{"id":42029,"date":"2018-10-29T17:37:01","date_gmt":"2018-10-29T17:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=42029"},"modified":"2018-10-29T17:37:01","modified_gmt":"2018-10-29T17:37:01","slug":"grace-jones-meets-angelique-kidjo-in-young-lioness-of-africa-wiyaala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2018\/10\/grace-jones-meets-angelique-kidjo-in-young-lioness-of-africa-wiyaala\/","title":{"rendered":"Grace Jones Meets Ang\u00e9lique Kidjo In Young Lioness of Africa, Wiyaala"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Wiyaala, one of the world\u2019s most charismatic artists has released her new single, a mash-up mix of &#8216;Better Treat Me Right&#8217;, a song written as a rallying cry to women around the world to stand up against tradition and convention. Known to her legions of fans as \u201cThe Young Lioness of Africa\u201d, Wiyaala has been an advocate for women\u2019s rights throughout her career, having herself narrowly escaped the horror of FGM and standing up to the notoriously conservative Ghanaian music industry, where any challenge to the norm is frowned upon.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">&#8216;Better Treat Me Right&#8217; is a feel-good dance-pop track which carries the message that whatever your perceptions of her or whatever your own beliefs, you\u2019d better\u2026well, you know the rest!<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Random Ad stuff --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-2076862002005673\" data-ad-slot=\"3107208401\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><\/p>\n<p><script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speaking of the track, Wiyaala says:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI was moved to do this song because &#8220;I&#8217;m not the kind of girl to sit in my tower and wait till you rescue me!\u00a0Sam East of What&#8217;s That Sound Productions wrote the song and invited me to sing on it. I pounced on it with a roar! Because,\u00a0lionesses of Africa don&#8217;t sit around waiting to be rescued. We go out there and hunt!\u00a0We girls can be hunters and do things for ourselves! Visually, we were going for attitude and a kind of non-verbal communication vibe even though there is a song going on.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The second of four sisters, thanks to a musical mother, she \u201cdodged\u201d FGM and child marriage, whilst also attracting attention as a child entertainer, dancer, artist and athlete, despite growing up in a patriarchal society frequently hostile to artistic growth. In 2012, she made the long journey to the capital city, Accra, and against the odds won an emphatic victory in the Vodafone Icons Reality Show. After being \u201cspotted\u201d by Rita Ray of BBC\u2019s Global Beats in 2014, the door opened and Wiyaala has emerged as one of Ghana\u2019s leading international touring artistes performing at top events and festivals all over the world, including the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Australia, WOMAD in the UK and Timitar Festival in Morocco.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, the ever-resourceful Wiyaala, who designs and sews her own unique stage costumes, is finding more and more ways to charm audiences with her warmth and unique talent. \u00a0Wiyaala is also a committed supporter of the arts in Northern Ghana having created and organized The Djimba World Music Festival now in its third year. She is also an active influencer for UNICEF Ghana and fights for the abolition of FGM, Early Child Marriage and the rights of children.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Find Wiyaala and her music online on <a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/wiyaala\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soundcloud<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/artist\/0Ttf480Uumk6ylOAokG2h7#_=_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spotify<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/wiyaala\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/wiyaala\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/instagram.com\/wiyaala\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a>, and her <a href=\"http:\/\/wiyaala.