Ghanaian songstress Efya coming to Kenya

Two decades after its independence in 1957, Ghana was firmly on the world music map thanks to the lively dance music called Highlife whose exponents included giants like E.T. Mensah, Ramblers International, and Osibisa.

Due to the upheavals in Ghana and Nigeria, music in general and Highlife in particular suffered a major decline with many artistes who had flourished emigrating overseas.

Highlife, Afrobeat and other classic West African genres have only recently experienced an evolution thanks to a whole new generation of musicians who have innovatively borrowed several contemporary elements to make the music relevant to modern tastes.

Efya brings her show to East Africa for the first time with two performances starting with the Carnivore Nairobi on April 25 at the Tusker Malt 100 Club and at Kampala’s Serena Hotel the next day.

The Tusker Malt Lager 100 Club was introduced in September last year with performances by two emerging stars: Nigerian singer, guitarist Bez and South Africa’s Zonke in November.

TML 100 Club is a concept that brings together consumers of the premium brand who enjoy contemporary Afro Soul and Jazz in an exclusive setting.

Born in Kumasi, 24-year-old Jane Awindor is the daughter of Nana Adwoa Awindor, a television presenter in Ghana, well known for presenting a programme called “Greetings from Abroad.”

Efya began singing at the age of six after moving to Accra where her mother studied at film school In 2011, she was named the Best Female Vocal Performer at the annual Ghana Music awards.

She first came to attention after emerging as the first runner up in the first edition of the talent contest Stars of the Future in 2008 earning a three-year recording deal with the competition’s winner Irene Logan.

The two singers formed a group called Irene and Jane, which went on for the length of the contract recording “Irene and Jane Unveiled” that was only released in Ghana and South Africa.

After the break-up of the group, she studied Theatre and Music at the University of Ghana before launching her solo career. She dropped the name Jane and instead adopted Efya, her Ashanti name.

“I wanted to stand out as an artiste because there are many Janes out there but only one Efya in mainstream music.

The self-styled “Afro-Electric African Soulstress” sings in both English and her native Twi language, draws influences from American artistes like Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill.

“I love soul, jazz and rhythm and blues but my style combines those genres effortlessly with our own unique music, like Afrobeat, to produce a beautiful sound” she explains.

Her sound is very similar to that of Asa and Nneka, two outstanding Nigerian singers whose music also blends strong African rhythms with Western-style soul. Efya describes sharing the stage with South African maestro Hugh Masekela at the Lagos Jazz Series in 2011 as one of the highlights of her career.

Brand ambassador

Efya was among the few singers picked to perform the opening set for jazz vocalist and songwriter Somi, who is an American of Rwandan and Ugandan descent, at a show in Lagos last month.

Her star power has also earned her a two-year endorsement deal as Brand Ambassador with Telecom giant Globacom who dubbed her “the new voice of African soul music.”

She is also well known for her keen sense of fashion and has been spotted wearing contemporary African fashion line Duaba Serwaa at her performances.

Her powerful vocal delivery of her own songs combined with a great stage presence make for a thrilling atmosphere when Efya gets on stage.

Her long awaited debut album “Love Genesis” will finally be released this year and she says the music is reflection of four years in the music scene.

If you are hearing about Efya for the first time, we recommend that you attend her show and look out for her rousing version of the song “Oblanuju,” originally by the Nigerian singer, Duncan Mighty.