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Wiyaala

Afrofolk, Afropop, World Music

Ghana

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Biography

Wiyaala, which means “the doer” in her local Sissala dialect, is an independent musician from Funsi in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Her music references West African Folk traditions and contemporary Afro-Pop, sometimes drawing comparisons with Angelique Kidjo.

An irrepressible extrovert since childhood, Wiyaala is an African star who never fails to excite and inspire love wherever she performs. Wiyaala has received plaudits from WOMAD UK, The Commonwealth Games 2018, The African Union and numerous festivals throughout Europe after impressing BBC broadcaster Rita Ray on the BBC World Service’s “Global Beats” programme in 2014.

Wiyaala’s third album “Yaga Yaga” is due in 2021. Wiyaala has worked with Universal Production Music on the “Global Attitude” album, Errollyn Wallen MBE (Voices of The Revolution), Ahmed Soultan (Morocco) King Ayisoba (Ghana) Rocky Dawuni (Ghana/USA) and ONIPA (Ghana/UK).

Seen as a role model and leader in her village community, Wiyaala remains committed to working with young girls and women whilst advocating for them on her own initiative and through agencies such as UNICEF Ghana, Wateraid Ghana and Teach2Teach.

In 2012, she travelled to the “big city” Accra, and won the Vodafone Icons Reality Show. After being “spotted” by Rita Ray of BBC’s Global Beats in 2014, Wiyaala has emerged as one of Ghana’s leading international touring artists performing at top events and festivals all over the world, including the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Australia, WOMAD UK, Green Man, Kendal Calling, Shambala and Timitar Festival in Morocco.

In 2014, Wiyaala was the first Ghanaian artist to chart on Billboard since Osibisa in the 1970's with her 2014 FIFA World Cup Song "Go Go Black Stars". She has released two albums : "Wiyaala" (2014) and "Sissala Goddess" (2018). After her 3 months residency at the French Institute this summer in Paris, she will be back in 2022 with a new album « Yaga Yaga » and a new show in 2022.

Wiyaala, who designs and sews her unique stage costumes, is well known for promoting her village roots, where she frequently holds events to encourage the local children to develop their creativity and sense of self worth.

Advocacy :

UNICEF Ghana
GACA - Ghana Against Child Abuse
Water Aid Ghana
Teach2Teach

Awards :

Ghanaian traditionnal/cultural act of the year - Ghana Music Awards UK 2021
Alternative song of the year - Ghana Music Awards UK 2021
Woman of the Decade - Womens Choice Awards Africa 2020
Artiste of the Year - Ghana Arts & Culture Awards 2019
International Touring Artiste of the Year - Ghana Music Awards UK 2019
Young and Gifted - Ghana Women of the Year 2017
Discovery of the Year - Golden Movie Awards 2016
Music Video of the Year - All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2015
Songwriter of the Year - Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) 2015
Best Female Vocal Performance - Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) 2015
Best Individulal Style - Glitz Fashion Awards 2015
Most Promising Artiste in Africa - All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2014
Revelation of the African Continent - All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2014

Nigel Wood – Irish Times “Feisty is not the word – she is a powerhouse in the mode of a young Angelique Kidjo, effervescent and funny, she rocked the crowd (Womad UK) and got a great reception. One to watch.”

The Next Gig - Wiyaala probably gives the best performance at Welcome to the Village

Entertainment News Ghana - NO CHALLENGER! Wiyaala Is Ghana’s Best Live Performer

World Listening Post - Album Review: Wiyaala offers proof that mixing tradition and provocation is good for music and for civilization—even a civilization the size of a village

BBC News Wiyaala is a feisty young woman from northern Ghana, bursting with attitude and drive”

Financial Times - Wiyaala: the Afropop star defying Ghanaian norms

Available on demand