Yahzarah

Dana Nicole Amma Williams (born June 24, 1978), known professionally as YahZarah, is a Ghanaian-American singer and music producer. She is known for radio hits "Wishing" and "Why Dontcha Call Me No More". She has released four albums, with two reaching the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

In 1997, she began her career as a background singer for Erykah Badu. In 2000, Yahzarah signed to Keo Music Records released her first album, Hear Me. In 2002, Yahzarah signed a recording contract with Three Keys Music and released her second album, Blackstar, in September 2003. In 2004, Yahzarah left Three Keys Music and join The Foreign Exchange. After a brief hiatus, Yahzarah returned the music industry. In 2008, she released her extended play, The Prelude. In January 2010, Yahzarah released her single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More" followed by her third album, The Ballad of Purple St. James in May 2010. Her fourth album The Ceremony was release in February 2021.

Her musical genre has varied throughout her career including R&B, rock, soul, jazz, and pop. Her artistic influences include Michael Jackson, Minnie Riperton, Prince, and The Beatles. She has a soprano vocal range with the ability to use the whistle register.

Early life Dana Williams was born to Ghanaian activist and owner of the "Sporting News" Thomas Kojo Oduro-Kwarteng and Beverly Brown and then adopted by her stepfather Clarence Williams and raised partly in Germany Her love for music began after winning the National Postal Service Arts and Talent search at the Kennedy Center at the age of ten. After graduating in 1998, she attended North Carolina Central University in Durham, where she received a full scholarship in the school's jazz program.

Musical career

1999–2004: Hear Me and Blackstar In 1999, Williams recorded a few songs and toured with her band "Dirty Soul". She adopted the name "Yahzarah", as a tribute to her grandmothers Yaa Asantewaa and Sarah. The album also spawned the singles "Love Is You" and "Natural". In 2002, Yahzarah signed a recording contract with Three Keys Music and began recording sessions for her second album. In August 2003, she released "Wishing" as the lead single for her second album. In September 2003, Yahzarah released her second album, Blackstar, which reached #44 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and began her "Blackstar Tour". Later that year, she returned to her hometown Washington D.C.

2005–2011: The Prelude and The Ballad of Purple St. James In 2005, Yahzarah was featured on Foreign Exchange's Connected album. The song "Sincere" which featured long-time friend Phonte was chosen as the single for the album. In 2008, Yahzarah released an extended play, entitled "The Prelude", on the +FE Music recording label. Later that year, Yahzarah was the featured artist opener on the Anthony Hamilton "Playing it Cool Tour" which was featured at the House of Blues. She is also featured the album Leave It All Behind by The Foreign Exchange.

In 2009, Yahzarah was elected to the "Board of Governors" for the Washington D.C. Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and still currently holds that post. Later that year, Yahzarah performed at the invitation of the Republic of Italy for the inauguration of Barack Obama. In July 2009, she toured with Conya Doss, Sy Smith, and Maya Azucena where she hosted the Soulsista Tour where she also tributed to Michael Jackson. In late 2009, Yahzarah reunited with long-time friend "Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart" to perform "Butterflies" in tribute to Michael Jackson.

In January 2010, Yahzarah released her buzz single "The Tickler". In March 2010, Yahzarah released the lead single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More". In May 2010, she released The Ballad of Purple St. James. The album charted at #75 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

In mid-2010, Yahzarah began the "Love vs Lust Tour" along with The Foreign Exchange. In September 2010, Yahzarah released the second single "Cry Over You" along a music video. On September 18, 2010, Yahzarah announced that she will be touring with The Roots and Q-Tip on the 2010 Hennesy Artistry Tour. Yahzarah also made a cameo on the tune "I Remember" by Wes Felton on his album Land of Sheep, Ran by Pigs, Ruled by Wolves.

In July 2011, Yahzarah released the video for her single "Love Come Save the Day". In December 2011, Yahazarh re-appeared on FoxDC News to perform the single. On December 18, 2011, she released a Christmas single, "What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas".

2012–present: Recent activities In 2012, Yahzarah began her Tribute to the Beatles Tour. In 2014, she started to sing in Lenny Kravitz' band and toured as a backing vocalist during his Strut Tour in Europe. In an interview with The Couch Sessions, she named Tina Turner, Grace Jones, Diana Ross, Minnie Ripperton, and Mahalia Jackson as the five singers who shaped her into the person she is today. 2010 The Ballad of Purple St. James Soultracks Readers' Choice Award: Independent Album of the Year 2010 "Why Dontcha Call Me No More" Soultracks Readers' Choice Award: Song of the Year 2010 Yahzarah Soultracks Readers' Choice Award: Female Vocalist of the Year