Wiyaala, known as "the doer" in her native Sissala dialect, is a dynamic singer and entertainer from Funsi in Ghana's Upper West Region. She blends West African folk traditions with contemporary Afropop, with her energetic performances drawing comparisons to legends such as Miriam Makeba and Angelique Kidjo. Growing up in a patriarchal society, Wiyaala was protected by her musical mother, which allowed her to thrive as a child entertainer and soccer player. After winning the Vodafone Icons Reality Show in 2012, she gained international acclaim. Her performances have graced stages at the Commonwealth Games and festivals like WOMAD in the UK. Wiyaala is passionate about promoting her African roots and has established an arts center in Funsi to nurture local talent and cultural tourism.
Featured Song:
While most of Wiyaala’s music is upbeat, she wrote the melancholy song “The Captain’s Lament” in memory of Captain Maxwell Mahama, a distant cousin who was killed by a mob of illegal miners in 2017. “Death comes for us all,” she sings, “When the time comes / There is nothing you can do about it.”
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