Celebrity beef: Sarkodie needs mental awakening

When I finally caught on the ongoing beef between two of my favorite Ghanaian rap artists, my immediate go-to reaction began with that uncomfortable feeling I used to have as a child whenever my parents fought.

You love them both equally, but for very different reasons. Therefore, their union is very necessary and thus, it was almost impossible to choose sides.

Let’s admit that until this beef, we were all probably huge fans of both M.anifest and Sarkodie. Both artists undeniably are uniquely talented and both bring varying contributions to our music experience. We probably had a few reservations with each, but definitely not to the point of hate or so much as to choose sides.

So how did we get to this point? That two flawlessly talented artists have to get this low to prove their worthiness and superiority to their fans…

For people who claim this is just a harmless beef, I disagree. Is this not how the Tupac and Notorious BIG ‘East Coast-West Coast’ beef started? What turned out to be a harmless beef gathered momentum in their fans and as they say, the rest is history…

But on the flip side, I am particularly happy that this has opened up several critical discussions on not just the individual artists involved, but on other critical issues in the Ghanaian music industry.

So far topics like content, image, and impact levels have erupted. So rather than brood or join in the scramble for non-existent titles, let’s look on the bright side:

1. All of a sudden people are interested in lyrics, punchlines and what they mean? All of a sudden we get to connect what celebrities do and endorse with larger socio-cultural issues and events?

As for me, I am quite relieved, as this has been my cry for months unending since I started Sankofa Reviews. But to the suddenly turned lyrics experts, can we not just leave it at #teamsarkodie and #teamM.anifest? Let’s begin to take on all our cultural products from this point on.

Let’s begin deep analysis and implications of what our celebrities promote all in the name of “entertainment’. Particularly, let’s talk about the insults, disrespect, and denigration of our women and their representation in our favorite hit songs while seriously demanding for quality production from the creative industry.

If you ask me, I strongly believe both artists have a thing or two to learn from each other.

Sarkodie I think it’s about time someone close to Sarkodie drew his attention to a few things: first of all, any Black man who uses the words ‘Nigga’ and ‘bitch’ loosely, clearly needs a bit of a mental awakening.

More So, Sarkodie’s rising glorification of everything Western (locations, costumes, language) is getting a bit uncomfortable.

If you are in tune with certain cultural undertones in America and in the West, you would find that sometimes Sarkodie comes off as the stereotypes Black people here are trying hard to avoid and desist from.

Most importantly, I think we get the whole ‘rebranding’ thing going on with him, but let it not cloud real art vision.

When Sarkodie first came to the scene it was his unique talent of tongue-twisting that caught everyone’s attention. And as my father would say, “Who is this young man who speaks with the voice and wisdom of an old man?” Somewhere along the line, it appears Sarkodie joined the bandwagon of trashing women in his songs and making his vibes all about himself, his success, and the deals he keeps signing with companies.

His narcissistic tendencies sometimes do get in the way of his art and a clear confirmation of this is the whole image of Sarkodie taking time off his schedule, to go sit in a studio to do a counter diss song to reply M.anifest. I mean how? We all just can’t think far on this one.

M.anifest No matter how or who this beef started, M.anifest’s direct diss to Sarkodie is also a little below the belt. Sometimes I feel like artists should focus on being artists and let their work and fans speak for them.

Anyone who gets the rare opportunity to experience any aspect of M.anifest’s works would confess outrightly how proud it feels to be African, conscious and unapologetic.

Prior to a brief physical contact I had with M.anifest, I witnessed a live show of him back in KNUST during a spoken word event. That was my first time listening to him and in a live format. It was a ‘wowing’ experience that for long made me wonder, “Is this guy really from Ghana?” His passion…it was fire!, and his lyrics just brings a whole new meaning to life.

Then I got to meet him in person, once. He was with his son, Dela (if I recall correctly). His humility and graceful persona were the icing on the cake for me. Nonetheless, career-wise, while M.anifest might have a core following back home, I feel it is time to share his great talent with the rest of the world.

A few things to borrow from Sarkodie would be strategic collaborations with equally notable talents both home and abroad, and making his vision for authentic art more accessible.

So for everyone asking for my take on this very unfortunate beef, this right here is what I believe:

Great artists don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Do the work, and let them speak for you. The industry is already staggering, further divisions would not take us anywhere.

Both artists could teach each other a thing or two. Sarkodie could use a little mental reawakening of his identity as a colonized Black man while M.anifest could use some notes on the business side of music.

Finally, let’s extend the rhetorical analysis that this beef has produced unto all our cultural products.

Ma kra mo!