Many in the arts and entertainment industry generally see the year 2020 as a devastating one that has tumbled dreams and shattered hopes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To singer SSUE, however, this year has been a memorable one not so much for the spoils of the pandemic but for how busy she has been. The attractive young woman with an unmatched vocal quality says though 2020 has posed immense challenges, it has still not been a bad one for her.
“I’m constantly driven by an urge to look at the brighter side of things. That’s why I have been pushing on with intense vim and exploring all the ways that I can keep on singing, performing and just being myself despite the apparent gloom around us,” SSUE recently said.
She finished recording her EP titled ‘Bambaya Fire’ and opened for the internationally-acclaimed Steel Pulse band at a thrilling concert in March to mark Ghana’s Independence Day.
COVID-19 stood in the way of performances with live audiences so SSUE got together with musicians from other parts of the globe to participate in an eight-week digital festival aimed at creating awareness on how to curb the spread of COVID-19. It was organized by DSNY TV of France.
When she became aware that some aged and ailing musicians needed help to cope with the pandemic, she quickly organized a sizeable package of food, detergents, face masks and other items which she presented in May through the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).
A long-time admirer of Highlife great, Pat Thomas, SSUE featured him on her ‘Bome Nkomode’ single which she is still vigorously promoting. Produced by Scratch Studios Universal Entertainment, it is a stimulating, uptempo piece about faith, self-discovery and enduring love.
With virtual concerts the in-thing now due to COVID-19, SSUE has been part of a good number of them including the Ghana National Council in Chicago Festival in July and the appreciation show for Frontline Workers of the World in August.
SSUE co-wrote a song with Osibisa member, Greg Kofi Brown which will be included on the world-famous Afro-rock band’s upcoming album.
Her work has caught the eyes of some awards organizers. She has been nominated in the Artiste of the Year category at the Ghana Arts and Culture Awards (GACA) slated for November. The scheme aims to honour individuals and and brands that have made major contributions to the arts and culture front in Ghana.
She has also been nominated in the Female Vocalist of the Year and the Collaboration of the Year categories at the 2020 Emerging Music Awards (EMA), to be held in November, which recognizes and supports up-and-coming artistes.
Felabration is a big annual bash that celebrates the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti from Nigeria. SSUE was part of it in Nigeria last year. This year’s is a virtual one, for obvious reasons, to be held from October 15 to October 17. SSUE is scheduled to perform on October 17 in a concert to be beamed to 18 countries.
The ‘Bambaya Fire’ EP will be released in the United Kingdom on October 23 to start getting some attention in Europe as she has a distribution deal with Xango Music in the Netherlands.
The Ghana launch of the EP will come off on October 30 at the Virtual Hub, East Legon in Accra. Then she has a show, ‘The Signature Concert 2’ slated for November 28 at the Virtual Hub.
“I’m grateful to my team and fans everywhere for their support. Trying times demand that we stay strong and focused. Nothing comes easy, as the saying goes, so we’ll keep forging ahead with all our abilities,” the singer said with confidence.
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