Jackline Acheampong, known professionally as “Gyakie,” is a Ghanaian R&B and Afro-fusion singer often referred to as the "Song Bird."

She is widely recognised as one of the leading female voices in the new generation of African music.

Early Life and Education

Gyakie was born in Kumasi, the capital city of the Ashanti Region of Ghana, with some sources specifying her birthplace as the town of Bompso within the Kumasi area.

Raised in a family of musicians, she began joining her father, Nana Acheampong, in the studio at the young age of eight. Influenced by artists such as Asa and Ghanaian musician Omar Sterling of R2Bees, Gyakie pursued her passion for music while navigating pressures during the early stages of her career.

In a BBC Africa interview, she shared that she often found herself in tears due to the high expectations set by her management team.

Gyakie completed her secondary education at T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School in Kumasi before advancing to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she graduated with a degree in International Business in 2022.

Career

Gyakie's career officially began in 2019 when she signed with Flip The Music. Her debut single, "Love Is Pretty," was released in February 2019, followed by "Never Like This."

In August 2020, she launched a five-track EP titled “Seed,” which features her breakout single "Forever." This track enjoyed significant airplay and topped charts in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, making a substantial impact in the African music scene.

In 2021, a remix of "Forever" featuring Nigerian artist Omah Lay further expanded her audience, culminating in platinum certification in South Africa.

Gyakie's achievements include signing international deals with “Sony Music Entertainment Africa” and “RCA Records UK,” as well as collaborations with renowned artists such as “Davido,” “Bisa Kdei,” and “AKA.”

In March 2021, she was honored as the Emerging Woman of the Year at the 2021 3Music Women’s Brunch for the 3Music Awards. The following year, during the same event, she was named Woman of the Year for the 3Music Awards 2022.

Gyakie gained additional recognition in June 2022 when she was featured on the Grammys' "Herbal Tea and White Sofas" interview series, where artists share their backstage must-haves. She released her second EP, “My Diary,” in July 2022, which includes a collaboration with Nigerian musician Davido. Her latest single, "December," was released in April 2024.

Discography and Notable Songs

Studio Albums

• After Midnight (2025)

Extended Plays

• Seed (EP) (2020)

• My Diary (EP) (2022)

Singles

• "Love Is Pretty" (2019)

• "Never Like This" (2019)

• "Sor Mi Mu" (ft. Bisa Kdei) (2020)

• "Forever Remix" (ft. Omah Lay) (2021)

• "Vacation"

• "Whine"

• "Follow You" (Fiokee, Chike & Gyakie) (2021)

• "Something" (2022)

• "Rent Free" (2023)

• "December" (2024)

• "Sankofa" (2025)

• "Unconditional" (2025)

Featured Collaborations:

• "Sheege" — D-Black ft. Gyakie (2021)

• "Right Here" — Blaq Jerzee ft. Gyakie (2021)

• "Like This" — Serge Ibaka, Diplo & Gyakie

• "Paradise" — AKA, Musa Keys & Gyakie (2022)

• "Need Your Love" — R2Bees ft. Gyakie (2022)

• "Scar" — JBee & Gyakie (2023)

• "Sika" — Bisa Kdei ft. Gyakie (2024)

• "Runaway (Omalicha)" — Khaid ft. Gyakie (2024)

Awards and Recognition:

• Woman of the Year: Honored at the 3Music Awards in both 2021 and 2022.

• International Recognition: Featured on the Grammys' "Herbal Tea and White Sofas" series in 2022.

• Streaming Milestone: Recently surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify.

Tenure in the Music Industry:

Gyakie has been professionally active in the music industry for about six years. Although she grew up in a musical household, joining her father, Nana Acheampong, in the studio as early as age eight, her official professional timeline includes:

• Professional Debut (2019): Gyakie launched her career in February 2019 with her debut single, "Love Is Pretty."

• Mainstream Breakthrough (2020): She gained significant pan-African recognition with her hit single "Forever," which was part of her debut EP, "Seed," released in August 2020.

• Current Status (2025): In August 2025, Gyakie released her highly anticipated debut full-length album, "After Midnight."

Notably, Gyakie balanced her rising career with her studies in International Business at KNUST, managing international performances alongside her academic commitments.

Family's Musical Legacy:

Gyakie’s family plays a critical role in the highlife and contemporary Ghanaian music scenes, largely influenced by her father, the legendary Nana Acheampong.

The Patriarch: Nana Acheampong

• Highlife Pioneer: A foundational figure in Ghanaian music, Nana Acheampong has a career spanning over 30 years.

• The Lumba Brothers: He was part of the iconic Lumba Brothers duo with Daddy Lumba, known for popularising Burger-highlife in the late 1980s.

• Commercial Success: He holds the record for one of the best-selling albums in Ghana with "Naanka ɛbɛyɛ dɛn," reportedly selling over 2 million copies.

Gyakie’s Musical Roots:

• Studio Childhood: Growing up, Gyakie spent significant time in her father’s Owoahene Studio in Kumasi. At age six or seven, she recorded an unreleased song titled "Lollipop" during one of his sessions.

• Artistic Independence: Despite her father's fame, Gyakie deliberately kept her identity as his daughter private at the beginning of her career to ensure she was judged on her own merit.

• The "Seed" EP: Her debut EP, titled "Seed," is a homage to her heritage, featuring a cover photo of her as a child in a studio booth with her father.

Musical Siblings:

• Xheila (Sheila Acheampong): Gyakie's sister is also a musician. Despite public speculation about their professional relationship, Xheila has emphasised that they are "blood" and not in competition, expressing pride in Gyakie's global success.

Private Life:

Gyakie is currently single, not married, and has no children.

She has openly expressed that she is ready to mingle.

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