Sarkodie Speaks On Recording “Try Me” In Response To Forced Abortion Allegations + More
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
What epics.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
Way up At Angela Ye Angela Yee and Sheella is
here guests hosting with me from Chicago.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Hey, I'm here, I'm here.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
And we have a very special guest from Ghana. Let
me say his name right, Socco Dad. Soccer Dad, but
we're going to call you Sark for the rest of
the interview.
Speaker 4 (00:17):
You understand.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
But welcome to Way up At Angela Yee and I
really appreciate having you here. You have such a huge following.
Some people will say that you are the biggest artists
from Ghana.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
I don't want to say that, but some people would.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Say that yes, because you're very humble.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
You're also the first artist from Ghana to reach a
million subscribers on YouTube.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
That just happened. It has to the fun Base. They
updated me on that. You know, I'm really bad with
keeping up with my own self and I saw it
on Twitter that I had a million, which is great.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
That's what's up? What is your secret to connecting with
people the way that you have?
Speaker 4 (00:51):
I think I came in a game by default through
the back door, meaning I didn't come through media really
because I was trying to like literally come as a
commercial artist and have my songs on the radio, but
that didn't happen because the type of music I was
doing at the time was not what was happening at
the time. It was like super commercial, high life music
that was dominating, and I was rapping on sometimes kicks
(01:14):
without no baseline, just raw what I felt. So I
had to take to social media. So that's when I
built a following. And I also used to do a
rap battle on the radio station in Ghana, so that
kind of like builds my followers because they used to
vote every Saturday. I had to battle like over like
twenty something mcs and I kind of like came on
(01:37):
top all the time.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
That's so like that is pressure.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
It is okay, I built a following that cared about
the journey because they were part of it from day
one too. Now, so it's a bit of it's beyond
just having a head record. It's more of like we
know that's our guy sitting there.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
And to this day, you're still independent, right, yesit ish
that is amazing for you to have accomplished, just even
the international super starting that you have being independent. And
is there a situation where you feel like you would
signed to a major label to be very honest.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
I really wanted to in the beginning. I still would
love to. I think partnership is good. It just has
to make sense to you. So in the beginning, that's
what I was looking for. If it started in Ghana,
even in Ghana, I was looking for a label in
Ghana because I've never been signed even in Ghana. So
the type of music I was doing, as I said,
people did not believe that I was going to sell,
so I had to do stuff on my own. So
(02:29):
just being able to do stuff and flipping back to back,
I got used to it. So it's my own being stubborn.
That's why I don't invote people coming in.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Some people missed the bag then, because I'm sure those
people that you had an opportunity to sign with I know, right,
I know they're like, then we missed the bag a.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Couple of them. But I think it's just as meant
to be that you were supposed to be in charge
of what you're doing. I can't fight it because I
didn't understand why people did not want to sign me,
because still a lot of people around them that I
felt I could have done better. But I always get past,
you know, So then I had to do with myself.
I paid my first video with my first paycheck. I
remember it was a beauty pageant in Ghana where I
(03:09):
got my first paycheck and then I shot my first
video with that. So then I built that flipping of
money to date, so I'm used to it. I'm not
saying that's that's the best way all the time.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
It's just right for you.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
Yeah, sometimes you need to wait off you, which I
feel sometimes that I wish I could have like a
backbone that could take care of certain things I don't
have to think about too, because it's a lot being
a creative person and also thinking about me being here,
how to navigate my way around and all of that.
So it's pressure, but sometimes I enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
But I like that you hit me directly, like yes,
I think that's a nice personal touch to be able
to reach out and be like hey, I want to
you know, and I'm like yeah, absolutely. So as far
as you though, people did see something in you though,
because that was why you managed to get collaborations early
on and everything.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
There were people who were like, yo, he's really really dope.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
So for you helping out other artists because you also
have artists that were signed to you. Right, So talk
about what it's like to be a boss when it
comes to dealing with other people, because that's.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Not an easy situation.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
I feel like being an artist and having artists signed
to you sometimes it's harder than anything because they relate
to you in a different way and have a different
type of expectation.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
True, you said, it's all right. So what I realized
was because I'm an artist, I feel for them, and
I feel like I would like to give them what
I would want if I had a situation, because I'm
probably one of the few labels that gave a fifty
to fifty percentage while I was putting in the money,
you know, because that's what I would have loved for myself.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
I wouldn't do that.
Speaker 4 (04:44):
Yeah, so all my artists.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
And have my money back first.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Yes, all my artists had a very good run with
me in two dates to get paid. Doughtie are not
on my label, so yes, I just felt at a
certain point I needed to look out for other artists
what I was looking for when I was coming, which
I didn't get how to do it for other artists.
But in Africa, maybe I can limit it to Ghana
the resources. I'm not that strong for an artist to
(05:08):
be able to sign an artist. You know, there's a
lot of pressure. So what I did after them is
to take my time and get things right before I
was signed somebody officially, to become the one to run
two when you need something, because it's a lot of
you know, it's a lot of responsibility. So now I
kind of like endorse the cool signed people and then
let them go right to figure your own stuff out.
(05:30):
Because I enjoy the liberty of being free, and I
want other artists to feel like that. So that's what's up.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Now, let's get it to the meet of this.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Because the most recent.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Song you put out is called try Me.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
I cannot believe you did that because I feel like
you try your hardest to not engage in like even
doing press, you know, and keeping and you've even said
that you like to keep your personal life separate from
you as an artist. But in this particular situation, you've
had to address things that have been said about you, right,
and so what was your decision and making this song?
(06:06):
So people are calling it in this song, but I
feel and it is harsh. I'll say that because it
hurt my heart when I was like, oh, I would
hate for somebody. I would not want to go back
and forth with Sark on a situation like this. But
what made you decide this was the move that you
were going to make as far as addressing you know
this book where it was referenced you had made a
(06:27):
woman have an abortion.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
To be very honest, it's a sensitive conversation that the
reason why I didn't do no media round or press
around it is because I know I might lose how
I would like to present what I feel about it.
So normally this is not the first time I've done
records to address certain issue, or maybe a line or
two in a record just too because I don't know.
(06:50):
There's such an energy I hate to feed into, especially
speaking about it, because I might lose my coup. So
with this situation, yes exactly, I'm not going to sit
here and say I'm super proud of it. Thing is
just in the moment how I felt, whether be in
my truth. There should have been a way that you
could have said it. That's why I don't like to
speak about it, because this is a conversation between two people.
(07:11):
But then we could have a conversation if you want
to talk about it because it involves me as well.
But because people know the sock doesn't speak, you know,
people think they can say something and no, sock is
not going to speak of it. It's going to get away
with it, you know. So once in a while, you know.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
You just let them poke them in them.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Because I'm the same way if people talk crazy about me,
I don't like to address things because I feel like
it gives it way more life and I see people
do it all the time, and instead of me engaging
in it back and forth, I'm like, you know what,
go ahead, I'm gonna just keep on doing my thing
and not let anybody knock me off my square. But
this time you said you not only it wasn't a
line or two. So I want to know who did
(07:52):
you let hear this first? Was anybody in the studio
with you?
Speaker 4 (07:55):
But my team is yeah, they're all like people think
my team is in so part of what I did
or did the record, None of them knew I did
the record because I was on tall. I'm actually on
tall when it happened. Yeah, And sometimes when I feel something,
then the lyrics is going to come right there. And
then so I sneaked into the studio to even record this.
