Based: Ghana

Noella Wiyaala (known under the stage name Wiyaala) was born on December 22, 1986, and she is Ghanaian Afro-pop singer-songwriter who sings in her native language Sissala and Waala dialects and English, often combining all three languages within her songs.

Wiyaala means ‘the doer’ in the Sissala dialect She has attained public renown with her single “Make Me Dance” and her androgynous image.

After making her name in reality shows in Accra, she established a solo career in 2013 with the hit single “Rock My Body”, which won her two awards at the 2014 first edition of the All Africa Music Awards, the Most Promising Artiste in Africa and Revelation of The African Continent. Wiyaala is also associated with UNICEF Ghana and the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection of Ghana in campaigns against child marriage, child poverty, health and sanitation. She headlined the 15th London African Music Festival in London.

Wiyaala sings both in English and her native language Sisaala. She writes her songs herself. She has earned praise for her bold and powerful voice and distinguished timbre. Given Madonna, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Tina Turner as role models and inspiration.She had often been called “man-woman” by the boys in grade school and nowadays she cultivates an androgynous image of herself, for which she had been compared to Grace Jones. Also, she has expressed admiration for African artists like Angelique Kidjo, Miriam Makeba and Brenda Fassie Her song “Africa” has been inspired by Sherifa Gunu.

Her music style has been described as Afro-pop or Afro-rock with elements of tribal folk music while the latest single “Rock My Body”, released in June 2013 together with Ghanaian reggae singer Jupitar leans more towards reggae and dancehall. Wiyaala cited as inspiration the 1969 song “Wreck A Buddy” by Nora Dean and The Soul Sisters. She did also perform in the opening of the 2014 Stanbic Ghana jazz festival.

The single “Go Go Black Stars…Goal!”, released in April 2014, on the Djimba World Records label, sung in English and Ghanaian languages, also features tribal drums and stadium choruses. The same song had been picked up as the unofficial hymn of the national football team of Ghana for the 2014 World Cup.

Wiyaala got nominated as Best Sporting Artist in Ghana Sports Excellence Awards 2014

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