“My feminism is to empower myself and empower the next generation of young women” - Wiyaala (Ghana) 3/4

photo source: wiyaala.com

Our conversation with the iconic Wiyaala continues. In the previous parts, she shared memories from her childhood and her earliest influences (Part 1), as well as her choice to sing in her language, the reception to her music in different parts of Ghana and the rest of the world, and some of the challenges she has faced (Part 2).

In this third part, we dive deeper into her experiences as a female artist in a male-dominated field, and she shares ideas on what women can do to resist and thrive against the misogyny in the music industry. We also explore her thoughts on feminism, and how she shows up as a feminist in the spaces she creates and has access to.

**********

I’m curious about what your experience has been in a male dominated industry. Have you faced challenges that happen specifically because you are a woman thriving in an industry controlled by male gatekeepers?

Oh, yes! It was right in my face as soon as I got into the industry. In fact, it was so in my face that you could almost touch it. That feeling… you could almost touch it. 

In what ways did you experience this?

In the songs you are about to sing; you would even have engineers trying to tweak your songs to sexualise you so that you can sell. They are only looking at your pretty face and how they can use your sexuality to make you a sex symbol. Many women were also just seeing us as people who were out there for the highest bidder. They saw us musicians as people who were looking for the guy with money to come and marry us, and then we would disappear. There was just this belief - and I think it is still there - that a woman can't handle the industry. That we are too fragile and won't be strong enough. So when you get into spaces and it's all men, they will try to undermine you. But we are all here to do business. If I can carry a baby in my stomach and push out a life, why would you think that I can’t handle the music business? There's nothing that a woman cannot handle. 

It wasn't easy. They tried to sexualise you and influence how you dress. You do the shows and it’s mostly the men or young boys that will show up to watch. And you start “making it”, people begin to harass you about having a baby. They would tell you things like, “your clock is ticking.” I'm always saying: this womb is my womb. I decide what is going to live there. Maybe I'm not ready yet. Maybe I can't have a kid. Maybe I already have a kid, or maybe I have adopted.  We are all from different backgrounds and we have things that we might place ahead of certain things. 

Another thing I was hearing was, “you are too dark, you should lighten your skin.” I haven’t had anybody try that with me now. It has changed and I'm very happy. But in the past, I was encouraged to bleach my skin and I said no. I'm not touching my expensive skin. This is me. If you don't like me, I'm sure some people will like me. 

It’s wild the things that female artists deal with, both within the industry and the wider public. 

Yes! I was even told that I needed to increase my buttocks. If I had a big bum, then I could shake it. But then, I'm here to sing and I'm not singing with my buttocks. Someone also told me to slow down and take my time because the things people were advising me to do were like bubble gum and would disappear quickly. That I would be replaceable. The industry would give me a short period of time and then lift someone else up.  

I also think that the reason the industry is male-dominated and has become a challenge is because almost every corner is taken by men. I don't know whether it's because women are not interested in these roles, or that we have our own ways of handling these roles, but we are not stepping forward. For example, I used to pick ideas from the guys that I started with. Almost all of them had at least a laptop in their bedrooms where they could make their own beats before they brought it to the studio. But many of the female artists would rely on the engineers for help. The guys were buying laptops and other instruments to learn how to make basic things. And this really motivated me and I started to reinvest in myself. I decided to get a laptop and a guitar so that I could also write my own songs. I’ve become really good at the guitar, and some of those guys are also great sound engineers now. 

What can be done to have more women in the industry investing in learning and growth in similar ways?

I just believe there's a way we women can do things on our own terms, in our own way, with our own energy and just create the right environment. We need women engineers and producers. There are not many. I don't know how many women own record labels, but we need women in all these roles. We can learn a lot of these things online. We can invest in the equipment. We can beat the narrative of just being a “pretty woman” in the industry. 

And when we get some experience and have made it to the top, set up the space to help another woman. So that when a sister comes to you, we help each other and cut out certain things that a man may have tried to do that has nothing to do with music. If many of us do this, we can also dominate in our own way. Men can do their thing, we can also do our thing and we'll all meet in the middle. 