I didn't let nobody hear it because I didn't want
(08:17):
to hear no advice. I just literally want to do
what I felt at that point. Yeah, and faced the
consequences later on. But it wasn't like the whole team
sat down and said this is good to go. I
did it personally for myself.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
They probably was like, what are you doing. I can
imagine those phone calls and message a.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Lot of phone calls. So in the heat of the moment,
the person that I didn't hear from which normally she
would have been the first person to hit me as
my lawyer, so early morning I was like, I was
trying to tease her and I said, Mama, see, so
don't you care about what's happening, because you would hit
me up and see what are we doing. The sad
news is she was dead the same time. Yeah, so
(08:54):
just I see two takes go. I didn't hear because
she would respond like within five minutes. The two hours
then I heard she she's no more. So that's an awful,
very very tough time. Did show.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
I'm so sorry to hear that. Yeah, I'm really sorry.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
She would have been somebody who I know would in
endorse that that situation of how I wanted to handle it,
but I just felt like it like this, I normally
don't do it, but this, to me, I think I'll
get to a point where I can speak freely about it.
I think it's still it's still fresh that I still
want to process it before I can really speak.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
And this is something that happened yere like a really
long time ago. Yeah, so this is something that she
brought back up and then I know her interviews. You
don't even really like to address things like this. But
since you put the song out out and it felt
like somebody leaked it first, yes, and so maybe you
didn't even intend to put it out.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Okay, that's what I was thinking.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Okay, so you're like, well, it's hearing it.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Where I was, it was like very late, I think
two am. And then I see Twitter going crazy and
people put in out the record. Oh so I have
no idea because I didn't give it to So I
have like two three people that I don't want to suspect.
You know, it's going to create some energy because I
was I did it just to hold onto it and
(10:17):
see if I'm going to release it, but then when
it came out, I was like, let me just let
me just put it out.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Do you do that often, like something goes on and
you're like, let me just do a song about it,
and then kind of put it away, like kind of
like getting something off your chest diary, because you do
come from that school of rap battling, so when something
makes you mad, I can see you. Instead of writing
it down, you might just be like, let me just
go in the booth and do something.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
I expressed myself well when I do music, I think
I say the best if I do music, if I
speak about it. I don't know if I'm a good
person that expressed himself well. I can talk about my
life or whatever. But there's certain situations I know that
I might lose my coul. Things I'm very passionate about
hard for me to speak about it. I'll be losty
(11:02):
even in the thoughts, I'll be all over the place,
conversations like you've been talking about my people and how
music and how we're supposed to survive and do this.
I care so much about it that when I speak
about it, because of the passion and emotions I have
for it. I might not be able to get to
the point, but when I do a record, I have
time to really say exactly what I want to say.
(11:22):
So when something happens, I feel like, let me just
do a record. Or most people are lucky, sometimes it'll
be a line or two. You know, if I do
a whole joint for you, that means a few times
I've done that. I think the second time I've done
like a record on one particular situation, that should tell
you that the not living things It wasn't how similar situation,
(11:46):
but it's not exact right.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
I mean it was a heartbreak type of yes, because
I faced that, and it feels like that was about
a particular person or in situation.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
I don't think so, because I didn't would try me
I knew what I was doing not living then I didn't. Okay,
But then you can see yourself that something is creeping
in that. You don't know that that's what you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Okay, you were just expressing emotions and then it was
kind of bringing up feelings.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Exactly going to creep into it because what I was
saying was exaggerated. I've not faced that before, but that's
similar things in there that I've seen, but so that
wasn't like towards anybody. So it's a funny story. I
did a which never came out. I did a whole
project around the time where I had a situation with
this girl that we broke up, and I didn't know
how bad it creeped into my creativity because the whole
(12:41):
album was towards me speaking about women in the sertain
type of way, a different version, but it was all
kind of like. I didn't notice it until the whole
project was done. I was listening to I'm like, what's
different about the songs. It's the same thing, just different angles.
So something like that. I didn't know, but it was
(13:01):
creeping into the writing. Okay, not everything could be that,
but I didn't think about Somebody Wild because the hook
was given to me by oak Lade.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Okay, so which it's a beautiful song. People love that song.
And I think, do you feel like as the further
you've gotten in your career, the more you've been able
to open up about emotions and telling more about yourself.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
I'm still not not good with that. I still put
limitations to it, but I definitely love music that makes
you feel something right.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Where do you think that comes from? For you?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
I seen as in like putting those limitations on yourself.
Why do you think that you do that?
Speaker 4 (13:37):
I have no idea. I think I just figured out
a way to god myself. I don't know what the
reason is, but I still find a way to guard myself.
So I kind of like tell myself vulnerable to few
people that I would have to care that much if
something happens. So my mental states with even the industry,
(13:57):
I don't really have people that I count on too much,
so I don't get heads easily to break my whole process.
So few people close family, the team, few people around
me that I'm vulnerable to that I know these guys
can really break me when something happens, but I don't
make it too much, especially with the industry, so I
have It's rare that you find cycle there having an
(14:18):
issue with anybody in the industry because I feel like
nobody owes you nothing. If they choose to support that's okay.
So I never have grudges with people. I never starts
because I don't think you owe me anything right that whole.
I don't think it's a persona but it's like a
shield for my own piece.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
I just asked that because sometimes it is how we
were raised in our families, because I know, for me,
like my family is not very emotional, and so I
can be really guarded about certain things too, you know,
just because we weren't raised that way to be super
expressive and like saying everything that we feel all the time.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Yeah, you said, what was me? Yeah? Tell it will
tell you everything. Just start crying right now. Well, I'm
just very vocal.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
But I also can relate to like when somebody steady poking.
You know what I'm saying. It's like music and I
just say it that it's a formal expression. So you
just making stuff and it's just like you're just saying
what's on your mind, and it's just.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
It goes there. Listen.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I think that's the end of that, because after this song,
I don't know if I would ever want to battle
you about anything because y'all got to listen to it.
We'll play some of it that we can't like it.
You said, I like it, she responded at all. I
have no idea of not like has anybody said, because
I know your followers will tell you and like.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
When I put it out. I wasn't looking for I
did it because I want to do it. I'm not
looking for a reaction, you know.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
I just but you didn't even intend to really put
it out either.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Yeah, yeah, looking out for it and trying to figure
out who said what. I just said it and that's it.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Now. I got to ask you this because you are married, right,
what did your wife say about all this? And did
she know in advance or did she find out what
everybody else?
Speaker 4 (16:02):
To be honest, I really still don't want to like
speak about that, but I think she's she handled it
the way that I didn't think she was going to
be able to handle it. You know, she was cool
about it. She cared more about how I was feeling, which.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Was that's great.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Yeah, she was like if I was good because I
was on tour, so that was hair worry.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
About how I was feeling because she knows there's that
a character too. It isn't that like you just be
firing off on people.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Yeah, she knows that. It takes a lot for me
to speak because, to be very honest, the reason why
I don't speak, which might sound a certain type of way,
but I feel like nobody's really worth my response, which
has always been my stance because if it should be
somebody that I'm going to benefit from, even if I
don't want to respond, I will respond because I'll benefit
out of it. But most times, the people that speak
(16:47):
about soccle there, if I look at them from top
to bottom, like is it really worth it for me
to go back and forth with this person? You know,
that's the main reason why I don't speak, and I'm beyond.
When I started the journey, I cared a lot of
about what people said, and then I realized that it
actually doesn't change anything. People said a lot about Socco there.
I was not going to be able to do to
be on this platform rapping in my native language. I'm here,
(17:10):
I'm not going to be able to do a show
in the state to the BET Award. Like so now
when I hear people speak, I'm like, you're just saying something.
It's not going to change anything.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
So, yeah, you've done it.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
You've done a lot of first yes, when it comes
to what it is that you do too, and even
like you said, being able to wrap in your native
language and also just go back and forth I think
so fluently with English. You know, what's your native language.
