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‘I didn’t know where mum and dad were’ – Sarkodie on how past difficulties shaped him
Ghanaian rap artist Michael Owusu Addo, also known as Sarkodie, has publicly acknowledged being an introvert and discussed how his difficulties shaped him, putting an end to rumours about his reserved and reclusive nature.
Sarkodie explored the roots of his “laid back” style in an honest discussion with host Angela Yee on Way Up, linking it to a difficult upbringing.
The rapper said that he was raised by an unnamed person throughout his formative years after being separated from his parents. His character was affected negatively by the challenges he encountered while under this person’s tutelage.
“I had to endure serious hardships while living with someone; I didn’t know where my mom and dad were. It was a tough start, and the experiences I had were far from the best,” Sarkodie shared, though he chose not to delve too deeply into the specifics.
These early struggles moulded his tendency to be more reclusive and observant in life.
He developed a perspective to deal with life’s hardships during those trying times by finding solace in standing on the sidelines and passively observing occurrences.
Despite the difficulties, Sarkodie doesn’t harbour any grudges against the person who raised him. He understands and says that they did the best they could at the time.
He concedes, though, that the challenging situations he faced have had a long-lasting effect on him.
Every storm has a silver lining, as they say, and Sarkodie’s life is proof of this proverb. He discovered his writing talent during those tough circumstances, which eventually opened the door for his music career.
Writing evolved into a creative outlet for him as a manner of expressing his feelings and experiences.