Becca (Ghanaian singer)

Becca

Becca performing at the Meet Ghana hub in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Background information
Birth name Rebecca Akosua Acheampomaa Acheampong
Born (1984-08-15) 15 August 1984[1]
Kumasi, Ghana
Origin Accra, Ghana
Genres Afropop
Occupation(s)
Instruments Guitar
Years active (2007–present)
Labels EKB Records[2]
Associated acts

Rebecca Akosua Acheampomaa Acheampong (born 15 August 1984),[1][3] known mononymously as Becca, is a Ghanaian singer-songwriter and actress. She was a contestant on the second season of TV3's annual singing competition, Mentor.[4] Her debut studio album, Sugar, was released in 2007; it earned her five nominations at the 2008 Ghana Music Awards.[5] The album's lead single, "You Lied to Me", garnered Record of the Year category at the aforementioned awards.[6] Becca released her second studio album, Time 4 Me, on 16 May 12013. It features guest appearances from 2face Idibia, M.I, King Ayisoba & Trigmatic, Jay and Storm Akwaboah. The album was certified 2x platinum by the Recording Industry of Ghana. Becca's accolades include one Kora Award, one National Youth Achievers Award, four Ghana Music Awards, and three 4Syte TV Music Video Awards.[4] She holds her annual Girl Talk concert at various locations in Ghana; the concert started in 2011.[7] Becca was ranked 94 on E.tv Ghana's 2013 list of the 100 most influential people in Ghana.[8]

Life and music career

Rebecca Acheampong, the first girl and fifth born of nine children, was born in Kumasi. She grew up in a religious Christian setting with her family.[9] During her upbringing, Becca was very active in church and school activities. She took an interest in showcasing her vocal dexterity at talent shows held at her school. She attended Morning Star and Wesley Girls' High School whilst growing up. She later attended Croydon College. After graduating from Croydon College, she became a Child care and education worker.[1]

Becca relocated to Ghana after living abroad for several years. Kiki Banson signed her to his record label, EKB records, after getting wind of her.[1]

2007:Sugar

Becca started working on her debut studio album, Sugar, in 2007. The album is made up of 12 songs and was recorded in English and Twi. It was preceded by the lead single "You Lied to Me". The song, which was released in 2007, features vocals from Kwabena Kwabena. The music video for "You Lied to Me" was shot and directed in Ghana. On November 13, 2007, Becca launched the album in Ghana. She featured Hugh Masekela on the song "I Love You".[1] Sugar was launched in South Africa alongside Hugh Masekela's Live at the Market Theatre album.[3]

2011–2013:Time 4 Me

Becca's second studio album, Time 4 Me, was released on 16 May 2013.[10] Becca describes the album as a musical journey inspired by her thoughts, emotions and beliefs.[11] The album consists of 20 songs, including 4 bonus tracks. It features guest appearances from 2face Idibia, M.I, King Ayisoba & Trigmatic, Jay and Storm Akwaboah. It was supported by the singles "Forever", "Push", "Follow the Leader", "Bad Man Bad Girl" and "No Away". Ten thousand copies of the album were given to fans who bought the Thursday edition of Graphic Showbiz newspaper.[12] Time 4 Me was certified 2x platinum by the Recording Industry of Ghana.[13] Becca went on a nationwide campus tour to promote the album.[14]

Becca's 2011 single "Africa Woman" appeared as a bonus on the album. The song is a melodic ode to the strength and character of African women. The music video for "African Woman" was shot and directed in Ghana by Samad Davis for the Davis Media Group. The video starts with a quote and transitions into landscape scenes of Becca.[15][16]

In 2011, Becca released the singles "Forever" and "Push" from the album. The latter features guest vocals from King Ayisoba & Trigmatic. The music video for the latter was uploaded onto YouTube on 17 May 2011. The video features cameo appearances from John Dumelo, Yvonne Okoro and Yvonne Nelson.[17]

In February 2012, EKB Records released Becca's collaboration with 2face Idibia titled "Bad Man Bad Girl". The song was recorded in the summer of 2011. The music video for the song was shot in Accra and other parts of Ghana; it was uploaded onto YouTube on December 15, 2012, and ran for 4 minutes and 8 seconds.[18]