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\">\n<div  style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto;\"  id=\"_ytid_89791\"  width=\"640\" height=\"360\"  data-origwidth=\"640\" data-origheight=\"360\"  data-relstop=\"1\" data-facadesrc=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C-0uoKJiMYQ?enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/essentiallypop.com&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__ epyt-facade epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" data-epautoplay=\"1\" ><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-spai-excluded=\"true\" class=\"epyt-facade-poster skip-lazy\" loading=\"lazy\"  alt=\"YouTube player\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/C-0uoKJiMYQ\/maxresdefault.jpg?w=640&#038;ssl=1\"  \/><button class=\"epyt-facade-play\" aria-label=\"Play\"><svg data-no-lazy=\"1\" height=\"100%\" version=\"1.1\" viewBox=\"0 0 68 48\" width=\"100%\"><path class=\"ytp-large-play-button-bg\" d=\"M66.52,7.74c-0.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79,.13,34,0,34,0S12.21,.13,6.9,1.55 C3.97,2.33,2.27,4.81,1.48,7.74C0.06,13.05,0,24,0,24s0.06,10.95,1.48,16.26c0.78,2.93,2.49,5.41,5.42,6.19 C12.21,47.87,34,48,34,48s21.79-0.13,27.1-1.55c2.93-0.78,4.64-3.26,5.42-6.19C67.94,34.95,68,24,68,24S67.94,13.05,66.52,7.74z\" fill=\"#f00\"><\/path><path d=\"M 45,24 27,14 27,34\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wiyaala, one of the world\u2019s most charismatic artists has released her new single, a mash-up mix of &#8216;Better Treat Me Right&#8217;, a song written as a rallying cry to women around the world to stand up against tradition and convention. Known to her legions of fans as \u201cThe Young Lioness of Africa\u201d, Wiyaala has been an advocate for women\u2019s rights throughout her career, having herself narrowly escaped the horror of FGM and standing up to the notoriously conservative Ghanaian music industry, where any challenge to the norm is frowned upon.<\/p>\n<div class='heateor_sss_sharing_container heateor_sss_vertical_sharing heateor_sss_bottom_sharing' style='width:39px;left: -10px;top: 100px;-webkit-box-shadow:none;box-shadow:none;' data-heateor-sss-href='https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42029'><div class=\"heateor_sss_sharing_ul\"><a aria-label=\"Facebook\" class=\"heateor_sss_facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F42029\" title=\"Facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#0765FE;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M28 16c0-6.627-5.373-12-12-12S4 9.373 4 16c0 5.628 3.875 10.35 9.101 11.647v-7.98h-2.474V16H13.1v-1.58c0-4.085 1.849-5.978 5.859-5.978.76 0 2.072.15 2.608.298v3.325c-.283-.03-.775-.045-1.386-.045-1.967 0-2.728.745-2.728 2.683V16h3.92l-.673 3.667h-3.247v8.245C23.395 27.195 28 22.135 28 16Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Twitter\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?via=essentiallypop&text=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more&url=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F42029\" title=\"Twitter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_twitter\" style=\"background-color:#55acee;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-4 -4 39 39\"><path d=\"M28 8.557a9.913 9.913 0 0 1-2.828.775 4.93 4.93 0 0 0 2.166-2.725 9.738 9.738 0 0 1-3.13 1.194 4.92 4.92 0 0 0-3.593-1.55 4.924 4.924 0 0 0-4.794 6.049c-4.09-.21-7.72-2.17-10.15-5.15a4.942 4.942 0 0 0-.665 2.477c0 1.71.87 3.214 2.19 4.1a4.968 4.968 0 0 1-2.23-.616v.06c0 2.39 1.7 4.38 3.952 4.83-.414.115-.85.174-1.297.174-.318 0-.626-.03-.928-.086a4.935 4.935 0 0 0 4.6 3.42 9.893 9.893 0 0 1-6.114 2.107c-.398 0-.79-.023-1.175-.068a13.953 13.953 0 0 0 7.55 2.213c9.056 0 14.01-7.507 14.01-14.013 0-.213-.005-.426-.015-.637.96-.695 1.795-1.56 2.455-2.55z\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Tumblr\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_tumblr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tumblr.com\/widgets\/share\/tool?posttype=link&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F42029&title=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more&caption=\" title=\"Tumblr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg aheateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_tumblr\" style=\"background-color:#29435d;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-2 -2 36 36\"><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M20.775 21.962c-.37.177-1.08.33-1.61.345-1.598.043-1.907-1.122-1.92-1.968v-6.217h4.007V11.1H17.26V6.02h-2.925s-.132.044-.144.15c-.17 1.556-.895 4.287-3.923 5.378v2.578h2.02v6.522c0 2.232 1.647 5.404 5.994 5.33 1.467-.025 3.096-.64 3.456-1.17l-.96-2.846z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Linkedin\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F42029\" title=\"Linkedin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_linkedin\" style=\"background-color:#0077b5;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path d=\"M6.227 12.61h4.19v13.48h-4.19V12.61zm2.095-6.7a2.43 2.43 0 0 1 0 4.86c-1.344 0-2.428-1.09-2.428-2.43s1.084-2.43 