Wiyaala

Wiyaala
Background information
Birth name Noella Wiyaala
Also known as
Wiyaala
Born (1986-12-22) 22 December 1986
Wa, Upper West Ghana, Ghana
Origin Tema, Ghana
Genres Dance, pop, Afro pop
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, designer, actress, model, athlete
Instruments vocals, guitar
Years active 2011–present
Labels Djimba World Records, JTV Digital
Associated acts Jupitar, Black N Peach, The Djimba World Band
Website wiyaala.com

Noella Wiyaala (known under the stage name Wiyaala) is Ghanaian Afro pop singer-songwriter who sings in her native Sissala and Waale dialects and English, often combining all three languages within her songs. She has attained public renown with her single "Make Me Dance"[1][2][3] and her androgynous image.[4] After making her name in reality shows in Accra, she established a solo career in 2013 with the hit single "Rock My Body", which won her two awards at the 2014 first edition of the All Africa Music Awards, the Most Promising Artiste in Africa and Revelation of The African Continent. Wiyaala is also associated with UNICEF Ghana and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection of Ghana in campaigns against child marriage, child poverty, health and sanitation.

Life and career

Early life

Noella Wiyaala was born in Wa, Upper West Ghana as one of four sisters[5] and grew up in Funsi and Tumu. She got first singing lessons from her mother, a choir singer in the local church,[6] and she has performed ever since she was 5 years old.[7] Her surname, which she picked for a stage name, means "the doer" in her native Sisaala language.[7] During her late teenage years, she played football as a midfielder.[8] She has attended Kansec Secondary School and later Kanton Secondary High in Tumu, where she acquired a reputation for being a tom-boy, playing football and was in demand as a dancer and entertainer in school productions. She also attended Takoradi Polytechnic on an art and design course.[9][10]

Musical career

From early childhood in the Upper West Region of Ghana, Wiyaala was active as an entertainer, earning her first income as a performer in a local bar in Tamale. After attending Kansec Secondary High School, Wiyaala's musical career began in earnest when she joined the local music scene in Wa which centered around Echo Soundz Recording Studios. She performed at local events and recorded as a usually unpaid session singer for artists in the Upper West Region.

In 2009 she recorded her first album "Tuma" ("Work") in the Sissala language at Echo Soundz Studios in Wa, Upper West Ghana.[5] Songs like "Dannu" and "Dirik…" soon became local hits.

Looking to establish a national career, she made the journey to Accra to audition for Ghana’s own "Stars of the Future". At the third attempt in 2011 she earned her way into the finals, winning two Golden Moments awards.[7] Won the 2012 Vodafone ICONS Mixed Edition contest hosted by fellow Ghanaian DJ "Benny Blanco", as part of the Ghanaian band Black N Peach, while singing Tina Turner's "Simply The Best".[11][12][13]

She left the Black N Peach band during April 2013, after having released one single ("Wonkoa"), to pursue a solo career with Djimba World Records. Her first release was "Make Me Dance" which featured Ghana’s first ever underwater scenes in a music video,[14] and soon afterwards the single "Rock My Body", which quickly became a hit and won her two awards at the 2014 edition of the All Africa Music Awards.

In November 2014 Wiyaala released her "official" debut album, the eponymously titled "Wiyaala" which was nominated for album of the year at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2015 and the All Africa Music Awards 2015.

Wiyaala is a brand ambassador for PepsiCo in West Africa, alongside Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage, promoting Pepsi throughout Ghana as the brand looks to grab a larger share of the soft drinks market.[15][16] She is also the Converse All Stars ambassador for Ghana since 2014.[17]

Activism

Wiyaala is outspoken on the male-dominated culture and polygyny of some African countries and to stand up for women's rights and against family violence in her native Ghana.[5][8][9][18] Her song "Tinambayai" in Sisaala language has been regarded as a protest against the exploitation of women in Africa.[19] Wiyaala has featured on BBC talking about early child marriage[20] and has expressed sympathy for feminism as a mean to encourage young girls into completing their education so that they themselves can be the ones that make the choices in their lives and also declared her success would serve as an example to her community that there was a future for young women beyond an early forced marriage.[5][8][17] "Make Me Dance" has been included in the top of feminist songs for the 2013 winter by Bitch feminist magazine.[21]

Wiyaala has also partnered with Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection of Ghana's government and UNICEF on a number of projects to help protect the rights of children and public health issues.

