EQUATE Introducing Gyakie
"Music is spiritual, and so I want to pay attention to all the details..."
Ghanaian songstress, Gyakie (Jackline Acheampong) literally has music running through her veins – daughter of the legendary Ghanaian artist Nana Acheampong this star has been musically inclined for as long as she’s known, but only really came into her own a few years ago at 19 and is now taking over the afro-soul scene in Ghana and internationally. Recently making the next incredible move in her musical career by signing to Sony Music and RCA UK this news follows the recent release of the sultry-looking video for her latest release “Forever” (Remix) featuring Nigerian sensation Omah Lay. Her accolades are coming in hot and fast, not only did the ‘Forever’ original debut in 21 countries around the world, it peaked at #1 in Ghana and caused some disruption across digital streaming and social media platforms whilst still enjoying generous spins on radio, including the remix being added to BBC Africa 360 playlist on launch. Now that Gyakie is another step up on her journey to taking over, she has assured fans that she will not be resting her oars anytime soon; and her promise is simple – to keep doing it one music release at a time.
Read the feature below…
Words & Interview by Danielle Temeng
EQ: Hi Gyakie, welcome to EQUATE! For those who are just being introduced to you, can you tell us a little about yourself?
G: Hi EQUATE ☺ My name is Gyakie and I’m from Ghana, West Africa. I grew up in and around music but started making music professionally at 19, with my management, Flip The Music. I also study International Management at the University of KNUST. I have an EP out called ‘SEED’ and I’m really enjoying the process of being an artist.
EQ: Music has clearly been at a forefront of your life for a long time. What would you say has been the soundtrack to your life so far (if you could only pick one song)?
G: This is too difficult to sum up in one song. If you are forcing me, I will say a Ghanaian artist called Wutah and his track ‘Burning Desire’ – mainly because it speaks about life, how to treat people and makes you aware that society and leaving a legacy is more important than just being about you.
EQ: With your father being such a significant force in the Ghanaian music scene was music encouraged in your household, or was it something you discovered for yourself and decided to pursue?
G: I grew up hearing music every day in the house, he usually played music from Bob Marley, Ambulley, R Kelly, Dolly Parton amongst others. My dad, Nana Acheampong, in addition to being a musician is a huge lover of music, he introduced me to so many different genres like Reggae, R&B, Soul Music and a lot more. I never even knew I had the voice to sing, my mum just used to call me to sing to her friends all the time and I never knew why until I recorded my first professional song, ‘Love Is Pretty’, the feedback made me realize who I was and the path to take. I met my management right after and we’ve been on this music ride since.
EQ: …and if this wasn’t the path you ended up following what else might you have considered? Do you have any other creative outlets apart from music, if so, what?
G: For the talkative that I am, I’m sure I’d have been a newscaster or maybe a lawyer. Apart from music, I’m able to visualize songs so maybe I’d have been a video director.
EQ: The remix to your single ‘Forever’ has recently been released and has done some absolutely phenomenal numbers. We loved it before but love it even more now! Can you tell us how the collaboration with Omah Lay came about?
G: I was listening to the original one day and it just felt it was missing male energy. I am a huge fan of Omah Lay and love his story telling qualities and voice texture, so we sent him the song and in just a few hours he was done with his verse. He’d actually tweeted sometime back about how he had already written his verse before the song was sent to him, so the process of collaboration has felt really organic.
EQ:…and in terms of the reception your EP ‘Seed’ received, and the success ‘Forever’ (Remix) has garnered, how does that make you feel to see your vision come to fruition and reach so many people?
G: It makes me feel extremely proud that song ideas born out of my hometown in Kumasi have managed to travel all around Africa and across the waters – I feel I’m on the right path. Music is spiritual and so I want to pay attention to all the details, and I’m delighted with the response to my EP and forever grateful to my fans especially the young African girls who message me often to tell me they are inspired. That really means the world to me.
“It makes me feel extremely proud that song ideas born out of my hometown in Kumasi have managed to travel all around Africa and across the waters – I feel I’m on the right path.”
EQ: Your vocals are exceptional, your sound is a gorgeous mix of RnB, Soul, Afrobeats. Who would you say musically you’re most inspired by?
G: I love all kinds of music, especially, Reggae, R&B, Soul and Afrobeats. Musically I’m inspired by Asa from Nigeria because of her melodies, lyrics and how she expresses herself via her music. Efya from Ghana because of her attitude on stage, vocal power and lyricism. Finally, Lauryn Hill – her blend of rap and singing has always been something I love, and you can feel those elements of her in my ‘SEED’ EP.
EQ: What’s your creative process like? Are you a collaborative worker or do you like to work alone before bringing in a team?
G: For writing, I prefer to be alone in a dark and quiet place so I can feel my emotion during this process. But for ideas and themes, I enjoy collaboration…and have a tight circle of trusted creatives including my manager, who allow me to use them to bounce ideas around.
EQ: Your manta with music is surprisingly simple - “to keep doing it one music release at a time”, so with that being said, have you got anything new on the horizon that you can share with us?
G: Well, I have just signed a deal with RCA in the UK, and I am connecting with a whole new fanbase and also discovering new platforms like EQUATE ☺. People are still enjoying ‘Forever’; the remix is also doing well, honestly, I am humbled the video has almost 2 million views – we shot this in Nigeria and it was my first time there. Fans message me saying they heard the track on BBC 1Xtra in the UK, or that it’s played in Paris or they will ask me when are you coming to Holland? It’s insane. The plan is to try to stay present in this moment whilst preparing to share other songs penned from home town in Kumasi later this year.
Watch the visuals for ‘Forever (REMIX)’ below…
YouTube/Gyakie Music
Stream ‘Forever’ (Remix) HERE