Yaa Pono, Wiyaala and Nana Yaa hosted on BBC Global Beats

The Global Beats is a BBC Africa new monthly initiative music programme set to be launched this weekend, June 21, 2014 at 2000 GMT and June 22, 2014 at 2300 GMT respectively. The concept of this new initiative comes with exclusive sessions with musicians in Africa as Ghana’s most exciting musicians take lead on its debut sessions.

Currently in the 3rd week of June, 2014, BBC Africa’s resident DJ Rita Ray is in Accra to record exclusive sessions with some fast rising Ghanaian musicians including Yaa Pono, Wiyaala and Nana Yaa as at the time of publishing this report.

With the concept of Global Beats, it appears DJ Rita Ray will be having other exclusive sessions with most of Ghana’s exciting, established and upcoming musicians although names are unknown on its additional sessions of the new monthly programme.

DJ Rita Ray who describes the Ghanaian music scene as a real renaissance of music and “we want to be in from the start.”

The exclusive session of Global Beats had DJ Rita Ray meeting with Yaa Pono, who is termed as one of the new breed of Hiplife artistes in Ghana. The 3minutes, 26 seconds interview focuses on his song titled ‘I dey feel you die’, the Rock rhythm the song has, his reason for recording this song since he is known for his songs on social conditions.

It also talks about his song titled ‘Mmoasem’ and the drive behind his communicative performance. Do you want to be the spokesperson for the young people?

Listen to Yaa Pono on Global Beats below:

On the next session of Global Beats, the team stepped it down a little as DJ Rita Ray meets with Wiyala from Wa in the Upper West, Ghana. She emerged as a solo Afro Rock singer under the management of Djimba World Records from the group Black N Peach, winners of the second edition of Vodafone Icons Mixed Edition and also, a participant of Stars of the Future. Making headlines, she was recognized for her feisty videos. She doubles as the face of Pepsi.

On Global Beats, her song, ‘Tinambi’, one of the new songs on her yet-to-be-release debut album earns the focus as DJ Rita Ray asked her about the concept of the song, her stature and her love for motors.

She in turn dares women to dream and not hold back their desires and talents.

Wiyaala’s debut 10-track album although untitled is currently being recorded in a studio in South Africa. She will be hosted on Global Beats on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 2000GMT and Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 2300 GMT.

Listen to Wiyaala on Global Beat below:



Whetting the appetites of its listeners across Africa, Global Beats, the new monthly music programme on BBC Africa scheduled to be broadcast this weekend; DJ Rita Ray’s third Ghanaian musician was Nana Yaa, daughter of Highlife legend Pat Thomas.

Missing on the Ghanaian music scene, Nana Yaa took some time off her musical career to start a family with her husband; she has two children now. With her fantastic voice, she is now back with a new album (title unknown) produced by Kwame Yeboah who as well backs her on the guitar in this song.

The album has most of its songs recorded in English and Pidgin slung including Love songs and motivational songs. It will be released very soon.

Listen to Nana Yaa during her meeting with DJ Rita Ray on Global Beats:



Global Beats is a BBC Africa new monthly music initiative programme and the above sessions are previews of the few Ghanaian artistes the team has met so far. Tune in to BBC Africa 101.3 on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 2000GMT and Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 2300GMT.

Article from summarized briefing on the preview of Global Beats on BBCAfrica with additional information from GhanaWeb.