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In a remarkable journey that has captivated fans worldwide, Black Sherif celebrates the one-year anniversary of his highly anticipated debut album, ‘The Villain I Never Was.’ Since its release, the album has achieved over a billion audio streams across various digital platforms, solidifying Black Sherif’s status as a rising star in the music industry.
The 21-year-old artist set the stage for his album with the release of the first single, ‘Soja,’ where he fearlessly declared his readiness for battle. ‘The Villain I Never Was’ encompasses Black Sherif’s core values of originality, honesty, hope, pain, and meticulous attention to detail. Each track reflects his personal experiences and observations, ultimately challenging the perception of him as a villain.
Black Sherif commenced work on the album in 2020, collaborating with his long-time friend and producer, Samsney, to create the emotionally-charged love song, ‘Oh Paradise.’ The album consists of 14 diverse tracks, recorded between the sonic hubs of Accra and London. Notably, the only featured artist on the album is Burna Boy, while production credits go to acclaimed producers such as AoD, Dystinkt Beats, JAE5, LiTek, RNDM, WhYJay & Zaylor, London, Ghanaian Stallion, and Black Sherif’s in-house master duo, Joker Nharnah and Samsney.
Explaining the significance of the album title, Black Sherif shared during an interview with DadaBoy Ehiz on Africa Now, “We are all connected in some way, fighting different battles—internally and externally. When I reflect on my life, I sometimes feel like I’m battling myself. But I’m human, and it’s essential to embrace these feelings. I’m not the villain people perceive me to be; I’m fighting for my life, striving to become a better person.”
The visually stunning music videos accompanying ‘The Villain I Never Was’ play an integral role in conveying the album’s narratives. Ghanaian award-winning videographer and director David Nicol Sey, known for his work on ‘Kwaku the Traveller’ and ‘Oh Paradise,’ contributed creative direction, while Nigerian music video director TG Omori brought the visuals of ’45’ to life.
The album’s success has garnered numerous accolades for Black Sherif. It secured the 49th spot on Fader’s prestigious top 50 global albums for 2022. Additionally, he was honored as the Best International Flow Act at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2023, Artiste of the Year at the 25th Ghana Music Awards, and Best West African Act at the Headies Awards, among other notable achievements.
‘The Villain I Never Was’ serves as a testament to Black Sherif’s meteoric rise from his hometown of Konongo into the global music scene. The album has resonated deeply with fans, firmly establishing Black Sherif as a beacon for the “sad boys” movement.
As Black Sherif celebrates the one-year milestone of his debut album, his remarkable journey continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide, cementing his place as a true hero of modern music.
