In one of the most emotionally charged moments of the night, award-winning rapper Sarkodie paused his performance at his annual Rapperholic concert to deliver a heartfelt tribute to the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba, whose untimely passing earlier this year had shaken Ghana’s music world.
The tribute unfolded on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, where thousands had gathered for Sarkodie’s much-anticipated show.
The ordinarily electric atmosphere grew quiet as Sarkodie took a moment to address the loss, visibly moved, and offered words of remembrance, respect, and consolation.
Darkness, grief, and legacy
News of Daddy Lumba’s death on July 26, 2025, the birth name of Charles Kwadwo Fosu, sent shockwaves through Ghana’s music community.
Known for his poetic songwriting and adaptability across eras, Lumba was widely celebrated as one of Ghana’s greatest highlife musicians — a figure whose influence spanned decades and genres.
In the wake of the legend’s passing, tributes poured in from artists across generations. Sarkodie, among them, expressed deep sorrow and a recognition that Lumba’s music had become part of the national fabric.
At Rapperholic, Sarkodie’s homage became one of the night’s emotional fulcrums.
Sarkodie’s tribute will likely be remembered as a defining moment in the 2025 Rapperholic concert — one that reminded audiences of music’s power to heal, to unite, and to bridge the past and future.
For Ghana’s evolving musical landscape, that moment sends a message: that while icons may pass away, their influence endures.
As Ghana mourns Daddy Lumba and celebrates his contributions, that night in Kumasi proved that tributes in song and speech are not mere performances; they are affirmations of cultural memory.
Sarkodie remembers late highlife icon Daddy Lumba in moving tribute at Rapperholic concert. pic.twitter.com/hIrhgircsG
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) September 28, 2025
Rapperholic is more than a concert — it’s a cultural event, a homecoming of sorts. Honouring a legend mid-show allowed grief to be communal rather than private, giving fans a chance to reflect together.
In a genre where image often overshadows sincerity, Sarkodie’s emotion felt real and unforced. It was a reminder that public figures can — and should — use their platforms for more than entertainment.
Sarkodie’s tribute wasn’t a dirge but a declaration: Daddy Lumba’s music will not fade. The phrase “the legacy lives on” became a rallying point for fans and fellow artists alike.