I don't want to say it wrong ever.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
So you use c H and three three three three.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
Okay, I'm trying, but that's a real skill because even
when you're listening to it, I don't even know.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
I'm like, I can't tell.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Sometimes you just switch over and I'm like oh, and
then he's back.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
You know, that's deliberate. That's what I did. So when
I started in Ghana, I was just rapping in tree
and with no style, so I was very lyrical. So
what I was saying Ashantis, which is where I'm from.
They understood what I was saying so they could relate.
But when I go to party in Ghana where you
go to the north or the voter region, they still
didn't get it. So I had to work on flow
(18:13):
and delivery. So now what you guys experiencing now is
the point where I want to please you guys as well.
So that's why you can listen at this point. Years back,
you wouldn't get it. You're like, what is he saying? Oh,
there's no wild factor about it. But now I had
to deliberately sit down and go like, how is ANGELI
Y gonna appreciate this song without understanding right, Okay, the
people that I love from America. I love Eminem when
(18:35):
I was younger. You guys think how you're speaking now
is normal, but this is an accent when you go
to Africa. Yeah. Course, as much as we're speaking English,
a lot of people might not get it.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
And she's from Chicago when she speaks, it's an accent
to me. And I'm from Berklyn when I speak.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
But then when we feel the music, we feel it.
So that's what I Okay, So why do they like it?
Why do they like bustar rhymes? Oh? Because of how
he's going. So then I had to work on that,
and that's the I'm still working on to get it
to the next level. But that's what you guys are
hearing now.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
And you've been doing some amazing collapse so you like
Chicago artists too.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
That's how I was like, oh, tell, yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
How did that come about? I was saying, you had
some stuff with Chance and Vic.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Yes, So started with Vic. I heard him speak. He's
gone in so it made sense and he was always
in Ghana and he's one of the few people that
wanted to put his people on so I saw it
earlier on he mentioned my name on a big platform
here in the States. I was like, and we never
met at that.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Point, so that's dope.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
Yeah, So I don't know how we met officially. I
think through somebody we met beautiful soul, a great person.
It goes beyond music, and I like that when you
guys actually have a bond and the music happens, that's great.
But if it's just based on oh, I know you
have numbers and this and that, I don't believe in that.
So it was organic. We had a great time. We
drove around town, then we made music. We showed the video.
(19:57):
Then through him our linked type of Chance and he
also came down to Ghana.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
I remember that.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Yes, I think Chance tweeted at me when I want
the bet best international flow and I told people to
come to Ghana and then he said it's definitely looking
out coming.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
You know, people did go to Ghana. By the way,
we were just talking about that whole little Ganma fest.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Yeah, Now were you there when you were there when
that when everybody was there?
Speaker 4 (20:22):
Right? Yeah? Because Christmas, Every Christmas, I have one of
the biggest shows in Ghana.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
That's how we're going, Yes at the chip to Ghana plan.
All I know is we see the videos with the
boats and the that's crazy video you need to get there.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
And the movies.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
I was just telling you about the movies like a Netflix.
I'm addicted to him.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
I'm all the movies.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
Wow. Wow. It's a beautiful spot to come to if
you want peace and security wise, if you don't want
to care about walking out at night and not nobody
bothering you. That's Ghana, you know, very extremely peaceful, beautiful
and we love people coming from elsewhere to our country.
We really know how to host. So a lot of
(21:03):
a lot of your people are still staying there. They
don't want to come back since you know, they bought
properties out there and they don't want to come back
because the peace out there is crazy.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
And people do be like I'm going to get some
play at place, and god, everybody say that.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
So what was life like for you growing up?
Speaker 4 (21:19):
So? I grew up with my mom, four siblings including myself,
vive in a city called Tema. Then I was taken
to Acra, which kind of like built. I think to
answer the first question when you asked about the Guardian thing,
I think it started from when I had to live
with somebody that I went through like serious hardship with
(21:41):
the person, and it's kind of like, as much as
I love speaking about it, I still feel like the
person didn't know better, so me speaking about it now,
I still think about how they feel because I didn't
have the best experience with them. But I also kind
of like I understand that they didn't know better at
that point, but that doesn't take away from the fact
that this happened exactly. So that created the whole laid
(22:06):
back and watching stuff and not getting involved in too
much and watching life from this perspective. So stop that
I say in the music, if you understand, I speak
about stuff that I have in experience, but I like
to observe a lot, and that created this this persona
So yes, it was. It was a tough beginning. I
didn't know where mom was, didn't know where Dad was,
and I was staying with this person and I had
to go through like serious hardship to be able to
(22:30):
So that's where I developed writing and it turned into music,
you know, because I just needed a way to speak
about what I was feeling. And I wasn't too much
of a friend's type clique type of person, so it
was a good therapy for me.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
Sometimes our hardships is wold make us really who we
are today too, because if you think about it, you
wouldn't have been writing and doing the things they to
do if you didn't go through what you went through
to be able to It was meant.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
To tailor make you. My dad was not around because
I was supposed to do something and probably me if
if you never know, but if maybe he was around,
it might not be this way. Right. So now when
we had a heart to heart conversation recently, which I
love him for even stepping up to have the conversation,
I still said thank you to him because that situation
(23:16):
created the circle that you're seeing today because I'm saying stuff.
The reason why Ghanians left circle there, which I know
for a fact, is because of what I say is
very deep for a young guy. When I came up,
I was saying stuff that even the old people were
not thinking about, right, And it's because of what I've
been through. So I'm thankful for everything that happened.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
How did the heart to heart even happen with your dad?
Speaker 4 (23:36):
So my dad, so my mom, And that's when you
women are going to come in, not to put genders.
But you know the drama that comes with mom, right,
mom sits me down and goes like, no, didn't sit
me down. She didn't talk to me, but she spoke
to my dad saying that I am disappointed in him
and I'm waiting for an apology. I never said that, right.
(23:58):
So now I see my dad in my house at
the door. I opened him like, it's all okay, But
you said I should come to that. I said, no,
I didn't say anything. So your mom said, you said
that you wanted to have a heart to heart conversation.
So that's how come it happened. My mom just set
that up so we can have a conversation. And when
you started speaking as much as you know as a
(24:18):
as a child, I was like thinking about what could
have been right by when he was speaking, I said, man,
now I could I'm not going to justify what he did,
but I can understand just that. Maybe you dealt with
it in the wrong way, but I get it. It
was way easier for me to speak to him now.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Yeah, has that changed anything about you? Like sometimes you
feel like this burden kind of lifted when you are
able enough.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Maybe maybe I don't know. If I was thinking about
it or not. But I'm the type of person I
can just move forward. I just appreciate whatever that's happening.
I'm looking at how I turn out to be, and
that's what I care about. So I don't think I
was having this weight on me, like, oh, I need
to get this off, and I feel like there was
some limitations here and there. I appreciate My biggest problem,
which is my blessing, is that I always appreciate every situation.
(25:05):
So my sister sent me a voice note asking have
I ever been sad because they never see me like
that before. Never. I only cried recently because of my lawyer.
But it's rare to catch me being sad about anything
because I understand so much should be grateful.
Speaker 1 (25:22):
For it is.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
But this business is also a tough business too, because
it also sometimes can feel like the more success that
you get, the more that comes your way. As far
as like issues, You're like, we didn't have no issue like.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
Weally exactly, but I figured a way too. I need
to because I feel like I'm going to do this.
Anything that you love so much, you figure a way
to deal with it. You I don't see myself stopping this,
So why not strap yourself to be ready to face
everything that it comes with to be able to do it.
So I think at this point what can get to
me is anybody that I love being affected by me. Okay,
(25:58):
that's not me personally. I don't care.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
You care about how other people are my.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
Mom, wifie, kids, how are they feeling? That's going to
get to me. But because they didn't sign up for this.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
My daughter, by the way, love your wife.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
Yes, because I saw she did an interview and they
were like, she's amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
She speaks German fluently.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
She stayed there because she said she.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Grew up in Germany and they just thought that. You know,
she minds her business.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
And and that's that's typically typically how she is from
day one. She doesn't really love this whole show being stuff.
She's not really into that.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Yeah, okay, well fair enough. Now, how has the tour
been going? Talk to us about that, because you've been
all over the place.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
Yes, it's been beautiful. The last time I had tour,
I do one off shows. By having a tour, which
is always hectic. The reason why I run away from
it because I hate the whole waking up and going
to check in somewhere else and then you can't settle.
You always have to have your bags packed.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
But you like count that cast.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Yeah, so I looked at and just.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
And also getting to see people.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Exactly and touched base with the people that listen to
the music. So I just came from Europe, which is good.
We did Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Antwerp, Italy. It was all great, beautiful,
beautiful event. And then we kicked off here in the
States with the Cornee Island Show with Skip Maley that's
(27:23):
Bob Marley's grandson. Yes, he brought us over. Then we
did my show Rhich. You were busy to come.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
But I was.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
That was at Patty Labelle's house, but I would have
definitely been there.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
Yeah, but that was great.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
And you have a special type of Bob Marley I
guess affinity as well, So talk about that too.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
Yeah, that call came in and I didn't believe it.
I keep saying. I thought it was like, you know,
when I rap and I say I'm going to do
a song with Bob Marley, that's that would sound like
a joke, like you're just trying to be funny, you know.
So for that conversation to start. I didn't believe it
in the beginning until Descent the Vote. I'm talking about
the original vocals about Mali. This is a legend, that's
(28:04):
a classic song. Stir it up, and I was supposed
to lay my vocals next to that. It was overwhelming. Yeah,
but I had my producers. They gave us the creative freedom.
It wasn't too much of them trying to tell us
what to do, so just have the vocals and do
whatever you want to do with it. It was the
best situation that every artist could ask for. So I
had my people working on, my engineer and my producer.
(28:26):
Then we did it. I think we did two versions.
The first version had English dominating because I was thinking, Okay,
it's going to go to this type of crowd. So
but then they came back. Then they said, no, we
chose you because of your how proud you are of
your native thong, so we want more of that, and
that's what you guys are listening now.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
That's great feedback, yes, because that sometimes you try to
adapt to what you think people were like, but what
people like is who you really are.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
Exactly exactly, and you seem to be real, humble and
just got a great energy and just the way that
you just speak and everything is likene.
Speaker 4 (29:01):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
And I like how you speak on yourself and a
third person.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
So yeah, you're gonna start doing that now I could
already see yes, yes, yes, yes. And as far as
your business, you know how good you are a business?
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Like, where did that come from? That type of knowledge?
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I think that came for me trying to figure out
things on my own, and it built because I want
to do this, how to learn how to do it.
I got to see how you how much more you
gained when you reinvest So it started from that. So
I saw that when I showed good videos, I became
in the league of African artists, moving from a Ghanian artists.
(29:40):
I'm like, okay, so the more you put in, the
more you get out. So it started from that, and
then yeah, it just literally builds around just trying to
figure things out. I made a lot of mistakes because
I didn't understand. It took me time to get on
paid platforms because in Africa we're not used to that,
you know, we were used to still used to giving
up free music because that's when the mass can get it,
you know, the master still don't have that access where
(30:03):
they use cards like Visa cards to purchase music. It's
not that normal there. So if you do it all
paid platforms, it's hard to reach the people with time.
But if you want your music to like go viral today,
it has to be free. So it took me time
to really catch on with getting checks on online platforms.
But then I had great people, and I like to
(30:23):
keep people that can teach me something, you know, I
like to be thought. So my business partner, she is amazing,
you know. She got me a deal with Standard Chartered
Bank as an ambassador, and I just saw how she
worked that collaboration and I'm like, I need you. I
know I can't afford, but I need you around me,
you know. So someone like her taught me how to
(30:45):
have conversations with the corporate world because that has been
a breage between entertainment because when we're having a conversation,
they don't get us and we don't get them. But
when we have Angela, ye who understands me, and Angela
gets into that, she would know how to marry it.
So so I like people that can teach me stuff.
And that's how I learn I land on the job.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
They always say you should never be the smartest person
in the room, right and then you're in the wrong room.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
You got to figure out those circles exactly.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
So, how do you think you can take soccer day
to the next level? Because you're already right here. But
I know you've been doing this all on your own,
you know. So what do you think has to happen
for you to take it to the next level? And
what are some other things that you want to do,
because I can already tell just by your personality that
it's not just music and tours.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
There's more things on the horizon.
Speaker 4 (31:37):
I think at this point, if I have to be honest,
I'm in between thinking about Soakoda and thinking about Ghana
music in general because doing back to back what I've
been doing over the years. Yes, I still feel like
personally I have dreams that I want to achieve, especially
for the fans, because that's the main people that I
do this for outside myself. They really want to see
(32:01):
me do good and I can feel that especially from Ghanians,
they want to see me do better and go more.
So yes, I still look forward to doing that, but
I think there is this ecosystem that has to be sorted,
especially for my people in Ghana, to make it easier
for these young superstars coming to do what I couldn't
do or what my generation couldn't do. I wanted to
(32:22):
push the conversation further that what we did, and I
think that would be where my state of mind is personally.
The fans hate when I speak like that because they
still want me to speak about me and what I
want to do for myself.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Yeah, but you, like you said, it was a lot
of limitations, and it was a lot of obstacles, but
because you know what they are, you can help knock
those down and figure out solutions exactly.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
So that's what I'm trying to do at this point,
or I'm doing in a way.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
Because you are rebranding your whole label, right, Okay.
Speaker 4 (32:50):
Yes, so Ego Plug is a I don't call it
a label, but it has all our services in there.
But we're trying to like make it easier for that
bridge to happen for artists, you know, crossing over and
making big moves and all of that.
Speaker 2 (33:04):
All right, Well, I love to see it, and I
am so appreciative that you stop by because I know
you were on this tour and you've been super busy,
so it means a lot to me that you came through,
and I also appreciate the fact that you were able
to be really open about everything that's been going on.
We way up, but thank you so much and for
everybody here in the United States.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
The tour is still happening.
Speaker 4 (33:27):
Yes on. The new album is out called Jimes Damns
All Platforms, beautiful, incredible music, and we have some other
singles coming up as well.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
What's the next single.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
I'm yet to decide, but I have one with Litle Chris,
which is like.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
I saw yell in the studio together. You guys linked
up like a long time ago before that.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
Two years ago, came to Ghana and then agy same thing.
We just linked up on it on a good vibe.
And then he came back years after and we linked up.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
Again as we saw that picture in the studio. So
it looks okay.
Speaker 4 (33:56):
We have that single and a couple more, which Tristan single.
I just did a record while I was on tour
in Europe. I met Ruga from Nigeria.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
Nice we did.
Speaker 4 (34:06):
We did an amazing song that's also a good song
as well, so hopefully we can any of them can
come anytime.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Soon, all right, super lit, We love to see it
well sor thank you so much for joining us. It's
way up at Angela, Yachell, and make sure you be
in Chicago too, so you got.
Speaker 1 (34:22):
To go to the show. Make sure I be there.