Musical style

Wiyaala sings both in English and her native Sisaala. She writes her songs herself.[22][23] She has earned praise for her bold and powerful voice and distinguished timbre.[5] Given Madonna, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Tina Turner as role models and inspiration.[22] She had often been called "man-woman" by the boys in grade school[7] and nowadays she cultivates an androgynous image of herself, for which she had been compared to Grace Jones.[24][25] Also she has expressed admiration for African artists like Angelique Kidjo, Miriam Makeba and Brenda Fassie.[5] Her song "Africa" has been inspired by Sherifa Gunu.[26]

Her music style has been described as Afro-pop[22] or Afro-rock[27] with elements of tribal folk music[19] while the latest single "Rock My Body", released in June 2013 together with Ghanaian reggae singer Jupitar leans more towards reggae and dancehall.[28] Wiyaala cited as an inspiration the 1969 song "Wreck A Buddy" by Nora Dean and The Soul Sisters.[22] She did also perform in the opening of the 2014 Stanbic Ghana jazz festival.[29]

The single "Go Go Black Stars...Goal!", released in April 2014, on the Djimba World Records label, sung in English and Ghanaian languages, also features tribal drums and stadium choruses.[30] The same song had been picked up as the unofficial hymn of the national football team of Ghana for the 2014 World Cup.[31]

Wiyaala got nominated as Best Sporting Artist in Ghana Sports Excellence Awards 2014.[32]

Discography

Wiyaala's first release after the breakup with Black N Peach was the single "Make Me Dance". Originally produced by "Genius Selection" in Ghana, it has been remixed in Los Angeles by "Bill Delia" for the international market. "Make Me Dance", along with an acoustic version, will be distributed on the "Djimba World Records" label under exclusive license to Paris-based "JTV Digital".[33][34] The single has been released internationally on 7 October 2013, and it is available on iTunes.

The music video "Make Me Dance" was shot in the studio and on location at Prampram. It features Wiyaala in scenes shot underwater and dancers from the Henokami Culture Troupe from New Ningo. Wiyaala had to take swimming lessons for the best performance while on camera.[27]

"Make Me Dance" got released also in remixed form in Nu-disco, Breakbeat, Drum and bass and Trance styles on 9 December 2013.[5] The "Make Me Dance" Remix EP was mastered in the Paris-based La Source Mastering Studio and released worldwide through Djimba World Records.[35] On 8 December 2013, Wiyaala and Plug.dj held an online-only listening party of the "Make Me Dance" Remixes EP before the official release.[36]

On 28 February 2014, Wiyaala released a new single, "You Got The Power", again distributed on the "Djimba World Records" label.[37] The single is also available on iTunes.[38]

Her self-titled album, "Wiyaala", was launched in November 2014 at the Alliance Française in Accra. Wiyaala performed songs from her album and other local and international superstars. The show also witnessed picturesque dance performance from Flash Mob Ghana. One major highlight of the event was when her parents joined her on the stage to perform, backed by the Vodafone Icons contestants.[39][40] She also released her song "Angel" in early December 2014 during Viasat 1's The One Show.[41] The video of the single "Africa" taken from the album won Video of the Year at the All Africa Music Awards in November 2015.

During the first edition of the All Africa Music Awards held on 27 December 2014 in Lagos, Wiyaala won two of the coveted 23.9-carat gold-plated trophies for "The Most Promising Artist in Africa" and "The Revelation of the African Continent".[17] She has been commended by Vodafone for her achievements[42] and hailed as a youth icon and an inspiration for young Ghanaians to strive for success.

In 2015, Wiyaala received six nominations for the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards winning Best Songwriter and Best Female Vocal. At the second edition of the All Africam Music Awards 2015, Wiyaala won best Video for "Africa" directed by Stanley Ajjetey. 2015 saw features on AJ Nelson’s "Power to The People"[43] and Dark Suburb’s "Mama".[44]

Films and television

Wiyaala made her TV acting debut in late 2013 in the Viasat 1 hit comedy series MultiKoloured.[45]

In February 2016 Wiyaala made her movie debut in the Ghanaian feature film "No Man’s Land" [46] and for which she has been nominated as the Golden Discovery 2016 at the Golden Movie Awards.

Fashion

Wiyaala got nominated "Female Personality of the Year" at the 2014 Ghana's Fashion Icon Awards, with a dress sketched and designed by herself.[47][48] She designs her own stage dresses and jewellery[8] to showcase the culture of the people from her home region.[49] She has also been recognised for her style by winning the Best Individual Style Award at the Glitz 2015 Style Awards.

