Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio Features Black Sherif

Ghanaian hip‑hop artist Black Sherif appears on Apple Music 1 with Nandi Madida over FaceTime to discuss his newest single, “Sacrifice.” He also talks about his fresh album, ‘IRON BOY,’ his early entry into music, and the role of a solid creative crew in his achievements.

Nandi Madida presents the latest sizzling African releases. This week’s lineup features fresh songs from Mayorkun, Oxlade, Syemca, Riky Rick featuring 25K, Focalistic, Blxckie, K.Keed, Blue Pappi & Lowfeye, and Nomfundo Moh featuring Blaq Diamond.

Catch the complete episode this Friday, April 4, at 9 a.m. Lagos/London, 10 a.m. Johannesburg/Paris, 1 p.m. LA, and 4 p.m. NYC on Apple Music 1 via apple.co/_AfricaNow, and on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2 p.m., YFM Kumasi Saturdays at 3 p.m., and YFM Takoradi Saturdays at 6 p.m.

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Black Sherif Tells Apple Music How He Found His Place in Music at an Early Age

From a young age, I have been an artist. I didn’t have a recording or any official release, but I was exploring everything that intrigued me in the most artistic manner. We would bike—doing BMX freestyles—and dance at weddings on weekends. It was all about discovering what I wanted to pursue within entertainment. That’s when I began writing music for 15 months before stepping into the studio for the first time. After finishing high school, I decided to pursue this path with real hustle!

Black Sherif Tells Apple Music About the Importance of Having a Strong Team

Take my performance at the VGMAs (Vodafone Ghana Music Awards)—it’s always a collaborative effort. I feel that everything we’ve done is a collective of minds. Everyone is involved, from camera direction to styling and beyond. It’s a gathering of creative people coming together to create something. I feel it’s more powerful that way. I’m truly grateful to have those people and those kinds of minds around me.

Black Sherif Tells Apple Music About His Idol and Inspiration, Amakye Dede

Amakye Dede released an album titled ‘Iron Boy’ in 2015, and it felt appropriate to pay tribute to it. Recently, I discovered that he was friends with my grandfather! When I was a child, he owned a black jeep, so every time we were near school, we could stroll along the pedestrian road of the Raku Highway and spot him. Growing up, becoming a musician, and then returning to honor him while learning about the family connection was incredible.

Black Sherif Tells Apple Music What It’s Like To Have Akon as a Huge Fan

I feel it pushes me to look inward more. Being in the studio with your idols, they hear something that you might not notice. So if someone says that about me, what do they see? It makes me want to delve deeper. Even now, I believe I’m still at the beginning of figuring out what I want my voice to be—and when I say voice, I don’t mean tone. It’s more about my lasting message and my purpose.

Black Sherif Tells Apple Music What Fans Can Expect From His New Album, ‘IRON BOY’

I want listeners to finish the album, and if someone wants to create, they can pick up some ideas and start building! After listening, go out! If you’re wearing trainers, go jog. Just try to be something, because I feel there’s a part of success that isn’t talked about in mainstream music. I aim to shed light on that for people who need to hear it, even if it’s not the exact feeling, they need to feel close to how some aspects of success feel. That’s what I’m trying to do with this album.

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