Serwaa hits international top chart

She was born at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, 21 years ago. She left the shores of Ghana for the UK when she was only six weeks old. It is not very clear whether her parents discovered any musical notes in the shrill cries that came out of her toothless mouth then.

But, today, one thing is very clear. Afia Serwaa Bonsu a. k. a., Adaine Seiwah is a full-blown musician with a silky smooth voice which has put her on the list of top stars in the world.

The latest single work, “Confessions of a Fool” recently released by the UK-based Ghanaian has entered the top 20 Rhythm and Blues (R&B) chart which lists the works produced by R&B artistes in the UK and America.

In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, at the newly-opened Celebration Night Club in Accra where she was a special guest, Adaine said her song entered the chart at number 19 without any marked publicity. She said presently she has not been signed on by any record label because she needs the freedom to express herself.

“If a record company should pick me up now, I have the fan base and the identity already. I don’t want to be pigeon-holed or labelled the “next whoever” or “she sounds like so-and-so”. She said she is a unique performer and a true Ghanaian and will always remain as such.

Adaine Seiwah first started singing at the tender age of three by mimicking songs that she heard on the radio by recording artistes such as Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker and Madonna. She continued to sing throughout the early stages of her childhood.

But it was not until her secondary school music teacher, Mr. Swainston, saw her vocal ability that she started taking her singing seriously. With his encouragement and guidance Adaine started to write her own songs and was taught to play the piano, and the flute.

The highlight of this was a documentary screened by LWT (Talent Quest) focusing on her special vocal talent. This show led her to be a featured guest for LWT’s 30th Anniversary show where she performed solo for His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and other VIP celebrities.

At only 16 Adaine sang live on the Disney Channel a track titled, "You got me”. She co-wrote & produced that. This electrifying performance spurned many offers of calibration from other producers and writers, from the likes of Bill Wynman (Ex Rolling Stones & The Rhythm Kings), Soundtrack for LWT series Bad Girls and the release of her first single, “Da La La" the upbeat Dance track. This had a large following on the UK underground dance scene.

Over the next few years Adaine gained valuable experience by performing at live events with various groups like So Solid, Craig David, Liberty X, Atomic Kittens and, All Saints.

Now aged 21 Adaine has decided to embark on the independent route that will allow her to, write, produce and release songs under her label Pen & Pad Music (which she started with Douglas Hamandi — she her writing partner).

The first release from this dynamic duo is the infectious laid back R'n'B track, "Confessions of a Fool" That is built around a sample taken from the Mobb Deep track, "Hell on Earth".

Adaine said she has plans of collaborating with some of the great singers in the country, such as Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba or anybody she finds appropriate, to produce some Twi-English works for the international market. Hear her: “The Spaniards, Portuguese, Italians, French and Chinese do it and it’s working. In music, one must always be a step ahead”.

“I love music so long as it is good. It is not always that one must understand what the musician is saying. If the beat and general rhythm is good, that’s cool and that’s why Ghanaian music should make it on the international market,” she added.

She advised Ghanaian musicians to watch the timing of their releases since that is very important. “You could have a hot track but if it’s released at the wrong time it may not have the needed impact. Back in England songs such as Aben Wo Ha by Lumba and Apuskeleke by Sidney were very popular because they were released at the right time.

Besides music, Adaine loves acting and caring for kids. In fact, she has one daughter and intends to establish a nursery school, organise concerts and donate the proceeds to hospitals. She enjoys Tuo Zaafi and leaves sauce as well as pepper-spiced khebabs.