Agyakomah is very talented and amazing. The Ghanian beauty is whose style is eclectic and an accomplished singer is definitely someone to watch and is heating up the music scene. She recently sat down with Sheen Magazine to talk about her musical journey, creative process, newest single, reaching people with her music and more.
Your voice is amazing!! What first got you into music?
It might sound cliché, but I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember! To this day, I can vividly remember singing along to Disney Channel shows since I was about 7 years old. However, what truly ignited my passion for becoming an artist was when I turned 15 and 16 years old and began taking a variety of choir classes in school. I found immense joy in attending rehearsals, harmonizing with the group, and spending countless hours practicing in the rehearsal rooms. Immersing myself in the artistic world and being a dedicated student of my talent became my passion.
As I delved into the art of writing lyrics, I would often practice the material a cappella during those classes, gradually developing my own original material. This journey naturally led me to explore recording my own vocals, marking the beginning of refining my artistry. It was during this process that I began to discover not only my identity as an artist but also as a person, and what I wanted to convey to the world through my music.
Who inspired you to make music?
Among the many artists I admire, one who particularly inspires me in the realm of music is Lauryn Hill. Her artistry deeply resonates with how I aspire to connect and engage with my audience through my own music. In ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,’ you can sense the depth of her storytelling. Each song feels incredibly intimate, as if she crafted the album solely for herself and the emotional release it provided. While anyone can record songs, creating a body of work that resonates with people on such a profound level is inspiring. I believe all artists across mediums should strive to make that kind of impact at some point in their careers.
I also find her representation as an intelligent, stunning dark-skinned black woman who confidently and beautifully embraced her natural hair to be incredibly powerful especially during that time. That visual representation is still as important today as it was then.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
That’s a tough question! Musically, I find myself straddling different genres. I believe my vocal style consistently draws from R&B/Soul influences, but the production can vary significantly. Sometimes it leans towards R&B, while other times it veers towards Afrobeats. There are moments where it takes on a Neo-Soul vibe or draws inspiration from Hip-Hop. Currently, the music I’m working on incorporates a cinematic element, adding more strings to the production. I think this direction will surprise people in future releases!
What is your creative process like?
It truly varies from song to song. I tend to jot down any word, phrase, or line that pops into my head at any moment and save it in my notes app for later reference. From there, I often select a saved line and engage in some free writing inspired by the phrase. I then incorporate personal experiences into the writing process. I lean towards being an analytical writer because I enjoy breaking down my thoughts and experiences, asking myself questions like: Why do I feel this way? Why did I make this decision? Was it the right decision? Who was at fault, if anyone?
For my latest single, “Do It All,” I discovered the production in 2021. I started writing on it in December while I was in Ghana, but I put it down to work on other tracks. It wasn’t until mid-2023 that I revisited the track. Once I heard the strings at the beginning and the bass drop in the pre-hook, I was reminded of why I had saved the track for so long. The opening lyrics of the track reflected exactly how I felt in that moment: “I’ve been thinking about life totally wrong, brainwashed myself to think I need to do it alone.”
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Victoria Monet is at the top of my list! I’ve been following her for a while now, and I’m thrilled to see the level of recognition she’s receiving. She’s a consummate artist and entertainer in the truest sense. I deeply respect her work, and I believe we could create some incredible music together.
Additionally, I’ve been eager to collaborate with Wyclef Jean as an executive producer. His musicality is unparalleled, and he has a knack for exploring diverse sounds. I’m confident that our collaboration would result in something truly innovative and fresh.
I’m also a huge fan of Tems’ voice and vibe. I believe that featuring both of our vocals on a track would be electrifying.
Lastly, it might surprise some people, but I would love to work with the alternative artist Fiona Apple. I’ve listened to nearly all of her albums, and her songwriting is absolutely fierce. I would love to see her creative process, I don’t know how a track with us would sound but it would be something completely different and fresh.
You recently dropped your newest single “Do It All”. What was the inspiration behind it?
I constantly analyze my thoughts to understand why I feel the way I do. When I wrote this song about a year ago, I was contemplating the concept of the ‘soft girl life.’ Despite thriving on independence and feeling strong and sexy by doing things for myself, the desire for someone to relieve stressors and burdens is undeniable. Every woman longs for a partner who is attentive, in tune with her needs, and takes steps to see her in her softest, most beautiful light.
Since childhood, I’ve always been a self-motivated go-getter. I believe these qualities have contributed to my strength and resilience. However, I’ve also realized that I hold onto a certain level of control, perhaps because I’m used to being hands-on. Despite my capability to handle everything, I believe any man entering my life should be capable of providing the same level (if not more) of support that I provide for myself.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
There are so many! Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Fiona Apple, Britney Spears, Brandy, Jazmine Sullivan, Mariah Carey… I could go on for days.
I also have a strong affinity for groups like En Vogue, Boyz II Men, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, New Edition…
Your video for the single “The Bad Guy”, has amazing visuals. What was it like shooting the video?
I collaborated with a director named Ashanti, whom I met online through a Facebook group. She was seeking new collaborators so the timing was perfect. Ashanti has done some production work with HBO, the Apollo Theatre, and Make Make Entertainment.
We filmed the entire video at Coney Island beach over three shooting days to capture both day and night scenes. Originally, we planned for just two days around mid-last August, but we needed additional footage. By the time we shot on the third day, it was around October. Just imagine shooting at the beach at night in the middle of fall—it was absolutely freezing! However, the water scenes are my absolute favorite because they looked so glamorous! I really just wanted to capture myself feeling liberated which I thought would be an interesting take to have for a video because I think when you first hear the song you feel like it’s kind of angsty and moody but if you really listen close it’s about embracing the freeing feeling you get once you stop putting people before yourself. Even if someone looks at you as “the bad guy” at the end.
I appreciate collaborating with individuals who are open to teamwork and allow me to co-direct the visuals, as it helps me to grow in my craft across disciplines.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
To keep God first, to always pray, and to keep up on going!
What’s next for you? Any new projects in the works?
I’m currently focused on promoting my newest single, “Do It All,” which is now available on all streaming platforms! I’m truly excited for Sheen readers to give it a listen. The song delves into a relatable topic with nuance, highlighting the recognition that, while women often embrace independence out of necessity or preference, there’s an inherent desire and appreciation in having someone share the burden and take care of you.
The song addresses the common dichotomy between hyper-independence and total dependence on a partner. What I express in the song is simple yet powerful: “I can do it all, BUT I stillwant you to do it all for me.”
Looking ahead, I have plans to release another single towards the end of June and release my second EP later in the year. Following that, I’ll be eager to return to performing live and sharing the new material with my supporters. Writing and recording new music has been my main focus the last year, and I’m so ready to hit the stage again—it’s truly my favorite aspect of being an artist!
How can our readers keep up with you?
I’m most active on Instagram @_agyakomah_ but you can also find me on Twitter – @_agyakomah_ and Tik-Tok – @_agyakomah_.
Photo Credit: Mel Arthur
Add Comment