Videography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Year Title Director Ref
2016 Sun And Moon Charlotte Appleton
2016 Leno Charlotte Appleton [50]
2016 Power To The People N/A [51]
2015 Angel Charlotte Appleton
2015 This Is Who I Am N/A [52]
2014 Africa Stanley Ajjetey
2014 Go Go Black Stars Charlotte Appleton
2013 Rock My Body Charlotte Appleton
2013 Make Me Dance Charlotte Appleton

Awards and nominations

Year Organisation Award Work Result
2013 4syte Music Video Awards Best Discovery Make Me Dance Nominated[53]
4syte Music Video Awards Best Reggae/Dancehall Rock My BodyNominated[9]
2014 Bass Awards Music Video of the Year (Dancehall) Rock My BodyNominated[54]
Bass Awards Best Collaboration (Dancehall) Rock My BodyNominated[54]
Bass Awards Best Female Vocal Artist Rock My BodyNominated[54]
All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Best Female Artiste in West Africa Rock My BodyNominated[55]
All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Most Promising Artiste in Africa Rock My BodyWon[17]
All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall Rock My BodyNominated[55]
All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Revelation of the African Continent Rock My BodyWon[17]
National Youth Authority Ghana Youth Achievers Award N/AWon[17]
Sissala Prestige Awards Female Personality of the Year N/AWon[17]
Radio Progress Upper West Music Awards Music Ambassador for the Upper West N/AWon[17]
GH One TV ShowBiz Honours Revelation of 2014 N/AWon[17]
2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Best Female Vocal Performance Tinambaynyi Won[56]
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards New Artiste of The Year N/ANominated[57]
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Album of The Year Wiyaala Nominated[57]
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Songwriter of The Year N/AWon[58]
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Record of The Year Tinambaynyi Nominated[57]
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Afro-Pop Song of The Year Tinambaynyi Nominated[57]
Glitz Style Awards Best Individual Style N/A Won
2016 Golden Movie Awards Best Discovery No Man's Land Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Make Me Dance – Video
  2. ↑ Make me Dance – International Release
  3. ↑ "Make Me Dance – Wiyaala". iTunes.com. 2013-10-07. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  4. ↑ ""The Young Lioness Of Africa" Releases First Single". PRWeb.com. 2013-10-01. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Freedes (2013-11-06). "Wiyaala: The Young Lioness of Africa". AfricaOnTheBlog.com. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
  6. ↑ "Afromusion: One On One Interview With: Noella Wiyaala". ModernGhana.com. 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Wiyaala.com". Wiyaala.com. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Know all about Noella Wiyaala; from her Naughties to her Angelics". AMOAFOWAA. 2014-12-18. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  9. 1 2 3 LuSea (2013-11-03). "360Fresh: Introducing the doer…Wiyaala!". 360nobs.com. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  10. ↑ Dorcas Aba Annan (2014-12-27). "Fashionista: A look @ Wiyaala". Retrieved 2015-01-07.
  11. ↑ "'Black n Peach' wins Vodafone ICONS Mixed Edition". Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. 2012-05-22. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  12. ↑ Nii Atakora Mensah (2012-05-21). "Black N Peach wins Vodafone Icons: Mixed Edition". GhanaMusic.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  13. ↑ Ameyaw Debrah. "Black N Peach wins Vodafone Icons: Mixed Edition". GhanaWeb.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  14. ↑ "Vodafone Icon Noella shoots Ghana's first underwater video". Flex Newspaper (10 April 2013). 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  15. ↑ "Noella Wiyaala grabs Pepsi ambassadorial deal". HighLifeRadio. 2013-12-22. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
  16. ↑ "Noella Wiyaala is face of Pepsi". Graphic Showbiz. 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Wiyaala and Bro Philemon Win Gold for Ghana at All Africa Music Awards". GhanaGist.com. 2014-12-29. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
  18. ↑ Brian Stout (2013-10-16). "Afro-pop feminist singer Wiyaala". Brand Fabulous Blog. Retrieved 2013-11-04.
  19. 1 2 Sachi (2013-12-02). "Meet Wiyaala, The Young Lioness of Africa". plug.dj. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  20. ↑ "Ghana beats: Wiyaala's 'war song'". BBC News. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  21. ↑ Katie Presley (2013-12-04). "Ten New Feminist Songs for Winter". Bitch Media. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "Questions With Afro Pop Artist Noella Wiyaala". Akatasia.com. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  23. ↑ "Wiyaala releases new single entitled, "Make Me Dance"". Diversity Rules Magazine. 2013-11-03. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  24. ↑ Ellisha Boie. "Pop Sensation Noella Wiyaala Leeds The Androgyny Trend in Ghana". FashionGhana.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  25. ↑ Jean-Claude (2013-04-06). "Noella Wiyaala – Make Me Dance". "Afromuzik.com". Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  26. ↑ Abdullai Isshak (2014). "Noella To Promote Peace And Unity". Flex Newspaper (308): 3.