2.428-2.43m4.72 6.7h4.02v1.84h.058c.56-1.058 1.927-2.176 3.965-2.176 4.238 0 5.02 2.792 5.02 6.42v7.395h-4.183v-6.56c0-1.564-.03-3.574-2.178-3.574-2.18 0-2.514 1.7-2.514 3.46v6.668h-4.187V12.61z\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Reddit\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_reddit\" href=\"https:\/\/reddit.com\/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F42029&title=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more\" title=\"Reddit\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_reddit\" style=\"background-color:#ff5700;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-3.5 -3.5 39 39\"><path d=\"M28.543 15.774a2.953 2.953 0 0 0-2.951-2.949 2.882 2.882 0 0 0-1.9.713 14.075 14.075 0 0 0-6.85-2.044l1.38-4.349 3.768.884a2.452 2.452 0 1 0 .24-1.176l-4.274-1a.6.6 0 0 0-.709.4l-1.659 5.224a14.314 14.314 0 0 0-7.316 2.029 2.908 2.908 0 0 0-1.872-.681 2.942 2.942 0 0 0-1.618 5.4 5.109 5.109 0 0 0-.062.765c0 4.158 5.037 7.541 11.229 7.541s11.22-3.383 11.22-7.541a5.2 5.2 0 0 0-.053-.706 2.963 2.963 0 0 0 1.427-2.51zm-18.008 1.88a1.753 1.753 0 0 1 1.73-1.74 1.73 1.73 0 0 1 1.709 1.74 1.709 1.709 0 0 1-1.709 1.711 1.733 1.733 0 0 1-1.73-1.711zm9.565 4.968a5.573 5.573 0 0 1-4.081 1.272h-.032a5.576 5.576 0 0 1-4.087-1.272.6.6 0 0 1 .844-.854 4.5 4.5 0 0 0 3.238.927h.032a4.5 4.5 0 0 0 3.237-.927.6.6 0 1 1 .844.854zm-.331-3.256a1.726 1.726 0 1 1 1.709-1.712 1.717 1.717 0 0 1-1.712 1.712z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Whatsapp\" class=\"heateor_sss_whatsapp\" href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more%20https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F42029\" title=\"Whatsapp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#55eb4c;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-6 -5 40 40\"><path class=\"heateor_sss_svg_stroke heateor_sss_no_fill\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" d=\"M 11.579798566743314 24.396926207859085 A 10 10 0 1 0 6.808479557110079 20.73576436351046\"><\/path><path d=\"M 7 19 l -1 6 l 6 -1\" class=\"heateor_sss_no_fill heateor_sss_svg_stroke\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\"><\/path><path d=\"M 10 10 q -1 8 8 11 c 5 -1 0 -6 -1 -3 q -4 -3 -5 -5 c 4 -2 -1 -5 -1 -4\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"heateor_sss_email\" href=\"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42029\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault();window.open('mailto:?subject=' + decodeURIComponent('%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more').replace('&', '%26') + '&body=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F42029', '_blank')\" title=\"Email\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#649a3f;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-.75 -.5 36 36\"><path d=\"M 5.5 11 h 23 v 1 l -11 6 l -11 -6 v -1 m 0 2 l 11 6 l 11 -6 v 11 h -22 v -11\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Bluesky\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_bluesky\" href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/intent\/compose?text=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more%20https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F42029\" title=\"Bluesky\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_bluesky\" style=\"background-color:#0085ff;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"-3 -3 38 38\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M16 14.903c-.996-1.928-3.709-5.521-6.231-7.293C7.353 5.912 6.43 6.206 5.827 6.478 5.127 6.793 5 7.861 5 8.49s.346 5.155.572 5.91c.747 2.496 3.404 3.34 5.851 3.07.125-.02.252-.036.38-.052-.126.02-.253.037-.38.051-3.586.529-6.771 1.83-2.594 6.457 4.595 4.735 6.297-1.015 7.171-3.93.874 2.915 1.88 8.458 7.089 3.93 3.911-3.93 1.074-5.928-2.512-6.457a8.122 8.122 0 0 1-.38-.051c.128.016.255.033.38.051 2.447.271 5.104-.573 5.85-3.069.227-.755.573-5.281.573-5.91 0-.629-.127-1.697-.827-2.012-.604-.271-1.526-.566-3.942 1.132-2.522 1.772-5.235 5.365-6.231 7.293Z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Threads\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_threads\" href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/intent\/post?text=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more%20https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F42029\" title=\"Threads\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_threads\" style=\"background-color:#000;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"-100 -100 648 712\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M331.5 235.7c2.2 .9 4.2 1.9 6.3 2.8c29.2 14.1 50.6 35.2 61.8 61.4c15.7 36.5 17.2 95.8-30.3 143.2c-36.2 36.2-80.3 52.5-142.6 