Winnie Ama

Northern-Irish Ghanaian music artist Winnie Ama kicked off her live performance career at the end of 2020. By 2022 BBC Introducing ATL had already labeled her ‘One to Watch’ and ‘Future Headliner’ after a series of captivating performances. The following year (2023), she earned the prestigious RTE2FM 'Rising Artist' status and received one of only three 'Rising Star' gold disks from Ditto. In 2024, both The Belfast Telegraph and The Irish Times recognized her as 'One to Watch'.

In 2023, Winnie Ama delivered a widely praised TEDxStormont talk and showcased her singing and original songs on international stages including the UK, Ireland, and the USA. Her performances caught the attention of icons like Macy Gray and Sister Sledge, who invited her to open their shows in Cork and Belfast. Notable stage appearances include headlining the BBC Introducing Stage at Latitude in 2022 and gracing the Solar Stage (Lost Horizon) at Glastonbury in 2023. She also made various 2023 TV appearances on RTE’s Eurovision Mixed, Fanning at Whelan’s, Songs of Ireland and The NYE Special with Patrick Kietly on The Late Late Show.

Her music is a fusion of conscious lyrics and soulful vocals with pop and dance rhythms. Born and bred in Belfast, she splits her time between Belfast and London. Winnie Ama has garnered support from local and national radio, notably BBC Radio 1, where BBC Introducing presenter Gemma Bradley praised her unique voice and fresh writing style.

Inspired by Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Amy Winehouse, Winnie transitioned from writing poetry and stories to crafting music. Her commercial debut as a songwriter in 2019 included three chart-topping collaborations with Francis Groove, one of which, "Can't Wait" by Francis Groove and Friends, claimed the #1 spot on MusicWeek's UK Black Club Chart. Her track “Awe of You” reached #40 in the Irish Airplay Charts.

Her solo debut in 2020 marked the beginning of her solo performance career, followed by a series of prestigious residencies in 2021 and 2022 including the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in Belfast, One Night Records in London, and Bert's Jazz Bar in Belfast. In 2023, she secured a coveted residency with Pirate Studios, triumphing over 5000 emerging artists, and earned a main stage slot at Liverpool's Sound City Festival picked from over 1000 upcoming artists.

Beyond her musical pursuits, Winnie Ama is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the music industry, serving as a data analyst for the Why Not Her? movement. She also dedicates her time to mentoring aspiring artists and hosts a weekly radio show on Colourful Radio, spotlighting new talent in Future Soul and R&B genres. Her versatility extends to journalism, including interviewing Emmy and BAFTA winning director Ava Duvernay and DJing with performances at acclaimed venues such as London's Southbank Centre and Ireland's Electric Picnic and All Together Now festivals.