Efya facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Efya
Background information
Birth name	Jane Fara Fauzzier Afia Boafowaa Yahaya Awindor
Also known as	Miss Jane
Born	(1987-04-10) April 10, 1987 (age 38) Kumasi, Ghana
Genres	Afro-soul pop neo soul
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter actress
Years active	2008–present
Labels	One Nation Starboy (former)
Associated acts	Sarkodie Wizkid Richie Mensah Irene Logan Ruff n Smooth M.anifest Mona 4Reall Jayso Black Magic Yaa Pono

Jane Fara Fauzzier Afia Boafowaa Yahaya Awindor (born April 10, 1987), known as Efya, is a talented Ghanaian singer, songwriter, and actress. She comes from Kumasi. Her mother is Nana Adwoa Awindor, a filmmaker and TV host of Greetings From Abroad.

Efya became famous after joining the first Stars of the Future show. From 2011, she won the Best Female Vocal Performance award at the Ghana Music Awards four times in a row. She also received praise for her singing at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

Her first mixtape, T.I.N.T, came out on November 11, 2013. It included songs from 2011 to 2013. The songs "Getaway" and "Best In Me" helped promote it. Efya released her first studio album, Janesis, on April 22, 2016. It was supposed to come out earlier, but was delayed. On January 11, 2014, "Forgetting Me" was released as the main song from the album. In May 2016, she joined Wizkid's Starboy Entertainment label. This news came after Wizkid's performance at the Ghana Music Awards. In March 2021, Efya was named one of the Top 30 Most Influential Women in Music by 3Music Network.

Life and Music Journey

Growing Up and Starting Out (1987–2008)

Jane Fara Fauzzier Afia Boafowaa Yahaya Awindor was born on April 10, 1987, in Kumasi, Ghana. She has two brothers and one sister. Efya went to Yaa Asantewaa Secondary School. She moved to Accra when her mother started studying at the National Film and Television Institute. Efya learned to sing from her family members when she was very young. She earned a degree in theatre and music from the University of Ghana.

In 2008, she became well-known in Ghana. She was the first runner-up in the TV show Stars of The Future. Even though she lost to Irene Logan, she got a three-year music deal. This deal allowed her and Irene to make an album together called Unveiled. It was released in South Africa. After her deal ended, Efya kept making music and performing. She changed her stage name from Miss Jane to Efya before starting her solo career. She said she wanted a unique African name that was meaningful to her. Her manager, Jimmi, helped her choose "Efya".

Mixtapes, Albums, and More (2011–Present)

Efya performing at an event wearing creations from Pistis Ghana

In 2011, Efya signed a music deal with One Nation Entertainment. Her first mixtape, T.I.N.T, means This Is Not The Album. It has thirteen songs and was available for free online on November 12, 2013. The songs "Getaway" and "Best in Me" were released to promote it. T.I.N.T includes songs she made between 2011 and 2013. Efya said the mixtape is mostly about love. It talks about all parts of love and life, both good and bad.

The first song from the mixtape, "Getaway", came out on November 10, 2011. Its music video was filmed in Accra. The second song, "Best in Me", was released on February 14, 2012. Its music video was put on YouTube in September 2013. On February 14, 2013, Efya released "Body". This was her version of Chris Brown's song "Don't Judge Me".

Efya's first studio album, Janesis, was released on April 22, 2016. It was planned for release earlier but was delayed. In 2013, Efya shared that the album has many love songs. It also explores feelings like hate and pain. She said the album is based on her own experiences. "Forgetting Me" was released on January 11, 2014, as the album's first single. The music video for the song was directed by Prince Dovlo. People described "Forgetting Me" as a "powerful ballad" about love and heartbreak.

The song "One of Your Own", featuring Bisa Kdei, came out on July 16, 2014. This was the album's second single. Efya first wanted to release "Gingam Too Much" next. But after talking with her team, she waited. "Gingam Too Much" was finally released on December 26, 2014.

Wizkid released the song "Daddy Yo", which features Efya's voice. On June 10, 2017, she released "Until the Dawn". This reggae-style song was produced by Maleek Berry. Efya started her clothing line, The Native Chic, in December 2019. She worked with Tiwa Savage on her song "The One", released in June 2020.

Amazing Performances

Efya performing at the 4th Annual IND!E FUSE alternative music concert

On April 9, 2011, Efya performed at the Ghana Music Awards in Accra. In October 2012, she shared the stage with other artists like Kojo Antwi and Stonebwoy. This was at the Radio and Television Personality Awards. In April 2013, Efya performed at a music event in Nairobi, Kenya.

On February 14, 2013, Efya joined Richie Mensah for a "This is Love" concert. She sang her song "Your Body" and a remix of "Best in Me" with Mensah. On March 5, 2013, Efya performed at the Hope City Launch Celebration Concert. The main performer was American artist Chris Brown. Efya also joined other Ghanaian artists like Samini and R2Bees.

She performed at the post-African Day Parade concert in Harlem on September 22, 2013. On November 9, 2013, Efya performed with artists like P-Square and Wande Coal. This was at the Globacom-sponsored Slide N Bounce concert in Kumasi. On December 20, 2013, Efya performed at the annual Girl Talk concert. This event was held at the National Theatre and featured Becca.

Her Music Style

Efya describes her music as Afro soul with some pop sounds. She says her style changes based on how she feels and who she works with. She has mentioned Kojo Antwi, Aretha Franklin, and The Temptations as big influences. She also enjoyed old school jazz and highlife music when she was growing up.

Helping Others

Efya is an official ambassador for the Awal Children of the Future Foundation (ACOTF). This group helps children who have experienced tough times, especially orphans and street kids. The foundation was started by music producer Posigee. It has eight music ambassadors, including Sarkodie. In 2012, ACOTF released a theme song called "This is Who I Am". All the money from selling this song goes to the foundation.

Music Releases

Studio albums and mixtapes

• Unveiled (2009) (with Irene Logan)
• T.I.N.T (2013)
• Janesis (2015)

Movies

• Single and Married (2012)

Awards and Nominations