Speaker 4 (34:23):
Appreciate.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Maybe y'all can wrap battle, Okay, alright, it's way up
at Angela ye
What epics.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
Way up At Angela Ye Angela Yee and Sheella is
here guests hosting with me from Chicago.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Hey, I'm here, I'm here.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
And we have a very special guest from Ghana. Let
me say his name right, Socco Dad. Soccer Dad, but
we're going to call you Sark for the rest of
the interview.
Speaker 4 (00:17):
You understand.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
But welcome to Way up At Angela Yee and I
really appreciate having you here. You have such a huge following.
Some people will say that you are the biggest artists
from Ghana.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
I don't want to say that, but some people would.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Say that yes, because you're very humble.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
You're also the first artist from Ghana to reach a
million subscribers on YouTube.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
That just happened. It has to the fun Base. They
updated me on that. You know, I'm really bad with
keeping up with my own self and I saw it
on Twitter that I had a million, which is great.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
That's what's up? What is your secret to connecting with
people the way that you have?
Speaker 4 (00:51):
I think I came in a game by default through
the back door, meaning I didn't come through media really
because I was trying to like literally come as a
commercial artist and have my songs on the radio, but
that didn't happen because the type of music I was
doing at the time was not what was happening at
the time. It was like super commercial, high life music
that was dominating, and I was rapping on sometimes kicks
(01:14):
without no baseline, just raw what I felt. So I
had to take to social media. So that's when I
built a following. And I also used to do a
rap battle on the radio station in Ghana, so that
kind of like builds my followers because they used to
vote every Saturday. I had to battle like over like
twenty something mcs and I kind of like came on
(01:37):
top all the time.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
That's so like that is pressure.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
It is okay, I built a following that cared about
the journey because they were part of it from day
one too. Now, so it's a bit of it's beyond
just having a head record. It's more of like we
know that's our guy sitting there.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
And to this day, you're still independent, right, yesit ish
that is amazing for you to have accomplished, just even
the international super starting that you have being independent. And
is there a situation where you feel like you would
signed to a major label to be very honest.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
I really wanted to in the beginning. I still would
love to. I think partnership is good. It just has
to make sense to you. So in the beginning, that's
what I was looking for. If it started in Ghana,
even in Ghana, I was looking for a label in
Ghana because I've never been signed even in Ghana. So
the type of music I was doing, as I said,
people did not believe that I was going to sell,
so I had to do stuff on my own. So
(02:29):
just being able to do stuff and flipping back to back,
I got used to it. So it's my own being stubborn.
That's why I don't invote people coming in.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Some people missed the bag then, because I'm sure those
people that you had an opportunity to sign with I know, right,
I know they're like, then we missed the bag a.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Couple of them. But I think it's just as meant
to be that you were supposed to be in charge
of what you're doing. I can't fight it because I
didn't understand why people did not want to sign me,
because still a lot of people around them that I
felt I could have done better. But I always get past,
you know, So then I had to do with myself.
I paid my first video with my first paycheck. I
remember it was a beauty pageant in Ghana where I
(03:09):
got my first paycheck and then I shot my first
video with that. So then I built that flipping of
money to date, so I'm used to it. I'm not
saying that's that's the best way all the time.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
It's just right for you.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
Yeah, sometimes you need to wait off you, which I
feel sometimes that I wish I could have like a
backbone that could take care of certain things I don't
have to think about too, because it's a lot being
a creative person and also thinking about me being here,
how to navigate my way around and all of that.
So it's pressure, but sometimes I enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
But I like that you hit me directly, like yes,
I think that's a nice personal touch to be able
to reach out and be like hey, I want to
you know, and I'm like yeah, absolutely. So as far
as you though, people did see something in you though,
because that was why you managed to get collaborations early
on and everything.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
There were people who were like, yo, he's really really dope.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
So for you helping out other artists because you also
have artists that were signed to you. Right, So talk
about what it's like to be a boss when it
comes to dealing with other people, because that's.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Not an easy situation.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
I feel like being an artist and having artists signed
to you sometimes it's harder than anything because they relate
to you in a different way and have a different
type of expectation.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
True, you said, it's all right. So what I realized
was because I'm an artist, I feel for them, and
I feel like I would like to give them what
I would want if I had a situation, because I'm
probably one of the few labels that gave a fifty
to fifty percentage while I was putting in the money,
you know, because that's what I would have loved for myself.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
I wouldn't do that.
Speaker 4 (04:44):
Yeah, so all my artists.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
And have my money back first.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Yes, all my artists had a very good run with
me in two dates to get paid. Doughtie are not
on my label, so yes, I just felt at a
certain point I needed to look out for other artists
what I was looking for when I was coming, which
I didn't get how to do it for other artists.
But in Africa, maybe I can limit it to Ghana
the resources. I'm not that strong for an artist to
(05:08):
be able to sign an artist. You know, there's a
lot of pressure. So what I did after them is
to take my time and get things right before I
was signed somebody officially, to become the one to run
two when you need something, because it's a lot of
you know, it's a lot of responsibility. So now I
kind of like endorse the cool signed people and then
let them go right to figure your own stuff out.
(05:30):
Because I enjoy the liberty of being free, and I
want other artists to feel like that. So that's what's up.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Now, let's get it to the meet of this.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Because the most recent.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Song you put out is called try Me.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
I cannot believe you did that because I feel like
you try your hardest to not engage in like even
doing press, you know, and keeping and you've even said
that you like to keep your personal life separate from
you as an artist. But in this particular situation, you've
had to address things that have been said about you, right,
and so what was your decision and making this song?
(06:06):
So people are calling it in this song, but I
feel and it is harsh. I'll say that because it
hurt my heart when I was like, oh, I would
hate for somebody. I would not want to go back
and forth with Sark on a situation like this. But
what made you decide this was the move that you
were going to make as far as addressing you know
this book where it was referenced you had made a
(06:27):
woman have an abortion.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
To be very honest, it's a sensitive conversation that the
reason why I didn't do no media round or press
around it is because I know I might lose how
I would like to present what I feel about it.
So normally this is not the first time I've done
records to address certain issue, or maybe a line or
two in a record just too because I don't know.
(06:50):
There's such an energy I hate to feed into, especially
speaking about it, because I might lose my coup. So
with this situation, yes exactly, I'm not going to sit
here and say I'm super proud of it. Thing is
just in the moment how I felt, whether be in
my truth. There should have been a way that you
could have said it. That's why I don't like to
speak about it, because this is a conversation between two people.
(07:11):
But then we could have a conversation if you want
to talk about it because it involves me as well.
But because people know the sock doesn't speak, you know,
people think they can say something and no, sock is
not going to speak of it. It's going to get away
with it, you know. So once in a while, you know.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
You just let them poke them in them.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Because I'm the same way if people talk crazy about me,
I don't like to address things because I feel like
it gives it way more life and I see people
do it all the time, and instead of me engaging
in it back and forth, I'm like, you know what,
go ahead, I'm gonna just keep on doing my thing
and not let anybody knock me off my square. But
this time you said you not only it wasn't a
line or two. So I want to know who did
(07:52):
you let hear this first? Was anybody in the studio
with you?
Speaker 4 (07:55):
But my team is yeah, they're all like people think
my team is in so part of what I did
or did the record, None of them knew I did
the record because I was on tall. I'm actually on
tall when it happened. Yeah, And sometimes when I feel something,
then the lyrics is going to come right there. And
then so I sneaked into the studio to even record this.
