Popular Ghanaian hip-hop artist Black Sherif, known for his unique mix of traditional rap, drill music, and reggae recently released a new single “January 9th.” The single, which dropped on the artist’s 22nd birthday, is an assertion of his resolve to survive in the music industry despite any criticism of his artistry. Black Sherif wants listeners to recognize that though he is still very young and new to the Ghanaian hip-hop scene, he is “not a baby anymore.”

The song also celebrates his success in achieving superstardom after winning Artist of the Year at the 2023 Ghana Music Awards. This award held particular significance for Black Sherif since one of his main influences, Sarkodie, won the same prize in 2010. Black Sherif wants to build upon the popularity of his 2022 album, The Villian I Never Was with “January 9th.”

The song portrays a similar message as his most streamed song,“Kwaku the Traveller,” though takes a much lighter tone. In both songs, Black Sherif presents a refreshing honesty and vulnerability with his listeners, touching on his personal struggles to persist and push further into the music industry. In “Kwaku the Traveller“ Black Sherif presents himself as a hustler with the song serving as a motivational mantra for the artist. “January 9th” likewise discusses the pressure Black Sherif feels as his reputation grows, but also notes that he is capable of handling each challenge. He repeats the word “yaya” over and over in his lyrics, a word meaning “take it easy” in his native language of Twi. Yaya serves as an affirmation to Black Sherif to focus on his music and trust his career path.

“January 9th’s” overall sentiments reflect the artist’s new mindset as his fame skyrockets. In a recent interview, Black Sherif noted a personal shift to include self-love in his routine and that making music to him is the best form of self-love. Black Sherif’s new single should be classified as a public profession of self-love, recognizing his triumphs since his birth on January 9, 2002.