On June 22, 2012, Becca released the single "No Away". The song features rap vocals from M.I.[19] The song was recorded in Ghana and Nigeria; it was mixed and mastered in South Africa. The music video for the song was shot and directed in South Africa. It was uploaded onto YouTube on August 12, 2012, at a total length of 4 minutes and 11 seconds.[20] Liquor brand Kasapreko Company Limited and EKB Records spent $50,000 on the video shoot. The production cost for the video made it one of the most expensive videos released by a Ghanaian artist.[21] The video was unveiled during a ceremony at the XL Club in Accra.[22]

On June 17, 2013, Becca released the single "Follow The Leader".[23] On June 25, 2013, EKB Records released the music video for her song "Time 4 Me" which was shot in Yokohama and Tokyo.[24]

2014:"Move" single featuring Uhuru

Becca performing at the Ovation Red Carol charity ball in December 2013

On 12 April 2014, Becca released her single "Move". The song features vocals from South African group Uhuru. It debuted on Bola Ray's Drive Time show on Joy FM. The song, produced by Kaywa, was written by Becca and Kiki Banson.[25] The music video for the song was uploaded onto YouTube on May 1, 2014. The video features cameo appearances from Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Hugh Masekela.[26] Kwame Dadzie of Flex Ghana reviewed the song and concluded that its rhythm is a replica of the rhythm on "Khona".[27]

Artistry, humanitarian work and endorsements

Becca's upbringing and surroundings influenced her musical and fashion style. She has established a rescue organization which raises fund to help children affected by HIV/AIDS in Ghana.[1] In 2014, she became a Goodwill ambassador for UNAIDS.[28] On September 1, 2009, GLO Mobile Ghana unveiled Becca as one of its brand ambassadors.[29] The Ministry of Youth and Sports unveiled Becca as one of Ghana's official ambassadors for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[30]

Notable performances

Becca performed at the Accra International Conference Centre for MTN's Heroes of Change television series finale.[31] On July 26, 2013, she performed with recording engineer Kwame Yeboah (and his Ohia beye Ya band) to launch her second studio album in Accra.[11] The third edition of Becca's Girl Talk concert was held at the National Theatre of Ghana on December 20, 2013.[7] On 24 March 2014, allsports Ghana reported that Becca will perform before the kickoff of Ghana Premier League matches in order to promote the league.[32]

Gender discrimination

Becca was scheduled to sing Ghana's national anthem at the Baba Yara Stadium during the country's World Cup qualifier match against Zambia in September 2013. Unfortunately for her, she did not perform due to a directive by authorities in charge of the match. Becca expressed her dissatisfaction at the incident while speaking at the UN Cultural Night, which took place at the Alliance Française in Accra. A spokesperson for the Ghana Football Association told Graphic Showbiz that they didn't know arrangements had been made for Becca to sing. On the contrary, they only knew that the national anthem would be played over the stadium's public address system.[28]

Personal life

Relationship controversy

Becca was at the center of her manager (Kiki Banson)'s controversial divorce from his wife. It was reported that Benson divorced his wife in order to marry Becca.[33][34] The story went haywire when Becca's father, Mr. Acheampong, reportedly disowned his daughter over her intentions to marry her manager.[35][36]

Discography

Videography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Year Title Director Ref
2016 Hw3 (Remix) N/A [37]

