Rebecca Akosua is Ghana’s twenty-four year old pop songstress. She plays every thing from pop to rock and slows. She’s the fifth of nine kids from a London mum and Ghanaian dad and so has international grooming which probably accounts for her versatility.
We engaged her after a stunning and arousing performance at the Glo Rock N Rule tour in Makurdi, Benue. The Ghanaian international and Glo ambassador took us very quickly into her world and what music means to her. Excerpts.
What is your name in full?
My name is Rebecca Akosua Acheampong. It’s a very traditional African name and I come from Ghana.
How long have you been doing this for?
I’ve been doing this for a year actually. I was a year in November.
Where did you get all of that stage confidence from?
I know it’s just a matter of practice. I have done this so many times now and when you do something so many times and its something you love to do, its different. When I get on the stage I am no longer Rebecca Acheampong, I’m Becca. Its usually different. I learn from experience.
About how many stages have you appeared in one year?
Oh, many. I’ve been on a lot of stages in Ghana, South Africa and within Nigeria. I’ve been playing in Nigeria since October, so I have done quite a lot of stage performances in Nigeria so far.
Listening to you on stage, I hear some Rock, Funk, Hip Hop and music from other genres. What do you call your kind of music?
Fusion is what I call it. I call my music Afropop. It’s very diverse. It’s a combination of Pop, African rhythm, Hip Hop, R N B, everything. The kind of songs I do are targeted at the average group. I want everyone to enjoy it. So when you listen to my album, its very diverse. There’s slows, the really hyper ones for those that love to dance, and then for those who just want to relax and enjoy music. There are different categories of music done in my traditional language and also in English language.
You are very energetic on stage. Do you do drugs?
No. I have never done drugs. It’s (the energy) very natural. The energy comes from within. This is something I have always wanted to do since I was very little and opportunity comes, Beca takes over and I just want to please the crowd and myself. I perform for both myself and the crowd’s pleasure.
How do you handle your male fans?
I handle them with care (laughter). It’s like male fans are fans so I treat them equally like I treat female fans. I don’t treat them exceptionally. I respond to everyone of my fans equally.
Has there been any backstage embarrassment from a male fan before?
Unfortunately, they don’t even get a chance to come that close.
What about your love life.
That’s private.
Are you single?
Yes I am.
Is there anyone in the picture?
Private. It’s more like I’m just very focused on my career right now.
What’s your ideal man like?
An ideal man has to be confident, funny, honest, caring and God-fearing.
Did you grow up in Ghana?
I grew up in Ghana and in the United Kingdom, so I was in and out. My mum is from London, my dad is a Ghanaian, so I studied in both Ghana and the U.K.
Are you trying to sell your music with sex appeal because your performance was very seductive?
Sex sells; but that’s not what I’m doing. I’m feminine and I like to dress how I do. As for my body movement, that comes naturally. It just comes by virtue of being female when I get on stage.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I love Hugh Masekela, Yvonne Chakachaka and Angelique Kidjo. I particularly like the strength in her voice; I like the way she sings. These are people I grew up listening to ‘Ori Ori o’
What do you think of Nigerian men, are they romantic?
I really can’t tell because I haven’t experienced them yet. May be later on when I do.
What’s your perception of them from afar.
In general from afar, I think men are men. I think they have got their own culture, tradition and belief but until I have an experience with them, I really can’t comment.
Where have you had the best reception so far in Nigeria.
Truly speaking, everywhere I go I enjoy the reception of people but the reception differs. What I enjoy most is the culture, from the different cities, South to North — its really different and it is really interesting. I have learnt a lot from all these places I’ve been. I wouldn’t choose from any. It’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.
How old is your album?
Just about a year. its titled Sugar.
Did you anticipate yourself going this far in such a short while?
Not at all. I pray to God and with it is hard work. I want to get somewhere. So with hard work and good management – it’s freedom. You know I surprise myself sometimes when I’m performing on stage. I’m like I’m only a year and I probably sound like I’ve been on stage for over 20 years and that is a good thing. But I still make sure I’m learning.
Is there any Nigerian artiste you are looking forward to working with.
Yeah a whole lot of them I can’t really mention. I’ve got Asa and will really like to do a song with her. A whole lot of the guys too are doing well and I really wouldn’t mind doing a song with any of them.
Music business in Nigeria is serious business, are you playing with that of moving here.
I haven’t thought of relocating. I’ve that of coming here to promote my songs. Because I love Nigeria just like Ghana. The more reason I like the Glo tour is because its giving me some exposure and I’m enjoying do it. Hopefully, people are getting to know me now.
How old is Becca?
I’m 24 years.
How did you get on the Glo tour?
I am a Glo ambassador for Ghana.
Do you do music full time?
I am actually a childcare educationist. I specialize in childcare. Basically that’s what I trained in the U.K.
I’m taking a break now to do music but I look forward to practicing in the line of my training. I’ve got a Becca. Institute that is basically for children infected with HIV/AIDS. I’m raising some money for them.
I’ve got a lot doing. Because of my training with children, I know what they are made of and what a child is supposed to be. It’s given me a lot of knowledge about children.
How do you combine it with your music?
It’s actually good because there is a lot of exposure and you are like their (the children’s) voice. It’s an opportunity. I’m in Ghana and I’m hoping to do my childcare stuff. All my life I’ve been a childcare educationist. I can use the music platform to raise funds everywhere I go for children who are underprivileged.
