'True artistry in African music is lost when the middle man comes in' – Sarkodie – Sowetan

A man wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless shirt uses a wall-mounted payphone against a plain green background, evoking the urban vibe often seen in Sowetan scenes and African music videos.

Ghanaian superstar Sarkodie says he will always be a champion for the creative freedom of African artists while he reaches commercial global success and “virality”.

The 40-year-old rapper chats to Sowetan about his longevity, his belief in artistic freedom and his new music. 

What inspired your new body of work?

I’m the type of musician who composes based on how I feel. Whatever energy I’m in at the time, that’s what I channel into the music. I’ve had this song, Lavida Loca, for a while now, but I remember writing it in…