Ghanaian Rapper Sarkodie Pays Tribute to Bronx Teen Victim, Calls for Better Child Upbringing

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie posted on Facebook after 15‑year‑old Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong was shot on his way to school in the Bronx, New York, on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026.

In the post, Sarkodie expressed condolences to the teenager’s family, especially his mother and father, and wrote,

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

Sarkodie comments on violence and upbringing

The artist noted that while Ghana faces its own challenges, murders are “almost alien” in the country, adding,

“It’s almost alien to us because whenever something like that happens, it becomes major news. We announce and discuss almost every single case in the media, and as a people, we are always shocked and saddened by it.”

Sarkodie said the frequency of such incidents in parts of the West makes Ghanaians feel unsafe abroad. He questioned what upbringing leads children to become “so evil,” and urged Black communities overseas to improve child‑rearing practices and instill better values.

The rapper’s remarks have drawn reactions from Ghanaians both at home and in the diaspora, highlighting concerns over youth safety and cultural influences.

No additional comments have been released by authorities or the family at this time.