Born on the 10th of April 1987. Jane Fara Fauzzier Afia Awindor, who performs under the mononym "Efya", is a Ghanaian singer/songwriter and four-time Ghana Music Awards Best Female Vocalist, (she won the award twice in 2013 when the Maiden edition of the Europe Ghana Music Awards took place).
She began her singing career like most, in the church choir, but prior to this, Efya had dreams of a future in filmmaking. Wanting to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Nana Hemaa Adjoa Awindor, a filmmaker who became a celebrity in her own right, as the host of a popular late 90s Ghanaian TV Show, "Greetings From Abroad".
Efya's emergence on the music scene didn’t happen until 2006, when she auditioned & gained national recognition as a runner-up in Charterhouse’ Stars of The Future talent hunt, landing her and the winner Irene Logan, a three-year recording deal, with the event company as a duet (Irene & Jane). The group was well received, and recorded an album together: Unveiled, which was released in South Africa. After their contract concluded, Efya, who had until then been performing under the moniker “Miss Jane” decided it was time to reinvent herself as a solo act. So once her contract with Charterhouse concluded and she found herself a free agent once more. She began to juggle playing shows, and recording songs, while reading Theatre Arts Directing & Music at the University of Ghana, Legon.
During this period Efya, almost singlehandedly, amassed a small following before signing with One Nation Entertainment in 2011, which took her efforts to new heights. Efya has played countless gigs all over West Africa and beyond, averaging 5 appearances a month. Performing and collaborating with artists from all over the world, Efya's following has grown by leaps and bounds, both locally and internationally. Her accolades just like her fans come from all over the world as well.
Efya, is presently putting the finishing touches on her highly anticipated debut studio album, slated for a 2013 release. A lifetime in the making, the album, titled "Love Genesis": is a cleverly crafted body of work with breathtaking diversity, which delves into the topic of love in a simple, yet, never-before-heard, way. The album’s sound spans a myriad of melodies, from emotionally taut power ballads, to laid back odes to heartbreak. Every single song on her debut has potential to be a favorite.
With an all-star cast of collaborations and production from the likes of legendary multiplatinum producer, John Bido, the sky is hardly a limit for Efya
Bless The Mic Music and Art festival has celebrated five amazing years of providing a platform for budding artists to be discovered, with a successful week of activities across various venues and themes in Accra. The highlights of the BTM FEST 2013 week included a celebrity charity basketball game, a concert presented by Ghanaian superstar producer Coptic and a grand finale featuring Efya, Wanlov, Preachers, Yaa Pono, Steve Bedi, Kokui Serlomey, Syn, Mutombo, Kankam, Noella & Kyekyeku all backed by the no.1 band in GH: Afro Harmony!
Felabration is our annual festival of music and arts commemorating the life and times of Nigerian’s foremost musical icon, the late great Fela Anikulakpo Kuti. As a music brand, its revered and highly influential.
The idea and concept of Felabration as an annual celebration of Fela’s music, life and times, originated from his eldest child Yeni who conceived it in 1998. With the exception of 1999, Felabration has taken place yearly. Currently Felabration, organized by the Felabration Organising Committee has grown into a mega week-long musical event in Nigeria which attracts thousands of visitors annually to the New Africa Shrine from all over the world and is an official tourist destination of The Lagos State Government who are major sponsors of the event. Over the years Felabration has attracted many high class musical acts from all over the world. The roll call include Hugh Masakela, Femi Kuti, Lucky Dube, Awilo, Baba Maal, Les Nubians, King Sunny Ade, Lagbaja, Asa, TuFace, Seun Kuti and many others. In 2008, over 50 international artistes came together from the United States, Great Britain, France and Senegal to perform at Felabration under the banner, African Express. Every year Felabration features exciting line ups of artistes designed to whet the appetite of music lovers. The Felabration Week always runs through the week of October that includes the 15th ensuring that Fela’s posthumous birthday celebrations are part of the Festival.
As the creator of afrobeat, social critic, political activist and champion of the underprivileged as well as a philosopher of his own political ideologue, Fela is still today a hero to millions for his contributions to society. Our festival in his honour always attracts a huge loyal following. Every year Felabration attracts over 100 artistes both locally and internationally.
Our festivals always include various creatively diverse activities. ‘The Fela Debates’, symposium series, the secondary schools debate for schools in Lagos State, Dance Troupes, Photo Exhibitions, The Fela Street Carnival Parade with musical floats and costumed dancers The Fela Week Partners events and much more. We offer an exhilarating week-long festivity celebrating the iconic status of Africa’s best known musical figure, and best of all, it remains mostly free!
