Sherifa Gunu is a Ghanaian soul musician and an African traditional music artiste. She is also a songwriter, a great dancer, and an advocate. She has performed at many events outside of Ghana, including the 2022 edition of the Made in Ghana UK Festival, and won Awards, including Traditional Artiste of the Year, at the 2013 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
Short Profile of Sherifa Gunu
Full name: Osman Sherifa Gunu
Age: 48 years old
Date of Birth: April 15, 1975
Nationality: Ghanaian
Hometown: Dagbani Dabbi-fong, Tamale, Northern Region
Tribe: Dagomba
Fan base: Gunu Family
Facebook: Sherifa Gunu
Twitter: (@sherifagunu_)
Instagram: (@sherifagunu_)
Early Life & Family
Sherifa Gunu was born into the Gunu Dang royal family in Savelegu. She was born on April 15, 1975, to Osman Gunu and Mma Memunatu (a retired teacher and a trader).
She hails from a community in Tamale, the Northern part of Ghana, called Dagbani Dabbi-fong. Sherifa was raised in Tamale and Sabongida, both in the Northern Region.
Siblings
She has two siblings, a junior sister, and a brother.
Educational Background
She went to Ghana Senior High School in Tamale.
Husband & Children
Osman Sherifa Gunu got married in 2015 to Ikechukwu Sunday, a Nigerian businessman, and together they had two children, a girl, and a boy. However, they divorced in 2018, and after their divorce, she has chosen to be single. Her children are Irana Ikechukwu, who is an upcoming musician, and Bubu Ikechukwu.
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Career
Sherifa Gunu started singing and dancing during her days in primary and junior high school. In 1990, She participated in a regional dance competition and emerged as a Champion. Also, in 1998, she participated in a national dance competition dubbed Embassy Pleasure and came out as the first runner-up at the end of the dance contest. Gunu later competed with the likes of Terry Bonchaka of Blessed Memory in the 2003 Hiplife Dance Championship and lost the ultimate title to Terry Bonchaka in the finals. She placed second.
In 2005, two years after the Hiplife Dance Championship, Sherifa began her professional music journey. She released her first song in 2005, titled “Yumeataba.” Following this, she released other singles and an album. Now, Sherifa has many tracks to her credit and about three albums. She has songs with musicians such as Sarkodie, Blakk Rasta, R2BEES, and Iwan Suhuyi. Also, in Ghana now, when you talk of the artistes that play a lot of shows outside Ghana and are recognized internationally, Sherifa Gunu is one of these Ghanaian musical artists.
Performances
Osman has performed at several events held in Ghana, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United States, and different countries in Europe. A few of the events she has performed at include the 2020 Ghana Arts and Culture Awards (GACA), Canada Day 2020 Celebration (Virtual Concert), and the Global Music Awards Africa in 2021. She headlined the Made In Ghana UK Festival in 2022.
Albums
- Dokpeda
- Wura
- kujani
Tracks
Below are the titles of her tracks and songs with other musicians.
- Fall in love, Strength of Woman, African Woman, Big No, Nakati, Djara, Kasula, Batoro, Ti Bom Shuhudoo, Kelewele, Dokpeda, Warn Them Know, Bingo, African Dance, Mbrantie, Kirikiti Soya, Naa Gbewaa, Susupon, kamidu, Salema, Cherrie Coco, Mama Africa, Beautiful, Sherifa, Shuhudoo, No More Fara, Tamale, Azindoo, Yel Binye, The World is Sick, Dagbon (Tamale), Yumiantabah, No Tomorrow ft. Medikal, etc.
Music Awards
- Traditional Artiste of the Year Award at VGMA 2013, Ghanaian Traditional Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards UK 2017, including a citation from Ghana Music Awards USA 2020, Honorary Awards from the Ghana Music Awards USA 2020, Time Ghana Arts And Entertainment Awards 2020, Extra Ordinary Ladies Conference Awards 2021, Ghana Innovation Awards 2021, Ashaiman Excellence Awards 2021, Northern Excellence Awards 2021, Global Music Awards Africa 2021, Western Achievement And Excellence Awards 2022, and National Industrious Awards 2023.
Dance Awards
- 1st runner up, 1997 National Dance Championship (The Embassy Pleasure)
- 1st runner up, 2003 Hiplife Dance Championship.
Artistry
Gunu was once a backing vocalist for Ghanaian highlife musicians like Nana Acheampong, Amanzeba, and Amakye Dede.
House and Cars
She has a house and drives some cars.
Net worth
Gunu has an estimated net worth of $2 million. She makes money from her local and international music shows.