“The things she did were medieval! An artiste like Efya needs her own club, like Fela!” - Hugh Masakela
Although she had been singing since she was 9 years old, Efya Jane Awindor didn’t quite decide to do it professionally until she auditioned & gained national recognition in 2008 as the first runner up of Charter House’s Stars of the Future in Ghana.
Her emergence on the music scene landed her and the winner, a three year recording deal with the event company but ended up recording only one group debut, Irene & Jane ‘Unveiled’, which was released in South Africa only.
Having made her entrance onto the music scene through Charter House, Efya was able to secure a slot on all of the media giant’s concerts & events. However, once her contract with Charter House concluded and she found herself a free agent once more. She began to juggle playing shows while reading Theatre Arts Directing & Music at the University of Ghana, Legon. Efya was soon noticed by the heavy weight, Ghana-based Rap/Hiplife artists. Reggie Rockstone; M.Anifest; Sarkodie; Yaa Pono; Asem; D-Black and many others have co-signed her. These artists felt she was the go-to woman when it came to sultry; sassy; soulful hooks for their own rap tracks.
Efya has played countless gigs across Nigeria and Ghana, averaging 2 or 3 appearances a week and has been featured by artists in both countries on released songs and future projects which has helped her build a vast following. She always performs with a live band. Her band is based in Accra. They are called the GinGams. She is very adaptable and mind-meld with new band members in an hour! She proved this with at a recent showcase in March 2012 in New York City. This helps her establish a direct connection with her audience. She is presently putting the finishing touches on her highly anticipated debut studio album, “Love Genesis”, due for release in August 2012.
Think: Amel Larrieux; Erykah Badu; Asa.