Sarkodie
Sarkodie turned Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium into one giant celebration of Ghanaian rap on Saturday night as Rapperholic 2026 drew a massive crowd and ran until sunrise. The rapper closed the show at about 6:30am on Sunday, October 25, then knelt on stage to thank the people of Kumasi and his fans, while a heartfelt tribute to the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
Watch: Rapperholic 2026 Live From Baba Yara
Watch the full livestream of Sarkodie’s Rapperholic concert at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium below.
A Packed Stadium for Rapperholic26
Dubbed Rapperholic26, this was the second Kumasi edition of Sarkodie’s long-running concert brand. Adom Online reported that the stadium was filled to capacity, with the show running through the night and ending in the early hours of the morning.
Atinka Online, whose reporter Ebenezer Madugu covered the event, put the attendance at more than 80,000 fans. According to the report, many of them travelled from across the country, with large numbers coming from Kumasi and Tema.
The turnout capped a big week for the rapper in the Ashanti Region. Days before the show, Sarkodie shut down the streets of Kumasi with a massive convoy as fans welcomed him to the city.
A Grand Entrance Rooted in Ashanti Tradition
Sarkodie’s entrance mixed Ghanaian tradition with hip-hop. As he made his way onto the stage, a projection of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, appeared on the backdrop while traditional Nwom Kron music played.
The moment set the tone for a show that celebrated Kumasi and its culture. During his set, Sarkodie switched between live-band arrangements and backing from DJ Mensa, giving fans fresh versions of songs they already knew word for word.
Two Fans Collapse During Entrance
The excitement was not without a scare. Atinka Online reported that two fans collapsed during Sarkodie’s entrance. Personnel of the Ghana Prisons Service responded quickly and attended to them.
Sarkodie Honours Daddy Lumba
One of the most emotional parts of the night came when Sarkodie dedicated a segment of his performance to the late Daddy Lumba. He played several of the highlife icon’s songs, and the crowd sang along.
Daddy Lumba, who died in 2025, remains one of the most influential highlife musicians in Ghana’s history. His music still connects with fans across generations, and his legacy continues to be celebrated, including through the Daddy Lumba Memorial Concert announced by his son Calvin Fosu.
Fans Call Sarkodie ‘the Next Daddy Lumba’
The tribute got fans talking. Speaking to Atinka TV, some concertgoers praised Sarkodie for honouring the highlife great and urged him to stay connected to his roots.
“Anytime he stands on a stage, he pays tribute to Daddy Lumba,” fan Frank Osei said. Another fan, Ama Pat, added: “Paying tribute to Lumba shows he has learnt so much from him.”
Some fans even described Sarkodie as a successor to Daddy Lumba, pointing to his repeated tributes and respect for the late musician’s legacy.
Star-Studded Supporting Acts
Sarkodie was backed by a long list of Ghanaian acts who kept the energy high before and during the night.
Atinka Online named Kweku Smoke, Sista Afia, Wendy Shay, Oseikrom Sikani, DopeNation, King Promise, Lasmid, Kwadwo Black and OliveTheBoy among the performers. Adom Online also reported performances by KiDi, Kuami Eugene and Mr Drew.
Adom Online singled out Lasmid as one of the acts who thrilled the crowd most, with Sista Afia and Mr Drew also adding to the excitement. Lasmid is himself preparing for a big moment, with his maiden headline concert set for December 5 at The Palms in Accra.
Celebrities in the Crowd
The concert also pulled in familiar faces from Ghana’s entertainment scene. TV personality Nana Ama McBrown was at the stadium to support Sarkodie, and Ama Burland was also spotted at the event, according to Adom Online.
Sarkodie Kneels to Thank Kumasi
When the music finally stopped at about 6:30am, many fans still wanted more. Before leaving the stage, Sarkodie went down on his knees to thank Kumasi and his supporters, known as Sark Nation.
The humble gesture got fans talking online, where the concert trended under the hashtag #RapperholicKumasi26.
Quick Facts
- Event: Rapperholic 2026 (Rapperholic26)
- Headliner: Sarkodie
- Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi
- Date: Saturday, October 24, into Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Reported attendance: More than 80,000 fans (Atinka Online)
- Show ended: About 6:30am
- Highlight: A tribute segment to the late Daddy Lumba
- Edition: Second Kumasi edition, after Rapperholic: The Homecoming in 2025
Background: Rapperholic’s Kumasi Homecoming
Rapperholic is Sarkodie’s signature concert and one of the biggest annual music events in Ghana. The 2025 edition, titled Rapperholic: The Homecoming, moved the show to Kumasi and marked the rapper’s symbolic return to his roots.
That move helped establish the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as a major concert venue. Ahead of this year’s edition, Sarkodie also made a donation to the Mother and Baby Unit at Manhyia Hospital in Kumasi.
Final Word
Rapperholic 2026 showed once again why Sarkodie remains one of Ghana’s biggest crowd-pullers. From a royal entrance to a Daddy Lumba tribute and a closing bow on his knees at dawn, Kumasi got a night it will talk about for a long time.
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