Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"Akosua, the Ghanaian-American songbird whose poetic, original tunes and champagne-sweet pipes bear an uncanny resemblance to those of Ms.(Joni) Mitchell."
- Eric K. Arnold, East Bay Express
"There's only one way to describe Oakland singer-songwriter Akosua's voice, it's silky smooth." - Christina Troup, Oakland Tribune
"...it's not all ethereal atmospherics for the multitalented musician. Drawing from her Ghanaian cultural heritage as well as other forms of music, Akosua is creating a potent hybrid of African jazz, Latin, and folk....Akosua is pushing the boundaries of conventional songwriting." - Jennifer Modenessi, Contra Costa Times
“The stress that goes along with producing a major
outdoor event can become maddening. At a time when I
felt that I was going to explode, Akosua blessed the
stage, and through her immense gift of song, she cast
a ray of sunlight into what I felt was going to be a
gloomy day. Her words spoke to me, saying that
everything is okay… and it was. Not only is Akosua’s
music brilliant, it’s therapeutic”— Michael P.
Carnaval SF - Mike P.
Discography
Epiphany-2006, 6 song EP
Halfway Home-2005, 2 song EP
Swiftly Effortlessly Hesitantly-2004, 7 song EP
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Akosua is an Oakland, CA based Ghanaian-American composer, vocalist, and guitarist. Northern California’s East Bay Express deems her a “poetic songbird” with “champagne-sweet pipes.” Akosua has been compared to Joni Mitchell, Sade, Seal, Ani Difranco, and India Arie, and still her jazz influenced folk style is in a category all its own.
Born and raised in New York and New Jersey, Akosua journeyed slowly out to the west coast, first stopping at the University of Michigan where she obtained her undergraduate degree and explored her musical talent. Determined to pursue a career as a professional musician, Akosua moved to the Bay Area, confident that the west coast would move her to fulfill her creative visions and dreams.
Since settling in California, Akosua has been featured at a plethora of venues and events including Berkeley’s La Peña Cultural Center and Freight and Salvage (2006). In 2006 Akosua also graced Pontiac Michigan’s Blue Note Café, and her anti-war ballad We Are One, was played on the KPFA morning show. In 2005 Akosua was featured at Berkeley’s Epic Arts. In November 2004, Akosua opened for Sila and the Afro-Funk Experience at the Elbo Room (San Francisco). In February 2004, Akosua was featured at Sacred Grounds (San Francisco).
In addition to her many performances, Akosua also played live on KPFA’s Transitions on Traditions, KALW’s Africa Mix, and KKUP’s World Music Festival. In July of 2005, Akosua performed at New York City’s Performance Space 122, in a mini festival for independent artists. Prior to her trip to New York she received an award for Best Performance of the evening at a West Coast Singer Songwriter’s songwriter competition in Berkeley, CA.
This year, Akosua was featured at Ghana, West Africa’s premier Jazz Club, Jazz Tone.
Akosua is creating new territory for brown girls with guitars. Her undulating voice, introspective lyrics, and self-taught guitar stylings are deeply uplifting and completely unforgettable.
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