Biography
www.myspace.com/ameliaakpotu
Multi-talented & multilingual singer/songwriter Amelia "Amaha" Akpotu is working overtime to make her mark in the music industry. She has been involved with the world of music since hearing her mum sing contralto versions of popular songs and listening to her dad’s extensive collection of world music. These first experiences introduced her to the really diverse genres of music that inspire her today.
"I listen to a lot of music and that is an understatement. I am a music fiend! I can find something new to learn in every genre of music regardless of what language it is in. I am inspired by African, Afrobeat/Afropop divas old and new, Japanese rock n roll & Visual Kei, R&B, Hip-hop, Gospel, Jazz/Funk, Blues, Celtic Folk, American metal/Rock and Emo bands, and anything by innovative artistes."
Her first ever stage performance happened when she went missing at a party to honor the Minister of Information and Culture. Her mother was frantically searching for the missing 5-year-old when Amaha turned up at the top of a miniature monolith on the grounds. She wowed the party guests with her rendition of “My Life Time”. From then on, she participated in plays, cultural dances, stage performances and school choirs.
When she turned 13 she wrote her first set of praise and worship songs to share with family and friends. She hasn’t stopped writing songs and poetry since! Her repertoire has expanded to include more secular & sometimes obscure music in both popular & unheard-of genres. She likes coming up with unique arrangements for popular songs. She has performed locally at parties and college functions. She is a regular at the African Students Association annual event at the University of Memphis. She has performed at Newby’s Café for a charitable event and was one of the chosen contestants for the Annual MEISA singer/songwriter showcase for 2006. She recently won the first ever Starcast Singing competition that attracted singers from all over America. She earned the grand prize through most online votes for her rendition of “Summer Time” by George Gershwin! She has also performed for notable personalities including the Mayor of Memphis and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s daughter, Naomi Tutu at the Neighborhood Conference in downtown Memphis.
Amaha is currently recording some songs from her 300+ collection including the tracks, “Nawa Dukiya” a Hausa love song, “Come from Me” a bare, yet lush, ear-pleasing invocation and emotional ode to music and “Dawn” an R&B treatise on lost love. She is proud to have “Amour/Amore” loved by so many people. She is improving her instrumental skills (ethnic percussion & acoustic guitar) as well.
“I put a lot of thought into my music. It is the very core of who I am. It is important to me that whatever I put out there from now on is as perfect as possible! I know a lot of people who listen to music in languages that they don’t even understand and yet are passionate about the music. I don’t think having different languages in my music is a deterrent. It is a measure of how wonderful the music is that you do not understand some of the words yet you treasure it; you can FEEL it! I truly believe music transcends all barriers. I hope to attract people that love of music as much as I do. With my unique perspective and voice and I believe the best is yet to come!”
Viva la musica!
Amelia is looking to have a DIY, eponymous album out by the end of the year as her alter-ego "Amaha". PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR IT!
Instrumentation
Amelia Akpotu - Singer/Songwriter and ethnic percussion (Udu, Sekere, Djembe, slit drums, gongs and guitar)
Discography
"Amour/Amore" - http://youtube.com/watch?v=JTUBs2asXOM
On iLike "Amour/Amore" & "Cut Loose" - http://ilike.com/artist/Amelia+Akpotu/dashboard/songs
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/ameliaakpotu |
| Amaha Online |
| Nawa Dukiya - Live! |
| Come From Me - Live! |