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The Ghanaian Afro-Fusion star reflected on creativity after dark, soul-first songwriting, and building timeless music in a 2025 conversation with Nandi Madida. In August 2025, Africa Now Radio hosted one of its most emotionally resonant episodes of the year, as Nandi Madida sat down with Ghanaian R&B and Afro-Fusion singer Gyakie. Airing globally on Apple Music 1 on Friday, 29 August 2025, the FaceTime interview coincided with Gyakie’s single “damn you” featuring 6LACK and offered an intimate look into the making of her debut album, After Midnight.

Throughout the conversation, Gyakie positioned After Midnight as both a creative state and a lived reality; the hours when her mind, emotions, and artistry align. Here’s how the interview went!

Why She Named Her Album After Midnight

For Gyakie, night-time is not just aesthetic — it’s functional.

“Most of the songs on the album were recorded within those hours,” she explained.“The world becomes so quiet. Nobody’s calling, nobody’s trying to have conversations. I’m able to focus, think and create.”

She added that the same energy defines her performance life: “Being the life of the party, it’s really within those hours as well.”

What She Hopes the Album Will Do for Listeners

At its core, After Midnight is designed for emotional impact.

“I’m coming for the soul,” Gyakie said.“I want somebody to be healed. I want somebody to fall in love. I want somebody to get confidence. There’s even a gospel song on there that will give you goosebumps.”

Her ambition is measurable not in streams, but in messages from listeners whose lives intersect with her songs — from heartbreak recovery to weddings and personal breakthroughs.

From Business Student to Breakout Artist

Gyakie’s musical journey was not pre-planned.

“I was studying international business on campus. Music wasn’t something I thought I was going to do,” she shared. A chance meeting with a producer led to her first recording session and an immediate audience response. “Music just met me while I was on campus, and it’s been an amazing journey ever since.”

Fashion, Vintage Style, and Being Herself

Beyond sound, Gyakie’s image has become a defining part of her artistry.

“I like seeing people look good, so I might as well also throw something on myself,” she laughed. She described her love for vintage clothing and old-school aesthetics as a form of escape: “We’re living in crazy times now. I want to go back to those good days.”

The Importance of Her First EP, Seed (2020)

Gyakie reflected on Seed as a deliberate introduction to her range.

“I wanted people to really understand the kind of sounds I’m capable of,” she said. The five-track project blended R&B, hip-hop, Afrobeats, and soul, and subtly revealed her lineage. The cover art featured her with her father, Nana Acheampong, marking a pivotal moment in how audiences understood her musical heritage.

On Legacy and Timeless Music

As the daughter of a Ghanaian music icon, Gyakie approaches longevity with intention.

“Seeing the legacy my dad has planted makes me want to do something similar,” she reflected.“I don’t want my name to be missing when it’s all said and done. I want to make timeless music, music that generations after me can still connect to.”

A Soul-First Blueprint for Longevity

Looking back, Gyakie’s Africa Now Radio appearance captures an artist defining success on her own terms, emotionally led, spiritually grounded, and consciously timeless. With After Midnight, Gyakie made her intent clear: not just to soundtrack moments, but to leave a legacy that lives far beyond them.