Anna Nana Ama Dadzie

Anna Nana Ama Dadzie (born October, 20 1979[1]) and known professionally as Nana Ama or Adadziewaa, is a veteran Ghanaian singer, composer and background vocalist.[2][3]

Early life

She was born in Dansoman, a suburb of Accra, Ghana. She completed her secondary education at Winneba Secondary School and later attended the National Symphony Orchestra in Ghana to continue her music studies.[1][4]

Personal life

In 2022, Nana Ama tied the knot with Obofour Raphel in a private ceremony in Accra.[5]

Career

Anna began her career in 1999, after receiving vocal mentorship from Nesbit Hanson Addy. This led her to working initially on radio jingles and voice overs before her transition into her role as a full-time backing vocalist for producers like Hammer of The Last Two, Jay Q, Zapp Mallet and Morris Babyface.[6]

She is credited for making the jingle for Top Radio in 1999[7]

She performed as a backup singer during Stevie Wonder's concert in Accra in 2004.[8][9] In 2006, she featured in Grace Ashy's theme song for the Ghana Black Stars World Cup Campaign in Germany.[10]

Notable backing vocal credits[6]

Nana Ama's contributions are embedded into the golden era of Ghanaian hiplife and highlife music where she has contributed to more than 100 songs.[1]

Year Primary Artist Song Title/Album Genre Significance
2002 Lord Kenya Medo (ft Nana Ama and Swazy B) Hiplife Won Song of The Year at Ghana Music Awards (2001)[11]
2002 Terry Bonchaka Pulele Hiplife
2003 Buk Bak Klu Brofo[12] Hiplife Song of the Year at Ghana Music Awards 2003[12]
2008 Blakk Rasta Barack Obama[13] Reggae
2008 Madfish Yahooya (feat Batman and Nana Ama)[14] Hiplife
2020 SSUE & Pat Thomas Bombaya Fire[15] Reggae

In October 2020, she launched her solo career[12] and released her album, "The Lost Files of Nana Ama" in 2022.[16]

As part of her advocacy, she acts as the Public Relations Officer for the Ghana Background Vocalists Association, (GHABVA).[1]

Impact and advocacy

Despite her monumental contribution to music in Ghana, Nana Ama has often highlighted the challenges faced by backing vocalists particularly the lack of fair compensation.[17][4] She often hinted that the absence of royalty structures in Ghana hindered proper credits and the collection of royalties and publishing rights.[18] She became a vocal advocate for the recognition and professionalization of session musicians[19] and led the way for better conditions for her contemporaries.[20] She has also advocated for the recognition of backing vocalists and other composers in the Ghana Music Awards.[21]

Recognition

In 2021, the 3Music Women's Brunch was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the industry.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Check out the over 100 songs backing vocalist Nana Ama has worked on - Ghana Weekend". 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  2. ^ "Nana Ama Adadziewaa!: The Voice Behind Popular Hit Songs in Ghana?". African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research (AJSSHR). 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  3. ^ "Nana Ama Dadzie shocks fans with freestyle of hit songs she sang as backing vocalist (WATCH)". Pulse Ghana. 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  4. ^ a b "Artistes take our shine — Backup singer Nana Ama". Graphic Online. 2020-08-27. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  5. ^ "Legendary Backing Vocalist Nana Ama Tied The Knot With Long Time Lover". 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  6. ^ a b "Meet Nana Ama, the backing vocalist who has worked with almost all top Ghanaian musicians". GhanaWeb. 2020-10-06. Archived from the original on 2024-12-27. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  7. ^ "Ghanaians eulogise Nana Ampadu on social media - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  8. ^ "Stevie Wonder Live In Accra". GhanaWeb. 2004-04-02.
  9. ^ "PRESIDENT OBAMA AWARD STEVIE WONDER LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GERSHVIN PRIZE | Airport Hills". Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  10. ^ "I never received a pesewa from Nyantakyi for Black Star songs - Grace Ashley". 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  11. ^ "allAfrica.com: Countdown Begins For Music Awards 2001". allafrica.com. Archived from the original on 2001-02-08. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  12. ^ a b c Music, Ghana (2020-10-13). "Vocalist Nana Ama goes solo! | Ghana Music". Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  13. ^ "Blakk Rasta's Obama "Theme Song" In Ghana". HuffPost. 2009-08-12. Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  14. ^ "Mad Fish's Latest Album Certified 'Gold'". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  15. ^ "Ssue ft. Pat Thomas - Bombaya fire". www.muziekwereld.com. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  16. ^ Music, Ghana (2022-01-17). "Album: The Lost Files Of Nana Ama Vol.1 by Nana Ama | Ghana Music". Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  17. ^ "Ghana music industry does not recognize backing vocalists - Nana Ama Dadzie speaks". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  18. ^ Music, Ghana (2020-03-09). "I haven't received any royalty before – Nana Ama | Ghana Music". Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  19. ^ "She Love, Nana Ama, others fight for backing vocalists over neglect by Ghanaian music industry - Ghana Weekend". 2020-10-05. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  20. ^ Arhin, Benjamin Oduro; Coffie, Mark Millas; Konu, Hope Senalor; Annan Ferguson, Edwin Ekow (2023-04-01). "Split Sheets in Ghanaian Recording Studios". International Journal of Music Business Research. 12 (1): 3–12. doi:10.2478/ijmbr-2023-0001. ISSN 2227-5789.
  21. ^ "Nana Ama, Akablay make strong case for backing vocalists - Adomonline.com". 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  22. ^ TV, Max (2021-03-02). "Background vocalist, Nana Ama, receives honours at 3Music Women's Brunch". Max TV. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
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