After months of waiting, Sarkodie has finally shared his new album No Pressure, a Teflon statement from the veteran who’s relishing having Ghanaian—and indeed, African—Hip-Hop in a chokehold. The new LP, his sixth official, is out at a time when Drill music is leading the charge amongst the younger generation of Ghanaian rap artists, a trend he acknowledged with the line-up of last December’s Rapperholic concert. At that, he’s secure enough in his accomplishments and position as the torchbearer—“10 years, every time e be me/everyone else is just tagging along,” he proclaims on intro track “Rollies & Cigars.”
Operating in rarefied territory, No Pressure casts Sarkodie in his already iconic light without any hints that he’s coasting, continuing his streak as a fierce lyrical Phenom and one of the greatest rap hit-makers around. No Pressure was preceded by a handful of singles hinting at Sarkodie’s self-assured candour on the album, including the groovy, unapologetic “No Fugazy,” and the brash, Vic Mensa-assisted “Vibration.” As he’s always done, the 15-song set is graced by a star-studded cast of guest features from both within and outside Ghana, with contributions Kwesi Arthur, Wale, Oxlade, Giggs, Cassper Nyovest and more.
Listen to No Pressure here.
