# Amerado

Derrick Sarfo Kantanka, (born 14 February 1995), best known as Amerado, is a Ghanaian rapper and singer from Kumasi. He is the curator of Yeete Nsem, Ghana's first news casting rap series.

## Early life and education

Derrick Kantanka was born and raised in Ejisu, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He attended KNUST Senior High School. Amerado is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science at the University of Ghana.

## Music career

After placing third at the Solid FM Freestyle Show in 2015, Amerado caught the attention of music producer, sound engineer and A&R, Azee Ntwene, who signed the rapper to his label MicBurnerz Music. Amerado was featured on a song by Mix Master Garzy intended to promote peace around the 2016 Ghanaian general election. The following year, Amerado released his first single I AM, which Pulse Ghana included among their top 10 Ghanaian songs in January 2017. He released his first EP Rapmare that November. In 2018, Amerado was featured on Sarkodie's hip-hop song "Biibi Ba", which was nominated for the Best Hiphop Song at the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
On 8 August 2019, Ghanaian disc jockey DJ Black released a list of the country's top 50 rappers, ranking Amerado in the forties. On 1 October 2020, Reggie Rockstone, a significant figure in the Ghanaian music genre hiplife, described Amerado as one of the most talented rappers to emerge from Ghana.
In 2020, Amerado joined Shatta Wale and other rappers in Kumasi to release Ahodwo Las Vegas. In August 2021, Amerado had a freestyle and interview session with Tim Westwood on Capital Xtra in London. GRM Daily reported his freestyle session as one of the best on the show.
Amerado released his second extended play Patience on 26 October 2021, featuring Black Sherif, Shatta Wale, Fameye, YPee and Kweku Flick, with production from Azee Ntwene, Izjoe Beatz, Samsney and ItzCJ Madeit. The EP peaked at No. 1 on music streaming platforms Apple Music, Audiomack, Boomplay and YouTube. The EP was adjourned the BEST EP at the 2022 3Music Awards. Amerado is the first Kumasi-based artist to win the Rapper of the Year award at the 3Music Awards. In May 2020, Audiomack listed Amerado in Top 10 African Artists to look out for which also featured A-Reece, Nandy, Joey B and others.
On 25 October 2022, Amerado released his debut studio album, G.I.N.A, which featured S1mba, Fameye, Eno Barony, Laioung, Efya, Gidochi, Lasmid and Epixode.
According to a post published by Peacefmonline.com, Amerado is the first rapper from Kumasi to win the Best Rapper award at both the Ghana Music Awards and the 3Music Awards.
Amerado in an interview with Jackson Mvunganyi of VOA stated that, his failed aspiration to become a football star led him to do music. On 4 December 2024, he became the third Ghanaian artiste to receive a certification plaque by Audiomack for hitting the 100 million streams milestone.

## Style

Amerado raps and sings mostly in the Twi dialect of the Akan language of Ghana, but he sometimes uses English as well. His stage name, Amerado, which means 'Governor' in Akan, was chosen to assert his command of the music scene.

## Brand ambassador

Amerado is the brand ambassador for Ghana-made chocolates, an initiative of the Ghana Cocoa Board. He wrote the song "Ghana Chocolate" to promote the campaign. He has also worked with Vodafone Ghana, AirtelTigo, HD Plus, GoTV, Cheezzy Pizza and other brands.

## Live performances

Amerado's notable live performances include the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, S-Concert, Rapperholic Show, the 2019 Ghana Music Awards UK, VGMA Xperience Concert, Ghana DJ Awards, the Ghana Party in the Park, UK, Accra in Dusseldorf (Germany), Ghana Music Awards USA and 2024 Ghana Music Awards.

