Efya Biography
Jane Awindor better known by her stage name Efya, is a Ghanaian singer, songwriter, and actress from Kumasi. She was born on 10 April 1987. She is the daughter of Nana Adwoa Awindor, a filmmaker and celebrity host of the late television show Greetings From Abroad. Efya got her first exposure to fame when she participated in the maiden edition of the Stars of the Future talent show. She won the Best Female Vocal Performance category at the Ghana Music Awards in four succession, beginning in 2011. Moreover, she was applauded for her performance at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Her debut mixtape, T.I.N.T., was released on 11 November 2013. It consists of songs that were released from 2011 through 2013. The mixtape was supported by the singles “Getaway” and “Best In Me”. She released her long-awaited debut studio album, Janesis, on 22 April 2016. It was previously scheduled for release at different times between 2013 and 2015. “Forgetting Me”, the album’s lead single, was released on 11 January 2014. On 8 May 2016, Efya was announced as one of the newly signed acts to Wizkid’s Starboy Entertainment. The announcement came following Wizkid’s performance at the Ghana Music Awards.
Efya was born in Kumasi, Ghana. She has two brothers and a sister; she obtained her secondary education from Yaa Asantewaa Secondary School. She relocated to Accra when her mother enrolled at the NAFTI film school. Efya received voice training from some of her family members at a young age. She graduated with a degree in theater and music from the University of Ghana. In 2008, she gained national acceptance throughout Ghana by becoming the first runner up in Charter house’s Stars of The Future television show. She lost to Irene Logan, but secured herself a three-year recording deal. The recording deal enabled her and Irene to do a collaborative album titled Unveiled, which was released in South Africa.
Following the conclusion of her recording deal with Charterhouse, Efya continued to record songs and perform at local gigs. She changed her stage name from Miss Jane to Efya prior to going solo. In an interview posted on Modern Ghana, Efya said: “When I decided to go solo, it made sense at the time to reinvent myself in every way, I wanted a name that was African and unique but at the same time relevant to me in some way. My manager Jimmi helped me come up with the name Efya”. In 2011, she signed a recording deal with One Nation Entertainment.
2011–2013:T.I.N.T.
T.I.N.T, an acronym for This Is Not The Album, was released on 11 November 2013. The mix tape comprises 13 tracks and was released as a precursor to Janesis. It was also released for free digital download and was supported by two singles: “Getaway” and “Best In Me”. On 10 November 2011, Efya released the mix tape’s lead single “Getaway”. The music video for the single was shot and directed in and around Accra by Sony Addo. On 14 February 2012, Efya released the mix tape’s second single “Best In Me”. The music video for the single, uploaded onto YouTube on 20 September 2013, was directed by OJ of Big OJ Films. The mix tape is composed of songs that were released between 2011 and 2013. It features a guest appearance from Black Magic. In the aforementioned interview with ARISE, Efya said that love is the overall theme of the mix tape. She also said that the mix tape is about the good, the bad, the ugly, the heartbreak, the pains, as well as the highs and lows of life. On 14 February 2013, Efya released “Body” as a cover of Chris Brown’s single “Don’t Judge Me”.
2013–present:Janesis
Efya released her debut studio album, Janesis, on 22 April 2016. The album was initially slated for release in the third quarter of 2013. However, the release timeframe was postponed to February 2014. On 11 January 2014, Efya released the album’s lead single “Forgetting Me”. The song was met with great reception. A writer for Modern Ghana said: “Forgetting Me is a powerful ballad that tells the story of love and heartbreak. The ascending singer-songwriter delivers every note with precision and passion and the song marks the culmination of personal and professional growth for Efya as she continues to demonstrate her musical aptitude.” During an October 2013 interview with Alexis Stephens of MTV Iggy, Efya said that the album will contain numerous love songs. She also said that the album will explore the topics of hate and pain, two universal themes associated with love. Moreover, Efya stated that the album draws from her personal experiences.
Efya Photo
On July 16, 2014, Efya released “One of Your Own” as the album’s second single. The song features vocals from Bisa Kdei. Efya initially wanted to release “Gingam Too Much” as her second single but after discussions with her team, she decided to postpone the release of the aforesaid single.
On December 26, 2014, One Nation Entertainment eventually released “Gingam Too Much” as the album’s third single; it was produced by Kaywa. The music video for “Forgetting Me” was uploaded onto YouTube on February 5, 2015; it was directed by Prince Dovlo of Seven Streets Entertainment. On 23 December 2016, Nigerian musician Wizkid released a solo single “Daddy Yo”, with unaccredited vocals from Efya. However, Efya does make an appearance in the music video.