I think it can be challenging, especially hearing some of the experiences you have shared. But it may very well be the challenge that’s needed to change the current reality.

It’s not just a one-day job. When you stay true to yourself and you take things step by step, you build and you grow. When you love something, enjoy it. It will grow with you and the older you get, the better you can get. And it's going to be forever.

In the end, I can also help somebody. I can help a sister. Because the journey is not easy. It wasn't easy, but all in all, I survived. I survived.

You have, and in such a beautiful and powerful way too. Some people have to do the hard work so other people don't have to suffer through the same things… Let's talk about feminism. Do you identify as a feminist? 

I always say this. I tell somebody that I'm a woman. I have my rights and I also have my responsibilities. I will do what I can do. I will do what I love. You will not stop me or look down on me because I'm a woman. I will respect you but you will respect me, too. I will dare to dream and sometimes stand out and be different. And you will not shut me up. 

If this and so many other positive things might come out strong and intimidate any man to call me a feminist, then yes, I am a feminist.

When did you come to that realization? Was it something that happened in your life or things that you observed around you? 

I didn't even know the word “feminist” meant all these things that a woman stands for. I think that I have been feminist from the word “go”, because I didn't do the ordinary. I played my football. I am muscular. I loved it. I didn't hide it. If you are a guy and you are rude to me, I would reply with the same energy to the extent that I got physical with some people. When I was growing up, I didn't do the usual, especially just because I am a woman. And these were just things I was doing out of passion and love. 

I look back now, and even at what I'm still doing now, and realise how difficult it has been. People would call me stubborn and say no one would marry me because I didn’t listen and I showed my muscles. I was told that I was too independent and that I should allow room for men to help me because I needed them. I was also told that I am “too know”, which is an expression for people who think they are too smart. And that was how some people related to me, and I always resisted it. 

When I finally got to hear the word “feminist” and I got to understand what it means, I was like, “Well, I guess I am a feminist.” And if anybody doesn’t understand that, that's their problem. I am a feminist. My feminism is to empower myself and empower the next generation of young women who want to also go out there and do something for themselves, because it's possible. I know it's difficult, but it's not as difficult as some people try to make it seem. So that's why I know and I always say, yes I am a feminist. 

I think that's a story that many feminists actually share. We believed this for a long time. We just did not know there was a name for it. Talking about names, you are known as “the lioness of Africa” and it’s how you introduced yourself at the start of this conversation. Did you choose this name, or was it given to you?

Well, two things. First of all, I chose the name because of Africa. Lions are found in Africa, and are considered the kings of the jungle. And since I'm the lioness, I am the queen. I’m very, very proud. And I chose that because when I step out there, yes, I am an African and I'm out here, but don't think I can be manipulated. You're not going to look down on me and try to be racist. I am the lioness of Africa, the queen of Africa, and I'm here to tell you about my continent. I will roar and you will hear my name. I am not against you. I'm just here to make friends and make music and go. I'm not coming to intimidate you. Don't be afraid of me. I'm not taking anything from you. Let's be friends and go on. 

When some people call me, they expect me to come as an African with a calabash. To fit their image of an African who is not educated, and just something to come and look at. So it was an opportunity for me to embrace my African-ness with pride and show them. I am African! I will teach you about Africa. But I'm not doing that with hate and racism or through being full of myself. I will take my time and teach you about my continent. I'm in a position to make a change, and the change must start with me. My attitude. My mentality. I am not mentally enslaved to anybody and I wasn't born a slave. And nobody's going to do that to me. 

“I am the lioness of Africa, the queen of Africa, and I’m here to tell you about my continent. I will roar and you will hear my name. ”

You realise that you are like a gallery, and an opportunity to showcase Africa in a good light. And I don't joke with these moments. I actually let people know this is who we are. I am proud of being an African woman and going out there to sing in my own language. And I also appreciate that there's so many people out there who listen, support, buy and really want to know about Africa. In the end, we are friends. And you know, the lioness is strong, it’s independent, it's a very majestic, very intelligent animal. It can hunt for itself. It doesn't need the lion to do that. It has babies and takes care of them. For me, every African woman is like that. We are all lionesses in our own right.