Singer Efya, and 2008 winner of X Factor UK, Alexandra Burke, will perform at the finals of the maiden edition of the GLO X Factor music reality television show, the organizers have said.The search for West Africa’s first X Factor is finally coming to an end, and the contestants are buoyed up for action. The winner of Globacom’s mouthwatering prize money and Sony Music’s recording contract will be known this weekend on the televised finale. see more info, Go to: http://viasat1.com.gh/vone/web/mainstory.php?postId=70
The 2013 nominees of the Nigeria Entertainment Award (NEA) were unveiled at Euphoria Night Club in Lagos yesterday. Four Ghanaian musicians Sarkodie, Efya, R2Bees and UK based-Fuse ODG have been nominated.
2012 BET Best International African Act co-winner Sarkodie, twice Best Female Vocal Performer at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, Efya and Ghana’s current Artiste of the Year and biggest winners at the 2013 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards-R2Bees were all nominated in the Western African Artist or Group of the Year alongside Toofan, Magic System and Viviane Candid.
Fuse ODG, winner of the Afro-Pop Song of the Year with ‘Antenna’ at the 2013 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards was nominated in the Best International Artist category alongside Lil’ Simz, Stylzz, Sean CSA, Tolumide and JJC.
The Nigeria Entertainment Award (NEA) was established in New York City in January, 2006. This year’s award ceremony will be held in New York on September 02.
Jane “Efya” Awindor has finally released the much anticipated single, Weather For Two. Efya who promised this song as a gift to her fans during this rainy season is also upbeat about an upcoming album, mixtape and a video.
This tune may serve various purposes for various people but I believe it just fits the weather. The song has a slow sexy jam rhythm that is perfected by her Ghana-Music-Awards-Europe-Female-Vocal-Performance award winning voice. She beat Becca,Raquel,Celestine Donkor,Yaa Yaa and Adina to the european award.
Listen to the newest song from this award-winning Afro-Eclectic African Soulstress produced by SV Beatz.
- See more at: http://www.totalshowbiz.com/36307/efya-drops-weather-for-two/#sthash.Hg1gdHy7.dpufVodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) is over but this year’s Ghana Music Awards Europe ceremony is creating massive buzz and excitements across the lengths and breaths of the UK. The event which will take place at the Indigo2, London will attract looks of Ghanaians living abroad to be a part.
Music Moguls, Film Legends, Fashion Gurus, and Football Stars will all participate in the function’s festivities, making it truly the most glamorous Ghanaian event in Europe. There are a total of 10 public voting categories and 3 honors award.
Last year’s ceremony was totally sold out to over 3,000 live audience and over 800 could not get in. Ghanaian artistes to perform at this year’s ceremony are Kojo Antwi, Sarkodie, Okyeame Kwame, Fuse ODG, Efya, R2Bees and more.
Information reaching us indicates this year’s event is also almost sold out. Thumps up to the organisers as they aim to promote our Ghanaian music and culture on the international level.
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) is over but this year’s Ghana Music Awards Europe ceremony is creating massive buzz and excitements across the lengths and breaths of the UK. The event which will take place at the Indigo2, London will attract looks of Ghanaians living abroad to be a part.
Music Moguls, Film Legends, Fashion Gurus, and Football Stars will all participate in the function’s festivities, making it truly the most glamorous Ghanaian event in Europe. There are a total of 10 public voting categories and 3 honors award.
Last year’s ceremony was totally sold out to over 3,000 live audience and over 800 could not get in. Ghanaian artistes to perform at this year’s ceremony are Kojo Antwi, Sarkodie, Okyeame Kwame, Fuse ODG, Efya, R2Bees and more.
Information reaching us indicates this year’s event is also almost sold out. Thumps up to the organisers as they aim to promote our Ghanaian music and culture on the international level.
This year's edition of the prestigious City People Entertainment Awards which has carved a niche for itself will take place on Sunday July 14, at the Haven in Ikeja, Lagos in Nigeria.
The City People Entertainment Awards is being organised to reward and recognize deserving personalities who excelled in their fields of endeavour in the previous year.
The event is expected to attract about 3,000 guests from all over Nigeria, Ghana and some selected West African countries, as well as top showbiz celebrities from Nigeria and Ghana.
The City People Entertainment Awards is basically the only awards ceremony always held in Nigeria that brings stars from every possible facet together and it has been the biggest showbiz event in Nigeria since its inception four years ago.
According to the organizers, City People Entertainment Awards has definitely come to stay and the beauty of it is the fact that it is an awards ceremony that embraces everything in showbiz.
The organizers noted that last year they had a large turnout which was beyond their expectation, adding that this year will not be different because they have prepared well for it.
Since the outfit is also a beneficiary source of entertainment from both Nigerians and Ghanaians, over the years Ghanaian celebrities have been awarded yearly for their contribution in Ghana and the world at large.
This is to officially notify everyone that the organizers of the #AGDAAwards are moving it from Johannesburg, South Africa to the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. The date, logistics and production blueprint remains the same, the only thing changing is location. We apologize for inconveniences this will cause. Thank You
When Wizkid publicly expressed his desire to have Efya, currently Ghana’s best female act on his upcoming album, he was just being candid and carefully choosy. It pays to assemble the right material for your works; it saves you a lot of stress and keeps your purse intact.
