Sonnie Badu is a Gospel Artiste, Songwriter, Presenter, Philanthropist, Author and Founder and Lead Pastor of RockHill Church in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. He has been a blessing to people all over the world. He is known for his unique and energetic blend of worship with incredible and excellent high pitched vocals. Considered as one of the most successful and consistent Gospel live acts in recent years, with many awards and Gospel hits to his name. Sonnie is one whose music ushers one into God’s presence seamlessly.
He was born on the 9th of November in United Kingdom before his family relocated to Accra, Ghana where he spent his early years. Born to Reverend Agyeman Prempeh, a popular Ghanaian pastor and Julia Agyemang, Sonnie grew up in a very strict disciplined home which is one of the reasons why his love for God is prominent. It was revealed by him that his father used to wake he and his siblings with a cane on Sundays.
Sonnie had his primary and secondary education in Ghana. He started his ministry singing at a very young age at his church in Accra, Ghana. Although his father was a pastor, he was not rooted in the faith and really didn’t dedicate his life fully to God. He was more focused on football and was aspiring to become a professional footballer but fate had other plans for him. At age 18, he fell seriously ill and was dying by the minute. Nobody could figure out what was happening to him. When he thought that there was nothing else to hope for, Sonnie turned to God and promised to dedicate his life to worshipping Him if only God would let him live. God answered his prayers. It was at this point that he decided to dedicate his life fully to God and become a minister of the Gospel. After making the decision, life was not easy for him. He struggled and worked in several places before the start of his career. He admitted to cleaning universities where his peers studied. At some point, he was homeless and could afford and wear only one suit. All these did not make him give up or lose faith in God. He kept believing and God showed up for him.
On the 1st of December, 2007, Sonnie released his first Gospel Album “Lost in Glory”. This kickstarted his career as a renowned Gospel Artiste and Worship Leader. This album was the beginning of good things to come. He organized the first Africa worship concert in the United Kingdom, which involved a congregation of High Commissioners, and ambassadors.
Since 2008, he has been hosting Africa Worships with Sonnie Badu, a charity concert that raises awareness of the pressing issues in Africa. For instance, the concert was dedicated to victims of violence in Kenya. In addition to this, Sonnie also tours the world with his Gospel program, appearing in major cities in Europe, North America and Africa. Sonnie has been to almost every corner of the world such as the historic Waldorf Astoria, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Arena and so many more, ministering to souls. Fondly called “The Worshipper” by many, Sonnie has led worship for prominent personalities such as Bishop T.D Jakes, Bishop Tudor Bismark, Matthew Ashimolowo, ArchBishop Duncan Williams, Pastor E.A Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Papa Ayo Oritsejafor and many more.
He holds a Doctorate in Divinity, a Bachelors in ministry, a Masters in Christian Leadership, a Doctorate of Fine Arts in musicology and a PhD in Theology under the supervision of Dr. Ron Kenoly. He was recently made a Professor and The Dean of the Faculty of Music at Trinity International University of Ambassadors.
He is an accomplished entrepreneur with several businesses worldwide. He earns his income from being a real estate developer, owner of a day care centre, owner of clothing line and best selling author of his books. Some of his businesses include “The Worship Radio”, Badu Homes, Dizney Daycare, iWorship Magazine, Eagle Eye Football Agency, Private Jet Consulting, Four24 Records, and so many more. He has managed to globalize his music empire with teams all over, especially in Canada, Europe, USA, and Africa. He was listed as number 57 in the top 100 Most Influential Ghanaians of all time and was honoured most outstanding Ghanaian in diaspora in the Netherlands and also listed in the top 11 most influential Ghanaians abroad. His captivating and unique voice has continued to pave way for him. He is one of the most influential figure in Africa Gospel music and one of the finest Gospel export in Africa. He has been on stage with the likes of Cece and Beb Winans, Jonathan Nelson, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Kim Burrell, Jonathan Nelson, Israel Houghton, Tye Tribbett, Tasha Cobbs, Jason Nelson, Donnie McClurkin, Noel Robinson, Muyiwa, Byron Cage, Kurt Carr, Lionel Peterson, Dr. Ron Kenoly, Judy Jacobs, Martha Munizzi, Kirk Franklin, Alvin Slaughter, Phil Driscoll, Fred Hammond, Judy Jacobs and many others.
Sonnie is the only African Gospel Artiste who has been revealed to fill stadiums to capacity. Testimonies of healing and breakthrough follow him wherever he sets up to praise and worship and his “International Worship Summit” In recent years bears witness to that. He has won numerous awards. In 2009, he received numerous honours and accolades for his contribution to the Gospel community, winning a BEFFTA (Black Entertainment Fashion and Film Award) in the category of Best Gospel Artist. In 2010, Minister Badu received the two awards in the course of one month: Best Gospel Artist at the 2010 African Music Awards (AMA) held at the Wembley Arena in London on 15th October, 2010 and Best Musician at the GUBA Awards which was held in London on 24th October, 2010. He was the recipient of three awards at the Gospel Music Awards, Italy, in the categories of Best Gospel Artist in Europe, Best Worship Artist of the year and Best Worship song for the smash hit single ‘Covenant Keeping God’. To crown the year, he was decorated the Best Gospel Male at the British Gospel Music Awards. He added to his resume best worship song, video of the year and best male contemporary in the recent Africa Gospel Music Awards in the UK. He also won Africa Gospel Music Award United Kingdom, Gospel Music Award Italy and the 2017 National Gospel Music Award. Some of his songs include “Baba”, “My Soul Says Yes”, “Covenant Keeping God”, “Still You Reign”, “Adonai”, “Worshipper’s Cry”, “Imela”, “I Hail You”, “Amazing God” and “Wonder God”.
Apart from the awe-inspiring worship anointing; Sonnie is endowed with writing skills that have culminated into authoring six best-selling Christian books. Apart from his academic pursuit, Sonnie’s primary task is to help improve the lives of the less privileged especially in Africa. In this regard, he has stepped up his Ministry’s Charity Project, ‘Thy Dwelling Place’ Orphanage, while he maintains his ambassadorial status at Hope Orphanage. He also owns the Children Centre, Accra, Ghana.
In 2018, Sonnie’s career surpassed a ten-year mark. He released three critically acclaimed albums, sang with numerous Gospel Artistes, received an honorary degree from the CICA International University & Seminary (Doctorate of Divinity), became a UN Ambassador of Sacred Music, and earned the key to the city of Brooklyn, New York and Brentwood, Maryland. He also earned an honorary Georgia Citizenship.
He is currently the Lead Pastor and founder of the Rock Hill in Atlanta, USA.
Badu is happily married to Annie Badu and they have four beautiful children; Shadine, Imani, Sonnie and Ayanna Badu.
As Sonnie is a very busy man, he has to fly between continents almost daily. With his home being in the UK, his office in Atlanta, Georgia and his heart’s home in Ghana, he has successfully proven that with God on your side, you can be successful and still serve and affect the lives of people positively. From a man who could afford just one suit to an accomplished and reputable man doing awesomely well in both ministry and business, God is in the business of raising people to platforms bigger than they can imagine.
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