53h-.3c-70.2-.5-124.1-24.1-160.4-70.2c-32.3-41-48.9-98.1-49.5-169.6V256v-.2C17 184.3 33.6 127.2 65.9 86.2C102.2 40.1 156.2 16.5 226.4 16h.3c70.3 .5 124.9 24 162.3 69.9c18.4 22.7 32 50 40.6 81.7l-40.4 10.8c-7.1-25.8-17.8-47.8-32.2-65.4c-29.2-35.8-73-54.2-130.5-54.6c-57 .5-100.1 18.8-128.2 54.4C72.1 146.1 58.5 194.3 58 256c.5 61.7 14.1 109.9 40.3 143.3c28 35.6 71.2 53.9 128.2 54.4c51.4-.4 85.4-12.6 113.7-40.9c32.3-32.2 31.7-71.8 21.4-95.9c-6.1-14.2-17.1-26-31.9-34.9c-3.7 26.9-11.8 48.3-24.7 64.8c-17.1 21.8-41.4 33.6-72.7 35.3c-23.6 1.3-46.3-4.4-63.9-16c-20.8-13.8-33-34.8-34.3-59.3c-2.5-48.3 35.7-83 95.2-86.4c21.1-1.2 40.9-.3 59.2 2.8c-2.4-14.8-7.3-26.6-14.6-35.2c-10-11.7-25.6-17.7-46.2-17.8H227c-16.6 0-39 4.6-53.3 26.3l-34.4-23.6c19.2-29.1 50.3-45.1 87.8-45.1h.8c62.6 .4 99.9 39.5 103.7 107.7l-.2 .2zm-156 68.8c1.3 25.1 28.4 36.8 54.6 35.3c25.6-1.4 54.6-11.4 59.5-73.2c-13.2-2.9-27.8-4.4-43.4-4.4c-4.8 0-9.6 .1-14.4 .4c-42.9 2.4-57.2 23.2-56.2 41.8l-.1 .1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a class=\"heateor_sss_more\" aria-label=\"More\" title=\"More\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" style=\"font-size: 32px!important;border:0;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block!important;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align: middle;display:inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42029\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault()\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#ee8e2d;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block!important;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;display:inline;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box;\" onclick=\"heateorSssMoreSharingPopup(this, 'https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42029', '%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more', '' )\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" viewBox=\"-.3 0 32 32\" version=\"1.1\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"display:block;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M18 14V8h-4v6H8v4h6v6h4v-6h6v-4h-6z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"heateorSssClear\"><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":42030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12474,57,9,640],"tags":[17559,4903,17562,17557,17558,17567,17556,15388,4809,17561,17565,17555,17564,17566,17560,12193,17563],"class_list":["post-42029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-year-of-the-woman","category-new-artists","category-new-releases","category-videos","tag-accra","tag-africa","tag-bbc-global-beats","tag-better-treat-me-right","tag-child-marriage","tag-early-child-marriage","tag-female-genital-mutilation","tag-fgm","tag-ghana","tag-rita-ray","tag-the-djimba-world-music-festival","tag-the-young-lioness-of-africa","tag-timitar-festival","tag-unicef-ghana","tag-vodafone-icons-reality-show","tag-wiyaala","tag-womad"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Wiyaala1.jpg?fit=2574%2C2722&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5yMhl-aVT","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":70407,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2021\/07\/if-you-are-happy-with-what-im-sayingdance-yaga-yaga-says-wiyaala\/","url_meta":{"origin":42029,"position":0},"title":"IF YOU ARE HAPPY WITH WHAT I\u2019M SAYING\u2026DANCE \u2018YAGA YAGA\u2019 SAYS WIYAALA\u00a0","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"13\/07\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Ghanian singer, Wiyaala, the Young Lioness of Africa, has released a new single. 'Yaga Yaga' has a powerful message that's underscored by a hypnotic hook that will draw you in and never let you go.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/wiyaala.jpg?fit=799%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/wiyaala.jpg?fit=799%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/wiyaala.jpg?fit=799%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/wiyaala.jpg?fit=799%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55825,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2019\/09\/merci-lisa-releases-debut-single-sweet-boi\/","url_meta":{"origin":42029,"position":1},"title":"Merci-Lisa Releases Debut Single &#8216;Sweet Boi&#8217;","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"22\/09\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"'Sweet Boi' is the debut single from Nigerian Afrobeat artist, Merci-Lisa. The inspirational track is available now to stream and download from all digital media platforms.