, 2014 CD, Digital download Duncwills Entertainment

References

  1. ↑ Alonge, Osagie (12 November 2012). "NETPod: Sarkodie and Davido duet on ‘Gun shot’". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  2. ↑ "Audio: Sarkodie ‘Illuminati’ [Download]". OkayAfrica. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "LIES – SARKODIE FEAT LIL SHAKER (SARKOLOGY)". MADC. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  4. ↑ "Sarkodie-Bounce". Expose Ghana. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  5. ↑ "VIDEO: Sarkodie ft. Fuse ODG – Down On One". African Muzik Magazine. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Pon Di Ting- Sarkodie ft Banky W". Expose Ghana. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  7. ↑ O, Ovie (31 December 2013). "Sarkodie – Ordinary Love ft. Tiwa Savage". Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "Sarkodie – Preach f. Silverstone (Prod by Silverstone)". 9 January 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "Sarkology - Sarkodie". iTunes. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "VIDEO: Sarkodie Releases Hot Album Cover For Sarkology Album!". Choice 102.3 FM. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  11. ↑ "What is Sarkology?". GNM. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  12. ↑ Twum, Chris (23 September 2013). "Ghana: Sarkodie Presents 30 Songs On 'Sarkology' Album". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  13. ↑ Donkoh, Ebenezer (14 October 2013). "Sarkodie’s 30 track Sarkology album due soon". Ghanamusic.com. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Rapper Sarkodie Releases Artwork For His New Album – "Sarkology"". Information Nigeria. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  15. ↑ "Sarkodie Releases Hot Album Cover For Sarkology Album!". Rite 90.1 FM. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  16. ↑ Oduok, Uduak (29 August 2013). "Sarkodie Releases New Album Cover for ‘Sarkology’". Africa Music Law. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  17. ↑ "Sarkodie leaks his next album’s (Sarkology) cover". The Ghana Post. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  18. ↑ "Over 15,000 join Sarkodie to release 'Sarkology'". Ghana Politics. 22 December 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  19. ↑ Sam, Jojo (23 December 2013). "Sarkodie works ‘Sarkology’ on audience". Graphic Online. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  20. ↑ "Sarkodie Launches 'Sarkology Album'". Modern Ghana. 22 December 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  21. ↑ "Sarkodie & Joey B – Performs ‘Tonga’ at Sarkology release concert". African Muzik Magazine. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  22. ↑ Ahedor, Israel (13 November 2012). "New Hit Single: Sarkodie feat. Davido: ‘Gun Shot’". Ghana Reporters. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  23. ↑ "Video: Sarkodie x Davido ‘Gun Shot’". OkayAfrica. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  24. ↑ Effiong, Benjamin (20 August 2013). "Sarkodie – "Illuminati" - Music Video". Soul Culture. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  25. ↑ Alonge, Osagie (29 November 2012). "NETPod: Sarkodie speaks on the ‘Illuminati’". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  26. ↑ "Sarkodie ‘Lies’ ft. Lil Shaker". OkayAfrica. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  27. ↑ "Video: Sarkodie – BOUNCE". Vibe Ghana. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  28. ↑ "Sarkodie – Down On One ft. Fuse ODG [Video + Audio]". 360nobs. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  29. ↑ "MUSIC VIDEO: Sarkodie – Pon Di Ting (Feat. Banky W)". OMG Ghana. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  30. ↑ Boafo, Obed (4 December 2013). "Sarkodie Shoots New Music Video In South Africa". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  31. ↑ "NEW CUT – Sarkodie Ft Tiwa Savage – ORDINARY LOVE". Ghana Vibes. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  32. ↑ ""Ordinary Love"! African Music Stars Sarkodie & Tiwa Savage Dish to Ameyaw Debrah About Their Upcoming Projects". Bellanaija. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  33. ↑ Twum, Chris (13 June 2013). "Ghana: Efya Angry With Sarkodie Over 'No Ordinary Love'". allAfrica. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  34. ↑ "Sarkodie x Silvastone ‘Preach’". Okay Africa. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  35. 1 2 "Sarkodie’s Sarkology - An album review". Ghanaweb. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  36. ↑ Roberts-Mensah, Jacob and Debrah, Ameyaw (23 January 2014). "Sarkology for different moods - An album review". Daily Graphic. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  37. ↑ Victor, Adebayo Adeyemi (4 May 2014). "List of winners at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014". Ghana Web. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  38. ↑ "Sarkodie Grabs 4 Nominations In This Year’s "World Music Awards"…". Ghana Fame. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
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