In the final part of this conversation, we chat with Wiyaala about the work she does in her community to uplift girls. She tells us about the impact of her actions, the support she receives from the community, and her vision of freedom for herself and for all girls and women. Click here to read this part.

Join the conversation

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this part. Let us know in the comments below, or let’s chat on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @EyalaBlog.

Learn more about Wiyaala on her website, and follow her on social media @Wiyaala.

“I'm just a simple Sissala girl who is following her dreams.” - Wiyaala (Ghana) 1/4

Photo source: wiyaala.com

For centuries, African women have used their voices and talents to lead and influence change in their communities. Art remains a powerful tool for social justice, and across the African continent and the diaspora, artists continue to contribute to our movements for justice and liberation. 

Wiyaala, the Lionness of Africa, is from Funsi in the Upper West Region of Ghana. A global icon, she stands out with her distinct voice, her unique style and her dedicated engagement to support girls in her community to achieve their dreams. 

In this conversation with Jama Jack, she opens up about her childhood and her earliest influences, and her journey as an artist, including bold choices about her music and stage persona (Part 2). She also talks about feminism and the work she does to combat child marriage and support girls and women in her community (Part 3). In the final part, Wiyaala shares her insights on life, freedom, and the impact she is influencing (Part 4).

**********

Wiyaala, it's almost surreal that we are on a group call with a global icon like yourself. Let’s start by having you tell us who you are. How do you like to introduce yourself?

My name is Wiyaala, the lioness of Africa. Because wherever I go, we roar! I'm a singer, songwriter, and dancer. And I do a little bit of acting.

Let’s get into the world of Wiyaala the lion cub. Where did you grow up and what was that experience like? What did you remember from your childhood?

I'm from a typical African home. My father is married to more than one wife. More than two, even. So you can imagine what the family system will be like. It's an extended family, where your father is also still responsible for his brother's children. And his brother is also kind of responsible for his children, in case he’s not around. That’s the system I grew up in: where a sister looks out for the sister’s children, and a neighbor looks out for the neighbor’s children. So, sometimes you are left with your neighbors when your parents go to work. 

As a child, I was running wild, playing, doing the usual things a typical African child will do. Sometimes we would go out and get into fun wrestling. You come back home and you are scolded a bit. I was in an environment where almost every parent took their child to school. It was like a competition on whose child was doing better. No one wanted their child to not be intelligent in the classroom. We would come home with our results, and if you did well, you would get treats. However, some of us were doing well, but not on the academic side. So childhood was a bit troublesome for me. 

In what ways?

I was seen to be a bit troublesome because I didn't want to write. I would rather be singing or dancing, which was good for me. However, they would tell me it was too much, and if I really wanted to go forward, I would have to like books and learn how to read and write. So that's childhood for me. I am the second born. We are eight girls and my mother is the first wife. And life has been up and down, up and down. I've lived in the village for a good amount of time to know how village life is. It’s either tough or fun, or very traditional. And I've also lived in a small town where life got much better. It also had a tough side, and then a really good side. Yes, I've grown in the village and in the town. But I still keep the balance. But now I'm back in the village.

You mentioned school and trying to find a balance between doing well with academics but also doing the things that you loved - the singing, the dancing. Where did the singing come from? What do you remember as the first time you started singing and thought: this is what I want to do?

Church! The first place was the church. Even though I had started singing, I didn't know it was a talent. I thought everybody was singing and so, I was also just singing. At the funerals in the village they would sing, and we all sang along. During wedding ceremonies, they would sing and then we all sang along. We used to have Jazz Night, too. 