## My Motherland Concert

On 28 December 2023, Amerado hosted his maiden concert at the Okese Park in Ejisu dubbed My Motherland Concert. The concert which hosted thousands of fans had support from fellow artists like Fameye, Kwadwo Nkansah, Lasmid, Eno Barony, Fancy Gadam, Kweku Darlington and others.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Award | Recipient/Nominated work | Result |
| 2025 | Telecel Ghana Music Awards | Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2025 | Telecel Ghana Music Awards | Reggae/Dancehall Song Of The Year | Ankonam Remix | Nominated |
| 2025 | Telecel Ghana Music Awards | Highlife Song of the Year | Abronoma | Nominated |
| 2024 | Eastern Music Awards | Most Influential Act GH | Himself | Nominated |
| 2024 | Eastern Music Awards | Most Viral Song GH | Kwaku Ananse | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Best Highlife Song of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Most Popular Song of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Best Rapper of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Hip Hop Song of the Year | The Hardest | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Hip Hop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2024 | 3Music Awards | Viral Song of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Nominated |
| 2024 | 3Music Awards | Highlife Song of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Won |
| 2024 | 3Music Awards | Hip Hop Song of the Year | The Hardest | Nominated |
| 2024 | 3Music Awards | Hiplife/Hip Hop Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2024 | 3Music Awards | Rap Performance of the Year | The Hardest | Nominated |
| 2024 | 3Music Awards | Song of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Collaboration of the Year | Kwaku Ananse Remix | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Most Popular Song of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Songwriter of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Rapper of the Year | The Hardest | Nominated |
| 2024 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Highlife Song of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Won |
| 2024 | Telecel Ghana Music Awards | Highlife Song of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Won |
| 2024 | Telecel Ghana Music Awards | Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2024 | Telecel Ghana Music Awards | Collaboration of the Year | Kwaku Ananse Remix | Nominated |
| 2024 | Telecel Ghana Music Awards | Rap Performer of the Year | The Hardest | Nominated |
| 2024 | Telecel Ghana Music Awards | Hiphop Song of the Year | The Hardest | Nominated |
| 2024 | Telecel Ghana Music Awards | Most Popular Song of the Year | Kwaku Ananse | Nominated |
| 2023 | Eastern Music Awards | Most Influential Act In Ghana | Himself | Won |
| 2023 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Best Rapper of the Year | Obiaa Boa | Nominated |
| 2023 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2023 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Best Collaboration of the Year | Grace | Nominated |
| 2023 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Hiplife/Hip Hop Song of the Year | Grace | Nominated |
| 2023 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Rapper of the Year | Obiaa Boa | Won |
| 2023 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2023 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2023 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Hiplife Song of the Year | Grace | Nominated |
| 2023 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Collaboration of the Year | Grace | Nominated |
| 2023 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Rap Performer of the Year | Obiaa Boa | Won |
| 2023 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Hiphop Song of the Year | Obiaa Boa | Nominated |
| 2022 | Central Music Awards | Ghana Popular Song of the Year | Grace | Nominated |
| 2022 | Eastern Music Awards | Most Influential Act In Ghana | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Best Collaboration of the Year | Abotr3 (Patience) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Best rapper of the Year | The Throne | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Hiplife/Hip Hop Song of the Year | Abotr3 (Patience) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Hiplife/Hip Hop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards France | EP of the Year | Patience EP | Won |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards France | Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year | Sing Along | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards France | Rapper of the Year | Abotr3 (Patience) | Won |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards France | Best Collaboration | Abotr3 (Patience) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards France | Producer of the Year (Samsney) | Abotr3 (Patience) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards France | Most Popular Song of the Year | Abotr3 (Patience) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards France | Hip Hop Song of the Year | Abotr3 (Patience) | Won |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards France | Hiplife /Hip Hop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Nigeria Music Awards Festival | Rapper of the Year | Abotr3 (Patience) | Pending |
| 2022 | Ghana Nigeria Music Awards Festival | New Artist of the Year | Himself | Pending |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Rapper of the Year | Best Rapper | Won |
| 2022 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Hiphop Song of the Year | Abotr3 (Patience) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Best Rap Performer of the Year | The Throne | Nominated |
| 2022 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | 3Music Awards | Rapper of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2022 | 3Music Awards | EP of the Year | Patience EP | Won |
| 2022 | 3Music Awards | Hiplife Song of the Year | Abotr3 (Patience) | Nominated |
| 2022 | 3Music Awards | Hiplife/Hiphop Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Best Rapper of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ghana Music Awards UK | New Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | 4Syte TV Music Video Awards | Best Hiphop Video | Best Rapper | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ghana Music Awards USA | New Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Hiplife/Hip Hop Song of the Year | Twa So | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Hiplife/Hip Hop Artist of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2021 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year | Box Of Memories | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ghana Music Awards USA | Rapper of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Rap Performer Of The Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | New Artist Of The Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | Entertainment Achievement Awards | Best Music Video | Best Rapper | Nominated |
| 2021 | 3Music Awards | Best Rapper of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | 3Music Awards | Digital Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2021 | Global Music Awards Africa | Most Influential Ghanaian Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | Muse Bangerz of the Quarter | Hiplife Song of the Quarter | Twa So | Nominated |
| 2020 | One Awards Ghana | Rapper of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2020 | COPO Award | Discovery Lyricist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ghana Entertainment Choice Awards | Best Rapper of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2020 | Ashanti Music Awards | Influential Act In Ashanti | Himself | Won |
| 2020 | Ashanti Music Awards | Best collaboration of the Year | Twa So | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ashanti Music Awards | Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ashanti Music Awards | Best Rapper of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | Greater Accra Music Awards | Non-Gama Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | Eastern Music Awards | Influential Act In Ghana | Himself | Won |
| 2019 | Emerging Music Awards Ghana | Emerging Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | Emerging Music Awards Ghana | Most Popular Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | Emerging Music Awards Ghana | Rapper of the Year | Redemption Freestyle | Nominated |
| 2019 | Emerging Music Awards Ghana | Hiplife Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | Ghana Music Awards UK | Uncovered Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | 3Music Awards | Next Rated Act | Himself | Nominated |
| 2018 | Ghana Music Awards SA | Most Promising Artiste | Himself | Nominated |
| 2018 | 3RD TV Music Video Awards | Best Newcomer Video | | Nominated |
| 2018 | Kumasi Awards Night | Artiste of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | Kumasi Awards Night | Best Rapper of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2017 | Kumasi Awards Night | Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated |

