Becca (Rebecca Akosua Acheampong) is one of the multi-talented female musicians on the continent with best Afropop vocals that earn international recognition and many achievements including endorsements all the way since 2007.Born Rebecca Akosua Acheampomaa Acheampong, known as Becca, is a Ghanaian singer, songwriter and actress.
She was born on 15th August, 1984 (33 in 2017) in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. She is the fifth born and the first girl of a family of nine children of a family of Christian faith. As a child prodigy, Becca showcased her talent as a singer by participating in School Talent shows as well as church activities and always came up with one of the top most prizes at all times. Each and every time she excelled and built on her God-given talent.
Becca studied at Morning Star School and after she had her high school education at one of the prestigious girls’ school in Ghana, precisely, Cape Coast’s Wesley Girls’ High School. She furthered her education in Croydon College, London. In Croydon College she studied to become a fully qualified Childcare and education worker before relocating to Ghana after several years abroad to start up something inspired by her talent.
Becca came into music as she qualified as a contestant in the second season of the hit singing competition, Mentor on TV3 a Ghanaian televison station. She however turned out the opportunity after qualifying into the final 12 due to certain misunderstandings between her management and the organizers of the show. and also on her personal grounds. After opting out of the competition, she started working as an upcoming solo artiste till she was signed by Kiki Banson on the EKB Records where she started working on her debut album, “Sugar” – the album made up of 12 songs which was recorded in English and her local dialect, Twi. Becca launched the album in Ghana on November 13, 2007. “Sugar” made Becca a household name in the Ghanaian Music Industry in 2007. It was launched in South Africa alongside Hugh Masekela’s Live at the Market Theatre album. It was preceded by the lead single “You Lied to Me” which was followed by an appropriate video that was shot in the country.
Her debut album, Sugar, scored several hits in Ghana and across Africa. She won a Ghana Music Award for Record of the Year.
No 4: featured Hugh Masekela on the song “I Love You”
Becca, first came into the limelight almost as a contestant in the second season of the hit singing competition, Mentor on TV3. She however turned out the opportunity after qualifying into the final 12 due to certain misunderstandings between her management and the organizers of the show. Call it a publicity stunt or whatever but Becca has been able to vindicate her talent and is today one of the hottest young artists in Ghana.
No 3 Africa Woman
Becca’s 2011 single “Africa Woman” appeared as a bonus on the album. The song is a melodic ode to the strength and character of African womeN
No 2 You Lied to Me”. Kwabena Kwabena – off Sugar –the album
The renowned Ghanaian male vocalist had his vocals on the track.
Her hit, You Lied to Me featuring Kwabena Kwabena earned her four other nominations.
2012: Ghana Music Awards: African Woman won
2010 Ghana Music Awards “Daa Ke Daa” Record of the Year,
No 1: Herself 2017 Ghana Music Awards UK Highlife Artiste of the Year
Moving on, Becca’s second studio album- was Time 4 Me out in May 16, 2013. The 20-track album was described as a musical journey inspired by thoughts, emotions and beliefs. The album includes 4 bonus tracks. It features artistes like 2face Idibia, M.I, King Ayisoba & Trigmatic, Jay and Storm Akwaboah. It was supported by the singles “Follow the Leader”, “Forever”, “Bad Man Bad Girl”, “No Away” and “Push”. Ten thousand copies of the album were given to fans who bought the Thursday edition of Graphic Showbiz newspaper.
Time 4 Me was certified 2x platinum by the Recording Industry of Ghana. Becca went on a nationwide campus tour to promote the album. On June 17,the same year. Becca released the single “Follow The Leader”. On June 25, 2013, EKB Records released the music video for her song “Time 4 Me” which was shot in Yokohama and Tokyo.