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/merci-lisa.jpg?fit=814%2C816&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/merci-lisa.jpg?fit=814%2C816&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/merci-lisa.jpg?fit=814%2C816&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/merci-lisa.jpg?fit=814%2C816&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31956,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2017\/12\/reggie-n-bollie-uncommon-favours\/","url_meta":{"origin":42029,"position":2},"title":"Reggie n&#8217; Bollie &#8211; &#8216;Uncommon Favours&#8217;","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"16\/12\/2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Back in their native Ghana Reginald Ainooson and Ishmael Hamid, now known as Reggie n' Bollie, achieved popularity performing as solo artists. They moved to the UK and tried to break into the very difficult music industry but had no luck until they joined forces as 'Menn On Point', and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;New Releases&quot;","block_context":{"text":"New Releases","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/new-releases\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/uncommonfavoursshots.jpg?fit=574%2C569&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/uncommonfavoursshots.jpg?fit=574%2C569&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/uncommonfavoursshots.jpg?fit=574%2C569&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":77116,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2022\/08\/as-we-celebrate-the-historic-lionesses-four-outstanding-artists-release-a-classic-cover-in-honour-of-the-queen-of-soul-aretha-franklin-the-original-lioness\/","url_meta":{"origin":42029,"position":3},"title":"As we celebrate the historic Lionesses, four outstanding artists release a classic cover in honour of the \u2018Queen of Soul\u2019 Aretha Franklin, the original Lioness.","author":"Steve Holley","date":"09\/08\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Marie Naffah, Celine Love. Fox Gunn and Viia have joined their incredible talents to create something very powerful indeed, following on from their acoustic charity release, they are releasing this stunning produced version of the Aretha Franklin classic, 'Natural Woman', which will quite simply take your breath away.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/natural-woman1.jpg?fit=1006%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/natural-woman1.jpg?fit=1006%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/natural-woman1.jpg?fit=1006%2C667&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/natural-woman1.jpg?fit=1006%2C667&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32093,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2017\/12\/six-quick-questions-with-reggie-n-bollie\/","url_meta":{"origin":42029,"position":4},"title":"Six Quick Questions With Reggie n&#8217; Bollie","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"23\/12\/2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Following on from our review of Reggie n' Bollie's debut album, 'Uncommon Favours', we've hit the guys up with Six Quick Questions.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Interviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Interviews","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/interviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/RB.png?fit=1132%2C484&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/RB.png?fit=1132%2C484&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/RB.png?fit=1132%2C484&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/RB.png?fit=1132%2C484&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/RB.png?fit=1132%2C484&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":69222,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2021\/05\/asah-m-releases-latest-single-sophumelela\/","url_meta":{"origin":42029,"position":5},"title":"Asah M Releases Latest Single, &#8216;Sophumelela&#8217;","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"10\/05\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"From Barkley East, in South Africa, Asah M started to sing as a social outlet, alongside her friends and family. Real name Asanda Masawe, she also started writing poetry, and united her two passions when she began writing songs. An Afropop singer songwriter, 'Sophumelela' is Asah M's new single, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Asah-M.jpg?fit=761%2C1002&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Asah-M.jpg?fit=761%2C1002&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Asah-M.jpg?fit=761%2C1002&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Asah-M.jpg?fit=761%2C1002&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}