Criss Waddle was my ‘toughest contender – Sarkodie

Ghana’s “rap king” Michael Owusu Addo, known in show business as Sarkodie has revealed that his toughest opponent in the industry ever was AMG boss, Criss Waddle.

Speaking with his “Godfather”, Isaac Duncan Williams, known popularly as Dr. Duncan in a throwback conversation, Sarkodie disclosed that he abandoned schooling to write good punch lines to face his competitors who came on the “Kasahari” rap show on Adom FM some years ago.

He said, “From Monday to Friday you know, you meet me sitting behind my mum’s house just to get punch lines to face any rapper you give me, but my closest battle was Waddle, that was a very intense and emotional battle”.

King Sark, who was then an upcoming rapper who clashed with the likes of D-Cryme, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Yaa Pono, Kofi Korea, Stay Jay and Yaw Siki described them as dope competitors but had his toughest moment with Criss Kwaku Waddle.

“The battle between Waddle and I was “hot”, Waddle was the king of Kasahari and was the boss so he was absenting himself, I was also the new kid killing all the other rappers on the show so I was tasked to challenge Waddle and be the new rap king”, he said merrily.

According to the “Brighter Day” hit maker, "the battle was scary I felt like we were in a boxing ring”.

Even though Sarkodie is successful and acknowledged internationally, he said abandoning his academics had a toll on him especially when composing a song.

He therefore urged young guys aspiring to be great rappers in future to focus on their academics and get good grades before going to the studio to “kill it”.



Sarkodie is the only Ghanaian act to have been nominated for the BET Awards thrice 2012, 2014, 2015.

It is obvious that the rapper has not relented on his efforts to stand out from his days on Kasahare to present. His hit songs include Baby, Borga, You Go Kill Me, Saa Okodie, Illuminati, Adonai, Onyame Nhyira, Original, Inflation, The Masses, Mewu, Mary and Brighter Day.