Wiyaala, surely one of the world’s most charismatic artists, is soon to release a remix of her hit track “Better Treat Me Right”, a song written as a rallying cry to women around the world to stand up against tradition and convention. Known to her legions of fans as “The Young Lioness of Africa,” we’ve spoken to Wiyaala to find out her story…
My name is “Wiyaala”. In my tribal language it means “the doer”. I am also known as “The Young Lioness of Africa”. Since early childhood I have always been an entertainer. Those days when I was small girl living in the compound house, I would provide entertainment for family and friends by mimicking the videos we occasionally saw of Michael Jackson and Madonna. I didn’t really understand the words of the songs I was singing, so I would just improvise using my own language, which was Sissala. Of course, I didn’t know it then, but its the reason why I am so easily able to improvise now during live performance. it is also the reason why I easily adapt to Western styles of music whilst retaining a strong sense of my African identity.
As I grew older, I was winning local dancing competitions (mostly against boys), I became aware that I had ability but was very frustrated about how to go about making a career, since the patriarchal society in which I grew up believed that to do music as a woman was to do prostitution. Eventually, I realised despite having no money, I would have to make the journey to Accra and try my luck in the reality shows. it took me four years and four long journeys to a city where I didn’t know anyone to become a winner.
Since then and with the help of my manager, who I met in a classroom in 2011, I am now able to climb stages anywhere in the world and entertain any audience. My mission through my music and personality is to make people feel good, happy about themselves, to see positivity where negativity persists and to be a role model for young people growing up in Africa. Whatever your talent, explore and exploit it to the best of your ability.
Recently, I moved back to my home town where I am building a video and music production studio known as Djimba World Studios. It is the first such production facility in the Upper West.
Wiyaala is a committed supporter of the arts in Northern Ghana having created and organized the The Djimba World Music Festival now in its third year. She is also an active influencer for UNICEFGhana and fights for the abolition of FGM, Early Child Marriage and the rights of children.
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/wiyaala
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Ttf480Uumk6ylOAokG2h7#_=_
Youtube: Better Treat Me Right – WTS feat Wiyaala – Official video
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wiyaala
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wiyaala
Instagram: http://instagram.com/wiyaala
Website: http://wiyaala.com/