Efya

Jane Fara Fauzzier Afia Boafowaa Yahaya Awindor (born April 10, 1987), better known as Efya, is a Ghanaian singer, songwriter, and actress from Kumasi. She is the daughter of Nana Adwoa Awindor, a filmmaker and talk show host. Efya rose to fame after participating in the first edition of Stars of the Future. Beginning in 2011, she won four consecutive Ghana Music Awards for Best Female Vocal Performance. Moreover, she was applauded for her performance at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

Life and music career 1987–2008: Early life, career beginnings, and Unveiled Jane Fara Fauzzier Afia Boafowaa Yahaya Awindor was born on April 10, 1987, in Kumasi, Ghana. She has two brothers and a sister. Efya obtained her secondary education from Yaa Asantewaa Secondary School, and relocated to Accra when her mother enrolled at the National Film and Television Institute. Efya received voice training from some of her family members at a very young age. She graduated with a degree in theatre and music from the University of Ghana. In 2008, she gained fame after becoming the first runner-up in the first edition of Charterhouse's Stars of the Future television show. She lost to Irene Logan but secured a three-year recording contract, which enabled her and Irene to record the collaborative album Unveiled (2009).

After her contract with Charterhouse ended, Efya kept recording music and performing live. She changed her stage name from Miss Jane to Efya prior to going solo. In an interview with ModernGhana, 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". The second single, "Best in Me", was released on February 14, 2012. The song's music video was directed by Big OJ Films and uploaded to YouTube in September 2013. On February 14, 2013, Efya released "Body", a cover of Chris Brown's single "Don't Judge Me".

Efya's debut studio album, Janesis, was released on April 22, 2016. It was previously scheduled for release at different times between 2013 and 2015, and was postponed multiple times before being released. Efya believes the album draws from her personal experiences, and described it as a compilation project she's worked on over the past three years. Janesis comprises 21 tracks and features collaborations with Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Bisa Kdei, Mugeez, Ice Prince, and E.L. It explores musical styles such as Afro-soul, R&B, hip hop, neo-soul, Afropop, pop, and ragga. The album was supported by the singles "Life", "Forgetting Me", "One of Your Own", "Gingam Too Much", "Jorley", "Heartbeat", and "Hele Mi". Its production was handled by Legendury Beatz, E.L, Bisa Kdei, KillBeatz, M.A, and Kaywa.

On May 8, 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. Wizkid released the single "Daddy Yo", which features uncredited vocals by Efya. On June 10, 2017, she released the reggae-infused track "Until the Dawn", which was produced by Maleek Berry. Efya launched the clothing line The Native Chic in December 2019. She featured Tiwa Savage on her single "The One", which was released in June 2020.

Notable performances

On April 9, 2011, Efya performed at the 2011 Ghana Music Awards, which occurred at the Dome in Accra. In October 2012, she shared the stage with Kojo Antwi, Asem, Ruff & Smooth, D3, No Tribe, and Stonebwoy at the Radio and Television Personality Awards. In April 2013, Efya performed at a Capital 98.4 FM music event, which was sponsored by Tusker Brewery and held at Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi. On February 14, 2013, Efya took part in Richie Mensah's "This is Love" musical performance at the African Regent Hotel. She performed her single "Your Body", which was released on the same day, along with the remix of her "Best in Me" song with Mensah.

At the Hope City Launch Celebration Concert on March 5, 2013, which featured American artist Chris Brown as the main act, Efya joined Samini, D-Black, Sherifa Gunu and R2Bees. She took part in the post-African Day Parade concert on September 22, 2013, at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. On Saturday, November 9, 2013, Efya shared the stage with P-Square, MI, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Edem, Kwabena Kwabena, Asem and Paapa Yankson at the Globacom-sponsored Slide N Bounce concert series, which kicked off in Kumasi. On December 20, 2013, Efya performed at the 2013 edition of the annual Girl Talk concert, which was held at the National Theatre and headlined by Becca.

Artistry and musical influences In an interview with Danai Mavunga of ARISE magazine, Efya described her sound as Afro-soul with a hint of pop. She said her sound fluctuates depending on how she feels and who she's working with.

Discography

Studio albums Janesis (2015) Collaborative albums Unveiled (2009) (with Irene Logan)

Mixtapes and EPs T.I.N.T (2013) No More Tears (2023)

Filmography Single and Married (2012)

Awards and nominations