  27. 1 2 "Noella Wiyaala goes solo with her new single 'Make Me Dance'". AmeyawDebrah.com. 2013-04-10. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  28. ↑ "Music Video: Noella Wiyaala feat. Jupitar – Rock My Body". AmeyawDebrah.com. 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  29. ↑ Ameyaw Debrah (2014-05-12). "A standing ovation!Stanbic Ghana Jazz festival comes to a successful end". AmeyawDebrah.com. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  30. ↑ "Wiyaala drops World Cup song for Black Stars". Viasat1. 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  31. ↑ Nick Williams (2014-05-30). "World Cup Songs: 7 International Team Anthems With Pop Star Mojo". billboard. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  32. ↑ "Wiyaala, Asamoah Gyan, Bisa, Marcel Desailly nominated for Sports Excellence Awards". AmeyawDebrah. 2014-11-24. Retrieved 2014-12-03.
  33. ↑ ""The Young Lioness Of Africa" Releases First Single". JTV Digital. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  34. ↑ Ameyaw Debrah (2013-10-07). "Vodafone Icons winner, Noella Wiyaala inks international distribution and publishing deal with JTV Digital". AmeyawDebrah.com. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  35. ↑ BabyBash (2013-12-04). "New Wiyaala 'Make me Dance' EP out Dec. 9". OMGGhana. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  36. ↑ "Wiyaala And Plug.dj Join Forces For Online Listening Party". PRWeb. 2013-12-04. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  37. ↑ Daniel Falconer (2014-02-26). "Exclusive preview of Wiyaala's new track 'You Got The Power'". FemaleFirst. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
  38. ↑ "You Got The Power – Single". iTunes. 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
  39. ↑ DerrickAsare (2014-11-18). "Wiyaala Launches Debut Album". PilatoghNews. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  40. ↑ "Wiyaala's awesome performances at her Album launch". InstaGhana. 2014-11-18. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  41. ↑ "Wiyaala to celebrate Christmas with a Gospel Song". spyghana.com. 2014-12-11. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
  42. ↑ "Vodafone Commends Wiyaala". DailyGuide. 2015-01-12. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  43. ↑ Edward Acquah. "New Music: 'Power to the people' – AJ Nelson ft. Wiyaala". Kasapa FM Online. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
  44. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: DARK SUBURB – MAMA (FEAT. WIYAALA)". Talk Media Ghana. 2015-08-14. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
  45. ↑ "Noella Wiyaala grabs Pepsi ambassadorial deal". GhanaWeb. 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
  46. ↑ Mimi Sakib (2016-01-22). ""No Man's Land" Starring Wiyaala, Salma Mumin, Adjetey Anang and More, Premieres on 13th February". Ghana Film Industry. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  47. ↑ Bashiru Olu Wasiu-Ayinde. "FASHION ICON AWARDS FEMALE PERSONALITY NOMINEE WIYAALA NOELLA REVEALS WHO IS BEHIND HER UNIQUE FASHION STYLE". FashionManiaGh. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  48. ↑ Ameyaw Debrah (2014-06-07). "Hit or Miss? Check out Wiyaala's elaborate dress to GTP NuStyle launch". Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  49. ↑ Will Arthur (2014-12-29). "Fashionista: A look @ Wiyaala". Ghana Agent. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  50. ↑ "Trailer Wiyaala tastes first ever screen kiss in "Leno" music video". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  51. ↑ "Video AJ Nelson releases official trailer for "Power To The People" featuring Wiyaala". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  52. ↑ "Music Video Ahmed Soultan - This Is Who I Am feat. Wiyaala". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  53. ↑ GC staff (2013-10-06). "PHOTOS + MTN 4syte Music Video Awards 2013 Launched We Have The Full Nomination List Here!". GhanaCelebrities.com. Retrieved 2013-11-04.
  54. 1 2 3 "Bass Awards nominations out". Graphic Showbiz. 2014-06-05. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  55. 1 2 "Wiyaala earns 4 nominations at AFRIMA". GhanaWeb. 2014-10-07. Retrieved 2014-11-30.
  56. ↑ Ernest Dela Aglanu (2015-04-12). "Wiyaala breaks Efya's vocal 'jinx' at 2015 VGMAs". MyJoyOnline. Retrieved 2015-04-21.
  57. 1 2 3 4 "VGMA 2015 Nominees". Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Retrieved 2015-04-21.
  58. ↑ AmeyawDebrah (2015-04-07). "Wiyaala, Evangelist Diana Asamoah, others get early wins at 2015 Ghana Music Awards – Industry Awards". AmeyawDebrah.com. Retrieved 2015-04-21.
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