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2014 City People Entertainment Awards Musician of the Year (Female) Herself Nominated [38]
2013 4Syte TV Music Video Awards Best Female Video "Time for Me" Nominated [39]
City People Entertainment Awards Musician of the Year (Female) Herself Nominated [40]
2012 4Syte TV Music Video Awards Best Female Video "No Away"
(featuring M.I) 		Won [41]
Best Photography Video Nominated [42]
Best Collaboration Video Nominated
Overall Best Video Nominated
Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year Herself Nominated [43]
Afro-Pop Song of the Year "African Woman" Nominated
Best Music Video of The Year Won [44]
Best Female Vocal Artiste Herself Nominated [43]
National Youth Achievers Awards Music Won [45]
2011 4Syte TV Music Video Awards Best Photography Video "African Woman" Nominated [46]
Best Directed Video Nominated
Best Storyline Video Nominated
Overall Best Video Won [47]
Best Collaboration Video "Push"
(featuring King Ayisoba & Trigmatic) 		Nominated [46]
Best Female Video Won [47]
City People Entertainment Awards Ghana Female Musician of the Year Herself Nominated [48]
2010 4Syte TV Music Video Awards Best Hi-Life Video "Daa Ke Daa" Nominated [49]
Best Storyline Video Nominated
Best Female Video Nominated
Best African Act Video Nominated
Ghana Music Awards Highlife Song of the Year "Daa Ke Daa" Nominated [50]
Record of the Year Won [51]
Best Female Vocal Performance Herself Won
Artist of the Year Nominated [50]
Kora Awards Best African Prospect Award Won [48]
2008 Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year Nominated [52]
Discovery of the Year Nominated
Best Female Vocal Performance Nominated
Pop Song of the Year "You Lied to Me"
(featuring Kwabena Kwabena) 		Nominated
Best Collaboration of the Year Nominated
Record of the Year Sugar Won [53]
Kora Awards [upper-alpha 1] Best Artist or Group Hope Herself Nominated [55]
Best Artist or Group of West Africa

