Noella Wiyaala Nwadei, widely known as Wiyaala, a Ghanaian singer and composer, has boldly maintained her popularity in Ghana, denying the assumption that she is better known worldwide than locally.
Wiyaala addressed the assumption that she performs more outside Ghana than within the country in a recent interview on “Rush Hour” with RazaSwaggy in Cape Coast.
The “Leno” singer claimed that she performs regularly in Ghana, notably at business gatherings, and that not all of her performances are broadcast on social media. Wiyaala dismissed people who questioned her popularity in Ghana, calling them shallow-minded and short-sighted.
Wiyaala acknowledged that her music style, which she characterizes as folk, traditional, and African, may not appeal to everyone, but she stated that differences in musical tastes should not be used to skew or dismiss her work. She has a strong belief in her profession and feels that her thoughts are relevant and important in public.
Wiyaala addressed the assumption that her music is more popular among foreigners, claiming that claiming white audiences like her music more reveals a problem with her own people. She stressed that such a viewpoint is harmful to Ghana’s music industry and the country as a whole.
On a lighter side, Wiyaala recognized her celebrity, attributing it not only to her exceptional talent but also to her physical appearance. She stated boldly,
“I am aware that I am well-liked in Ghana. You wouldn’t be interviewing me right now if I wasn’t popular.”
Wiyaala made her Ghanaian music debut with her first album, “Tumu,” in 2009, and has since gained tremendous success, performing on worldwide venues and earning multiple prizes.
In 2017, she was the headliner of the 15th London African Music Festival, and she has been a member of the Grammy Recording Academy since July 2022.