I didn't let nobody hear it because I didn't want
(08:17):
to hear no advice. I just literally want to do
what I felt at that point. Yeah, and faced the
consequences later on. But it wasn't like the whole team
sat down and said this is good to go. I
did it personally for myself.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
They probably was like, what are you doing. I can
imagine those phone calls and message a.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Lot of phone calls. So in the heat of the moment,
the person that I didn't hear from which normally she
would have been the first person to hit me as
my lawyer, so early morning I was like, I was
trying to tease her and I said, Mama, see, so
don't you care about what's happening, because you would hit
me up and see what are we doing. The sad
news is she was dead the same time. Yeah, so
(08:54):
just I see two takes go. I didn't hear because
she would respond like within five minutes. The two hours
then I heard she she's no more. So that's an awful,
very very tough time. Did show.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
I'm so sorry to hear that. Yeah, I'm really sorry.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
She would have been somebody who I know would in
endorse that that situation of how I wanted to handle it,
but I just felt like it like this, I normally
don't do it, but this, to me, I think I'll
get to a point where I can speak freely about it.
I think it's still it's still fresh that I still
want to process it before I can really speak.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
And this is something that happened yere like a really
long time ago. Yeah, so this is something that she
brought back up and then I know her interviews. You
don't even really like to address things like this. But
since you put the song out out and it felt
like somebody leaked it first, yes, and so maybe you
didn't even intend to put it out.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Okay, that's what I was thinking.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Okay, so you're like, well, it's hearing it.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Where I was, it was like very late, I think
two am. And then I see Twitter going crazy and
people put in out the record. Oh so I have
no idea because I didn't give it to So I
have like two three people that I don't want to suspect.
You know, it's going to create some energy because I
was I did it just to hold onto it and
(10:17):
see if I'm going to release it, but then when
it came out, I was like, let me just let
me just put it out.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Do you do that often, like something goes on and
you're like, let me just do a song about it,
and then kind of put it away, like kind of
like getting something off your chest diary, because you do
come from that school of rap battling, so when something
makes you mad, I can see you. Instead of writing
it down, you might just be like, let me just
go in the booth and do something.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
I expressed myself well when I do music, I think
I say the best if I do music, if I
speak about it. I don't know if I'm a good
person that expressed himself well. I can talk about my
life or whatever. But there's certain situations I know that
I might lose my coul. Things I'm very passionate about
hard for me to speak about it. I'll be losty
(11:02):
even in the thoughts, I'll be all over the place,
conversations like you've been talking about my people and how
music and how we're supposed to survive and do this.
I care so much about it that when I speak
about it, because of the passion and emotions I have
for it. I might not be able to get to
the point, but when I do a record, I have
time to really say exactly what I want to say.
(11:22):
So when something happens, I feel like, let me just
do a record. Or most people are lucky, sometimes it'll
be a line or two. You know, if I do
a whole joint for you, that means a few times
I've done that. I think the second time I've done
like a record on one particular situation, that should tell
you that the not living things It wasn't how similar situation,
(11:46):
but it's not exact right.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
I mean it was a heartbreak type of yes, because
I faced that, and it feels like that was about
a particular person or in situation.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
I don't think so, because I didn't would try me
I knew what I was doing not living then I didn't. Okay,
But then you can see yourself that something is creeping
in that. You don't know that that's what you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Okay, you were just expressing emotions and then it was
kind of bringing up feelings.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Exactly going to creep into it because what I was
saying was exaggerated. I've not faced that before, but that's
similar things in there that I've seen, but so that
wasn't like towards anybody. So it's a funny story. I
did a which never came out. I did a whole
project around the time where I had a situation with
this girl that we broke up, and I didn't know
how bad it creeped into my creativity because the whole
(12:41):
album was towards me speaking about women in the sertain
type of way, a different version, but it was all
kind of like. I didn't notice it until the whole
project was done. I was listening to I'm like, what's
different about the songs. It's the same thing, just different angles.
So something like that. I didn't know, but it was
(13:01):
creeping into the writing. Okay, not everything could be that,
but I didn't think about Somebody Wild because the hook
was given to me by oak Lade.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Okay, so which it's a beautiful song. People love that song.
And I think, do you feel like as the further
you've gotten in your career, the more you've been able
to open up about emotions and telling more about yourself.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
I'm still not not good with that. I still put
limitations to it, but I definitely love music that makes
you feel something right.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Where do you think that comes from? For you?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
I seen as in like putting those limitations on yourself.
Why do you think that you do that?
Speaker 4 (13:37):
I have no idea. I think I just figured out
a way to god myself. I don't know what the
reason is, but I still find a way to guard myself.
So I kind of like tell myself vulnerable to few
people that I would have to care that much if
something happens. So my mental states with even the industry,
(13:57):
I don't really have people that I count on too much,
so I don't get heads easily to break my whole process.
So few people close family, the team, few people around
me that I'm vulnerable to that I know these guys
can really break me when something happens, but I don't
make it too much, especially with the industry, so I
have It's rare that you find cycle there having an
(14:18):
issue with anybody in the industry because I feel like
nobody owes you nothing. If they choose to support that's okay.
So I never have grudges with people. I never starts
because I don't think you owe me anything right that whole.
I don't think it's a persona but it's like a
shield for my own piece.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
I just asked that because sometimes it is how we
were raised in our families, because I know, for me,
like my family is not very emotional, and so I
can be really guarded about certain things too, you know,
just because we weren't raised that way to be super
expressive and like saying everything that we feel all the time.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Yeah, you said, what was me? Yeah? Tell it will
tell you everything. Just start crying right now. Well, I'm
just very vocal.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
But I also can relate to like when somebody steady poking.
You know what I'm saying. It's like music and I
just say it that it's a formal expression. So you
just making stuff and it's just like you're just saying
what's on your mind, and it's just.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
It goes there. Listen.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I think that's the end of that, because after this song,
I don't know if I would ever want to battle
you about anything because y'all got to listen to it.
We'll play some of it that we can't like it.
You said, I like it, she responded at all. I
have no idea of not like has anybody said, because
I know your followers will tell you and like.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
When I put it out. I wasn't looking for I
did it because I want to do it. I'm not
looking for a reaction, you know.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
I just but you didn't even intend to really put
it out either.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Yeah, yeah, looking out for it and trying to figure
out who said what. I just said it and that's it.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Now. I got to ask you this because you are married, right,
what did your wife say about all this? And did
she know in advance or did she find out what
everybody else?
Speaker 4 (16:02):
To be honest, I really still don't want to like
speak about that, but I think she's she handled it
the way that I didn't think she was going to
be able to handle it. You know, she was cool
about it. She cared more about how I was feeling, which.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Was that's great.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Yeah, she was like if I was good because I
was on tour, so that was hair worry.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
About how I was feeling because she knows there's that
a character too. It isn't that like you just be
firing off on people.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Yeah, she knows that. It takes a lot for me
to speak because, to be very honest, the reason why
I don't speak, which might sound a certain type of way,
but I feel like nobody's really worth my response, which
has always been my stance because if it should be
somebody that I'm going to benefit from, even if I
don't want to respond, I will respond because I'll benefit
out of it. But most times, the people that speak
(16:47):
about soccle there, if I look at them from top
to bottom, like is it really worth it for me
to go back and forth with this person? You know,
that's the main reason why I don't speak, and I'm beyond.
When I started the journey, I cared a lot of
about what people said, and then I realized that it
actually doesn't change anything. People said a lot about Socco there.
I was not going to be able to do to
be on this platform rapping in my native language. I'm here,
(17:10):
I'm not going to be able to do a show
in the state to the BET Award. Like so now
when I hear people speak, I'm like, you're just saying something.
It's not going to change anything.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
So, yeah, you've done it.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
You've done a lot of first yes, when it comes
to what it is that you do too, and even
like you said, being able to wrap in your native
language and also just go back and forth I think
so fluently with English. You know, what's your native language.
