Up Close With Manye Mercy

Still very young, still very sexy and still very friendly, who else could these words be describing but the musician popularly called Queen (a former member of Triple M) in showbiz circles but now Manye Mercy (Queen Mercy).

In an exclusive interview with her some weeks ago, she opened up like never before about her life. Welcome to the exciting world of one of Africa?s most talented and extremely famous ladies.

Can you tell me a little bit about your background?
To make the long story short, I started singing at a tender age hmm like 5 years for my late aunt anytime she comes back from work. May her soul rest in peace.

Where were you in born?
Accra, Ghana. Grew up here and did all my studies here. Had my primary education at Bethel Academy and then proceeded to Ebenezer Secondary School in 1997.

How many are you?
3

And you are the??
Eldest

How old are you now?
I never say my age. You have to guess.

22?
Thanks. You gave me less. I am happy (laughs).

You look like an 18 year-old girl and exactly like your mum.
Look like my mum, yes. If I don?t tell you the age of my mum, you might think she?s in her 40?s. People always give her 5 years lower but still won?t tell you my age.

So have I given you 5 years lower?
Yes

Then you are 27.
No, I am not.

Ok, I will find out later.
(laughs)

At what point did you take music seriously?
Way back in Junior Secondary School where I composed gospel songs and performed at marriage ceremonies and the likes.

Which J.S.S?
Laterbiorkoshie J.S.S. It?s not far from my house.

How was schooling like in Ebenezer?
Quite cool. During entertainment time, I used to go to Scripture Union. It got to a time that I was forced to go to entertainment to perform after some of the seniors had realized I knew how to sing. After the performance, the students went berserk. All what was being echoed was ?Nafisa, Nafisa? which was my name at first.

Because of my friendliness with most people, I was liked by many and was even selected as the class prefect. To sum it all, students of Ebenezer who went like ?No Nafisa, no entertainment? because I was not selected as the entertainment prefect made me become the vice president of the entertainment committee after a wild demonstration.

With what reason were you not selected as the entertainment prefect?
Refusing to smooch a guy, which I was asked to during vetting. Interesting, isn?t it?

Which religion do you belong to?
Christianity

I am quite fascinated by your dress code. I have been looking at it. How did you come by it?
It is fashion. I have been wearing foreign clothes for so long. I am African so I have to dress like an African and wear the traditional clothes.

How long have you been with this style of dressing?
Since 2005.

So when you are on stage, how do you feel?
I love to perform. That is the best part of my work. I hate being in the studio because you don?t have the public in front of you that psyches you up. Being on stage is a very special thing. I like being with people that is why I like being on stage.

Do you want to fly?
I want to fly. I want to go high. With God and the public behind me, I will get there.

Who is the guy in your life?
It?s a secret but I have a guy.

Being one of the accomplished female hiplife artistes, definitely men would like to come around you. How do you cope?
I am cool with everyone but I stay back from those who want to go out with me.

What is your ambition in life?
Help street kids, become a star, help old artistes who could not make it due to financial constraints and also upcoming stars God willing which I have started on my maiden album by featuring Stone Boy, Biggie Man and Bell Born-fly. I also want to do music till I die.

You want to do music till you die?
Yes

Would you mind if you die on stage?
No. That will be the best death for me. Hey, but not now (laughs).

When is the maiden album coming out?
Very soon and expect the video of ?Mi Nsumo Bo Pe? (You are the only one I love) soon.

On which label and by which producer?
Bimos Entertainment with Mr. Alexander Akwetey at the helm and produced by Kwik Action of S24.

Use your last words to tell us something about your album.
Above all standards, I believe it?s something else.

You heard it all. Go get a copy of the will-be chart-hitting album soon to hit stores. Big Ben Music Production will have a lot of the album to give out when you go there.

By now, you might be wondering why she went solo. Stay glued to Ghana Music.com for more updates on her.