Ghana's S3fa on Going Global & Giving The People What They Want Through Afrobeats
Sefadzi Abena Amesu, better known as as S3fa is currently one of Ghana’s most revered female songstresses. She’s an Afrobeats, Soul, Highlife and R&B performing artist, as well as an accomplished songwriter. Soon after signing to Black Avenue Muzik back in 2018, she broke onto the scene with four single releases: "Marry Me", "Odo Yewu" and "Pepper" featuring Bisa Kdei before her hit record "Shuga", featuring Dope Nation broke #1 in the summer of 2019.
Continuing our mission of bringing you the best the culture has to offer, domestically and internationally, we caught up with S3fa for an exclusive interview, where she got into the music industry's support of women in Ghana, her new single "Echoke", and what the Afrobeats movement means to her. Read up below, right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾
S3fa, it is a pleasure to have you. I've been listening to your music, and I'm learning more about Afrobeats now as we speak. For my audience, who may not know about the culture, how would you describe the Afrobeats sound/movement?
I’m honored to have you interview me on your platform. The Afrobeats sound and movement to me is the fusion of the West African sound and foreign sound. For me, I find it as a way, we as Africans sell our sound out of Africa. Creating a sound we can sing and especially dance to. Africans like to make merry and Afrobeats serves as a way because of the rhythms, chanted vocals and instrumentals used.
How long have you been making music? Was your style of choice always Afrobeats? If not, what was it?
I’ve been making music for quite sometime now, but professionally for close to 4 years now. Before I joined my record label (Black Avenue Muzik), I was more into R&B and Soul, but my label made me understand: You can do all these, but you need to give people what they want also. So, though I still do the kind of genres I used to do, I’ve dived into other genres especially Afrobeats. Best decision I’ve made to be honest.
I think we are doing better as a country, in supporting the women now, because they are acknowledging our potentials
How and when did you connect with Mr Drew for your new song and video for "Echoke"? What does the title of the song mean?
Mr Drew and I have been friends for quite sometime now and we’ve always wanted to have a song together. So, when I got the beat from my producer, listening to the tempo and progression, I knew he was the best person considering he is amazing with such genres. I called him to the studio and magic was created. The title of the song is "Echoke", which means “restricted airflow”. It’s more of a comic slang used to express an “overflow”.
Do you work with your producer, Rony Turn Me Up, often? What was the creative inspiration behind the music video? What was it like working with the director Junnie Annan?
Yes, I do. Rony is also signed to my label, so we work often and working with him is amazing cos he gives me the opportunity to be creative with my music. The creative inspiration behind the video was just to have people dancing and making merry. Showcasing happy people. More of how Africans like to have fun. Meet up with friends, dance and just enjoy good music. It is always amazing working with Junnie Annan especially because I coordinate and I’m always in charge of creative direction. He listens to my ideas and bring it to life exactly how I imagined it.
What is the music industry like in Ghana? Do you think you face any discrimination in the music business because you are a woman?
Music in Ghana is amazing, though we have a long way to go, and the women don’t get enough support as compared to the men. But I think we are doing better as a country, in supporting the women now, because they are acknowledging our potentials.
Creating a solid brand is the aim...
Your song and video are playing on television and the radio back home, and now, you're interviewing with an LA-based publication. How does it feel to be recognized across the globe?
It’s an utmost honor to have this chance because I never in my life imagined I’d be be going global just in the few years I’ve been in the industry.
What's next up for you? And do you have plans to travel to the US in the future?
Amazing things has always been my answer to this, and creating a solid brand is the aim. So, plans of traveling to the U.S. to promote my music has always been a goal.