Efya Humanitarian Work
She is an official ambassador for the Awal Children of the Future Foundation(ACOTF), a foundation aimed at helping victims of physical and emotional trauma particularly orphans and street kids.The foundation was founded by Posigee, a Tema-Based record producer famous for numerous tracks including “sister”,”injections and “Issues”. The foundation consists of eight musical ambassadors, including Sarkodie,Ruff N Smooth and Yaw Siki. A theme song titled “This is Who I Am”, featuring the foundation’s ambassadors, was released in 2012. The song was written by Chase and produced by Posigee. It is available for purchase on several digital platforms, including iTunes and Amazon. All of the proceeds from the digital sale of the song goes to the ACOTF Foundation.
Efya Notable performances
Efya has perfomed severally in different places including;On 9 April 2011, Efya performed at the 2011 MTN Ghana Music Awards, which occurred at the Dome in Accra. In October 2012, Efya performed at the Radio and Television Personality Awards alongside Kojo Antwi, Asem, Ruff & Smooth, D3, No Tribe and Stonebwoy, among others. In April 2013, she performed at the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi, Kenya; the event was organized by Capital 98.4 FM and sponsored by Tusker Brewery.
Efya performed at Richie Mensah’s “This is Love Concert” held on February 14, 2013, at the African Regent Hotel in Accra. Efya performed her “Your Body” song, which was released the same day. She also performed the remix of her “Best in Me” song with Richie Mensah.
On 5 March 2013, Efya performed alongside Samini, D-Black, Sherifa Gunu and R2Bees at the Hope City Launch Celebration Concert, which was headlined by American recording artist Chris Brown. On 22 September 2013, she graced the stage at the post-African Day Parade concert held at the Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. Efya performed alongside P-Square, M.I, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Edem, Kwabena Kwabena, Asem and Paapa Yankson at the Glo “Slide N Bounce” concert series, which kicked off in Kumasi on Saturday, 9 November 2013.On 20 December 2013, Efya performed at the 2013 edition of the annual Girl Talk concert, which was held at the National Theatre in Accra and headlined by Becca.
Efya Awards
- 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards- African Female Artist of the year-won
- 2016 Glitz Style Awards 2016-Most Stylish Music Artiste of the year-won
- 2015 City People Entertainment Awards-Musician of the Year-Won
- 2015 MTV African Music Awards 2014-Best Female-Nominated
- 2015 Ghana Music Awards-Best Female Vocal Performance
- 2014 World Music Awards-World’s best Live Act
- 2013 City People Entertainment Awards – Female Musician of the year
- 2013 Ghana Music Awards-Afro Pop Song of the Year
- 2012 Ghana Music Awards -Best Collaboration of the year(Ft Sarkodie) etc
Efya’s Songs
- Heartbeat
- Asa (feat. Efya)
- Best In Me
- One Of Your Own
- Getting You
- Jorley
- Cigarette
- Little Things
- Forgetting Me
- Higher
- Getaway
- Nothing
- Weather 4 two
- Gingam Too Much
- Life
- This Life
- Get Away
- Changes
- Sometimes
- Can I
- Boy Bi Beh Gye
- Alive
- COMMOT
- Body
- Decepticon
- A Moments Notice
- I Try
- Falou
- Hele Mi
- Make I Love You
- Luv Luv Luv
- Release
- Chairs
- Once Upon a Time
- U.D.1
- Jorley (feat. Sarkodie)
- Until the Dawn
- One of Your Own (feat. Bisa Kdei)
- Heartbeat (feat. EL)
- Ooh Ooh Ooh
- Getting You (feat. Ice Prince)
- Mixed Signals
- Commot (Featuring Black Magic)
- One of Your Own ft. Bisa Kdei
- Ooh Ooh Ooh (feat. Mugeez)
- U.D.1 (feat. Shaydee)
- Forgetting Me|Ghxclusives.com
- The GetAway
- Never again (Prod by Stereo Punkz)(GhanaMotion)
Efya Video
Efya News
Efya set to release new single ‘Until the Dawn’
Updated On: 5th June,2017
Source:www.citifmonline.com
Fans of Ghanaian songstress Efya, know in normal life as, Jane Fara Fauzzier Awindor, have a new single from her to look forward to. Announcing the release of the new single, Until the Dawn, on Instagram, the artiste disclosed that the song will be available to music lovers, on June 10, 2017.
Until the Dawn is produced by British-born Nigerian record producer and recording artist, Maleek Berry.
Maleek Berry has previously produced music for numerous artistes such as Mr. Eazi and Yemi Alade as well as UK-based Fuse ODG.
Efya is coming off a trip to the United States where she picked up of the “Best Female Act” award at the Ghana Entertainment Awards in New York. She also graced the Sound of Brazil club with a performance.
On announcing the release of the new song, Efya’s Instagram was flooded with comments from many exciting fans.
Amongst those to show some love and support for Efya’s upcoming were Edem, Reggie Rockstone and Kwaw Kese, amongst other Ghanaian celebrities.