Sissala Goddess

The music formerly known as ‘world’ is in need of new stars, and in Wiyaala it may have found one. The feisty Ghanaian singer and dancer delivers a bold mix of traditional rhythms and Afro pop that's as high energy and ear-wormy as it is socially aware and boundary-busting. One of the few female vocalists to sing in Sissala – the dialect of her home village, Funsi, in north-west Ghana – Wiyaala triumphed in national talent shows before releasing her debut in 2014, appearing in the GRRRL collective and winning accolades at festivals including WOMAD. Between championing the arts in northern Ghana, campaigning for UNICEF and fighting for the abolition of FGM, Wiyaala (which means ‘The Doer’ in Sissala) has been busy crafting this excellent sophomore effort – 16 tracks in Sissala and English telling of love, life and empowered women, buoyed by a band on guitars, keys, bass, drums and trumpet and hampered now and then by overproduction.

While there are no organic instruments here, Wiyaala is mindful of her roots, and of subverting them. A series of photographs depict her wearing revealing, village-inspired outfits. There's a rousing cover of ‘Woyaye (We Are Going)’ by Ghanaian legends Osibisa. Opener ‘Village Sex’, with its catchy hooks, progressive lyrics and hugely witty accompanying video, finds her hollering tunefully, Angélique Kidjo-style, about sugar, chocolate, pounded yams and vaginas. Fabulous.