I don't want to say it wrong ever.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
So you use c H and three three three three.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
Okay, I'm trying, but that's a real skill because even
when you're listening to it, I don't even know.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
I'm like, I can't tell.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Sometimes you just switch over and I'm like oh, and
then he's back.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
You know, that's deliberate. That's what I did. So when
I started in Ghana, I was just rapping in tree
and with no style, so I was very lyrical. So
what I was saying Ashantis, which is where I'm from.
They understood what I was saying so they could relate.
But when I go to party in Ghana where you
go to the north or the voter region, they still
didn't get it. So I had to work on flow
(18:13):
and delivery. So now what you guys experiencing now is
the point where I want to please you guys as well.
So that's why you can listen at this point. Years back,
you wouldn't get it. You're like, what is he saying? Oh,
there's no wild factor about it. But now I had
to deliberately sit down and go like, how is ANGELI
Y gonna appreciate this song without understanding right, Okay, the
people that I love from America. I love Eminem when
(18:35):
I was younger. You guys think how you're speaking now
is normal, but this is an accent when you go
to Africa. Yeah. Course, as much as we're speaking English,
a lot of people might not get it.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
And she's from Chicago when she speaks, it's an accent
to me. And I'm from Berklyn when I speak.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
But then when we feel the music, we feel it.
So that's what I Okay, So why do they like it?
Why do they like bustar rhymes? Oh? Because of how
he's going. So then I had to work on that,
and that's the I'm still working on to get it
to the next level. But that's what you guys are
hearing now.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
And you've been doing some amazing collapse so you like
Chicago artists too.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
That's how I was like, oh, tell, yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
How did that come about? I was saying, you had
some stuff with Chance and Vic.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Yes, So started with Vic. I heard him speak. He's
gone in so it made sense and he was always
in Ghana and he's one of the few people that
wanted to put his people on so I saw it
earlier on he mentioned my name on a big platform
here in the States. I was like, and we never
met at that.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Point, so that's dope.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
Yeah, So I don't know how we met officially. I
think through somebody we met beautiful soul, a great person.
It goes beyond music, and I like that when you
guys actually have a bond and the music happens, that's great.
But if it's just based on oh, I know you
have numbers and this and that, I don't believe in that.
So it was organic. We had a great time. We
drove around town, then we made music. We showed the video.
(19:57):
Then through him our linked type of Chance and he
also came down to Ghana.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
I remember that.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Yes, I think Chance tweeted at me when I want
the bet best international flow and I told people to
come to Ghana and then he said it's definitely looking
out coming.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
You know, people did go to Ghana. By the way,
we were just talking about that whole little Ganma fest.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Yeah, Now were you there when you were there when
that when everybody was there?
Speaker 4 (20:22):
Right? Yeah? Because Christmas, Every Christmas, I have one of
the biggest shows in Ghana.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
That's how we're going, Yes at the chip to Ghana plan.
All I know is we see the videos with the
boats and the that's crazy video you need to get there.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
And the movies.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
I was just telling you about the movies like a Netflix.
I'm addicted to him.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
I'm all the movies.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
Wow. Wow. It's a beautiful spot to come to if
you want peace and security wise, if you don't want
to care about walking out at night and not nobody
bothering you. That's Ghana, you know, very extremely peaceful, beautiful
and we love people coming from elsewhere to our country.
We really know how to host. So a lot of
(21:03):
a lot of your people are still staying there. They
don't want to come back since you know, they bought
properties out there and they don't want to come back
because the peace out there is crazy.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
And people do be like I'm going to get some
play at place, and god, everybody say that.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
So what was life like for you growing up?
Speaker 4 (21:19):
So? I grew up with my mom, four siblings including myself,
vive in a city called Tema. Then I was taken
to Acra, which kind of like built. I think to
answer the first question when you asked about the Guardian thing,
I think it started from when I had to live
with somebody that I went through like serious hardship with
(21:41):
the person, and it's kind of like, as much as
I love speaking about it, I still feel like the
person didn't know better, so me speaking about it now,
I still think about how they feel because I didn't
have the best experience with them. But I also kind
of like I understand that they didn't know better at
that point, but that doesn't take away from the fact
that this happened exactly. So that created the whole laid
(22:06):
back and watching stuff and not getting involved in too
much and watching life from this perspective. So stop that
I say in the music, if you understand, I speak
about stuff that I have in experience, but I like
to observe a lot, and that created this this persona
So yes, it was. It was a tough beginning. I
didn't know where mom was, didn't know where Dad was,
and I was staying with this person and I had
to go through like serious hardship to be able to
(22:30):
So that's where I developed writing and it turned into music,
you know, because I just needed a way to speak
about what I was feeling. And I wasn't too much
of a friend's type clique type of person, so it
was a good therapy for me.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
Sometimes our hardships is wold make us really who we
are today too, because if you think about it, you
wouldn't have been writing and doing the things they to
do if you didn't go through what you went through
to be able to It was meant.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
To tailor make you. My dad was not around because
I was supposed to do something and probably me if
if you never know, but if maybe he was around,
it might not be this way. Right. So now when
we had a heart to heart conversation recently, which I
love him for even stepping up to have the conversation,
I still said thank you to him because that situation
(23:16):
created the circle that you're seeing today because I'm saying stuff.
The reason why Ghanians left circle there, which I know
for a fact, is because of what I say is
very deep for a young guy. When I came up,
I was saying stuff that even the old people were
not thinking about, right, And it's because of what I've
been through. So I'm thankful for everything that happened.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
How did the heart to heart even happen with your dad?
Speaker 4 (23:36):
So my dad, so my mom, And that's when you
women are going to come in, not to put genders.
But you know the drama that comes with mom, right,
mom sits me down and goes like, no, didn't sit
me down. She didn't talk to me, but she spoke
to my dad saying that I am disappointed in him
and I'm waiting for an apology. I never said that, right.
(23:58):
So now I see my dad in my house at
the door. I opened him like, it's all okay, But
you said I should come to that. I said, no,
I didn't say anything. So your mom said, you said
that you wanted to have a heart to heart conversation.
So that's how come it happened. My mom just set
that up so we can have a conversation. And when
you started speaking as much as you know as a
(24:18):
as a child, I was like thinking about what could
have been right by when he was speaking, I said, man,
now I could I'm not going to justify what he did,
but I can understand just that. Maybe you dealt with
it in the wrong way, but I get it. It
was way easier for me to speak to him now.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Yeah, has that changed anything about you? Like sometimes you
feel like this burden kind of lifted when you are
able enough.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Maybe maybe I don't know. If I was thinking about
it or not. But I'm the type of person I
can just move forward. I just appreciate whatever that's happening.
I'm looking at how I turn out to be, and
that's what I care about. So I don't think I
was having this weight on me, like, oh, I need
to get this off, and I feel like there was
some limitations here and there. I appreciate My biggest problem,
which is my blessing, is that I always appreciate every situation.
(25:05):
So my sister sent me a voice note asking have
I ever been sad because they never see me like
that before. Never. I only cried recently because of my lawyer.
But it's rare to catch me being sad about anything
because I understand so much should be grateful.
Speaker 1 (25:22):
For it is.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
But this business is also a tough business too, because
it also sometimes can feel like the more success that
you get, the more that comes your way. As far
as like issues, You're like, we didn't have no issue like.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
Weally exactly, but I figured a way too. I need
to because I feel like I'm going to do this.
Anything that you love so much, you figure a way
to deal with it. You I don't see myself stopping this,
So why not strap yourself to be ready to face
everything that it comes with to be able to do it.