But when I started singing, it just seemed to a lot of people that I was singing with a style that stood out. I was singing, dancing and drumming, and the excitement on my face made people laugh. For example, they could tell all of us, “okay, you're all going to move like this.” Everybody would move that way, but I’d put a bit of style into my movement. At that time, I didn't know it was even a talent until people started saying “she always does it extra. She's really good. You are very good at singing”. So that encouraged me. 

When I got the chance, I would go into the church, where they actually had a place just for singing after you pray. I just went straight to that section. That was also because my mother is a Catholic. And she used to take us to the church. And as she sang in the choir, I would babysit my sister. So every time they sang songs, I loved it. And I loved the piano they used to play. As time went on, I joined the choir. That was when I realised that I really liked to sing. And this was the only fun part of the church for me. Any other thing they are saying, I would always wait for the priest to turn around and say “now we're going to have something from the choir.” You would see me excited… then my voice would be there. So church was the first place. 

photo source: wiyaala.com

So you started nurturing it from childhood, then? At what point did you say, “I can make something bigger out of this?” Beyond just enjoying it as a child singing with everyone else in church, what was the click?

I saw people singing on TV and they were extra special for me, because they were wearing different costumes. They were singing, and there was one person singing and almost doing things I only do in my head. However, I was in an environment where nobody was telling me these other things that you can do when you are a good singer. Or teaching me things like “this is a stage and this person singing is a musician, a star, and then they dress up.” So in my head, I'm like “I've always been thinking about something like this.” But I was a bit worried that if I did that, they might not like it. 

Once I saw somebody singing, especially if it was a woman, I didn't care whether that was the best singer in the world. I saw someone singing for the first time and the music was so nice to my ears. People played musical instruments, and my brain went “poof”. This was what I wanted to be like when I grew up. I started imitating the singer, and the costumes were just amazing. She was almost everything I wanted to be, but I was just a kid growing up. When I tried to do that in real life, it was a challenge. People were like, “Are you crazy?”

How old were you at the time? 

I was just becoming a teenager. I think between thirteen and fifteen years. That's the age where you sometimes think you’ve conquered the world, and dominated it.

And this singer who you connected to so much… Do you remember who it was? 

It was Madonna! I remember it because it was the only tape that I found in my father's house in the next town. They had electricity, so whenever we went to spend holidays with him and my stepmom, his second wife, we got to watch television. So I just stumbled upon this tape, and it had “Madonna” written on it. I thought it was an action movie, and maybe the woman was the hero there. Then I saw this lady singing, and that was it. 

I can remember all the people around me at the time and what they said to me. I had just come from the village. I saw these things on the TV and as a teenager, still discovering myself, I would come out and reproduce the costumes in my own style. Then, I would start singing and some people would say, “you're making noise. Keep quiet! Seriously, this will not go anywhere.” Others would say “don’t mind her. You know she’s a bush girl, a village girl. She came here and she saw a TV for the first time. She’ll grow out of it. You know she's young, she doesn't know what she's doing.” 

How did that make you feel?

I don't know how, but there are some things that happen to you, and it doesn't matter how old you get, those words get to you. They stay with you. For me, I think they motivated me even though some of the words were very horrible. For some reason, I didn't get angry. I just used the anger in a positive light and I said, “I will show you that you are wrong about me.” It's like I was really trying to impress Madonna so much.

These were supposed to be bullying words, insults, or just innocent jokes they would laugh at me for. And I say they are bullies because nobody even said to me, “okay, this thing you like, maybe we should pay attention to it.” Nobody saw anything in music. All they saw was that music was only done in Europe. And it was done by women who were half naked and didn't wear clothes. So those people felt that they knew the distraction I was about to get myself involved in. 

In the next part of our conversation, Wiyaala talks about her choice to sing in her language, the reception to her music in different parts of Ghana and the rest of the world, and some of the challenges she has faced. Click here to read the second part.

Join the conversation

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this first part. Let us know in the comments below, or let’s chat on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @EyalaBlog.

Learn more about Wiyaala on her website, and follow her on social media @Wiyaala.