Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, 3 other African music stars feature on Glo-sponsored African Voices compilation edition
Five musical giants from across the African continent will this week grace the studios of the Cable News Network (CNN) as guests of African Voices, the magazine programme sponsored by telecommunications service provider, Globacom.
They are two Nigerian female Afro pop singers, Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage; South African pop star, Amanda Black; Ben Pol, notable recording artist from Tanzania and Tresor Riziki, multi award winning and platinum selling 2015 breakout singer-songwriter & producer from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Yemi, 31, came into professional music after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009. Her hit single titled “Johnny” was unveiled in 2014 signalling the beginning of what has become a glorious career.
She has won the Headies Awards for four consecutive years; the All Africa Music Awards (Afrima) for Best Female Artiste in Western Africa in 2015 and 2018; the MTV Awards in 2015; and the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Award as Female Artiste of the Year in 2015.
Tiwatope Savage, 40, known professionally as Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress. She began her music career doing backup vocals for artistes such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige. After participating in the UK edition of The X Factor and graduating from Berklee College of Music, Savage signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009.
Her debut studio album Once Upon a Time was released in 2013 supported by seven singles: “Kele Kele Love”, “Love Me (3x)”, “Without My Heart”, “Ife Wa Gbona”, “Folarin”, “Olorun Mi” and “Eminado”. The album was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and for Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2014 as well as Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the first woman to win the category among other awards.
For Amanda Benedicta Antony, 27, who is popularly known by her stage name Amanda Black, recognition came in 2016 following the release of her hit single “Amazulu” which earned her nominations in five categories each at the 16th edition of the Metro FM Music Awards and the 2017 South African Music Awards. She also got nominated for Viewers Choice, Best International Act at the 2017 edition of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.
Ben Pol,30, whose real name is Bernard Michael Paul Mnyang’anga is a singer and songwriter whose single “Ningefanyaje”, featured Kenyan artiste Avril and ranked number 1 on Soundcity TV, Top 10 East and Africa Rox Countdown.
He participated in the Coke Studio Africa S3 in 2015 alongside 25 top artists including Yemi Alade, Sauti Sol and Flavour. He won Best R&B Song for 2011 and 2012, Best Songwriter, 2013, in the Tanzania Music Awards and Best Male Vocalist of the Year in the Under 30 Youth Awards 2013
Tresor Riziki, French for “treasure” is a multi- award winning and platinum selling 2015 breakout singer-songwriter and producer. The rap and Ragga singer signed to the legendary record label Sony RCA in Africa and Ultra Records globally.
His hit albums include “The Beautiful Madness” and “Ya Badimo” which won nominations at the South African Music Award for Newcomer of the Year in 2017.
The five artistes will be speaking about their impressive careers in the 30-minute magazine programme which airs on CNN on DSTV Channel 401 on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. with repeat at 6.30p.m.; Sunday at 7.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 7.30 p.m with a repeat broadcast on the same channel on Monday at 5.30 a.m.
