NewsSarkodie on Serwaa Amihere's When We Sit, from the O2 Arena and royalties to Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy
In an 82-minute interview, Sarkodie talked about filling the O2 in London, the money behind Nigerian music, GHAMRO, his family, his rivals and his politics.
Sarkodie sat down with Serwaa Amihere for the first episode of her show When We Sit, uploaded on 18 October.
The O2 and the money
In March, on Ghana's Independence Day, Sarkodie sold out the Royal Albert Hall in London. On 6 March 2027, the 70th Independence Day, he plays the O2 Arena, which holds about 20,000. Asked what happens if he does not fill it, he said: "If you don't fill it, you don't fill it. But at least you have to do it. But we are going to fill it, it's not a problem."
He said Nigerian artists have rich backers who invest in them, and told the story of a Nigerian businessman who paid for a venue for 24 hours so his artists could perform for two or three. He says Rapperholic has taken losses. "Until we put our money where our mouth is, let's stop the complaints and let's enjoy the ride," he said.
Asked about GHAMRO, the body that collects royalties for Ghanaian musicians, he said he had never received 20,000. He did not give the currency.
The Netflix tax
Sarkodie said he had heard the government was adding a 20% tax on Netflix. Serwaa said that was not true. The Ghana Revenue Authority said on 14 October there is no new tax. Foreign digital services have attracted 15% VAT, 2.5% NHIL and 2.5% GETFund since 2013. What has changed is that, from 15 October, banks collect it when customers pay with Ghanaian cards.
Family
He spoke about his son MJ, who is seven, his daughter Titi, whom he called the boss of the house, and his wife, Tracy.
Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy
He said he was a fan of Shatta Wale from his Bandana days and kept calling him during his years away from the spotlight. Now, he said, the two talk business at midnight.
In September, Stonebwoy said Sarkodie once came to his house to apologise and he cooked him jollof. Sarkodie would not say what the apology was for.
After Stonebwoy headlined Wembley in August, Sarkodie posted a video of a man with one leg on his Instagram story. Stonebwoy has spoken about a childhood accident that affected his leg. Asked if it was intentional, Sarkodie said mocking another person would never cross his mind and pointed to his record. Asked whether he would still post it, he answered, "Oh yeah", then "I don't know", then asked why he should have regrets.
Politics
In 2020, his song "Happy Day" praised Free SHS. In September, he thanked President John Mahama over the US health compact. Asked whether he is NDC or NPP, he said: "I believe in people, individuals." He says he would accept support for the O2 from either party. On his private life, he said, "It stops at the door of my house."
He'll take your question, your criticism and even your jollof, but some doors he will not open. When he says put your money where your mouth is, he is talking to all of us, the fans, the promoters and the rich men who complain. He still won't pick up the phone, but for eighty-two minutes, Sarkodie answered.
- Serwaa Amihere, When We Sit episode 1 with Sarkodie (uploaded 18 Oct 2026)
- Pulse Ghana and ghanaplug: Royal Albert Hall sell-out (6 Mar 2026)
- Pulse Ghana and EIIGHANA: O2 Arena date (6 Mar 2027)
- Graphic Online, GhanaWeb, Pulse, Adomonline and Asaase: GRA on VAT for digital services (14 Oct 2026)
- YEN, Graphic, Atinka and halmblog: Stonebwoy's jollof story (Sep 2026)
- Wembley Park and Music In Africa: BHIM Fest at OVO Arena Wembley (15 Aug 2026)
- GhanaWeb, Graphic, MyJoyOnline, Adom and Pulse: Sarkodie on the US health compact (Sep 2026)
Every factual line in this story is checked against at least two independent sources, unless the text says it comes from one report.