The rise and fall of Daddy K the one time music star from Makeni

Within the pages of an old diary in the Sierra Leone music scene, there was a rising star named Bai Abdul Sahid Kargbo, aka Daddy K. Hailing from Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone, Daddy K burst onto the music scene while still studying in 2003, with his debut album “Right of the Youths”, featuring catchy hits like “Baby Hustler, Motor Car, and Nor Go”. 

His journey took an unexpected turn when he saw an opportunity to travel overseas in search of a better future. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, and he found himself back in Freetown. Meanwhile, his former collaborator Shaddy Baby had formed a new group called Calbox and released a hit track, “Baby Girl I Love You”. Although Daddy K and Shaddy Baby had positive vibes, they didn’t have much time to reconnect.

Determined to make a comeback, Daddy K crossed paths with music prodigy Hamza Links and joined Forensic Record. One fateful morning in 2007, Daddy K recorded a country anthem called “Daddy“. Interestingly, the instrumental was assigned to him as a test case, but it turned out to be a mega hit. The song was played on three different radios across the country on the same day.

However, being managed by a record label in Sierra Leone at that time was more about finding opportunities to record and promote songs than financial management. Daddy K encountered frustrations when a potential deal with producer Bolo didn’t work out due to disagreements with Hamza Links. The lack of proper management structure and financial support hindered Daddy K’s progress.

Despite these challenges, Daddy K’s hit single “Daddy” attracted show promoters who continuously booked him for performances. However, the promised album, which contained nine other tracks, was never released. Daddy K’s songs remained in Hamza Links’ possession, leaving him frustrated and eventually parting ways with his management.

Determined to keep pursuing his passion, Daddy K joined another management headed by Mohamed Major. They recorded more hit tracks and released the album “Allow Me” in 2009. Though the business was successful, there was still a lack of proper management structure and plans for the future. Daddy K found himself dancing to their tunes, unaware of the consequences.

As time went on, Daddy K faced stressful situations behind the scenes, including betrayals from his spouse. However, he still had people who respected his talent, even though opinions varied. Music was his life, and he couldn’t give up on it. Currently, Daddy K records songs using money from side hustles and help from friends. He remains determined, using his energy and talent to create music with improved standards and authenticity.

In recent times in an interview with Deeno Jay, Daddy K mentioned that still without a manager, he believes in the bigger picture and hopes for the success of fellow Sierra Leonean artists. He dreams of Sierra Leone music reaching the global market, overcoming the challenges of management that have plagued him and many others in the industry.