Jackline Acheampong famously called Gyakie came onto the Ghanaian music scene when she released her hit song Never Like This in 2019.
She quickly gained international recognition after her single Forever became a worldwide hit topping many music charts.
Born on December 16, 1998, in Kumasi, Gyakie comes from a family with musical background. She is the daughter of legendary highlife musician, Nana Acheampong.
The singer-songwriter’s style is a blend of R&B, Afrobeats, and Pop Music. Although she hasn’t been in the commercial music industry for a long time, Gyakie has bagged some significant awards including the Best West African Artiste of the Year award at 2022 Headies.
Beyond being a talented Song Bird( as she likes to call herself), her journey has been inspiring and we thought to bring to you four ways young girls can take inspiration from her.
Never give up on your dream is not a cliche’
Gyakie’s quick ascent to fame in the music industry is not a fluke but rather a testament to her hard work and an enduring spirit to never give up. She has shown that expertise and talent has nothing to do with gender as she has been able to make a name for herself in a male-dominated space. During the early stages of her career she shopped her music around to people she perceived could support her and that is how she met her manager –Electro Mirror. She messaged him on Twitter and sent him her song and the rest they say is history. The lesson here is keep working on your dream until you get a break.
Be your authentic self
When Gyakie had her break in the music industry, she promised to be herself and we think she has kept that promise. “I have been planted into the music industry by my dad. I have to be myself as in Gyakie as a person or do what everyone is doing,” she told Zionfelix in 2020. Her vow not to take the route of courting attention in the industry by doing some wild antics has been kept. We know her for her music and talent and nothing else. She has allowed her talent–a combination of singing and songwriting to do a the talking as she keeps climbing to the top.
You can give back to society in your own small way
When Gyakie is not on the stage or in the studio recording she spends time visiting young girls in school. Her aim is simple, to encourage them to stay in school. “Aside from music, my interest is seeing young ladies thriving,” she told Global Citizen. As someone who rose to world fame while still in school, she could have made the decision to drop out and focus on her music but she saw her dream to earn a degree through to the end. Combining a busy showbiz career and school must be a tough grind but she managed both and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. So, when she goes around senior high schools to talk to girls to stay in school, she knows what she is talking about because she has walked the talk.
Your hard work will pay off
Gyakie is committed to giving her fans nothing but her very best. She attributes her success in music to hard work paying off. “One thing is hard work really pays and good music speaks for itself,” she told Joy Prime in an interview. “I am the type of person that will actually have sleepless nights in the studios every time. We did a lot of work to push everything and then we also made sure we were always bringing out good music.”
The lesson here is give off your best at all times and never take your audience for granted.