So I think at this point what can get to
me is anybody that I love being affected by me. Okay,
(25:58):
that's not me personally. I don't care.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
You care about how other people are my.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
Mom, wifie, kids, how are they feeling? That's going to
get to me. But because they didn't sign up for this.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
My daughter, by the way, love your wife.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
Yes, because I saw she did an interview and they
were like, she's amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
She speaks German fluently.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
She stayed there because she said she.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Grew up in Germany and they just thought that. You know,
she minds her business.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
And and that's that's typically typically how she is from
day one. She doesn't really love this whole show being stuff.
She's not really into that.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Yeah, okay, well fair enough. Now, how has the tour
been going? Talk to us about that, because you've been
all over the place.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
Yes, it's been beautiful. The last time I had tour,
I do one off shows. By having a tour, which
is always hectic. The reason why I run away from
it because I hate the whole waking up and going
to check in somewhere else and then you can't settle.
You always have to have your bags packed.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
But you like count that cast.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Yeah, so I looked at and just.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
And also getting to see people.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Exactly and touched base with the people that listen to
the music. So I just came from Europe, which is good.
We did Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Antwerp, Italy. It was all great, beautiful,
beautiful event. And then we kicked off here in the
States with the Cornee Island Show with Skip Maley that's
(27:23):
Bob Marley's grandson. Yes, he brought us over. Then we
did my show Rhich. You were busy to come.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
But I was.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
That was at Patty Labelle's house, but I would have
definitely been there.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
Yeah, but that was great.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
And you have a special type of Bob Marley I
guess affinity as well, So talk about that too.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
Yeah, that call came in and I didn't believe it.
I keep saying. I thought it was like, you know,
when I rap and I say I'm going to do
a song with Bob Marley, that's that would sound like
a joke, like you're just trying to be funny, you know.
So for that conversation to start. I didn't believe it
in the beginning until Descent the Vote. I'm talking about
the original vocals about Mali. This is a legend, that's
(28:04):
a classic song. Stir it up, and I was supposed
to lay my vocals next to that. It was overwhelming. Yeah,
but I had my producers. They gave us the creative freedom.
It wasn't too much of them trying to tell us
what to do, so just have the vocals and do
whatever you want to do with it. It was the
best situation that every artist could ask for. So I
had my people working on, my engineer and my producer.
(28:26):
Then we did it. I think we did two versions.
The first version had English dominating because I was thinking, Okay,
it's going to go to this type of crowd. So
but then they came back. Then they said, no, we
chose you because of your how proud you are of
your native thong, so we want more of that, and
that's what you guys are listening now.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
That's great feedback, yes, because that sometimes you try to
adapt to what you think people were like, but what
people like is who you really are.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
Exactly exactly, and you seem to be real, humble and
just got a great energy and just the way that
you just speak and everything is likene.
Speaker 4 (29:01):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
And I like how you speak on yourself and a
third person.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
So yeah, you're gonna start doing that now I could
already see yes, yes, yes, yes. And as far as
your business, you know how good you are a business?
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Like, where did that come from? That type of knowledge?
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I think that came for me trying to figure out
things on my own, and it built because I want
to do this, how to learn how to do it.
I got to see how you how much more you
gained when you reinvest So it started from that. So
I saw that when I showed good videos, I became
in the league of African artists, moving from a Ghanian artists.
(29:40):
I'm like, okay, so the more you put in, the
more you get out. So it started from that, and
then yeah, it just literally builds around just trying to
figure things out. I made a lot of mistakes because
I didn't understand. It took me time to get on
paid platforms because in Africa we're not used to that,
you know, we were used to still used to giving
up free music because that's when the mass can get it,
you know, the master still don't have that access where
(30:03):
they use cards like Visa cards to purchase music. It's
not that normal there. So if you do it all
paid platforms, it's hard to reach the people with time.
But if you want your music to like go viral today,
it has to be free. So it took me time
to really catch on with getting checks on online platforms.
But then I had great people, and I like to
(30:23):
keep people that can teach me something, you know, I
like to be thought. So my business partner, she is amazing,
you know. She got me a deal with Standard Chartered
Bank as an ambassador, and I just saw how she
worked that collaboration and I'm like, I need you. I
know I can't afford, but I need you around me,
you know. So someone like her taught me how to
(30:45):
have conversations with the corporate world because that has been
a breage between entertainment because when we're having a conversation,
they don't get us and we don't get them. But
when we have Angela, ye who understands me, and Angela
gets into that, she would know how to marry it.
So so I like people that can teach me stuff.
And that's how I learn I land on the job.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
They always say you should never be the smartest person
in the room, right and then you're in the wrong room.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
You got to figure out those circles exactly.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
So, how do you think you can take soccer day
to the next level? Because you're already right here. But
I know you've been doing this all on your own,
you know. So what do you think has to happen
for you to take it to the next level? And
what are some other things that you want to do,
because I can already tell just by your personality that
it's not just music and tours.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
There's more things on the horizon.
Speaker 4 (31:37):
I think at this point, if I have to be honest,
I'm in between thinking about Soakoda and thinking about Ghana
music in general because doing back to back what I've
been doing over the years. Yes, I still feel like
personally I have dreams that I want to achieve, especially
for the fans, because that's the main people that I
do this for outside myself. They really want to see
(32:01):
me do good and I can feel that especially from Ghanians,
they want to see me do better and go more.
So yes, I still look forward to doing that, but
I think there is this ecosystem that has to be sorted,
especially for my people in Ghana, to make it easier
for these young superstars coming to do what I couldn't
do or what my generation couldn't do. I wanted to
(32:22):
push the conversation further that what we did, and I
think that would be where my state of mind is personally.
The fans hate when I speak like that because they
still want me to speak about me and what I
want to do for myself.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Yeah, but you, like you said, it was a lot
of limitations, and it was a lot of obstacles, but
because you know what they are, you can help knock
those down and figure out solutions exactly.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
So that's what I'm trying to do at this point,
or I'm doing in a way.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
Because you are rebranding your whole label, right, Okay.
Speaker 4 (32:50):
Yes, so Ego Plug is a I don't call it
a label, but it has all our services in there.
But we're trying to like make it easier for that
bridge to happen for artists, you know, crossing over and
making big moves and all of that.
Speaker 2 (33:04):
All right, Well, I love to see it, and I
am so appreciative that you stop by because I know
you were on this tour and you've been super busy,
so it means a lot to me that you came through,
and I also appreciate the fact that you were able
to be really open about everything that's been going on.
We way up, but thank you so much and for
everybody here in the United States.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
The tour is still happening.
Speaker 4 (33:27):
Yes on. The new album is out called Jimes Damns
All Platforms, beautiful, incredible music, and we have some other
singles coming up as well.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
What's the next single.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
I'm yet to decide, but I have one with Litle Chris,
which is like.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
I saw yell in the studio together. You guys linked
up like a long time ago before that.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
Two years ago, came to Ghana and then agy same thing.
We just linked up on it on a good vibe.
And then he came back years after and we linked up.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
Again as we saw that picture in the studio. So
it looks okay.
Speaker 4 (33:56):
We have that single and a couple more, which Tristan single.
I just did a record while I was on tour
in Europe. I met Ruga from Nigeria.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
Nice we did.
Speaker 4 (34:06):
We did an amazing song that's also a good song
as well, so hopefully we can any of them can
come anytime.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Soon, all right, super lit, We love to see it
well sor thank you so much for joining us. It's
way up at Angela, Yachell, and make sure you be
in Chicago too, so you got.
Speaker 1 (34:22):
To go to the show. Make sure I be there.
Speaker 4 (34:23):
Appreciate.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Maybe y'all can wrap battle, Okay, alright, it's way up
at Angela ye
Way Up With Angela Yee News
Host
Angela Yee
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Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.