Notes

  1. ↑ The 2008 Kora Awards took place on 11 April 2009. It was postponed in order to improve its delivery.[54]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Becca Biography". Peacefmonline.com. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  2. ↑ Anthony, Osarfo (24 November 2013). "Is Becca slowly fading from the Ghanaian music scene?". Ghanaweb.com. Flex Newspaper. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Becca releases "Sugar" album". Modern Ghana. Daily Guide. 27 August 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Becca". Ghanacelebrities.com. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "Ghana Music Awards 2008: Nominees". Ghanabase.com. 21 March 2008. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  6. ↑ Ameyaw Debrah (30 April 2008). "'Madman' Sweeps Ghana Music Awards". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Becca's 'Girl Talk' Concert @ National Theatre". thechronicle.com.gh. The Chronicle. 6 December 2013.
  8. ↑ "e.tv Ghana holds maiden edition of Ghana's Most Influential Awards". e.tv Ghana. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  9. ↑ "I grew up with my Step-mum – Becca". GhanaMusic.com. News One. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ghanaian Singer, Becca Set To Launch Latest Album On The 16th Of May". Music Network. 6 May 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  11. 1 2 Yeboah, Isaac (21 July 2013). "Becca, Kwame Yeboah launch at +233". Daily Graphic. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "Phenomenal BECCA launches album in unique style". Ghana Web. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  13. ↑ Mensah, Nii (11 August 2012). "Becca reveals her 'Time 4 Me' album track list". Ghana Music. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  14. ↑ "Becca's 'Time 4 Me' album out on May 16; RLG sponsors free CD distribution". Total Showbiz. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "Video:Ghanaian Star Becca releases music video for her track – "African Woman"". AMC. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  16. ↑ ""Diamonds get their character from the African Woman" – Ghanaian Star Becca releases music video for her track – "African Woman"". Bellanaija. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  17. ↑ "New Music Video: "Push" Becca Featuring King Ayisoba and Trigmatic". Peace FM Online. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Becca Set To Release With 2Face". allGhanadata. Daily Guide. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  19. ↑ "New Music: Becca Feat. M.I – No Away". Bellanaija. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  20. ↑ "New Video: Becca Feat. M.I – No Away". Bellanaija. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "Ghana: Becca Drops $50,000 Song". Showbiz Africa. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  22. ↑ "Becca: I'm Not A Big Fool". Vibe Ghana. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  23. ↑ "Ghanaian Music Star Becca Returns with New Single "Follow The Leader"". Bellanaija. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  24. ↑ "Posts Tagged 'Becca 'Time 4 Me' Music Video'". Ghana Celebrities. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  25. ↑ "Merging Energy and Culture, MOVE-Another Great Music Video from Becca with Appearances By Legendary African musicians-Yvonne Chaka Chaka & Hughes Hugh Masekela". Ghana Fame. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  26. ↑ "Watch Ghanaian Singer Becca's New Video, 'Move,' featuring Uhuru". afriPoP. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  27. ↑ "Becca's Latest Single 'Move'- A Replication of 'Khona'?". Flex Ghana. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  28. 1 2 "I won't be drawn back - Becca says after 'snub' at Ghana-Zambia match". Joy Online. Graphic Showbiz. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  29. ↑ "Glos make Becca ambassador". Vanguard. 18 December 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  30. ↑ "STARS UNVEILED AS WORLD CUP AMBASSADORS FOR GHANA". Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  31. ↑ "Becca, others for 'Heroes' finale". The Ghanaian News. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  32. ↑ Yeboah, Thomas (24 March 2014). "Becca to perform at Ghana premier league matches?". allsports.com. all Sports Ghana. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  33. ↑ "Singer Becca Causes Manager 'Kiki Banson' To Divorce Wife For Her". OMG Ghana. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  34. ↑ "Ghanaian singer Becca In A Husband Snatching Drama". The Nigerian Voice. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  35. ↑ James, Osaremen (11 November 2012). "Sexy Ghanaian Singer, Becca Disowned By Dad Over Plans To Marry Married Manager". Nigeria Films. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  36. ↑ "The 'Becca' story: Our gods must be crazy!". ghanaherald.com. The Ghana Herald. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  37. ↑ "Music Video Becca - Hw3 Remix feat. Bisa Kdei". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  38. ↑ "City People Announces 2014 Entertainment Awards Nominees". Ghana Web. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  39. ↑ "Sarkodie tops 4Syte music video awards nominations". tv3network.com. TV 3. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  40. ↑ "2013 City People Entertainment Awards…Ghana Nominees' List Released". Modern Ghana. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  41. ↑ Debrah, Ameyaw (18 November 2012). "NaturalFace tops 2012 4syte TV Music Video awards with 4 nods". Ameyaw Debrah.com. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  42. ↑ Mensah, Nii Atakora (20 October 2012). "Full list of 4th MTN 4Syte TV Music Video Awards 2012". ghanamusic.com. Ghana Music. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  43. 1 2 Mensah, Nii (29 February 2012). "2012 Ghana Music Awards: Complete list of nominees". Ghana Music.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  44. ↑ Febiri, Chris-Vincent (15 April 2012). "Full List Of Winners Of 2012 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards…". Ghana Celebrities.com. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  45. ↑ Victor, Adeyemi (27 October 2012). "List of Winners @ the National Youth Achievers Award". Ghanaweb. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  46. 1 2 "Vodafone 4SYTE Music Video Awards 2011 Nominations Out!". GhanaCelebrities.com. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  47. 1 2 Febiri, Chris-Vincent (20 November 2011). "Becca Tops 2011 Vodafone 4Syte TV Music Video Awards + Full List Of Winners!". Ghana Celebrities.com. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  48. 1 2 "Becca nominated for award in Nigeria". ghanameets.weebly.com. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  49. ↑ Quaye, Peterking (22 November 2010). "Ghana: 4X4 "FRESH ONE" TOPS AT 4syte TV Music Video Awards 2010". Shout-Africa. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  50. 1 2 "Ghana Music Awards nominees out, Sarkodie leads the pack". GhanaNewsNow.com. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  51. ↑ Mensah, Nii (11 April 2010). "Ghana Music Awards 2010 winners". Ghana Music.com. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  52. ↑ "Ghana Music Awards 2008: Nominees". Ghana Base. 21 March 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  53. ↑ Debrah, Ameyaw (30 April 2008). "'Madman' Sweeps Ghana Music Awards". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  54. ↑ "The Awards ceremony Kora Awards 2008 will take place in April 2009". Franco Mix. 24 November 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  55. ↑ "The appointed Kora awards 2008 African music". Franco Mix. 15 November 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2014.

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