Fast-rising Ghanaian musician Xheila, sister of renowned artist Gyakie and daughter of legendary Highlife musician Nana Acheampong, has shared her experiences in the music industry during an interview on Joy News’ Changes monitored by MyNewsGh.
Reflecting on her journey, Xheila admitted that breaking into the industry has not been without its challenges.
“So far, so good. I complain—it’s part of life, right? But it’s harsh,” she revealed. Despite her father’s influence, she acknowledged that her path hasn’t been easy. “I wasn’t expecting it to be easy, but this is difficult,” she added.
While her father’s name has opened some doors for her, Xheila emphasized the importance of earning her place through hard work. “Sometimes, I mention his name when I have to, but more times, I want my work to speak for itself,” she explained.
She noted, however, that her father’s name has been instrumental in creating initial opportunities. “His name opens the door, and when they hear my work, they’re like, ‘Okay, you’re good, so you stay.’”
Xheila, who has been in the music industry for three years, took time early on to build her foundation through cover songs. “I felt I didn’t have the grounding yet, so I did covers before coming out fully,” she shared.
“Now, she’s beginning to gain recognition and embrace the attention. “I’m still getting used to it. Sometimes, people meet me and say, ‘Hey,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I do music.’ It’s quite new, but it’s nice. It means I’m being accepted for my music, my personality, and not just my family name.”
Before launching her music career, Xheila wasn’t involved in anything music-related, not even singing in church. “I knew I could sing—I performed a lot of shows in my bathroom and in front of my mirror like a superstar,” she laughed. However, her family never pressured her to pursue music. “If anything, they said, ‘When you’re ready.’”
So, what finally pushed her to take the leap? “It’s something I had to do. I felt like there’s something in me that people need to hear. It might take a while, but I’ll get there. It’s a purpose I have to fulfill,” she said.
Describing her musical style, Xheila identified herself as a contemporary Highlife and Afrobeat artist based in Kumasi. “I’ve been doing this for three years now, and I’m still on the journey,” she concluded.