### Co-nominee / co-winner

| Year | Event | Award | Recipient/Nominated work | Result |
| 2019 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Hip-hop Song of the Year | Biibi Ba | Nominated |
| 2019 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Best Video of the Year | Biibi Ba | Nominated |
| 2019 | 4syte TV Music Video Awards | Overall Best Video of the Year | Biibi Ba | Nominated |
| 2019 | 4syte TV Music Video Awards | Best Hiphop Video of the Year | Biibi Ba | Won |
| 2019 | 4syte TV Music Video Awards | Best Photography | Biibi Ba | Nominated |
| 2019 | 4syte TV Music Video Awards | Best Directed Video | Biibi Ba | Nominated |
| 2020 | 3Music Awards | Hip Hop Song of the Year | Biibi Ba | Nominated |

## Videography

| Year | Title | Director |
| 2016 | Peace Forever (as a featured act) | Yaw Skyface |
| 2017 | I AM | L2M |
| 2017 | Beast Attitude | L2M |
| 2017 | At My Back | Quophi Asiama |
| 2018 | Redemption Freestyle I | A Certain YO |
| 2018 | Redemption Freestyle II | Lixil Montage |
| 2018 | Menpe | Motion Master |
| 2018 | Biibi Ba (as a featured act) | Bab Direction |
| 2019 | Dede | Film God |
| 2020 | Twa So | Gordon Appiah |
| 2020 | Box of Memories | Gordon Appiah |
| 2020 | Kyerɛ Me | Gordon Appiah |
| 2020 | A Piece on Peace | Director K |
| 2020 | Kumerica (as a featured act) | Kobby Shots |
| 2020 | Ahodwo Las Vegas (as a featured act) | PKMI |
| 2020 | Best Rapper | Gordon Appiah |
| 2021 | Taxi Driver | Sivo |
| 2021 | Me Ho Y3 | Sivo |
| 2021 | Younger K.A | SARP.the.KR8toR |
| 2021 | Death Sentence | SARP.the.KR8toR |
| 2021 | We Outside | Director Zizy |
| 2021 | Sika Besu | Gordon Appiah |
| 2021 | Abotr3(Patience) | Gordon Appiah |
| 2022 | Metua | XBills Ebenezer |
| 2022 | The Finish Line (as a featured act) | Takyi Native |
| 2022 | Obiaa Boa | Bra Shizzle |
| 2022 | Grace | Bra Shizzle |
| 2022 | Nyame Dada | Bra Shizzle |
| 2023 | The Hardest | Prince Dovlo |
| 2023 | Rap Is Still Alive (with Strongman) | Kobby Shots |
| 2023 | Kwaku Ananse | Bra Shizzle |
| 2023 | Kwaku Ananse Remix | Gordon Appiah |
| 2024 | Abronoma | Gordon Appiah |
| 2024 | Tin Ton Tan | Creative House |
| 2024 | Date Rush | Gordon Appiah |
| 2024 | Playman | Director Zizy |
| 2024 | Ankonam | Director Zizy |
| 2024 | Angry | Bra Shizzle |
| 2025 | The Last Prayer | The Boldz |

## Discography
### Selected singles

* I Am
* At My Back
* Beast Attitude
* Mix Master Garzy – Peace Forever (as a featured act)
* Edem – Kporda Remix (as a featured act)
* Redemption I
* Redemption II
* Menpe
* Pistol ft Cabum
* Gods ft Kuami Eugene & Koo Ntakra
* Sarkodie – Biibi Ba (as a featured act)
* Twa So ft Fameye
* Box of Memories
* Kyer3 Me ft Okyeame Kwame
* Shatta Wale – Ahodwo Las Vegas (as a featured act)
* Best Rapper
* Dawgi ft. Sarkodie
* Indelible Flow
* Taxi Driver
* Me Ho Y3
* Younger K.A
* Death Sentence
* We Outside ft Kofi Jamar
* The Throne
* Metua ft Kuami Eugene
* Eno Barony – The Finish Line (as a featured act)
* Obiaa Boa
* Back to Sender
* Grace ft Lasmid
* Fa Me Saa ft Kwaku DMC
* The Hardest
* Kwaku Ananse
* Kwaku Ananse Remix ft Fameye
* Abronoma
* Tin ton tan
* Sista Afia - 2 Things (as a featured act)
* Date Rush
* Shatta Wale - Blessings (as a featured act)
* Playman ft King Paluta
* Ankonam Remix ft Samini
* Nana Acheampong - Ase Mene Wo (as a featured act)
* I Am Aware
* Angry
* The Last Prayer

### Extended Plays

* Rapmare EP (2017)
* Patience EP (2021)
* Young And Strong EP (2023)
* The Gold Coin EP (2024)

### Albums

* G.I.N.A (2022)