When an artiste hibernates for a while and re-emerges with renewed vigour and new works up her sleeve, she deserves  attention and that is why some discerning ears on the show business front believe singer Nana Yaa is an act to monitor this year.

She was on the quiet for a few years but those already familiar with her fine vocal ability were delighted to hear her at a concert headlined by German reggae star, Jahcoustix at the Alliance Francaise in Accra last October. 

She was also on the bill with Kojo Antwi at the National Theatre on December 24 and played three other concerts with him in Kumasi, Takoradi, Sunyani during the Yuletide.

The pleasant news is that Nana Yaa is nearly ready with her debut album, produced by Kwame Yeboah,  and hopes it will be out before the end of March. A single titled Kyereme Biibi from the upcoming album is already making the rounds on some radio stations.

“It’s a great feeling to be actively back on the scene. Music has always been my first love and I’m looking forward to a successful year of doing what I know how to do best: singing.”

Nana Yaa made her first public appearance in November 1994 at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra at a concert to raise funds for the SOS Ghana children’s home.

She was completely new but she demonstated the potential within her alongside some of the heavyweights on the scene then including K.K. Kabobo, Naana and Dan, Gold Nuggets Band,  Heavy Dee, Mariotts, Amakye Dede and Jon K  who took the trouble to mentor her until his untimely death.

In 1995 she appeared with Meiway at the National Theatre and was at the Miss Ghana final show as well. She shared stage with the great Miriam Makeba at the National Theatre in 1996.

She had then gathered some impressive original material, written by her and Jon K,  three of which were outdoored at the Makeba show. The songs were  Bring Back Your Love, Stop the War and I Don’t Want to Cry No More.

Over the following three years  she shared stage with some other  African music greats including Manu Dibango, Osibisa and  Sonti Ndebele.

Her talent and determination to emerge as a singer with a distinctive approach did not surprise those who knew that she is the daughter of singers Pat Thomas and Lola Everett. Her grandfather, Dick Everett,  was also a popular singer here in the 1960s.

 Many music fans know Nana Yaa mainly as the sweet-voiced singer that has  collaborated with Kojo Antwi on some of his albums concerts.

She is now poised to follow her heart and stand out on her own as a singer to reckon with. Her upcoming album should help clear the path for that to happen.