Sarkodie and Akan Share Travel Tales on “All Die Be Die”
“I won’t play with my time on earth’, Sarkodie opines towards the end of ”All Die Be Die”, his latest single with Akan. The song explores the story of life and the agonies associated with trying to make it out hustle. The two rappers take turns to narrate their ‘personal’ ordeals in their attempts at breaking the mould of poverty across two verses.
This collaboration has been long overdue considering the position they both hold within the music scene. Sarkodie is the patron saint of rap in Ghana and Akan is considered by many as the next in line to carry on the torch of true rap.
”All Die Be Die”, produced by Ware is a hip hop composition resting on a sampled classic highlife tune. Akan opens the song with the perfect introduction that places the verses to follow in context. Sarkodie takes over after the beat switch, rendering a story about his struggles: how poverty could turn a king to a slave; taking up menial jobs and sleeping rough in the streets. Sarkodie rapping about life struggles isn’t new. This theme has been running through his stellar catalogue.
Read: How Sarkodie Is Staying Relevant In This Changing Music Scene
Akan’s verse did not deviate from the theme at hand. He adds his perspective, couching a tale that captures his circumstances as dictated by the hardship confronting him. ”Somebody tell my mum bad eating habits is killing me”, Akan raps, pointing to the difference between the ‘easy’ rural life he traded for a better life in the city.
His torrid circumstances not withstanding, Akan is still hopeful of succeeding so he could take care of his family back in the village, even if it would cost him his life. Like Sarkodie, Akan has also touched on the subject of seeking greener pastures elsewhere on ”Matu Meto”, a song off his brilliant album, Onipa Akoma.
Read: Album Review of Onipa Akoma
”All Die Be Die” is a good song. The production is elegant and pays homage to the beautiful highlife compositions of old. The theme covered, albeit old, still carries a molecule of relatability- after all, it’s about the harshness of life as we live it. However, I expected the song to be a huge commercial single that would, at least, crossover beyond social media timeless and rotations on a few radio stations.
That is, a record involving the biggest rapper in Ghana and the heir to the throne should be able to elevate both of them- and more importantly Akan beyond the confines of his fanbase. As it stands, ”All Die Be Die” might end up being a forgettable record; the brilliance of the two talented rappers notwithstanding.
Listen to the song HERE