Becca’s 2011 single “Africa Woman” appeared as a bonus on the second album. The song is a melodic ode to the strength and character of African women. The music video for “African Woman” was shot and directed in Ghana by Samad Davis. She released the singles “Forever” and “Push” from the album. The latter features guest vocals from King Ayisoba & Trigmatic. The music video for the latter was uploaded onto YouTube on May 17, 2011. The video features appearances from John Dumelo, Yvonne Okoro and Yvonne Nelson. In February the next year, EKB Records released Becca’s collaboration with 2face Idibia titled “Bad Man Bad Girl”. The song was recorded in the summer of 2011. The music video for the song was shot in Accra and other parts of Ghana.
On June 22, 2012, Becca released the single “No Away”. The song features rap vocals from M.I. one of Nigeria’s great rappers. The song was recorded in Ghana and Nigeria; it was mixed and mastered in South Africa. The music video for the song was shot and directed in South Africa with finances from Liquor brand Kasapreko Company Limited and EKB Records. The production cost ($50,000) for the video made it one of the most expensive videos released by a Ghanaian artist.
On April 12, 2014, Becca released her single “Move”. The song features vocals from South African group Uhuru. It debuted on Bola Ray’s Drive Time show on Joy FM. The song, produced by Kaywa, was written by Becca and her manager. The music video for the song was uploaded onto YouTube on May 1, 2014. The video features cameo appearances from Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Hugh Masekela.
Becca has had excelling performances at the Accra International Conference Centre for MTN’s Heroes of Change television series finale. The Becca’s Girl Talk concert was held at the National Theatre of Ghana.
With Unveiling album in 2017, Becca once again stakes a bold claim for the female constituency in a male-dominated terrain. Unveiling ranks among highly commercial albums of 2017, and features guest appearances from Bisa KDei, Patoranking, Mr. Eazi, Kofi Kanata, Joyce Blessing and Ice Prince. Highlights record include Hw3 and Beshiwo (both featuring Bisa KDei), You & I, and Na Wash (featuring Patoranking).
Unveiling: Becca’s third studio album coincided with her tenth anniversary of coming into the music industry.
Humanitarian Work
Becca’s upbringing and surroundings influenced her musical and fashion style. She has established a rescue organization which raises fund to help children affected by HIV/AIDS in Ghana.In 2014, she became a Goodwill ambassador for UNAIDS. She is also interested in the empowerment of women in Ghana.
Endorsements
On September 1, 2009, GLO Mobile Ghana unveiled Becca as one of its brand ambassadors. The Ministry of Youth and Sports unveiled Becca as one of Ghana’s official ambassadors for the 2014
Controversy
Becca was at the center of her manager (Kiki Banson)’s controversial divorce from his wife. It was reported that Benson divorced his wife in order to marry Becca. The story went haywire when Becca’s father, Mr. Acheampong, reportedly disowned his daughter over her intentions to marry her manager.
She Was once Disowned by her Father: When Becca’s Manager, Kiki Banson divorced his wife, it was rumoured that he did that in order to marry Becca. The story went extremely viral when Becca’s father, Mr. Acheampong, reportedly disowned his daughter over her alleged intentions to marry her manager. However, nothing came out of the whole saga after all.
Becca joining celebrity bleaching league Becca has discounted claims she is toning her skin, There is no reason why I want to change to white. I am born in Africa and there is a reason why I here in Africa and in Ghana and I love it. There are a lot of things people are saying about me and I am not deterred”, she said. In defense of her ‘new complexion’ Becca blames the camera and lighting in the studio and another breadth revealed that other family members have light skin and trying to wash it over with the excuse that taking care of herself very well is what is making her skin fair.
Awards and Nominations
You may not know she has earned as many awards and nominations as these
2008: Ghana Music Awards: Best Vocal Performance, Record of the Year
2012: National Youth Achievers Awards: Music
2013: City People Entertainment Awards: Musician of the Year (Female)
2014: City People Entertainment Awards:Musician of the Year (Female)
Studio albums
Sugar (2007)
Time 4 Me (2013)
Unveiling (2017)
