One of Ghana’s most decorated rappers, Sarkodie, known in private life as Michael Owusu Addo, has put up a splendid performance at BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Afrobeats Concert.

The BET award winner performed Rollies and Cigars and others from his repertoire with the BBC Philharmonic and The Compozers at the event which received a lot of admiration.

The concert also featured exclusive live performances by Nigerian singer-songwriter CKay, London-born and double Mobo nominee Maleek Berry, Kenyan singer-songwriter Nikita Kering, and Finesse singer-songwriter Pheelz. 

This is the first time a full orchestra in the UK has staged a dedicated concert to Afrobeats, which has seen a sharp rise in popularity, crossing over into music charts across the globe and enjoying worldwide commercial success. 

Filmed at the BBC Philharmonic’s recording home in Salford, it marked 20 years of 1Xtra, the BBC’s radio network dedicated to amplifying Black music and culture. 

The BBC Philharmonic is a national British broadcasting symphony orchestra and is one of five radio orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting

Also, The compozers are a group of young four black British boys who believe music can be used to transform the lives of people around the globe.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

Watch the performance below