Wiyaala kicked off her European tour at Crookes Social Club in Sheffield, the UK’s “Steel City” with an outrageously energetic performance as a special guest of ONIPA, the electro Afro-fusion band fronted by Ghanaian singer songwriter K.O.G.
Onipa served up a thrilling dance vibe as the Ghanaian artists drove the crowd wild with excitement. After the show, Wiyaala said; “There is nothing like an intimate club gig. It’s hot and sweaty and you’re right up close to the audience. Sheffield rocks! My brother K.O.G and the Onipa band are amazing, watch out for some rocking collabs!”
Later this week Wiyaala is off to Slovenia where she has three back to back shows including the “Africa Day” concert in Prešeren Square, Ljubljana.
Wiyaala, from the Upper West Region, is one of Ghana’s best known international musicians and with three awards is the leading Ghanaian award winner at AFRIMA, the African continent’s biggest awards scheme. In 2018, she was celebrated by the BBC as one of their African women of the year, and endorsed by BET for bringing the Sissala language in song to the world.
Onipa was born out of a deep collaboration between long time friends KOG and Tom Excell, music director, guitarist and writer of acclaimed jazz/ soul afrobeat pioneers Nubiyan Twist.
Onipa means ‘human’ in Akan, the ancient language of the Ashanti people of Ghana.
It’s a message of connection through collaboration: from Ghana to London, from our
ancestors to our children, Onipa brings energy, groove, electronics, Afrofuturism, dance and fire!
Watch the video highlights here: