Wiyaala

Wiyaala at 238th US Independence Day Reception (2014)

Noella Wiyaala Nwadei (also known as Wiyaala; born 22 December 1986) is a Ghanaian Afro-pop singer-songwriter.

Quotes

• When I was growing up, girls had no say. Your only use is to be married off for your bride price. I saw many girls taken out of the classroom and handed out to men - usually older men.
  • M.anifest, MzVee, Wiyala And Gary Al-Smith Support 'Left-Behind' Campaign, Modern Ghana, 28 February 2018.
• I don’t go to church because the churches around where I stay currently make too much noise which doesn’t invite me to worship with them. I believe we go to church to worship God, sing and pray but what goes on in my area is beyond measure.
  • SQuarshie, Clothe yourself; stop praising the devil - Morris BabyFace tells Wiyaala, Pulse.com.gh, 1 May 2015.
• I am a religious person but marrying a man of God won’t work for me. I do secular music and a man of God wouldn’t allow his wife to be doing that. I will rather marry a free thinker so that we manage, particularly someone who is not too much into church.
  • Christiana, Wiyaala says she will not marry a man of God, Pulse.com.gh, 30 April 2015.
• I can do any kind or style of music I want...Reggae, Ragga, Ballad, African, Afro pop, even Pure pop. As an African, I still have my African thing and I don’t want to lose that because I just believe from day one that would make me stand out quick and I can never let that go.
  • Ghana’s Wiyaala Is The Next Big International Personality, News Ghana, 29 July 2016.
• It’s true that my music is not always genre specific, but I always see it as Afro-centric. I will be releasing an album of my own songs later this year (2016) and I will be singing in my local languages of Sissala and Wale as well as English. Some of the songs will sound traditional and local to where I grew up, whilst others will be more mainstream influenced.
  • Ghana’s Wiyaala Is The Next Big International Personality, News Ghana, 29 July 2016.
• All my life, I have dreamt one day I would climb international stages and showcase my talents on behalf of Ghanaians to the world. I say to all Africans, in whatever field you have talent, dream big and go out and live that dream. We can and will change perceptions about Africa.
  • Wiyaala Ready To Spark WOMAD UK International Arts Festival, News Ghana, 7 April 2016.
• If you’re authentic, artificial intelligence can’t kill your career.
  • Kent Mensah, Afro-pop sensation Wiyaala, who says AI can’t replace authentic African voices, The Africa Report, 28 July 2023.
• I will be as popular as anything in the North but because it’s (Ghana Music Awards) an Accra-based program and most of the radio stations are Accra-based, it is normal that they only hear Accra songs. Most of the DJs don’t understand our songs and a lot of people are not willing to understand our songs.
  • Edith Mensah, VGMA rewards only Accra-based acts- Wiyaala, Graphic Online, 10 May 2023.
• That is why in my opinion I think you would have to understand [the language in] rap music to enjoy it. Because rap is very similar to talking. If you are a rapper and you went to certain places and they don’t understand what you are rapping about because you are talking to them in a much faster pace.
  • You need to understand the language in a rap song to enjoy it – Wiyaala, myjoyonline, 8 June 2023.
• Every parent must teach their child their local dialect, if you don't do that, it's very embarrassing and when you go home they will be making fun of you... it is one thing you have to learn 'compulsory by force'.
  • Traditional language is my identity – Wiyaala, Ghana Web, 22 November 2019.
• You need not copy people blindly, else you will find yourself wanting.
  • Traditional language is my identity – Wiyaala, Ghana Web, 22 November 2019.
• I decided to let people know the real Wiyaala. Rock My Body happened because I was trying to join what was trending. That was because I just allowed myself to be influenced by some friends who said 'oh do this because it is trending. It is going to make you [popular]. [So, I said] let's get it [done]'. Deep down I'm not sure.
  • My ‘Rock My Body’ song was for trends – Wiyaala opens up, Ghana Web, 25 August 2022.
• Rock My Body, is a sex song but if it comes out people will just put me in a certain category that is not me. I'm versatile. I can sing any style but I really need to start well. If I don't lay the foundations well and I come with the wrong start, that's how the industry will receive her. Rock my body did that.
  • My ‘Rock My Body’ song was for trends – Wiyaala opens up, Ghana Web, 25 August 2022.

Quotes about Wiyaala

• If Wiyaala came from Funsi and has succeeded, then me too, I can make it.
  • Abena Denteh as quoted in M.anifest, MzVee, Wiyala And Gary Al-Smith Support 'Left-Behind' Campaign, Modern Ghana, 28 February 2018.
• I always see Wiyaala on TV. I sing MzVee's songs everyday. Today I am seeing them. I think I am dreaming.
  • M.anifest, MzVee, Wiyala And Gary Al-Smith Support 'Left-Behind' Campaign, Modern Ghana, 28 February 2018.
• Did Wiyaala say churches make unnecessary noise praising God and praying to him? How I wish there is sense in what she’s said. You play your secular music in very loud speakers for people to dance, sing and praise the devil by doing the unnecessary and you have a problem with those who will make a joyful noise unto the Lord? Well, I think you must put some clothes on to be taken serious. GOD FORGIVE YOU.
  • Morris BabyFace as quoted in Clothe yourself; stop praising the devil - Morris BabyFace tells Wiyaala, Pulse.com.gh, 1 May 2015.
• I like the way she (Wiyaala) is doing her things because she has been herself and she only has to improve on her music. But her concept and the way she portrays herself is clear indication that she is on the right path.
  • Gyedu-Blay Ambolley as quoted in I like everything about Wiyaala – Ambolley confesses, Ghana Web, 18 August 2023.
• Wiyaala is a unicorn and hard worker in the music industry. We are from the North there are not a lot of us in this space so, when you find yourself here, you feel like you have a lot to prove. So, Wiyaala has really fought hard and I'm so proud of her because she gives me inspiration to do what I'm doing.
  • Zakia Kunge as quoted in Wiyaala gives me inspiration - Zakia Kunge, Ghana Web, 29 April 2023.
• There are also amazing female musicians like Wiyaala, whose powerful voice and unique style have left a lasting impression on me.
  • Daniel Krull as quoted in German Ambassador lists Pat Thomas, Charles Amoah, Wiyaala, among his favourite Ghanaian musicians, Ghana Web, 11 August 2023.

Lyrics

• The land is good, the land is fine
  Gold we have, diamonds we mine
  Yet we fight; we cover it all in blood
  Tell me why we wallow in the mud
  Africa! Africa! Africa!...Mama Africa
  We cry for peace...Africa!
  Tell me why you fight...Tell me why we fight
  • Africa (2016), Ghana’s Wiyaala Is The Next Big International Personality, News Ghana, 29 July 2016.