Samuel Adu Frimpong (born 5 April 1994), popularly known as Medikal, is a Ghanaian hip hop musician born to Portia Lamptey and James Frimpong in Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra.[1][2]

Medikal
Birth nameSamuel Adu Frimpong
Also known asMDK, MedikalByK, Medikal
BornApril 5, 1994
Accra, Ghana
OriginSowutuom, Accra Ghana
Genres
Occupations
Years active2014–present
LabelsBeyond Kontrol

Early life and music career

edit

He comes from Sowutuom, a suburb in Accra, Ghana. Medikal and Sarkodie had the highest nominations for the 2017 edition of the Ghana Music Awards. In 2018, he was on the Tim Westwood Show.[3][4][5] Medikal had his high school education at Odorgonno Senior High. He is the son of James Frimpong and Portia Lamptey. Samuel adopted the name Medikal because he was fascinated with rapping about doctors, surgeons, medical practitioners and hospitals in general. Before he became a musician, he worked as a professional footballer for Ghana Premier League team Sekondi Hasaacas. He has made a name for himself in the music industry through hard work and numerous collaboration with successful artists. Apart from his nominations in 2017, he won the best discovery video in the MTN 4Syte Video Award in 2016.[6] Medikal is known for his fast-paced rap style and witty wordplay in music, and he often incorporates Pidgin English and Ghanaian slang in his music.[citation needed]

Albums and EPs

edit
  • Medikation (2013)[7]
  • Disturbation (2017)[8]
  • The Plug EP(2019)[9]
  • Island (2020)[7]
  • The Truth (2020)[10]

Awards and nominations

edit
Year Organization Recipient/Nominated work Award Result Ref
2021 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Himself Hiplife/Hip Hop Artist of the Year Won [11]
La Hustle rmx ft Joey B and Criss Waddle Hip-Hop Song of the Year Nominated
Himself Artist of the year Won
3Music Awards Himself Artist (MVP) of the Year Nominated [12][13]
La Hustle rmx ft Joey B and Criss Waddle Song of the Year Nominated
Himself Hiplife/Hip hop Act of the Year Won
La Hustle ft Joey B Hip Hop Song of the Year Nominated
La Hustle rmx ft Joey B and Criss Waddle Best Collaboration of the Year Nominated
Himself Rapper of the Year Nominated
Himself Most Streamed Act of the Year Won
4syte Music Video Awards 'Odo' ft. King Promise Best Male Video Nominated [14]
La Hustle ft Joey B Best Edited Video Nominated
Himself Most Influential Artist Won
La Hustle rmx ft Joey B and Criss Waddle Big Tune Nominated
La Hustle ft Joey B Most Popular Video Won
'Nonsense' Best Hip Hop Video Nominated
2020 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Himself Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year Won [15]
"Omo Ada" Hip-life song of the Year Won
2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Himself Hip Hop Artist of the year Won [16]
Himself Best Rapper of the year Won
4syte Music Video Awards "Omo Ada" Best Special Effect Video Won [17]
2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Too Risky Afro Pop Song Of The Year Nominated [18]
Confirm feat Sarkodie Hip Hop Song Of The Year Nominated
Himself Hip-life/Hip Pop Artist Of The Year Nominated
Himself Best New Act Nominated
Himself Best Rapper of the year Nominated
Confirm feat Sarkodie Best Collaboration of the year Nominated
Himself Overall Artist of the year Nominated
Exclusive Men of the Year Awards (EMY) Discovery of The Year Category Won
African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) Best Newcomer Category Won
2016 MTN 4Syte Music Video Awards Anthem Best Discovery Video Won [19]

3Music Awards

edit

In March 2021, he won the Hiplife/Hiphop Act of the Year in the 3Music Awards.[20]

In June 2021, he won the Hiplife/Hiphop Artist of the Year at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards22.[21]

Personal life

edit

Rapper Medikal married entrepreneur and movie star Fella Makafui in 2020. The couple announced their divorce in May 2024.[22][23]

Controversy

edit

In October 2021, he was arrested for brandishing a gun on social media.[24] He was later charged for unlawful display of arms and ammunition and he pleaded not guilty. He was then remanded to prison custody for 5 days by an Accra Circuit court.[25][26] At the hearing on Tuesday, October 26, after five days on remand, he was granted bail to the tune of GH¢100,000 with one surety.[27][28][29]

References

edit
  1. ^ name="Medikal">"Medikal". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  2. ^ "Fella Makafui honours Nungua stool's invitation, Chief gives new order". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  3. ^ "Sarkodie – Highest". Vibehubs.com. 2017-09-08. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  4. ^ "SEE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES – 2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards". 27 February 2017.
  5. ^ "The rise of AMG's Medikal". 12 November 2016.
  6. ^ "See complete list of winners". Pulse Ghana. 2016-12-31. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  7. ^ a b "[MIXTAPE]: Medikal (MDK) Presents "Da Medikation"". Loud Sound Gh. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Medikal unveils tracklist for 'Disturbation'". 22 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Medikal Biography / Profile - Beatz Nation". 19 July 2019.
  10. ^ The Truth by Medikal, retrieved 2021-07-05
  11. ^ "VGMA22: See the list of nominees - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  12. ^ "3Music Awards 2021: All the winners". Music In Africa. 2021-03-29. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  13. ^ "3Music Awards 2021: Full list of winners - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  14. ^ "Kuami Eugene, Adina, King Promise, others crowned winners at 2021 4Syte Music Video Awards - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  15. ^ "Kuami Eugene wins VGMA Artiste of the Year 2020". MyJoyOnline.com. 2020-08-30. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  16. ^ "2019 VGMAs: Full list of winners". GhanaWeb. 2019-05-19. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  17. ^ "List of winners - MTN 4Syte TV Music Video Awards 2019". Ghana Music. 2019-11-16. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  18. ^ "VGMA 2017: Medikal, Eugy, Ebony, Fancy Gadam Make Best New Act List". EOnlineGH.Com. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
  19. ^ "Full list of winners - MTN 4stye music video awards 2016". 2 January 2017.
  20. ^ "3Music Awards 2021: Full list of winners - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  21. ^ "VGMA 22: Full list of winners". GhanaWeb. 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  22. ^ "Fella Makafui faints at her traditional wedding". MyJoyOnline. 2020-03-07. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  23. ^ "Fella Makafui gives birth to a baby girl". GhanaWeb. 2020-08-08. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  24. ^ "Medikal arrested for brandishing gun on social media". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2021-10-21. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  25. ^ "Medikal remanded to prison custody for 5 days". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2021-10-22. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  26. ^ "Rapper Medikal go stay Ghana prison custody for days". BBC News Pidgin. 2021-10-22. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  27. ^ "Medikal granted GH¢100,000 bail after 5-day remand".
  28. ^ "Shatta Wale, Medikal granted Ghc100k bail each".
  29. ^ "Medikal granted bail".