This interview was done on March 11, 2008 at the house of Kwame Yeboah, a producer. It was set up by Kiki Banson of EKB Records.

Museke: Can you tell us about your background, family and education?
Becca: I was born on 15th August 1984 in Kumasi (Oseikrom). I am the 5th born in a family of 9 children.
I attended Golden age nursery, and then Morning star school in Accra till the end of Junior Secondary School. I then went to Alywin high in London. I came back to Ghana to join Wesley Girls High School and was among the graduating class of 2003. I proceeded to Croydon college, and came back to Ghana in 2006. I studied child care education.

Museke: How did you get into music and what was your first break?
Becca: I’ve always been singing. I did talent shows in schools, and sang in the church choir.
As for my big break, I met my producer, Kiki Banson of EKB records at a show. The show was being hosted by Reggie, I had gone there and I was talking to him (I am a friend of Reggie’s). Kiki met me and invited me to come and try singing in the studio. The first couple of days I didn’t go but went there on the 3rd day. That day we recorded ‘U lied to me’.

Museke: Where did you perform during your Gey Hey days?
Becca: I performed at talent shows, entertainment nights, etc

Museke: Did you try launching a music career while in the UK?
Becca: No, I was focused on my career. However, I sang as part of extra-curricular stuff in school.

Museke: Which African musicians did you listen to growing up? Or foreign?
Becca: Osibisa, Kojo Antwi, George Darko, Angelique Kidjo, Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo (of Homeless fame). Foreign: Salt n Pepa, Olitah Adams, Tracy Chapman (that’s my girl)

Museke: Which African musicians do you idolize or admire (presently)?
Becca: Hugh Masekela, Dede (one of the judges for MNET West Africa Idol), Fela Kuti

Museke: How long did it take you to do your Sugar album? How has it done?
Becca: It took about 9 months, and came out in 2007. It is doing pretty well, the response has been positive. People have grown to like the songs. Am sure even animals dance to it. It’s gone beyond my expectations. The songs are enjoying so much airplay everywhere. When people see me, especially little kids, they call me Ewurama and they recognize mr as a person. ‘U lied to me’ is one of the hottest ringtones and many mature adults have it as their ringtone as well.

Museke: Have you featured any other musicians on your albums or you featured on others? Why did you feature them especially?
Becca: No, haven’t featured on anyone’s album yet. I was trying to be diverse with the Sugar album, wanted it to be enjoyed by different ranges of people. So we have Partan there, King Ayisoba, Quata, Hugh Masekela, etc. For Hugh, he is a jazz musician and his songs would be enjoyed by old people. The hiplife bit was to spice up with the youth. I chose artistes according to the sort of music they do. For every one chosen, we considered the age group and style.

Museke: Quata seems to be a wanted artiste. He was the only rapper featured on Kojo Antwi’s last album and he’s on yours too. Why Quata?
Becca: Quata has got the spirit, his style is so unique. If Kojo Antwi has got him on his album then he’s got the quality that’s really enjoyed by singers. He’s got good lyrics. He puts all his energy in it.

Museke: What kind of music do you do? Highlife, Afrobeat?
Becca: It’s Afro, afro-pop, a combination of so many instruments. I have so many different songs, got the RnBish, danceable, reggae, etc. I call it Afro-pop.

Museke: What is the inspiration for the songs you write? Tell us about the Why track with Ayisoba and the other one called Ghana.
Becca: For most of the first album, the songs were written by different people. My producer wrote a lot of them. I chose the songs, if I listened to and liked it, and it should relate to everyone and makes sense.
Ghana was a song that came at the right time. Ghana was 50 in 2007 and the song talks about independence, how we are moving on, it was the right song to put on the album. It’s one of the songs I really like, makes me proud to be able to sing a song like it. It’s for every Ghanaian.
Concerning Why, I chose it because it relates so much to so many people. People get in relationships, and end up getting married and regret it. We may still love our first love, u know what – why didn’t u tell me this or that, now that am getting married? Why are u regretting now? King Ayisoba is an inspiration. We are talking about African love; King Ayisoba was big in 2006 and did pretty well on the song.

Museke: How does it feel to grace countless magazine and newspaper covers? Do you feel you have arrived?
Becca: I am definitely glad that people recognize me and want to have me on magazine covers. I am overwhelmed. I am humbled by it.

Museke: You talked about a band. Were you in a band before we knew Becca and do you routinely perform live-band music?
Becca: There is nothing like good music. All the songs on the album; they were played and recorded live. It is good to put your time and effort into it. It helps u to be a good singer. I’ve got great instrumentalists.

Museke: Tell us about the movie role, how is it going?
Did you always have an interest in acting? Did you act in Gey Hey, etc?
Becca: It’s going pretty well. I am playing the role of Eto’o’s sweetheart. The movie producer saw my music videos and recommended me. I did interviews with the producers as well as a couple of actresses and I was chosen. I have never acted in my life. Shooting is going brilliant. I enjoy watching movies, and imitating people. I love to see people acting, and want to play roles that are emotional, like Colour Purple. It’s a part of me that I thought I should bring out.

Museke: What are your favorite movies?
Becca: Colour Purple, The gods must be crazy, Hotel Rwanda. I like movies that inspire people to take action.

Museke: What do u think of Ghanaian movies?
Becca: It’s improving. We put it in a lot of effort. Ghanaians enjoy it too, it’s selling everywhere. (even more than music). I will take the opportunity to act in one when it comes, if the role is right and good.

Museke: Have you been approached by foreign labels?
Becca: Yes. Chissa records (Hugh Masekela), we have collaborated on distribution in South Africa. They’ve really accepted the song, getting great airplay, gonna be shown on tv very soon, etc.

Museke: I just saw the ‘I love you’ video today. You are wearing some South African attire. Do you admire South Africans and the music very much?
Becca: South African music is just quality. There’s nothing like being original, they have a habit of doing things originally. They do what their heart feels, and put so much tradition and culture into it, and it makes it beautiful. It’s inspiring.

Check out Part 2 of the interview here