I don't need drugs to make it - Sarkodie

It’s become a widespread belief that most people in the entertainment industry are hooked on drugs.

The recent death of American artiste, Whitney Houston, blamed on alleged drug use has once again sparked the argument about celebrities and narcotic use.

On the local scene, the death of talented keyboardist, Kiki Gyan of Osibisa fame which was linked to drug abuse makes it difficult not to make such wild assumptions. Some of our artistes have been suspected to abuse drugs which have resulted in their otherwise thriving talents taking a nose-dive.

However, Ghana’s fastest rapper, Sarkodie known in real life as Michael Owusu Addo has raised his hands in innocence, indicating he’s very clean as he’s never smoked or drank alcohol in his lifetime.

“Unfortunately, it is the general belief that anyone who is vibrant on stage or in his field of endeavour in the entertainment industry is suspected of doing drugs but I beg to differ and stand to be counted out as an exception.

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, the young musician said celebrities’ who do drugs do it for reasons best known to them but he would not do it because it’s not his style and he has seen the effect on those who have fallen prey to this social menace.

“I don’t smoke or drink alcohol because I usually like sweet things. I would rather take soft drinks but not alcohol,” the rapperholic star insisted.

The Tema - based rapper added because of the energy in his songs and performances, especialy in the song Mensei da which featured Castro, many people think he smokes but that’s far from the reality or fact.

“ I see myself as blessed by God with my talent and it will be a great dishonour to do the things His word talks against. The fact that I don’t sing at church or do gospel music as part of my work does not mean I’m bad or for that everyone in the showbiz business is hooked to drugs. It’s unfortunate that the life styles of some of the people in the industry has created that impression. There are a lot of teachers who drink heavily but that does not make all teachers drunkards? And that is how we should all be judged. Not bundled together and hanged with a bad name as society currently does to us, “ he stressed.

“Many young people see me as their role model and many also live under the illusion that you have to get into such vices to make it.

The message I want to send out to such people who look up to me as: No, you don’t need drugs or alcohol to make it. It’s all about talent, creativity, determination, hard work and of course opportunity.“

Confronted with the fact that his lyrics were suggestive of bad behaviour and so that could have misled people to think he actually practices what he sings about, Sarkodie, a former student of IPMC said he doesn’t really mean the words he says in his songs so Ghanaians shouldn’t take it personal.

According to him, songs like Atamfo, Mensei Da, More, Lay Away are songs Ghanaians shouldn’t worry their heads about because such songs are coined out of creativity.

“I don’t and haven’t attacked anybody in any of my songs I have done so far, but I do songs to make Ghanaians wonder who I am referring to or talking about but that makes me Sarkodie.”

While he publicly talks about his lifestyle, Sarkodie who rose to fame about three years ago, would rather keep his love life a secret from the public domain. Asked if he was dating and whether he’d want to talk about the lady in his life, Sarkodie said as a matter-of-fact: That remains a secret!

Sarkodie cleared rumours making rounds that he has a problem with Dr. Duncan. “Dr. Duncan has always and will always remain my manager and I don’t think anything is going to separate us because he’s done a lot for me and I’m very grateful for that”.

Asked how he can maintain his style so that he doesn’t fade away so quick, he said God knows best the life span of musicians, “I can’t say I will be on top forever because if God says you have a year or two to do music, there is nothing you can do”.

Sarkodie revealed that he will be releasing a 17- track album titled Rapperholic which features artistes like Efya, Tinny, Obrafuor, Kwabena Kwabena and Sherifa Gunu on April 8 in Kumasi.

His second album, Rapperholic has tracks like You Go Kill Me, I’m In Love With You, Mensei da, Dangerous just to mention a few.

Sarkodie who performed at almost all the shows last year December said in his own small way, he is helping a couple of unknown musicians who he believes will in no time make it.

He thanked his fans and Ghanaians as a whole for patronising and supporting whatever he does and promised not to do anything to disappoint them.

Drug abuse and addiction are both very devastating problems. In serious cases, help offered by a drug rehab facility is strongly recommended. Complications with physical health, relationship problems, poor work and School performance, as well as a number of other problems can occur as a result of drug use. Drug treatment offered at a drug treatment center can provide recovery for those who cannot overcome drug use on their own.

In rare cases of drug addiction, death occurs. The following examples tell the stories of those who have died as a result of drug abuse.