The Star Boy/EME tweeted he’s got to get singer Bez and Efya on the upcoming project.
Sounds more of a wish list than anything; certainly these acts are good at their craft.
We have absolutely no doubt Efya will nail it.
From the red carpet to the music stage, Efya, also known as Jane Fara Fauzzier Afia Boafowaa Yahaya Awindor, has been around the world and back and is now ready to solidify a place in our hearts as our favourite Ghanaian songbird.
She hopes to one day be an African music legend and has been in the pursuit of this since she competed in Ghanaian music talent show, “Star of the Future” in 2008 where she was the first runner-up. Crossing over into other markets than just Ghana’s, Efya has been able to gain quite a large following spanning across the African continent and its diaspora.
Raised in quite a number of countries abroad as she followed her mother on the road for a hit Ghanaian TV show, Efya, encouraged by her family, pursued her passion for the Arts, studying Theatre Arts and Directing in the University of Ghana, Legon.
Having won ‘Best Female Vocalist’ four times at the Ghana Music Awards, Efya’s vocal prowess cannot be underestimated. And, with hit singles “Best In Me”,“Little Things” and “The Getaway”, Efya’s voice has never been far way from her fans’ minds.
While on a short visit to Nigeria, Efya took a break to have a word with BN. She was very frank, polite and bubbly as she opened up on her life, her style, her music career and more.
Tell us who Efya is with just a few adjectives.
Efya is eclectic, musically inspired, energetic, forgiving and very very very patient. Let me add one more – I’m very loving but I can be crazy when you get me crazy. Also, let me add – I’m very adaptive. I can survive in almost any situation.
You’re mum, Nana Adwoa Awindor was the host of hit Ghanaian TV show “Greetings From Abroad”. Do you think this ease to adapt to your environment has something to do with her?
Well, may be. My mum hosted this show where she would go around the world and she would contact Ghanaians. You know, there was no Skype back then so it was her and Ghanaians loved her. So, I grew up in different countries for about 15 years.
If you were a Bond Girl in a 007 movie, who would be your James Bond?
It would be Komla Dumor, the presenter on BBC Africa.
Apart from your music, you’re known for your attention-grabbing outfits on the red carpet. Describe your style.
It depends on how I feel. But, when I’m Efya, it’s very Neo-Soul and afrocentric, but young. So, it has a bit of Mariam Makeba but she’s contemporary.
If you were to steal a celebrity’s closet, who would be your target?
Kim Kardashian.
Who are your favourite African designers
IamIsigo, Duaba Serwa, Re Bahia, Deola Sagoe, Wana Sambo and Papa Oppong, who is probably the youngest African Fashion designer.
If you were granted three wishes from a magic genie, what would they be?
I’d wish to be a legend with the first one; then, to be super rich with the second. It’s all about money in the end. Then the third one would be for world peace.
Are you dating anyone?
Not at the moment but I have a best friend.
Do you have any Nigerian celebrity crushes?
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Damilola Adegbite and D’Banj.
How did you get into music?
My whole family is music oriented. I grew up in the house with a lot of church people so my aunty used to play the guitar and my mum used to sing. Everybody in my family has a little bit of music in them so it was just one of those things for me. They were certainly one of the things that helped me establish my musical background so they were where it all started from. I’ve been singing since I was six.
When did music get professional for you?
It all started after ‘Stars of the Future’, a competition in Ghana.
You emerged the first runner up in that competition in 2008. When did you have that moment when you knew music was the path for you?
I’ve known ever since then that this is what I want to do. I went to the University of Ghana, Legon. I have a B.A in theatre arts and directing. So, in between all of the singing, I want to direct shows for the theatre but we’ll get there. For now, this is what I want to do and I know for sure.
You did dabble in a little acting though. We saw your sultry performance in Yvonne Nelson’s “Single & Married”. Are we going to see more of you in movies?
That was for fun. No, I doubt you’ll see me in any more. When it comes to TV, I’ll be behind the scenes, it’s okay.
Speaking of acting, your mum was on TV and you studied acting in university, how come you tended more towards singing career-wise?
Because I sing better.
For the complete interview visit: http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/07/06/bn-saturday-celebrity-interview-i-want-to-make-music-that-lives-forever-so-even-when-i-die-i-can-still-live-from-accra-to-the-world-ghanaian-songbird-efya-is-ready-to-fly/
winner of Best Female Vocal Performance at the 2013 Vodafone Ghana Music Award. This was the third time she is picking up the award. She also won it in 2012.
Ahead of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2013 on Saturday May 18 at the Conference Centre, singer also Efya picked the ‘Record of the Year’ award with her song ‘Best In Me’ at the Industry Awards
New Africa Shrine, Lagos Nigeria